“And he was obedient to them.” (Lk 2:51) These words contain the whole life of Jesus Christ during the thirty years he spent with Mary his Mother, and Joseph his foster father. But what is this? A God subject to two creatures? Is this not inconsistent with the sovereign dominion of God over all creation?
No; because the obedience of Jesus is really given to God his Father, represented to him by Mary and Joseph. The true model of obedience, the obedience of faith. Submission to God in the persons of who represent him to us, and of whom he said: “Whoever listens to you listens to me.” (Lk 10:16)
To obey thus is to have the same will with God. Is it in this spirit that we obey our directors despite their personal qualifications? If so, our obedience, as far as is possible, will be perfect like that of our Lord: prompt, generous, unlimited, and full of merit before God.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp325-6
Constancy in struggle
Each person must work out the details of his or her own examination of conscience. Some people, by temperament, have to be especially specific and keep careful track of progress. This may be due to their tendency to generalities. We can be helped in spiritual guidance if we open up and let ourselves be known.
We should not be surprised if it takes time to attain the proposed objective in our struggle. If our target is well chosen, usually it will be a fairly deep-rooted defect which requires a patient struggle. Thus, beginning again and again without getting discouraged should mark our determination.
In beginning again with God’s help we strengthen the foundations of our humility. Fortitude, constancy and humility keep the particular examination alive. Love, always resourceful, will refresh our daily struggle because through it we are seeking to love Our Lord.
Love gives us an opportunity to make many acts of contrition for failures, and acts of thanksgiving for our successes. A daily struggle in a given particular examination is the best remedy for lukewarmness and softness. What a wonderful thing it would be if our Guardian Angel could testify that we struggled each day although we weren’t always victorious!
In some instances the objective of the particular examination might appear negative, opposition to a particular evil, for example. The best approach is to practise the virtue contrary to the defect we are trying to uproot. In this case, practising humility by overcoming the tendency to be the centre of everything.
One topic for particular examination that can leave a deep impression on our soul will be to attend Mass and to receive Holy Communion with greater love. Interior struggle becomes more effective and attractive. “The tendency of the soul towards good is greater than that towards the avoidance of evil.” (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, I-II, q29, a3)
We ask Our Lady, ‘Virgo fidelis’, Virgin most faithful, to help us to be faithful, trying to remove daily the very definite obstacles that separate us from her Son.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:420-22
Meekness
Our Lord chose to join meekness and humility on the same page of the Gospel. Recall his friendly, clear words: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29)
Meekness and humility are two virtues which should always be in our heart, two sisters who live the same life, two precious metals which fuse perfectly: one remarkable for its solidity, the other with a rare splendor. Two very positive and very virile aspects of our interior life, for by humility we win God’s heart, and by gentleness we attract and win over the hearts of our brothers.
We all need this virtue very much, because life is a continuous relationship with other people, an opportunity for encounters of all kinds. Families, brothers, friends, social and professional relationships; superiors, peers, subordinates. That is where the Lord is awaiting you. In all these circumstances your Christian meekness should shine. If you are able to anoint your character with these virtues, your heart will become like Christ’s.
We tend to think it is better and easier to do good by being noisy and bossy; that education is achieved by threats; that respect is obtained just by raising one’s voice. What room is left in our life for Christian meekness? Why did Jesus recommend it in the Gospel?
How often has experience taught us that corrections and reproaches, made without human meekness, have closed the heart of the person who should have received them. This should help us remember that, when we cease to be a father, brother or friend to our neighbor, every word that leaves our lips is ignored.
Try always, through Christian meekness to hold the hearts of whomever divine providence has placed beside us and given us to look after. If we lose men’s hearts, it will be difficult to bring light to their minds and get their wills to follow the path we show them.
You who feel on your shoulders and in your heart responsibility for other souls the weight of other lives: never forget that trust cannot be imposed; it must be inspired. And without the trust of people around us, who work with us and who serve us, how bitter life will be and fruitless.
Let us not forget that our Lord promised his effectiveness to friendly faces, cordiality, good manners and persuasive words which direct and form without wounding.
We ask Mary, sweet Mother: ‘Turn your eyes of mercy towards us.’ Under the gaze of so affectionate a Mother, we will understand very well the value, need and efficacy of Christian meekness.
Ref: Cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp40-43
• Our Lady of Matarieh, at Grand Cairo in Egypt, where is seen a miraculous fountain which Our Lady obtained by her prayers, when she fled there with the Holy Family; and it is held by tradition, that there she washed the swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus. — Triple Couronne, n. 5. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Matarieh, at Grand Cairo, Egypt. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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