Simultaneously with the appearance of tongues, the Apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit and transformed into very different men. From being timid, proud, vacillating, and slaves of their passions, they suddenly became marvels of knowledge, strength, humility, constancy, and holiness; purified from all stain of sin, confirmed in sanctifying grace.
What their Divine Master had not chosen to do himself in the course of three years was accomplished by the Holy Spirit in one moment, and without any effort on their part. These miracles continue, though less sensibly, in the hearts of whoever are docile to his inspirations, especially when the Sacraments are received worthily.
We receive them frequently, and yet we complain of being so little illuminated in divine things -- so weak, ready to fall under temptation, constantly relapsing into the same faults and imperfections; almost always in a state of tepidity. Is the fault entirely in ourselves -- negligent or want of fervor in receiving the Sacraments?
The Apostles first used the gifts of understanding and of tongues to proclaim the glory and greatness of God. To make Jesus, his Divine Son, known, loved, glorified, and obeyed by their zeal and eloquent words.
This language of the Holy Spirit is opposed to the language of the world which is generally employed to speak of ourselves and praise our works, seeking thereby to obtain esteem and admiration for ourselves.
Are we influenced by the Spirit of God, or by the spirit of the world and of vainglory? If we take pleasure in speaking of God; if we seek to bring the lost sheep into the true Church, and to make known the religion of Jesus Christ, we speak the language of the Holy Spirit.
If, however, we speak only of ourselves, we may conclude that he does not dwell in our hearts, since it is ‘out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks’ [Mt 12:34].
The zeal of the Apostles quickly brought enemies. The wicked turned them into ridicule, the Scribes calumniated them. The rulers of the people had them cast into prison and beaten; even threatened with death if they dared to preach again in the name of Jesus.
Not alarmed nor discouraged, the Apostles persisted with greater zeal to preach Jesus and the Resurrection. Their only answer: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)
If we act in like manner, we shall meet the same treatment: unjustly accused, calumniated, persecuted. But we must not be discouraged nor conform to the world’s praise or blame; but according to God’s law and the directions of our spiritual guides. Thus, we shall be secure from error. Our zeal will be discreet, faithful, and blessed with success.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp299-30
` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` `
Mary is the Way to Jesus -- “Mary does the immense favor of bringing to the cross, of placing face to face with the example of the Son of God, those who come close to her and contemplate her life. It is in this confrontation that Christian life is decided. And here Mary intercedes for us so that our behavior may lead us to a reconciliation of the younger brother (you and me) with the firstborn Son of the Father.
“Many conversions, many decisions to give oneself to the service of God have been preceded by an encounter with Mary. Our Lady has encouraged us to look for God, to desire to change, to lead a new life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 149)
Let us offer our Mother: ‘If we have a friend or if there is a child who does not yet know how to say the Rosary, let us teach the way.’
Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, pp312-3
Young saints who greatly loved Mary
We really love Mary if we do something ‘constantly’ to please her. We are not required to do great things to show our devotion. Simple acts of devotion suffice, like saluting an image of ‘Mary’, bringing flowers to her altar, wearing Mary’s scapular, naming one of our girls ‘Mary’, doing little acts of mortification in her honor.
When St John Berchmans, a young Jesuit novice, was lying on his deathbed, his superior came to his room and said: “My dear brother, you are at the point of appearing before God; before leaving us, I beg of you to tell us what special devotion we ought to practice in honor of Our Blessed Lady, that we may obtain her protection every day of our life, and in particular at the hour of our death.” The dying saint answered: “Any devotion you choose; but let it be constant!”
St Aloysius Gonzaga made a vow of virginity at the age of nine and kept it throughout his life, because he was so devoted to Mary Most Holy. St Therese of Lisieux said: “We do well to speak of Mary’s prerogatives, but we must not stop at that. We must make her loved.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p35
· “Mary, Mother of God and my tender Mother, pray to Jesus for me.” -- St Philip Neri (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p23)
St Philip Neri, priest
In his parish was a daily communicant who usually left the church soon after receiving Holy Communion. One day Fr Philip had an altar server accompany this person with a lighted candle until she reached home. Surprised, she returned and asked the priest the reason for this ‘courtesy’. The priest explained that until the Sacred Host was completely dissolved in her stomach (~10 minutes), she was in reality a tabernacle. In deference to the Holy Eucharist, the lighted candle was to inform everybody of this truth of faith. (cf Fr Bel R San Luis, SVD, “Word Alive”, “Manila Daily Bulletin”)
• Dedication of Our Lady of Vaucelles, in the diocese of Cambray by Samson, Archbishop of Rheims. This abbey, of the order of Citeaux, was founded in the year 1132. — Cistercian Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Vaucelles (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre-Dame de Vaucelles”. Cambrai, France. Built in 1140. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Caravaggio (Italy, 1432). (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm; (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Madonna della Caravaggio”. Italy. 1432. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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