After the conversions and miracles performed in Jerusalem, ‘Jesus and his disciples went to Judaea, and baptized ... Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples’. Their jealousy aroused, John the Baptist’s disciples complained to him -- “Rabbi, he that was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you gave testimony, baptizes and all men with him.” (Jn 3:26)
St John’s disciples expected him to share their feelings; but they were greatly mistaken. There is no envy in the hearts of the saints. They seek only God’s glory. This detachment was supreme in St John the Baptist.
His only reply to the complaints of his disciples was to exalt Jesus and depreciate himself. “He that comes from above is above all. I am sent before him. My joy, therefore, is fulfilled.” (Jn 3:31) The words, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30) manifested his total self-denial. He overlooks his own works and rejoices in the still greater ones of Jesus which should fully eclipse his own before the world.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations”, by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp368-9
Jesus calls us his friends
Jesus teaches us to receive everybody, to always extend and develop our ability to make friends. We learn to do this only if we open our heart to him in prayer. “For this world of ours set its course in a Christian direction, the only one worthwhile -- we have to exercise a loyal friendship with all men, based on a prior loyal friendship with God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 943)
We should never forget how much Our Lord loves us: “Jesus is your friend. The Friend. With a human heart, like yours. With loving eyes that wept for Lazarus. And he loves you as much as he loved Lazarus.” (Ibid, “The Way”, 422)
We can learn from Christ in having many friends made in every opportunity at work, study, chance encounters, pre-planned meetings. The Christian is always open to others. With a friend one shares the best things; in our case, we have nothing to compare with the love we have for Christ, reinforced over the years through so many hours of prayer.
Friendship requires us to help our friends. “If you discover some defect in your friend, correct him privately ... Corrections do a lot of good and are more valuable than a dumb friendship” (St Ambrose, “On the duties of ministers”, III, p125) which stands silently, watching the friend drown.
Friendship must be persevering: “We shouldn’t change our friends the way children do, who allow themselves to be tossed about by the fickle motions of sentimentality.” (Ibid) “I will not be ashamed to protect a friend.” (Sir 22:25) “... friendship is the mainstay of life.
“... And when the occasion arises, let us put up with great sacrifices. We may have to face antagonisms to defend the cause of an innocent friend; and be prepared to receive insults when we try to reply and rebut those who attack and accuse him ... In adversity true friendship is tested, in prosperity everybody appears faithful.” (cf St Ambrose, op cit, pp126-7)
Supernatural charity strengthens and enriches friendship. Loving Christ makes us more humane; gives us a greater capacity to understand and more open to everybody.
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:544-8
Jesus Christ, the Unknown
It is an historical fact, related by the Gospel and also the symbol of a perennial reality: many do not know and do not want to know who Jesus Christ is. They remain perplexed and disconcerted. Furthermore, as in those days they tried to arrest Him after His discourse in the Temple, so certain people impugn and combat Him today.
But you know who Jesus is. ... where He came from and why He came. You know that Jesus is the Incarnate Word, He is the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Who took a human body. He is the Son of God made man, who died for our salvation on the cross, rose again gloriously, and is always present with us in the Eucharist.
What Jesus said to the Apostles at the Last Supper holds good also for all Christians enlightened by the Magisterium of the Church: “Eternal life is this, to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have given you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me at your side, a glory I had with you before the world began.
“I have made your name known to those you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. Now they know that all you have given me is from you. I entrusted to them the message you entrusted to me, and they received it. They have known that in truth I came from you ... Just Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these men know that you have sent me.” (Jn 17:3-8, 25)
‘The great tragedy of history is that Jesus is not known, is consequently not loved, not followed.’
‘You know Christ!’ You know who He is! Yours is a great privilege! Be always worthy and conscious of it!'
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp103-4
Our faith and Marian devotions
Good Marian devotions abound; but “anyone who doesn’t live some of them, who doesn’t express his love for Mary in some way, does not possess the fullness of the faith.
“Those who think that devotions to our Lady are a thing of the past seem to have lost sight of the deep Christian meaning they contain. ... faith in God the Father’s saving will, love for God the Son, who really became man and was born of a woman, and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies us with his grace.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 142)
“If you look for Mary, you will necessarily find Jesus; and you will learn, in greater and greater depth, what there is in the Heart of God.” (Ibid, “The Forge”, 661)
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, op cit, 4:550
To fight once more
O Jesus! If despite the poor way I have behaved, you have done for me what you have done, what would you do if I were to respond well? This truth will lead you to be generous without measure.
Weep and show with sorrow and love how much it pains you, for Our Lord and his Blessed Mother deserve different treatment from you.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 388
Our Lady of the Lily (Melun, France) (http://www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm)
Our Lady of the Lily, near Melun. This abbey of Cistercian nuns, was founded by Queen Blanche, mother of the King St. Louis.—(Gallia Christiana, t. iv.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
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