15 July 2010: We should fly from vainglory

Sermon on the Mount: We should fly from vainglory

The Lord, having warned us against the violence of persecutions, now puts us on our guard against the danger and snares of vanity. “Beware of practising your piety before others, to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Mt 6:1)

It is plain from the words of the infallible Truth, it is in the intention by which our actions gain merit. Meritorious if we perform them to please God. If done from vainglory, they have no merit, or may even deem worthy of punishment.

Pride, or an inordinate desire for vainglory, is identified with us since original sin. From this springs continual and secret seeking of self or of the esteem of men in everything we do in public. This is simply vainglory, a subtle temptation; and may be compared to a worm gnawing away at fruit.

The greatest saints, despite their constant vigilance, were fearful of being surprised into it, remembering our Lord’s warning, “Take heed; be on your guard” (Mk 13:37).

What fear, then, must we have of losing the merit of our good works, we who watch so little over ourselves, our thoughts, and our actions! Take this matter into serious consideration. It is worth the trouble.

“If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Mt 6:22) The eye of our body, of our material acts, is the understanding which never acts without an intention (St Jerome).

If this eye is simple and sinless, it will always enable us to see God, our last end. Our acts will tend directly to him solely with the ‘intention’ of pleasing him, as the Author of all goodness and beauty. ‘To the only God be honor and glory.’

Great, indeed, is the Christian who has God in view in all his actions; constantly raising himself to the heights of heaven. He identifies himself with the Divinity, having but one will with it, and happy is he.

For God, who sees the secrets of all hearts, will reward even the smallest action, however indifferent in its nature. Our Lord says, “Thy Father, who sees in secret will repay you” (Mt 6:4).

If it is a great and happy thing to act habitually for God, how much greater and happier is it to be doing what only God sees. To lose sight entirely of self and to be safe from any temptation to vainglory.

To be entirely occupied with the thought of God’s glory without regard to the promised reward! The ideal of absolute perfection. We must aspire after it even if attaining is futile.

Do not be sad because of this inability. It will all end in heaven. Until then, let us do our best to renew a pure intention. If, while fulfilling our duties, we are praised and the devil tempts us to vainglories, say with St Bernard: “I did not begin for you; I will not stop for you.”

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp444-6

Purifying the monotony of our sins

One day Our Lord will show us the effects of having prayed devoutly, despite some distractions, the Holy Rosary: disasters averted by Our Lady’s intercession, assistance to loved ones, conversions, and so forth.

In many events of our life, this prayer, so efficacious and pleasing to Our Lady, will be the most effective channel for petition, thanksgiving, and making atonement for our sins-- ”'Immaculate Virgin, I know very well I am only a miserable wretch, and all I do is increase each day the number of my sins ...’ You told me the other day; that was how you spoke to Our Mother.

“And I was confident in advising you with assurance to pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of ‘Hail, Mary’s’ which purifies the monotony of your sins!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 478)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:506

Pride vs. humility

In all the world there is no virtue as rare or as beautiful as humility. Or as powerful. As humility is the most rare of virtues, pride is the most common of sins. But it is by no means common in the sense that it is easily recognized by those who suffer from it. On the contrary it is the most subtle, the most delicate, the most ingenious.

Pride is the favorite, the most beloved of all the Devil’s agents. When Anger, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Envy, and Avarice have all returned to the throne of hell broken and defeated, His Invidious Majesty sends out Pride, supremely confident that Pride will win again. And like as not, Pride wins.

Yes, humility is rare and powerful. It is almost never found except in persons with strong religious convictions. Undoubtedly, humility rests upon faith.

A story is told of a young man who attended a school of higher learning. He was a leader in many phases of college life and enjoyed the respect of both faculty and students. One day a box arrived from home and that night he invited some of his friends to his room for a feast. One of the young men noticed a motto on his desk enclosed in a beautiful frame: “I am third.”

“What does it mean, Bob?” echoed a succession of voices. Finally, when Bob was sure his friends really did want to know he began to explain:

“I have one of the finest mothers in the world. She is a good Catholic. So is Dad. It has meant downright sacrifice to keep me in college. On the night before I left home she brought this little frame to me and asked me to keep it where I could see it every day.

"It has stood right on my desk, and I shall take it with me wherever I go. I hope I’ll always remember its admonition. My mother explained it to me that night and I shall never forget a word she said.

“‘My son’, she told me, ‘always remember that God is first; others are second; and you are third!’”

Ref: In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1022, 1026

St Bonaventure, bishop and Doctor of the Church -- At the University of Paris where he was a lecturer, he met St Thomas Aquinas. He became the General of the Franciscan Order and a Cardinal. Known as the ‘Seraphic Doctor’, the greatest exponent of mystical theology in the Middle Ages. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1578)

Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Memorial: July 16 (http://www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm)

Eighth Day

You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope.

Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints.

(‘Pause and mention petitions.’)

Say: Our Father, Hail, Mary and Glory Be ...

‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’

In the year 1099, the Turks were defeated by Godfrey of Bouillon, who on this day took Jerusalem, of which he was made king; and formerly the feast of this event was celebrated annually with a double office and octave. — Molanus, at this day. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Our Lady of Molanus. 1099. Godfrey de Bouillon defeats the Turks at Jerusalem in 1099, through Mary's intercession. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

Godfrey de Bouillon defeated the Turks through the Blessed Virgin's intercession.(maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)