Secretary of Pope Damasus who commissioned him to revise the Latin text of the Bible. He worked on this project in Bethlehem. The Church adopted his work now known as the Vulgate, as the official version. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1655)
‘With thy whole heart, soul, strength and mind’
A lawyer stood up and asked Jesus, “Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk 10:25)
He was not serious; but only hoped to get some answer which might later be turned against Jesus. Our Lord, therefore, would have been justified in ignoring him. For the sake of the audience, he chose to reply.
Should unprincipled persons ask questions in a testing spirit or pretend to show doubts about the faith, do not discuss with them believing they are sincere (they would only laugh at us). Unless the honor of our religion required it, or an opportunity of explaining things to others who are present.
As in this case, do nothing rashly. Our Lord did not say to all, ‘I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to resist and deny’.
Jesus, in showing the lawyer’s question was not instructive, replied, “What is written in the law?” (Lk 10:26) He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus said, “You answered right; do this and you will live” (Lk 10:27-8).
‘With all your heart.’ To love nothing but God. Nothing except in and for God. To be habitually disposed to do or suffer anything to please God. To desire only what leads to God; hate all that turns us away.
‘With all your soul.’ To be ready to give our life for God. To lose everything rather than lose the grace of God. To banish from our mind every thought which could displease God, or hinder an intimacy with him.
‘With all your strength.’ To spare no trouble to advance the glory of God. To consecrate to him our time, talents, body, health, rest and every energy of our soul.
‘With all your mind.’ To be ever striving for a better knowledge of the infinite perfections and will of God.
The lawyer, mortified by exposure of his insincerity, wished to set himself right with those present. He, therefore, asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus, answering him by the parable of the Good Samaritan [Lk 10:25-37], exposed all the pride, malice, and selfishness which lurked in his heart, and in those of his colleagues, doctors, but really corruptors of the law.
By trying to justify ourselves like this proud lawyer, we make our position worse before God and men.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp616-8
Peace of Mind
“Diligently and accurately handle all the affairs of which you are in charge, but if possible do not be unduly worried about them. Do not let them upset and disturb you. In taking care of them, never torment yourself, for such anxieties make clear-thinking difficult and prevent your doing other things well.
"If you practice this advice, you will succeed in discharging your duties very meritoriously for, beyond doubt, time employed calmly is spent most efficaciously.”
Ref: St Francis de Sales, “Spiritual Diary”, pp178-9. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1156
Jesus is the object of our charity
Jesus, in citing the parable of the Good Samaritan, speaks about sins of omission. Those who ‘passed by on the other side’ did not inflict any fresh injuries on the abandoned and badly-wounded wayfarer. Neither did they steal whatever he had left, nor insult him. They had worries of their own, they didn’t want any complications, they had better things to do.
Minding their own business was more important than what the man needs. Therein lay their sin. That service which they omitted to offer the injured wayfarer would have merited the same praise Our Lord gave to Mary Magdalen: “she has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mk 14:6). Since anything we do for others we do for God. Christ awaits us in the person in need.
Our interests, what we like doing, not to mention any self-indulgence, must all take second place to the needs of others. Jesus ends with a friendly word: ‘Go and do likewise’, ie, be understanding, involved and compassionate with whoever needs you. To heed this advice we must have recourse to the Blessed Virgin.
“There is no heart more human than that of a person overflowing with supernatural sense. Think of our Mother Mary, who is full of grace, Daughter of God the Father, Mother of God the Son, Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Her heart has room for all humanity and makes no distinction or discrimination. Every person is her son or her daughter.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 801)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:133-4; 136
Mary Our Mother
“Dearly beloved, this is the faith we share with you:
“We honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. We recognize her unique and exalted role in the redemption her Son brought to men. We love Mary. We try to imitate her virtues of faith, purity, humility and conformity to the will of God, which are part of the very texture of the Gospel message.
“We acknowledge that devotion to Mary, our joyful duty, has a special function in exalting the dignity of woman and fostering respect for her person. We believe in the power of Mary’s intercession to bring us under the influence of Christ’s redeeming mercy.
“We have contemplated our Lady with joy, pondering her holiness, generosity, hope, burning love, wholehearted dedication in faith to the saving work of her Son. We believe the Father gave her to us as a ‘model of virtues for the whole community of the elect’.
"May her pilgrimage of faith strengthen our Christian vocations. May her loving desire that her Son’s words be heeded hasten Christian unity. May her motherly intercession make us worthy of the promises of Christ.”
Ref: Pastoral letter of the U.S. Bishops, “Behold Your Mother”, nn. 7- 9, 146. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1420-21
Our Lady of Beaumont, in Lorraine between Domremy and Vauconleurs. Joan of Arc very often retired into this church, to commend the affairs of France to the Queen of heaven and earth, who ordered her to take up arms to deliver that kingdom. — Triple Couronne, traite 3, ch. 7. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
‘Notre Dame de Beaumont’. Auvergne, France. Built ~1060, site of many pilgrimages and miracles. Gothic church. Chapel has a painting of Joan of Arc made during her lifetime. "Notre Dame de Beaumont in the life of Saint Hervé and the Curé of Ars." (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lady of Beaumont, Lorraine, France (12th C). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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