On the way to Bethany, Jesus spoke for the third time, and in more detail, of his Passion that will occur in a few weeks. “See, we are going up to Jerusalem; and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have scourged him, they will kill him; and on the third day he will rise again.” (cf Lk 18:31-3)
Our Lord’s frequent references to his approaching Passion show that it was ever in his mind and dear to his Heart. As he said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk 6:45). Thus, if we desire to please his Sacred Heart and obtain favors, let us always remember what he suffered for us, speak of it to others; and make it our prayer before the Tabernacle.
Alhough Jesus spoke of his approaching Passion and death most clearly, the Apostles “understood none of these things” (Lk 18:34). They even tried to discredit the predictions of their Master, St Peter exclaiming, “Lord, be it far from you; this shall not happen to you” (Mt 16:22). They were blinded still by their prejudices about the temporal glory of the promised Messiah.
Let us show more moderation towards whoever differ from us. Let us not accuse them too readily of impiety, either due to their errors in matters of faith or aversion to certain religious institutions and practices. They may be, like the Apostles, victims of ignorance or of prejudice!
Our Lord, though he well knew his Apostles would not understand him when he spoke of his Passion, did so for three reasons: First, that they might not be scandalized when they see him, their Master, treated exactly as he predicted; and learn that his sufferings will be caused much more by his love than by the malice of his enemies.
Second, to awaken in their hearts, towards him, the feelings of love and generosity so richly his due.
Third, to make them see that the kingdoms and thrones he had promised them could only be purchased by suffering and humiliation.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp718-20
Acts of faith
“Lord, increase our faith!” (Lk 17:5) What a wonderful prayer to repeat many times a day! We must also practise it: in times of need or danger, against our weaknesses, when we are in pain, when we face obstacles in the apostolate or when souls don’t seem to respond; whenever we are before the Blessed Sacrament.
We must make many acts of faith in our prayer and during Holy Mass. St Thomas when he looked at the host at the moment of the Consecration, would pray: “You are the King of glory. You are the eternal Son of the Father.”
Similarly, St Josemaria Escrivá had the custom of praying: “Increase our faith, our hope and our love.” Whenever he made a genuflection he would pray: “I adore you with devotion, hidden God.” (cf A Vazquez de Prada, “The Founder of Opus Dei”, Madrid 1983)
Many of the faithful usually pray at the moment of Consecration those words of the Apostle Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” We should not let this opportunity pass without showing the Lord our faith and our love.
Even though we are filled with a great desire for formation and closer union with Christ, it is possible that our faith may at times weaken. We may give in to human respect in our apostolate. Faith is a gift of God that we sometimes fail to live up to. The occasion may be as unimportant as a grain of mustard seed. We should not be surprised at our weaknesses. God has already taken them into account.
Let us imitate the Apostles, who were conscious of their defects as well as conscious of the infinite power of the Almighty. Let us ask their help along with Our Lady’s to increase our faith that we may be faithful to the end of our days. Let us pray that we bring many others to Christ in the process.
Our Mother Mary will always be a great source of faith and hope, especially in times of direst need. “We, sinners know that she is our Advocate who never gets tired of lending us a hand again and again, as often as we fall and make an effort to rise again; we who go through life fumbling and faltering, who are weak to the point of not being able to avoid the pains inherent to our human condition, know that she is the comforter of the afflicted, the refuge where as a last resort we may find a bit of peace, a bit of serenity ...
“We also know that in those moments when our helplessness reaches almost exasperation or despair, when nobody can do anything anymore and we feel utterly forlorn with our sorrow or our shame, up against the wall, she is still our hope, our beacon light; she can still be appealed to when there is no longer anyone to appeal to.” (F Suarez, “The Narrow Gate”, p126)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:171-2
Memorial: St Gertrude, virgin -- A Cistercian nun with a great devotion to the Sacred Humanity of our Lord in His Passion and in the Blessed Eucharist, and a tender love for the Blessed Virgin. (Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, p476)
St Gertrude, the Theologian of the Sacred Heart
I wish you abundant heavenly favors, in your commitment to preparing yourselves for the tasks awaiting you in life and accomplishment of good ... for living the Christian life intensely; opening the doors of your hearts to Christ.
I would particularly remind you of the great German mystic St Gertrude (1256-1301). Her feast occurs today and she has rightly been described as “the theologian of the Sacred Heart”. It is important indeed to know the personalities and spiritualities of our saints, so as to be able to imitate them in the life of grace and testimony; to call upon them at moments of confusion and temptation.
As St Gertrude often recommended, I exhort you also to have always total trust in Jesus, our Redeemer and Friend, so as to be good and worthy of esteem, making yourselves and those who love you happy.
I impart my blessing to all from my heart.
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp394-5
Our Lady of Chieves, in Hainault, where, in the year 1130, the lady of the place, named Ida, had a chapel built near a fountain where an image of Our Lady had been found, which has since wrought many miracles. — Triple Couronne, n. 62. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lady of Chieves. Hainault, Belgium (1130). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Our Lady of Chieves. (Hainaut, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Our Lady, Health of the Sick. Celebrated by the Camillians. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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