21 February 2011: Jesus asleep

One evening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go to the other side” (Mk 4:35). And when they were sailing, he slept. Soon a great storm arose in the sea and the boat was in danger of sinking.

The disciples, despite their experience, came to him, saying: “Lord, save us; we perish. ... does it not concern you that we perish?” (Mk 4:38) Jesus answered, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Mk 4:39) He did not fault them for awaking him, but for having doubted his care and thought him powerless to help.

Jesus had permitted this storm to arise that he might show his divine power and strengthen his disciples’ confidence. He quelled the storm and rebuked the wind with: “Peace!” (Mk 4:39) The wind ceased; a great calm ensued. The disciples exceedingly afraid, said to each other, “Who is this that both wind and sea obey him?” (Mk 4:40)

This episode, recorded in detail by three evangelists teaches: 1) the tempest threatened shipwreck despite our Lord’s presence; and 2) Jesus calmly slept during the storm.

These facts lead us to draw practical conclusions -- 1) that it is a great mistake to suppose ourselves abandoned by God because we are exposed to violent temptations or frightful persecutions; and 2) that it is equally wrong to give way to fear, as though our Lord were absent and not protecting us.

Let us immediately go to Jesus in every danger. His majesty and almighty power here manifested in a most striking manner make us feel proud and happy to belong to him, to be allowed to fight under his standard. We should thank him for this great privilege, and courageously renew our resolve -- ‘Serviam!’ (I will serve!)

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations”, by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp393-5

God’s love is gratuitous

Sacred Scripture records in a multitude of different ways God’s infinite love for every human being. Truly “the God of our faith is not a distant being who contemplates with indifference the fate of men -- their desires, their struggles, their sufferings. He is a Father who loves his children” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 84) with a love very different from ours.

Even when purified from its dregs, our love “is always attracted by the good, real or apparent, in things ... Divine love, however, is a love that creates and infuses goodness into creatures” (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, I, 20, 2) with total disinterest. His love for us is real since whatever created things can give him, He already possesses in absolute degree.

God’s infinite goodness and the desire to share it is the reason for his love. He did not merely create us. His love is such that he raised us to the supernatural order, making us sharers in his own life and happiness, which far exceeds the capabilities of created beings. God’s love for us is gratuitous. We in no way deserved it.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.” (1 Jn 4:10) It is Christ who revealed to us, in all its depth, God’s love for men.

Friendship with Jesus, love for our mother Mary, our life as good Christians, will enable us to serenely look forward to our definitive meeting with God. St Joseph, the patron of a happy death, had by his death-bed the welcoming company of Jesus and Mary. He can teach us to prepare, daily, for this wonderful encounter with our Father God.

Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:406-7, 418

Lourdes: The sixth apparition

Bernadette asked her aunt Bernarde and uncle Basile to take her to the grotto early in the morning to avoid the onlookers. Their plans were thwarted by the hundred or so people awaiting her. This too was a “confidential” meeting, and nowhere, not even in her written reports, would she ever provide the details of the event.

This sixth apparition took place on the first Sunday of Lent. Bernadette attended Mass; later, the Vesper service. On leaving the church, Bernadette was stopped by a policeman who brought her before Commissioner Jacomet for questioning. Jacomet, worried about the threat to law and order, and what his superiors would say, wanted to stop these “rallies”.

The meeting was held in the commissioner’s home before which a gathering crowd was calling loudly for Bernadette’s release. Bernadette later recounted what had transpired and an official transcription still exists.

Jacomet tried to make Bernadette admit embarassing things which she steadfastly refused to do. He made comments that completely twisted the sense of her answers. Thus, she would not sign the statement. In her words, “after having taken down a couple of lines as I had dictated, he would add things I hadn’t said”.

“Then he told me he would read it aloud so I could see if he had made any mistakes. I listened carefully. As soon as he read a few lines, there were mistakes so I said to him, ‘Sir, I never said that’. He got very angry and insisted I had, while I kept repeating ‘I hadn’t’.” Jacomet emphasized her not going to Massabielle any more.

All the townspeople were excited. Athough some believed and some didn’t, this thing had to be stopped. But Bernadette had already given her word, and nothing would make her change. Even the threat of prison.

Nevertheless, the promise Jacomet failed to extract from Bernadette was made by her father -- it must not have been very hard to cajole poor M. Soubirous. Then, fearing the excited crowd, Jacomet let Bernadette go.

Ref: G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p7

Prayer in Honor of One’s Patron Saint -- “O HEAVENLY one, whose name I am privileged to bear, ever intercede for me before the throne of God that He fortify me in faith, strengthen me in virtue, and protect me in conflict, so that, victorious over the wicked enemy, I may attain to everlasting glory. Amen.” (Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p456)

• Our Lady of Good Haven (Dol, France) propitious to mariners. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Bon Port”, at Dol, affording succor to mariners. — Triple Couronne, n. 51. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Bon Port”, Dol. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Good Haven (“Notre Dame de Bon Port”). Dol, France. For mariners. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)