The Gospel of today’s Mass [Mk 6:14-29] tells us of the martyrdom of John the Baptist, who was faithful to the mission he had received from God to the point of giving his life. If he had kept silent, or if had remained on the fringe of events at the difficult moments, he would not have died with his throat cut in Herod’s dungeon.
But John was not like a ‘reed blowing in the wind’. Up to the very end he remained consistent with his vocation and true to the principles that gave meaning to his existence. His example teaches us that, if necessary, every Christian should be prepared to give up his life as a witness to his faith.
However, God does not ask the majority of Christians to shed their blood in testimony of the faith they profess. But he does ask of everyone an heroic steadfastness in proclaiming the truth through his life and words in environments which may be difficult and hostile to the teachings of Christ.
He asks them to live fully the Christan virtues in the middle of the world, in whatever circumstances life has placed them. This is the path that the majority of Christians will have to tread -- Christians who have to sanctify themselves through living heroism in the duties and circumstances of each day.
John’s fortitude and his coherent life are an example we can imitate. If we follow his example in the ordinary simple happenings of each day, many of our friends will come to see what motivates us, and will be moved by that serene testimony, just as many were converted as they contemplate the martyrdom -- the testimony of faith -- of the first Christians.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1990, 3:206-7, 212
Detachment to follow Christ
If we are to follow Christ, our soul must be free -- first, from love of self and an excessive concern for our health or the future ... from riches and material goods. The heart set on earthly goods leaves out God.
‘Christian poverty and detachment’ does not mean disdain for material goods if they are acquired and used in accord with God’s will. Our Lord’s counsel is thus realized in our lives: “Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well.” (Mt 6:33)
The more we detach ourselves totally from things, the greater will be our capacity to love others and to appreciate the beauty of creation. If we become lukewarm and share our love of God with objects or seek self-satisfaction, we shall have dislodged Christ from our heart. Material things will imprison and harm us. Sheer possession of material goods will never bring happiness.
The human heart will find the fulness for which it was created, only in God. If we do not act with the fortitude to live this detachment, “The heart is left sad and unsatisfied. ... follows paths which lead to everlasting unhappiness and ends up, a slave, victim of the very same goods which had perhaps been acquired at great effort and countless renunciations”. (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 118)
Christian poverty and detachment share nothing in common with squalor and slovenliness, with neglect and bad manners. Jesus dressed well. His cloak, probably woven by his Mother, had dice thrown for it because “it was without seam, woven from top to bottom” (Jn 19:23); and it had a “fringe” (Mt 9:20; 14:36).
The Holy Family’s house would have been modest, clean, simple, tidy, cheerful, well maintained. There would often probably be some flowers tastefully placed before a memento or decoration.
Effective detachment from things demands sacrifice. Christian life calls for a radical change in attitude towards earthly goods. The Christian lives to love Christ more and more through his work and family; but not to accumulate more and more material goods. If we wish to draw others to the practice of virtue, we must preach by example and precept. [For observation is stronger than conversation.]
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1990, 3:105, 107-110
Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He was an upright man, in search of the truth. He believed that Jesus was a true prophet, and thought it his duty to seek instruction from him.
But to do so, he must overcome human respect. Otherwise he will incur the ire of the rulers who openly called Jesus a Nazarene impostor, deceiver of the people. Nicodemus had the courage to overcome these constraints but a touch of cowardice restrained him. To avoid notice, he ‘came to Jesus by night’.
Nicodemus said -- “Rabbi, we know you are a Teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which you do, unless God be with him.” (Jn 3:2)
This profession of faith shows Nicodemus to be much more enlightened than the other councilors; but he was still groping in thick darkness. He did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and misunderstood his doctrines. Jesus, therefore, gently reproached him -- “Art thou a master in Israel and know not these things?” (Jn 3:10)
Nicodemus left Jesus a changed man. His mind was illumined with the light of faith, his heart enkindled with the love of his Lord. He had become a faithful and fervent disciple but seems not eager to express his faith by deeds; never even mingles among the disciples who follow Jesus.
Two years later, at the death of Jesus, he redeemed himself by an heroic act of piety and devotion. Boldly going to Pilate, he demanded the body of his Divine Master and provided it with a magnificent burial.
Perhaps we, too, despite a certain amount of goodwill, have been slow in actual service of God. We may not have done a great or heroic act for God. Let us not be discouraged. Nicodemus redeemed his tardiness heroically, and merited to be counted among the saints. Let us follow his example.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp365-8
We need Christ the Liberator
The spirit of penitence and its practice stimulates us to detach ourselves sincerely from anything superfluous that we have. Sometimes even what is necessary to us, and hinders us from being truly what God wishes us to be: “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” (Mt 6:21)
Are our hearts holding on to material riches? To power over others? To egoistically subtle ways of domineering? Then we have need of Christ the Liberator. If we wish, He can free us from these sinful links which are tripping us up.
Let us prepare to let ourselves be enriched by the grace of the Resurrection by ridding ourselves of every false treasure. Those material goods which often we do not need, are for millions of persons essential conditions for survival.
Hundreds of millions of people, in need of the minimum necessary for their subsistence, look to us for help, to find the indispensable means for integral human promotion as well as for economic and cultural development of their countries. But declarations of good intention to make a simple gift are not enough to alter man’s heart.
There is need ‘for conversion of spirit’, which can push us to a meeting of hearts and sharing of our lives with the least-favored members of society, with those deprived of everything, sometimes even their dignity as men and women, as boys or girls.
It is there that we meet and more intimately live the mystery of the suffering and redemptive death of the Lord. Real sharing is going out to meet the others; that is what helps us to free ourselves from bonds enslaving us.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp122-3
• Our Lady of the Pillar, at Saragossa, in Spain, so-called because, according to the tradition, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St James the Great, upon a jasper pillar, in the year 36, and ordered him to build a church, which the Spaniards maintained to have been the first dedicated to Our Lady. — Beutereus, lib. 1. c. et 3. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Pillar (“Nuestra Señora Del Pilar”). Saragossa, Spain. 40. The first Marian apparition. Scholarly debate. "The Mother of the Hispanic Peoples". (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Fire (Forli, Italy) and Our Lady of the Pillar (Spain). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Fire (Forli, Italy). (www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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