Our Lady of Remedies -- Parish church at Malate, Manila. Patroness of mothers who have just given birth. The Augustinans brought this image from Mexico in 1598. (Nicanor G Tiongson, “Filipino Heritage”, 1977, VII:1733)
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
On the day after the feast at Simon’s house, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Near Bethphage and Bethania, in Mount Olivet, He told two of his disciples, “Go into the town; on entering it you will find the colt of an ass tied on which no man ever had sat. Loose him and bring it here. If any man will ask why you loose him say, ‘Because the Lord needs it’.” (cf Mt 21:2; cf Lk 19:30-31; cf Mk 11:3)
What can we admire most? The foresight of Jesus, and his free domain over the goods of his creatures; the prompt obedience of his disciples to an order which seemed rash. Or the eagerness of the inhabitants of Bethany to comply with the request of his messengers.
Let us learn-- 1) To abandon ourselves to the providence of God who watches over each one of us, knows all that happens to us, and turn it in his love to our profit; 2) to sincerely offer him health, talents, learning, etc; and 3) not to hesitate when obedience imposes on us apparently difficult duties. In a spirit of faith like the disciples, all problems will disappear fast.
What enthusiasm in the people on our Lord’s entry! What sweetness and majesty united in him. “They took branches of palm in their hands, and spread their garments on the road, and cried, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’” (Lk 19:36; Mt 21:9)
If we are praised for our zeal or charity, repress all hint of vanity. Refer all our success to God alone. Remember that only five days after the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the very same streets re-echoed with the cry of “Crucify him, crucify him!” (Lk 23:21)
The Scribes and Pharisees could not ignore Zachary’s prophecy fulfilled in this triumphal entry, but their pride and jealousy prevailed. They said, “Do you see that we can do nothing? The whole world has gone after him." (Jn 12:19) Some even told Jesus, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop. He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out’.” (Lk 19:39-40)
How wonderfully were these words realized on Good Friday! For when the terrified disciples stood silent on Calvary, the earthquake bore witness to his divinity. If we are vexed at the success of our colleagues, let us not yield to jealousy. Thank God that good is done, whoever is the instrument.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp737-9
Liberation from Religious Alienation
Is not the fear which upsets modern man also that which, “in its deepest roots, has arisen from ‘the death of God’”?
Not that death on the cross, which became the beginning of the Resurrection and the source of glorification of the Son of God, at the same time the foundation of human hope and the sign of salvation. No, not from that death. But from the death whereby man makes God die in himself, particularly in the course of the last stage of his story, in his thought, in his conscience, in his workings.
This is like the common denominator of many initiatives of human thought and will. Man takes himself and the world away from God, thinking that only in this way will he be able to enter into full possession of the same, become master of the world and his own destiny.
So man “makes God die” in himself and others. Of what use are entire philosophical systems, social, economic and political programs? We live in an epoch of gigantic material progress, which is also the epoch of a negation of God previously unknown. Such is the image of our society.
But why is man afraid? Perhaps exactly because, in consequence of this negation of his, he remains alone in the last analysis, metaphysically alone ... interiorly alone.
Or maybe? Maybe because man, who makes God die, will not find any other decisive restraint against slaying man which is in God. The ultimate reason why man should live, respect and protect the life of man is in God. The ultimate foundation of the value and dignity of man, of the meaning of his life, is the fact that he is God’s image and likeness!
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p101
Serving with joy
Humility ought to characterize our service to God and others. Rectitude of intention is paramount. In the words of Cardinal Luciani, later Pope John Paul I:
“When I am paid a compliment, I must compare myself with the little donkey that carried Christ on Palm Sunday. And I say to myself: If that little creature, hearing the applause of the crowd, had become proud and had begun (jackass that he was) to bow his thanks left and right like a prima donna, how much hilarity he would have aroused! Don’t act the same!” (Albino Luciani, “Illustrisimi”, 1978, p50)
We must help others in a way they do not even notice our intentions, if possible. Our only compensation will then be the loving glance of Christ. Indeed, such is the highest reward ever! This ideal should guide us even in the more unpleasant aspects of daily life.
Such sacrifices make social and family life much more pleasant. We must resolve to really excel in our spirit of service to others, always with a cheerful disposition. This spirit also includes people we may meet only once. This behaviour will make us understand: to “serve is to reign” (Pope John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptor hominis”, 4 March 1979, 21).
Our Lady can teach us how to help others. She gives the best example: “In the middle of the rejoicing at the feast in Cana, only Mary notices that they are short of wine. A soul will notice even the smallest details of service if, like her, it is alive with a passion for helping its neighbor, for God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 631)
In this service, we will be blessed to find Jesus who will tell us: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:271-2
Our Lady of the Mountains, in Italy, between the Esquiline and Viminal Hills. This image was miraculously found in the year 1500. — Triple Cour., n. 99. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar); http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
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