God’s salvation is the work of a love greater than man’s sin. Love alone can wipe out sin and liberate from sin. Love alone can consolidate man in the good; in the unalterable and eternal good.
This God of our Advent, the Creator and Redeemer, is who makes this profession of such love for man the sinner: “Though the mountains leave their place, and the hills be shaken, my love will never leave you.” (Is 54:10)
Let us remember once again that this saving love who came to man during the night of Bethlehem, and revealing itself in the Cross and the Resurrection, remains incessantly written in the Church’s life as ‘the Sacrament of the Body and the Blood’ as nourishment of souls.
Each time we receive this Sacrament, whenever we accept this food, we prepare the way of the Lord, we make straight his paths. May we always have hunger and thirst for this nourishment ...
May we, through the Sacrament of the Body and the Blood, build the way along which God will come to us in the mystery of his majesty.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p17-8
Understanding our own salvation
No affair is more important than that of our salvation. If it causes us neither fear nor uneasiness, while so many other matters disturb us daily, then, we do not sufficiently appreciate our need for salvation. Or are far from having it at heart beyond all other affairs. We are living in a false security. The great danger is we do not fear enough.
Whoever is without fear of failure takes no serious means to attain success. Salvation is the reward of energy and striving. As Jesus Christ said, “The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt 11:12).
A man implicated in a lawsuit which concerns his fortune is continually seeking new means of defending it. After one consultation he has another; after one arrangement he makes another; he never thinks he has done enough.
It would be the same with us, and with far more reason, if we had the business of our salvation and eternity seriously at heart. We should never think we have taken sufficient means or precautions. We ought not to think we have done enough to obtain final perseverance.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp47-9
Confession: We receive light and graces
Confession makes us share in the Passion of Christ; and through his merits, in his Resurrection. Each time we receive the sacrament with the proper dispositions, a life of grace is reborn in our soul. Christ’s blood, lovingly shed, purifies and sanctifies the soul; and by its virtue the sacrament confers grace if it has been lost or increases it.
“The intensity of repentance is, sometimes, proportionate to a greater grace than that from which the penitent fell through sin; sometimes the same, sometimes less. For this reason the penitent rises sometimes with greater grace than he had before; sometimes with the same grace, and sometimes with less.” (St Thomas Aquinas, "Summa Theologiae", III, q89,a2c)
In confession, the soul receives greater light from God, and an increased strength -- special graces to struggle against the inclinations which have been confessed; to avoid occasions of sin so as not to fall again into those faults. The penitent asks for, and receives help, in his daily struggle.
“See how good God is, and how easily He forgives sins; He not only restores what has been lost with his forgiveness but grants unhoped for benefits.” (St Ambrose, “Commentary on the Gospel of St Luke”, 2, 73)
How often have we received the greatest graces in confession after having told Our Lord that we have behaved badly towards him! Jesus always returns good for evil, to encourage us to be faithful.
The punishment we have earned by our sins is erased by God when he sees our contrition, our works of penance and atonement. Sincerely confessing our faults always leaves great peace and joy. The sadness caused by sin and lack of concurrence with grace turns into joy.
“The moments of a sincere Confession may well be amongst the sweetest, the most comforting and the most decisive moments in life.” (Paul VI, “Address”, 27 Feb 1975)
“Now you realize how much you have made Jesus suffer, ... you are filled with sorrow. How easy to ask his pardon, weep for your past betrayals! Such is your longing for atonement that you cannot contain it in your breast! Fine ... but don’t forget the spirit of penance consists mainly in fulfilment of the duty of each moment, however costly it may be.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross”, Ninth Station, 5)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:47-8
Jesus has what we lack and need.
We have many weaknesses and therefore, should frequently seek the Master in Holy Communion. The banquet is prepared (cf Lk 14:16) and many are invited, although few attend. How can we exclude ourselves? Love destroys all excuses.
This desire to receive this sacrament can be renewed often during the day by means of the spiritual communion. ... We will receive many graces ... Near him we will find peace if we have lost it, strength to finish well the work at hand, and joy in the service of others.
“What shall we do, you ask, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament? Love him, adore him, thank him and ask him. What does a poor man do in the presence of a rich man? A sick man in the presence of a doctor? One who is thirsty at the sight of a crystal-clear fountain?” (St Alphonsus Liguori, “Visits to the Blessed Sacrament”, III)
Jesus is our strength along the road of life. Let us ask Our Lady to show us how to receive him ‘with the purity, humility and devotion’ with which she received him, ‘with the spirit and fervor of the saints’.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:343-4
· “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in great need.” Mary to the children of Fatima. (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, p25)
Our Lady of Consolation, Rome, at the foot of the Capitol. This Madonna began to work miracles in the year 1471. (Bethlehem Observer Historical Calendar)
Our Lady of Consolation. Rome. ["...at foot of Capitol. This Madonna began to work miracles in 1471. (Triple Couronne, n 43)"]; (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lady of Consolation, Rome (1471). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Our Lady of Consolation (Rome). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Our Lady of Consolation (Vatopedi) [Greece]. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Our Lady of ‘Alta Gracia’ (Highest Grace). Higuey, Sto Domingo. Patron saint of the Dominican Republic, and a very important element of folk religion there. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lady of ‘Alta Gracia’ (Higuey, Santo Domingo). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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