‘Wednesday.’ Although Bernadette had been going to the grotto during the past fortnight, the Soubirous family had to be even more careful. On 27 March the Prefect sent three doctors to commit Bernadette to a mental hospital. A Bernadette officially certified as mentally ill would be very useful to him and other officials.
The doctors found nothing in Bernadette that would require hospitalization. Nevertheless, the embarassed officials made them draft a statement which declared that Bernadette’s “illness does not constitute danger to her health”. It is clear why the family wanted to remain away from the public eye.
Thus, the family was pretending that Bernadette was out of town. However, when she reached the grotto at 5:00 AM about a hundred people were already praying there. Among them was a scientist, Dr Douzous, whom fate chose to record the “Miracle of the Candle”, as it came to be known later.
Douzous clearly observed that she was holding a lit candle with the flame beneath her left hand, apparently totally insensible; and kept that position for fifteen minutes. After the ecstasy, Douzous examined her hand. There was absolutely no sign of a burn.
Ref: G Menotti, “Lourdes”, pp14-5
Jesus delivered to Pontius Pilate
“It was early morning.” (Jn 18:28) The whole Sanhedrin took formal action against Jesus, that they might put him to death. The unjust judges hastily and eagerly awoke before daybreak, and assembled. Their only motive was to carry out their plan for putting an innocent Victim to death. What diligence in committing a terrible crime!
We ought to blush with shame at how much more earnestly these wicked men were in doing evil than we often are in doing good. “And they brought him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate ...” (Mk 15:2)
The Jews, our Lord’s own people delivered him to the Gentiles. He had poured so many blessings on them and who had cried out in wonder, “He has done all things well: He has made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.” (Mk 7:37) Their great treachery and ingratitude brought more humiliation and grief to Our Lord!
Every heart gets indignant at this treacherous ingratitude of the Jews; but are not many Christians equally as wicked? By sacrilegious Communion [eg, receiving the Holy Eucharist in a state of mortal sin], they deliver Jesus to the evil one reigning over their hearts. By their sins, they daily return evil for good to that loving Saviour who gave them a thousand times more graces and favors than he did to the Jews.
“They did not enter Pilate’s headquarters, to avoid ritual defilement and be able to eat the Passover.” (Jn 18:28) How astonishing were the false consciences and blindness of these men! Well instructed in their religion, yet they demurred about an illegal act by entering the house of a heathen; not afraid to indulge their envy and hatred by conspiring against the life of an innocent man.
Are there people who scrupulously observe trivial matters and either neglect or seldom attend to essential ones? Faithful to certain self-chosen pious practices, but do not mind omitting their obligations?
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp117-9
The despair and death of Judas
“When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders ...” (cf Mt 27:3)
When Judas agreed to betray his Master, he expected that, being God as well as man, Jesus would evade his enemies as he had often done.
Finding that Jesus surrendered and was about to suffer death, Judas was horrified at the thought of his crime. The ‘blood’ money weighed on his conscience. Cursing, he returned it.
Such is the ordinary effect of sin. Before sinning, we only see the pleasant side, blind to its consequences. Once the harm is done, come remorse and shame. Instead of enjoyment, there is only misery and regret.
“Saying, ‘I have sinned in betraying innocent blood’.” When Judas confessed his sin to the chief priests, a sin they had tempted him to commit, he hoped to find comfort or at least interest. Instead, he received the scornful words, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” (Mt 27:4) On hearing these, his despair was total.
Never expect favor, sympathy, or even esteem, from whomever we have served against our conscience. Outwardly, they might praise or flatter us; but interiorly, will condemn us for our weakness and cowardice.
“And casting down the pieces of silver in the Temple, he departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Mt 27:5) The despair of Judas surpassed all his sins. Convinced that his crime was beyond pardon, he virtually disbelieved in God. If he had been humble and contrite like St Peter, Jesus would also have pardoned him.
We are all human, all liable to fall very low. If we unhappily commit sin, let us at once banish any thought of despair, and imitate the humble repentance of Peter, trusting, as he did, in the omnipotent mercy of God.
In times of temptation, recall St Augustine’s words: ‘If you feel afraid of God, throw yourself into his bosom.’
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp119-121
The Seed of Joy in Suffering
In the perspective of redemption, Christ’s passion is oriented toward the resurrection. Human beings, too are thus associated with the mystery of the cross in order to share joyfully in the mystery of the resurrection.
Thus, Jesus did not hesitate to proclaim the blessedness of those who suffer: “Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.” (Mt 5:4) ... This blessedness can only be understood if one admits that human life is not limited to the time spent on earth, but is wholly directed to perfect joy and fulness of joy in the hereafter.
Earthly suffering, when accepted in love, is like a bitter kernel containing the seed of new life, the treasure of divine glory to be given man in eternity. Although the sight of a world burdened with evil and misfortunes of every sort is often so wretched, nevertheless the hope of a better world of love and grace is hidden within it.
It is hope that is nourished on Christ’s promise. With this support, those who suffer united with him already experience in this life a joy that can seem humanly unexplainable. Heaven in fact begins on earth, beatitude is anticipated in the beatitudes. “In holy people”, St Thomas Aquinas said, “there is a beginning of future happiness”.
Ref: John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1995, 21
• Our Lady of the Conception, at the Capuchin Convent of Douai, in Flanders, where is seen a picture of the Immaculate Conception, which was miraculously preserved from fire, in the year 1553. — Amatus Franciscus, in his Manuscript Work. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Conception, Flanders (1553). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Conception. Douai, France. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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