A tradition, which the Middle Ages took delight in repeating, associates the discovery of the Holy Places with St Helena’s stay in Jerusalem. She convened a commission of priests and archaeologists to decide the exact place at which digging should start. A document which had been preserved by a certain Jewish family enabled them to ascertain the topography of the city before its destruction in the first century.
After weeks of labor to remove hundreds of tons of earth, the mound of Calvary and grotto of the sepulchre appeared. More diggings revealed three crosses. Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem prayed: “Make known to us, O Lord, in some outstanding way, which of these three crosses served for Thy glory!”
A dying woman, brought to the spot, was touched with the wood from all three crosses. At the third touch; she rose from her bed and walked. The Lord had spoken.
Ref: H Daniel-Rops, “The Church of Apostles and Martyrs: History of the Church of Christ”, 1960, Vol. I, p435
“Learn of me, ... meek and humble of heart.”
The state of grace, purity of conscience, and sanctity is what our vocation demands from us; and by the spirit of purity we shall please God.
“You have already been cleansed by the word I have spoken to you.” (Jn 15:3) And also by avoiding sin, by being always united to God by sanctifying grace or charity, we shall draw down God’s blessing on our works of zeal, and may hope to see them fully succeed; and produce abundant and lasting fruit.
Our Lord assures: “He that abides in me and I in him, the same bears much fruit because apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5) On the other hand, St Paul cries out, “If I do not have charity, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians, 13:1) I may raise my voice, I may entertain my audience; but I shall not convert anyone.
A tender and compassionate charity, together with great meekness, the fruit of humility, is certainly the spirit of our Lord and model. “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (Jn 13:34) And again, “Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
Such should be the spirit which distinguishes whoever profess to closely follow Jesus. He desires our charity to be absolutely free from all rancour: “Pray for them that persecute you; do good to them that hate you and calumniate you.” (Lk 6:27-8)
Jesus desires that our meekness should be without disguise, like that of sheep and doves: “I send you as sheep among wolves. Be simple as doves.” (Mt 10:16) By following these precepts of our Lord and his wonderful example, the Apostles and their successors converted the world and changed wolves into lambs.
By charity and gentleness we shall succeed in our efforts for conversion and sanctification of souls. The ardor of our zeal must be tempered by charity, patience, and gentleness. Rude and harsh words annoy people and close their hearts against us. Charity and gentleness open their hearts to be disciples.
Without the habit and spirit of prayer, we are Christian only in name lacking a solid piety; incapable of that virtue both God and man demand from us: of producing fruit in souls. God’s grace alone makes our zeal successful. “Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters; but God who gives the increase.” (1 Cor 3:7)
We complain that our zealous efforts meet only with indifference and insensibility. Is this our fault? Souls are gained, say the saints, at the price of blood, because the blood of God has flowed for them.
Do we use extraordinary means? How many mortifications, penances and prayers do we offer? Are human means enough? Be a child of God, a person of prayer and mortification, and all will yield to our zeal.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp510-512
Another Name for Love
What else does the cross of Christ say to us, which in a sense is the final word of his messianic message and mission? That cross speaks and never ceases to speak of God the Father, who is absolutely faithful to his eternal love for man, since he “so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (cf Jn 3:16).
Believing in the crucified Son means “seeing the Father” (cf Jn 14:9); means believing that love is present in the world and that this love is more powerful than any kind of evil in which individuals, humanity or the world are involved.
Believing in this love means believing in mercy. For mercy is an indispensable dimension of love; it is as it were love’s second sense.
Ref: cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 58
The cross and cheerfulness
This true gladness is different from a happiness dependent on material well-being, on good health (how fragile it is!), on our moods (which change so easily!), on temporarily not having any difficulties or lacking in the things we need. We are children of God and nothing should trouble us, not even death itself.
‘Christ on the Cross’: is the only authentic key. On the Cross, he accepts suffering to make us happy; and he teaches that, united to him, we too can give a salvific value to our suffering, which is then turned into joy.
“In the light of Christ’s Cross, there is no room for a fear of pain ... we understand that love is shown through pain: the truth of love, of our love for God and for all men.” (Alvaro del Portillo, “Homily during the Mass for participants in the Jubilee of Youth”, 12 March 1984)
“Let us imagine the joyful gaze of Jesus that would shine smiling from the eyes of his Mother, who is unable to contain her joy: Her soul glorifies the Lord, from the moment she first carried him within her, till now and forever. O Mother, may ours, like yours, be the joy of being always with him and having him close to us.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 95)
Beside her, we sincerely resolve: “to make the way lovable for others, and easy, since life brings enough bitterness without our adding to it.” (Ibid, op cit, 63)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:94-5; 98
In the year 1022, King Robert founded a chapel in honor of Our Lady in the court of the palace, at Paris, on the spot where the Sainte Chapell now stands. — Du Breuil, Antiquites de Paris. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Our Lady of Torcaroma (Colombia, South America). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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