A prince returning to his kingdom is proud of the wounds he has received in battle. Therefore, we must not be surprised that our Lord chose to bear in his now glorified body the marks of the wounds he received in his glorious combat against sin and death.
He also wished to show us his esteem for suffering and infamy endured in the cause of God, and to encourage us to endure them, too. Suffering and humiliation shall bring us to glory and eternal happiness.
The saints drew their generosity and contempt for the world from contemplating the wounds and humiliations of their Lord. It enabled them to regard fame, honor, and pleasures as nothing. They rejoiced in suffering as he did hardships, labor, and ignominy. We are stimulated by the desire to resembling him than of acquiring merit by so doing.
These wounds also remind us of what he has done for love of us. To assure us of his never-failing protection; ever open to receive and shelter us. They are eloquent voices pleading for us before the heavenly throne. How can he who sits thereon refuse his beloved Son whatever he asks?
We often complain of dryness in prayer, even in our visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Of the little love, almost the indifference, we feel for the Person of our Lord; and of our weakness against the innumerable difficulties and temptations.
Our remedy? Let us seek it in the wounds of Jesus. Let us contemplate them and enter therein in spirit. All causes of complaint will disappear. “In every misery I have found no more efficacious remedy than the wounds of Jesus. Within them I rest in peace and safety.” (St Augustine)
Our Lord has, furthermore, retained these wounds to confound the wicked, at the last judgment, who have not profited by his Passion. And to rejoice the elect who have corresponded with the designs of his wonderful and merciful Providence by respecting them.
We wish to be among the elect. Our desire and confidence will be well founded if we earnestly endeavor to form within ourselves the likeness of our crucified God. Then with what joy shall we press our dying lips upon the five wounds of the crucifix! How we shall rejoice throughout all eternity!
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp190-92
Life of piety
Our Lord withdrew often to pray, perhaps for hours at a time. “And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.” (Mk 1:35)
At other times he turned to his Father God with a short prayer, and ejaculation: “I give thee praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth ...” (Mt 11:25) “I thank you, Father, for you have heard me.” (Jn 11:41)
Jesus is also moved by the petitions of those who approach him. They are prayers that we, too can use: there is the prayer of the leper who says, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean ...” (Mt 8:2-3); of the blind man from Jericho, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Lk 18:38-9); and of the good thief’s, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingly power” (Lk 23:42-3).
Jesus, moved by these prayers, granted their petitions at once. We may use them as a way of seeking forgiveness, just as the tax collector did, he who returned home justified: “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” (cf Lk 18:13) I can repeat with St Peter after his denials, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” (Jn 21:17) -- despite my failings.
To ask for more faith: “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mk 9:23) Strengthen my faith: “My Lord and my God” (Jn 20:28), says Thomas when Jesus appears to him after the Resurrection; a wonderful act of faith as we genuflect before the Tabernacle. We say, like the disciples of Emmaus, “Stay with us for it is toward evening; the day is now far spent” (Lk 24:29).
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:219-21
Mary, Mother of Knowledge
All the wonders of this earth, the fulfilment of our every ambition, are worthless if the living flame of love burns not within us, unless the light of holy hope gives us a foretaste of never-ending love in our true homeland, heaven.
It is with Mary, the ‘Mother of Knowledge' that we learn the most important lesson of all, that nothing is worthwhile if we are not close to our Lord.
“In me is to be found every grace of doctrine and of truth, every hope of life and of virtue.” (Sir 24:25)
How wise the Church is to put these words on our Mother’s lips so that we, Christians do not forget them. She is our safety, the Love that never fails, the refuge ever open to us, the hand ever ready to caress and console.
One of the early Church Fathers said that we should try to keep in our minds and memories a clear summary of the life of the Mother of God. (cf St John Damascene, “Homilies in dormitionem B V Mariae”, 2, 19 [PG 96, 751]) I expect you have often referred to handbooks on medicine, mathematics or other subjects for immediate measures to be taken so as to avoid elementary mistakes in these subjects.
In the calm quiet of our prayer, we must often meditate on all we have heard about our Mother. The reward will be that the story of her life will become engraved on our souls. We will find ourselves going to her without hesitation, especially when we have no one else to turn to.
This may sound like self-interest on our part. It is, of course; but then don’t all mothers know that we, children often turn to them only as a last resort? They know this very well, but it doesn’t worry them. That comes with being a mother. Their disinterested love is able to discern, through our apparent selfishness, our filial affection and our trusting confidence.
I am not suggesting our devotion to Mary should be limited to times of urgent need. Nevertheless, we should not feel humiliated if this happens to us from time to time. Mothers don’t keep a record of their children’s tokens of affection; nor measure them with petty calculations.
Ref: cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 279, 280
Our Lady of Myans, near Chambrey, in Savoy. It is believed that this image, in the year 1249, prevented the lightning, which had already consumed the town of Saint Andre with sixteen villages, from going farther, and was the cause of its stopping at Myans. — Triple Couronne, n. 114. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Myans, Savoy, France (1249). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
'Notre Dame de Myans' / Our Lady of Myans. Near Chambrey, Savoy, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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