“Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth, where thieves break through and steal” (Mt 6:19), and which the great robber Death steals away in an instant, leaving nothing but regret, too often despair.
How can we in a short time lay up imperishable treasures of glory and happiness in heaven? The solution is easy, and consists of three things: ‘a state of grace, a pure intention, sanctification of crosses’.
If, then, during the brief time of life, we wish to lay up much treasure in heaven (and who doesn’t?), we must always be in a state of grace. Faith teaches us that all good works done in mortal sin, gain no merit for heaven. While every good action of the just, with the help of grace, will receive an eternal reward.
Of our numerous actions in a day, many are neither good nor evil before God, but indifferent eg, eating, drinking, sleeping, studying, manual labor, etc. They can be meritorious by a pure intention. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31-2) Or, ‘Do what is pleasing to God and meritorious to yourself’.
It would be folly indeed not to turn this second means of increasing our spiritual riches to profit, because it is so easy. What is easier than offering to God in our morning prayers all our actions, that we to perform them as well as possible, with the single motive of pleasing him, and doing his most holy will?
What is easier still than renewing this intention often during the day? Our actions will be more meritorious. We will have less reason to fear lest pride lessens the purity of our first intention or entirely corrupt it.
With what care and vigilance do we strive after a pure intention? Do we renew it during the day?
The great means of laying up treasures in heaven in a short time is, say the Doctors of the Church, to labor without ceasing for the glory of God and the good of souls; but especially to suffer much, and to bear it with patience and entire resignation to the Will of God in all the crosses which it pleases him to send us.
Let us dig into this rich mine of supernatural merit. Misery, suffering, and crosses are the heritage of humanity, and no one is exempt from them. We often complain of being overwhelmed by them.
But what good does that do us? Let us rather sanctify them, make them meritorious and of value for eternity, by accepting them as coming from God, and bearing them for love of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp453-5
On the Emmaus Road with Jesus
“With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’” [Lk 24:31-2]
We who belong to the present generation of those who confess Christ must seek to have the same experience as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let us pray, ‘Lord Jesus, make us understand the Scriptures; let our hearts burn inside us as you talk to us’.
Let our hearts burn! Faith cannot be only cold, hard facts calculated and weighed by our intellect. No, faith must be quickened by love. It must come alive through the good works which reveal God’s trust in us.
So we, too, inherit from the apostles the witness they gave, even if we are not direct eyewitnesses of the resurrection. We become witnesses to Christ ourselves. Being a Christian must mean being a witness for Christ.
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 4
In order to love, we need to understand
We ask Our Lord for a big heart full of understanding: to be able to suffer with those who suffer, and to rejoice with whoever rejoice. We must ask him to help us to prevent that suffering whenever we can, and to make us into people who live and spread happiness wherever we happen to be. We should ask for the vision, too, to understand that the true and principal good of others consists in their union with God, which will lead them one day to total happiness in Heaven.
The Church is aware that the truth about the God who saves cannot be separated from the manifestation of his preference for the poor and needy. (cf John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 March 1987, 37) “Works of mercy, as well as the relief they give to those in need, serve to improve our own souls and those of the people who accompany us in those activities.
“We have all experienced that contact with the sick, with the poor, with children and with adults who go hungry, always means for us a meeting with Christ in his weaker or unprotected members, and for that very reason such contact can mean a spiritual enrichment. The Lord enters with greater intensity into the soul of him who approaches his little brothers, moved not by a desire of mere altruism -- which is a noble desire but not one that is supernaturally effective -- but by the very sentiments of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and the Physician of souls.” (A del Portillo, “Letter”, 31 May 1987, 30)
Let us turn to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the heart of Mary, his Mother, and ask that we may never remain passive about the demands of charity. Thus, we will be able to confidently invoke Our Lady in the words of the liturgy: “Recordare, Virgo Mater Dei ...” Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, as you stand in his presence, “ut loquaris pro nobis bona”, to speak good things on our behalf and ask for our needs. (“Roman Missal, Antiphon, Common Mass of Our Lady”)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:532-4
Understanding is real charity -- “When you really achieve it, you will have a great heart which is open to all without discrimination. Even with those who have treated you badly you will put into living practice that advice of Jesus: ‘Come to me all you that ... are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 867)
• Our Lady of “Moyen-Pont”, near Peronne, France. The image was found by a shepherd near the ponds, where the meadows of Amele are at present; a church was built there, which was repaired in 1612. — Triple Couronne, n. 53. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Moyen-Pont” (near Peronne, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame de Moyen-Pont”. Near Peronne, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
22 July 2011: St Mary Magdalene
Among the few who remained with Christ during his agony on the cross. With two other women, she went to his tomb and found it empty. It was to her that our Lord first appeared after his resurrection; and asked her to announce his resurrection to the apostles. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1580)
Mary Magdalene at the feet of Jesus
“One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. ... he went into the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.” (Lk 7:36-7)
How much it must have cost her to brave human respect in this way! She was entirely possessed by the love of Jesus who had delivered her from seven devils. She was impatient to prove her sincere repentance, and to make a public reparation for the scandal she had given. An opportunity arose; she eagerly seized it.
Let us learn from this to follow the impulse of grace promptly and generously. To seize upon all the occasions which Providence gives us of doing good, and especially of repairing the harm caused by our bad example. And for this end to brave, if need be, human respect, the ridicule or criticisms of the world.
As soon as Magdalene saw Jesus, she went straight to him, and “going behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet with tears, dried them with her hair, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment” (cf Lk 7:38). Mary Magdalene shows us what ‘perfect contrition’ is: deeply sorrowful and with ardent love, her only regret is that of having offended God.
At the feet of our confessor, who, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, represents Jesus Christ, let us try to fill our hearts with perfect contrition. It shall bring us a total remission of our sins, the strength to resist temptations, and overcome all obstacles to our sanctification.
The Pharisee who had invited him, seeing it, said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner” (Lk 7:39).
Jesus quickly came to her defence -- “Simon do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears. ... You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. ... Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven; ... go in peace’.” (Lk 7:44-50)
God’s infinite justice for those numerous faults into which, from human weakness, we fall daily can be satisfied by what our Lord says: ‘Love much, and many sins will be forgiven you.’ Frequently, make acts of love, even only these words: ‘My God, I love you; pardon me for having offended you.’
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp460-62
Our search for God at every moment
Mary Magdalene set out for the tomb as soon as the Sabbath rest permitted, “while it was still dark” (Jn 20:1), to find the dead body of our Lord. Some time previously he had freed her of an evil spirit (Lk 8:2), and grace quickly bore fruit in her soul. She followed the Master faithfully on some of his apostolic journeys and served him generously with all her possessions. During the crucifixion, she remained near the one who cured her of all that was wrong in her life. (cf Mt 27:56) When they lay Jesus in the tomb “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there in front ...” (Mt 27:61).
After the Sabbath, “as the first day of the week began to dawn” (cf Mt 28:1), she set out with the other holy women for the tomb to anoint the dead body of Jesus. But the Lord was no longer there! She saw the heavy stone rolled away and the tomb empty. “Then she began to run to Simon and the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them: ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him’ (Jn 20:2).”
Peter and John went running toward the empty tomb. St John tells us that this moment was crucial in his life: “he saw and believed” (cf Jn 20:8). Both apostles “went back to their home again” (Jn 20:10), but Mary stayed, weeping. Still not believing in the Resurrection, with great sadness, she perseveres in her vigil, not wanting to leave the place where she last saw our Saviour.
The only one who remained expecting to find him, she alone encountered him. “Perseverance strengthens good deeds and as the voice of Truth informs us: ‘Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved’.” (St Gregory the Great, “Homilies on the Gospels”, 25, 1-2) St Augustine comments: “She sought him among the dead and he presented himself alive. He calls her by name, ‘Mary’.”
Let us not stop seeking Jesus in every circumstance of our lives; even during moments in which, if the Lord so permits, discouragement or darkness penetrates our soul. He is always very much in touch with the events of our life though we may not be aware of it.
Today we ask St Mary Magdalene to gain for us a share in her loving perseverance in seeking the Lord. ‘By her prayers and example may we proclaim Christ as our living Lord and one day see him in glory.’
In heaven we will also contemplate Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, who has never left our side. With a special joy we shall see all those to whom we shall have so often borne witness through our friendship that the risen Christ continues to be present among us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:19-25
Cheerfulness
“You are not happy because you make everything revolve around yourself as if you were always the centre: you have a stomach-ache, or you are tired, or they have said this or that ...
“Have you ever tried thinking about Him, and through Him about others?”
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 74)
• Our Lady “do la Garde”, near Marseilles. The Queen of heaven is much honored in this church where every Saturday, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed from midnight till noon. There are seen more than thirty large silver lamps, with a quantity of branches of coral of extraordinary size. — Chronicon Massilliense. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Safety or Safe Hiding (near Marseilles). Overloon, Holland. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Safety / Safe Hiding. Marseilles, France; Overloon, Netherlands. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Mary Magdalene at the feet of Jesus
“One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. ... he went into the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.” (Lk 7:36-7)
How much it must have cost her to brave human respect in this way! She was entirely possessed by the love of Jesus who had delivered her from seven devils. She was impatient to prove her sincere repentance, and to make a public reparation for the scandal she had given. An opportunity arose; she eagerly seized it.
Let us learn from this to follow the impulse of grace promptly and generously. To seize upon all the occasions which Providence gives us of doing good, and especially of repairing the harm caused by our bad example. And for this end to brave, if need be, human respect, the ridicule or criticisms of the world.
As soon as Magdalene saw Jesus, she went straight to him, and “going behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet with tears, dried them with her hair, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment” (cf Lk 7:38). Mary Magdalene shows us what ‘perfect contrition’ is: deeply sorrowful and with ardent love, her only regret is that of having offended God.
At the feet of our confessor, who, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, represents Jesus Christ, let us try to fill our hearts with perfect contrition. It shall bring us a total remission of our sins, the strength to resist temptations, and overcome all obstacles to our sanctification.
The Pharisee who had invited him, seeing it, said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner” (Lk 7:39).
Jesus quickly came to her defence -- “Simon do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears. ... You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. ... Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven; ... go in peace’.” (Lk 7:44-50)
God’s infinite justice for those numerous faults into which, from human weakness, we fall daily can be satisfied by what our Lord says: ‘Love much, and many sins will be forgiven you.’ Frequently, make acts of love, even only these words: ‘My God, I love you; pardon me for having offended you.’
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp460-62
Our search for God at every moment
Mary Magdalene set out for the tomb as soon as the Sabbath rest permitted, “while it was still dark” (Jn 20:1), to find the dead body of our Lord. Some time previously he had freed her of an evil spirit (Lk 8:2), and grace quickly bore fruit in her soul. She followed the Master faithfully on some of his apostolic journeys and served him generously with all her possessions. During the crucifixion, she remained near the one who cured her of all that was wrong in her life. (cf Mt 27:56) When they lay Jesus in the tomb “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there in front ...” (Mt 27:61).
After the Sabbath, “as the first day of the week began to dawn” (cf Mt 28:1), she set out with the other holy women for the tomb to anoint the dead body of Jesus. But the Lord was no longer there! She saw the heavy stone rolled away and the tomb empty. “Then she began to run to Simon and the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them: ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him’ (Jn 20:2).”
Peter and John went running toward the empty tomb. St John tells us that this moment was crucial in his life: “he saw and believed” (cf Jn 20:8). Both apostles “went back to their home again” (Jn 20:10), but Mary stayed, weeping. Still not believing in the Resurrection, with great sadness, she perseveres in her vigil, not wanting to leave the place where she last saw our Saviour.
The only one who remained expecting to find him, she alone encountered him. “Perseverance strengthens good deeds and as the voice of Truth informs us: ‘Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved’.” (St Gregory the Great, “Homilies on the Gospels”, 25, 1-2) St Augustine comments: “She sought him among the dead and he presented himself alive. He calls her by name, ‘Mary’.”
Let us not stop seeking Jesus in every circumstance of our lives; even during moments in which, if the Lord so permits, discouragement or darkness penetrates our soul. He is always very much in touch with the events of our life though we may not be aware of it.
Today we ask St Mary Magdalene to gain for us a share in her loving perseverance in seeking the Lord. ‘By her prayers and example may we proclaim Christ as our living Lord and one day see him in glory.’
In heaven we will also contemplate Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, who has never left our side. With a special joy we shall see all those to whom we shall have so often borne witness through our friendship that the risen Christ continues to be present among us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:19-25
Cheerfulness
“You are not happy because you make everything revolve around yourself as if you were always the centre: you have a stomach-ache, or you are tired, or they have said this or that ...
“Have you ever tried thinking about Him, and through Him about others?”
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 74)
• Our Lady “do la Garde”, near Marseilles. The Queen of heaven is much honored in this church where every Saturday, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed from midnight till noon. There are seen more than thirty large silver lamps, with a quantity of branches of coral of extraordinary size. — Chronicon Massilliense. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Safety or Safe Hiding (near Marseilles). Overloon, Holland. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Safety / Safe Hiding. Marseilles, France; Overloon, Netherlands. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
23 July 2011: ‘Lord, I am not worthy ...'
‘... but only say the word ...’
The miraculous cure of the leper wrought at the very gates of Capernaum was as a ray of light to the Roman centurion who commanded the little garrison. Though a pagan, he acknowledged Jesus as the Master of creation.
Hearing that Jesus was near the town, he hoped to obtain a favor in the cure of a beloved paralyzed servant. He sent Jewish elders to Jesus who pleaded his cause, saying, “He deserves this of you, for he loves our nation, and even built us a synagogue” (Lk 7:4-5).
How admirable is this Gentile’s charity toward a servant! It was active, generous. After having spent much for him on physicians, he seeks help from Jesus, exposing himself to ridicule by other pagans.
If such was the charity of a man who understood neither its motives nor its supernatural merit, what ought to be ours in respect to our brethren in Jesus Christ! What shame it will be for us if our charity is less active, less generous, less disinterested than his!
“... an army captain approached him saying, ‘Sir, my servant is sick at home, paralyzed and suffers terribly’. Jesus told him, ‘I will come and heal him’.” (cf Mt 8:6-7)
“The captain replied, ‘I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under orders and I have soldiers under me. If I say to one, ‘Go’, he goes; and if I say to another, ‘Come’, he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this’, he does it.” (cf Mt 8:8-9)
He meant, ‘Far easier is it, then, for you, who are Master of all creation, to speak to the malady, and it will obey you. My servant will be cured’.
We all greatly admire this captain who had been enlightened by grace. What great humility, what ardent faith, expressed with the frankness and simplicity of a true soldier. What confidence he had in our Lord’s goodness! He told his story, made his petition, and had so firm a conviction of our Lord’s power and mercy, he could not doubt the result.
Do we have this faith and confidence in our prayers? Does the captain have a deeper conviction than any of us? Do we fully understand our Lord’s power and love?
The centurion’s prayer, so beautiful in its simplicity, delighted the heart of Jesus. “... and told them who were following him, ‘I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel’. ... Then Jesus said to the captain, ‘Go home now. What you believed will happen.’ That very moment his servant was healed.” (Mt 8:10, 13)
This, then, was the centurion’s reward: immediate and complete cure of his servant, extraordinary praise bestowed on him by the Incarnate Word, and an everlasting celebrity throughout the whole world.
The words which his faith, humility and confidence brought to his lips, the Church placed in the mouths of both priests and faithful at the moment of holy communion. [“Lord, I am not worthy ...” (Lk 7:6; Mt 5:8)]
Let us bless and exalt God’s liberality towards us; and reciprocate it by a continual self-immolation.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp463-5
The need for prayer
Why go to the trouble of pulling away from distractions, putting our thoughts together and praying to God? Why go through all this trouble and effort?
The first reason is the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The lifestyle of Jesus showed that prayer held highest priority for Him. The Gospels often describe Christ at prayer. He prayed before the most important decisions and actions of His ministry. Mark writes about a typical day in the life of Jesus; and how despite intense activity he went off alone into the desert to pray.
Luke mentions prayer so often it seems part of a consistent pattern of prayer before activity; as if prayer was the constant background of Christ’s life. The Lord prayed, commanded His followers to pray, even scolded His apostles for not praying enough. So, we latter-day followers of that Master must pray. To be a Christian, a Catholic, means to pray.
A second reason for praying is its personal benefits. St Thomas Aquinas says that prayer brings about “a certain spiritual refreshment of the mind”. Here is your secret of balance in the midst of tensions and crises. Here is your daily view from eternity -- an Archimedean point outside yourself to lift any worry or burden. Daily prayer ought to be personally much more beneficial than a vacation, a movie, a television program.
Ref: In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1288-9
Personal prayer: A confident dialogue with God
“Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Lk 22:46) The Apostles had ignored the Lord’s command. He had left them close to himself so they would watch and pray, and thus not fall into temptation. But even now they do not love him enough, and allowed themselves to be overcome by sleep and weakness. Sleep, the mental epitome of human weakness, has led to depression, a lack of piety.
If we maintain a living dialogue with God we will not fall into this situation during each period of prayer. We must use all the means available to do this mental prayer in a recollected way. We should do it in the best place, depending on our circumstances; and whenever possible, in front of Our Lord in the tabernacle. Doing it at a set schedule is always best. ...
Prayer locates the soul in an enviroment of serenity and of peace, which then is transmitted to others. The joy it produces is a foretaste of happiness in heaven.
No one on this earth has known how to treat Jesus better than his Mother, Mary who spent long hours looking at him, speaking with him, handling him with simplicity and veneration. If we turn to Our Mother in Heaven, we will learn quickly to confidently speak with Jesus, to follow him closely, very united to the Cross.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:167-9
• Our Lady of Divine Grace. (“Carmel of St Therese of the Child Jesus Calendar 2002”)
• Institution of the Order of Prémontré by St Norbert in the year 1120, after a revelation from Our Lady. — Bibliotheca Praemonstr., lib. i., c. 2. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Order of Our Lady of Premontre, Lancaster, England, by St. Norbert (1120). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Institution of Premonstratensian Order by a revelation of Our Lady to St. Norbert. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Order of Our Lady of Prémontré is instituted. Lancaster, England. 1120. Following a revelation by Mary to St. Norbert. History and modern status of the Premonstratensians (also known as the Norbertines). More history. Home page for the Order. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Mother of Mercy. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the fourth Sunday of July. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Mother of Mercy. Mother of Mercy Messengers. Essay on the title, by Johann Roten. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the fourth Sunday of July. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
The miraculous cure of the leper wrought at the very gates of Capernaum was as a ray of light to the Roman centurion who commanded the little garrison. Though a pagan, he acknowledged Jesus as the Master of creation.
Hearing that Jesus was near the town, he hoped to obtain a favor in the cure of a beloved paralyzed servant. He sent Jewish elders to Jesus who pleaded his cause, saying, “He deserves this of you, for he loves our nation, and even built us a synagogue” (Lk 7:4-5).
How admirable is this Gentile’s charity toward a servant! It was active, generous. After having spent much for him on physicians, he seeks help from Jesus, exposing himself to ridicule by other pagans.
If such was the charity of a man who understood neither its motives nor its supernatural merit, what ought to be ours in respect to our brethren in Jesus Christ! What shame it will be for us if our charity is less active, less generous, less disinterested than his!
“... an army captain approached him saying, ‘Sir, my servant is sick at home, paralyzed and suffers terribly’. Jesus told him, ‘I will come and heal him’.” (cf Mt 8:6-7)
“The captain replied, ‘I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under orders and I have soldiers under me. If I say to one, ‘Go’, he goes; and if I say to another, ‘Come’, he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this’, he does it.” (cf Mt 8:8-9)
He meant, ‘Far easier is it, then, for you, who are Master of all creation, to speak to the malady, and it will obey you. My servant will be cured’.
We all greatly admire this captain who had been enlightened by grace. What great humility, what ardent faith, expressed with the frankness and simplicity of a true soldier. What confidence he had in our Lord’s goodness! He told his story, made his petition, and had so firm a conviction of our Lord’s power and mercy, he could not doubt the result.
Do we have this faith and confidence in our prayers? Does the captain have a deeper conviction than any of us? Do we fully understand our Lord’s power and love?
The centurion’s prayer, so beautiful in its simplicity, delighted the heart of Jesus. “... and told them who were following him, ‘I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel’. ... Then Jesus said to the captain, ‘Go home now. What you believed will happen.’ That very moment his servant was healed.” (Mt 8:10, 13)
This, then, was the centurion’s reward: immediate and complete cure of his servant, extraordinary praise bestowed on him by the Incarnate Word, and an everlasting celebrity throughout the whole world.
The words which his faith, humility and confidence brought to his lips, the Church placed in the mouths of both priests and faithful at the moment of holy communion. [“Lord, I am not worthy ...” (Lk 7:6; Mt 5:8)]
Let us bless and exalt God’s liberality towards us; and reciprocate it by a continual self-immolation.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp463-5
The need for prayer
Why go to the trouble of pulling away from distractions, putting our thoughts together and praying to God? Why go through all this trouble and effort?
The first reason is the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The lifestyle of Jesus showed that prayer held highest priority for Him. The Gospels often describe Christ at prayer. He prayed before the most important decisions and actions of His ministry. Mark writes about a typical day in the life of Jesus; and how despite intense activity he went off alone into the desert to pray.
Luke mentions prayer so often it seems part of a consistent pattern of prayer before activity; as if prayer was the constant background of Christ’s life. The Lord prayed, commanded His followers to pray, even scolded His apostles for not praying enough. So, we latter-day followers of that Master must pray. To be a Christian, a Catholic, means to pray.
A second reason for praying is its personal benefits. St Thomas Aquinas says that prayer brings about “a certain spiritual refreshment of the mind”. Here is your secret of balance in the midst of tensions and crises. Here is your daily view from eternity -- an Archimedean point outside yourself to lift any worry or burden. Daily prayer ought to be personally much more beneficial than a vacation, a movie, a television program.
Ref: In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1288-9
Personal prayer: A confident dialogue with God
“Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Lk 22:46) The Apostles had ignored the Lord’s command. He had left them close to himself so they would watch and pray, and thus not fall into temptation. But even now they do not love him enough, and allowed themselves to be overcome by sleep and weakness. Sleep, the mental epitome of human weakness, has led to depression, a lack of piety.
If we maintain a living dialogue with God we will not fall into this situation during each period of prayer. We must use all the means available to do this mental prayer in a recollected way. We should do it in the best place, depending on our circumstances; and whenever possible, in front of Our Lord in the tabernacle. Doing it at a set schedule is always best. ...
Prayer locates the soul in an enviroment of serenity and of peace, which then is transmitted to others. The joy it produces is a foretaste of happiness in heaven.
No one on this earth has known how to treat Jesus better than his Mother, Mary who spent long hours looking at him, speaking with him, handling him with simplicity and veneration. If we turn to Our Mother in Heaven, we will learn quickly to confidently speak with Jesus, to follow him closely, very united to the Cross.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:167-9
• Our Lady of Divine Grace. (“Carmel of St Therese of the Child Jesus Calendar 2002”)
• Institution of the Order of Prémontré by St Norbert in the year 1120, after a revelation from Our Lady. — Bibliotheca Praemonstr., lib. i., c. 2. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Order of Our Lady of Premontre, Lancaster, England, by St. Norbert (1120). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Institution of Premonstratensian Order by a revelation of Our Lady to St. Norbert. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Order of Our Lady of Prémontré is instituted. Lancaster, England. 1120. Following a revelation by Mary to St. Norbert. History and modern status of the Premonstratensians (also known as the Norbertines). More history. Home page for the Order. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Mother of Mercy. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the fourth Sunday of July. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Mother of Mercy. Mother of Mercy Messengers. Essay on the title, by Johann Roten. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the fourth Sunday of July. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
21 July 2011: “Lord, if you will ...”
Jesus confirmed his wonderful and austere teaching by miracles. The first was about the leper. As soon as the poor man saw Jesus from afar he was filled with hope. Fearless of a rebuff, he came, “begging him and kneeling down said to him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean’ (Lk 5:12)”. Let us reflect on the qualities of this leper’s prayer --
It was made with profound respect and deep humility. On his knees he adored Jesus as the Ambassador and Son of God. Then he had an ardent faith in the omnipotence of Jesus, that he could cure the leprosy ‘if he so willed’. If it is pleasing to you, you can cure me.
If we made all our prayers with the same feelings, they would always be effective. In this second point let us focus our attention on the Person of Jesus. How did he receive the leper and answer his prayer?
Though pressed upon by the crowd, Jesus received him with great sweetness, without showing any impatience or disgust at the sight and smell of the leprosy. He listened gently to his prayer, and wrought a miracle.
“Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I will; be made clean’. Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” (Mk 1:41-2)
This wonderful miracle greatly increased the faith of the multitude in the teaching of Jesus Christ; and it ought to be no less useful to us, especially when we compare our conduct with that of our Lord.
‘When someone comes to beg a service from me at a busy moment, especially if his appearance and manner are disagreeable, how do I receive and listen to him? Impatiently, crossly, or even harshly; putting him off to another time?’
We can easily imagine the joy and gratitude of the leper so suddenly cured. But Jesus warned him: “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a testimony to them.” (Mk 1:44) The leper, so overcome with joy forgot our Lord’s injunction.
Our Lord avoided rather than sought the praise and applause of men, so that God only might receive the glory. Like the leper, let us show our gratitude to Jesus Christ; and promote his knowledge and love.
Ref:Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp458-60
Lukewarmness: Salt that has lost its savour
Our Lord tells his disciples they are “the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). They do good to the world exactly what salt does to food, preserving or making it palatable. But salt can lose its savour or spoil; becomes useless.
Lukewarmness is a disease of the soul that affects both intellect and will; and leaves the Christian devoid of strength to carry out apostolate. The sickness starts with a weakening of the will as a result of repeated faults and culpable omissions; of frequently doing wrong and, probably worse, failing to do what is right.
The Christian no longer sees Christ in the horizon of his life. His interior life undergoes a profound change. Jesus is lost as the focal point of his life. Practices of piety become simply ‘going through the motions’, routinary or a force of habit, motivated by love no more.
St Thomas describes it as “a kind of sadness whereby a man becomes sluggish in spiritual exercises because they weary the body.” (“Summa Theologiae”, I, 63, 2) All norms of piety and devotion are a burden, increasingly hard to bear instead of being a powerful force to meet any difficulty.
Spiritual ‘aridity’ should not be confused with lukewarmness. In ‘aridity’, although the soul has no feeling and it seems difficult to pray, to carry on any real conversation with God, true devotion nevertheless remains. St Thomas has defined it as the “will to give oneself readily to things concerning the service of God”. (“Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 82, 1)
This ‘readiness’ grows weak if the will falls into a state of lukewarmness: “I have this against you”, says the Lord, “that you have abandoned this love you had at first” (Rev 2:4); you have weakened.
The determined person who keeps up his prayer even when all feeling is absent, is like one who draws water from a well, bucket by bucket -- one aspiration after another, an act of sorrow ... It is hard work and demands effort, but he draws out water. The imagination strays and runs wild. Firm determination to dispel voluntary distractions is lost. Ultimately, prayer is abandoned with the excuse that no results are forthcoming.
Genuine conversation with God even if God allows it to be ‘arid’ is always fruitful, whatever the circumstances, as long as there is rectitude of intention and a firm desire to be close to God.
Lukewarmness is sterile. Salt without savour “is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot”. (Mt 5:13) ‘Aridity’ can be the positive sign that God wants to purify a particular soul.
Let us confidently turn to the Blessed Virgin, the perfect model of loving correspondence with the Christian vocation. We beg her to remove from our soul any shadow of lukewarmness. Let us also ask our Guardian Angel to make us diligent in God’s service.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:541-7
The Miracle of Mercy
No human mercy can erase the mercy of God or prevent him from unleashing all his triumphant power, if we only call on him. Indeed, sin makes even more radiant the Father’s love. In order to ransom a slave, he sacrificed his Son: his mercy is our redemption.
This mercy reaches its fulness in the gift of the Spirit, who bestows new life and demands that it be lived. No matter how many and great the obstacles put in his way by human frailty and sin, the Spirit, who renews the face of the earth (cf Ps 104:30), makes possible the miracle of the perfect accomplishment of the good.
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 32
• Our Lady of Verdun, in Lorraine, celebrated for numerous miracles. St Polichraine, fifth Bishop of Verdun, dedicated this church on his return from the council of Chalcedon. — Archives of the Church of Verdun. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Verdun, Lorraine (5th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Verdun”. Lorraine, France. 5th century. Cathedral. Music from the cathedral's grand organ. French website. Architectural history, in French. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
It was made with profound respect and deep humility. On his knees he adored Jesus as the Ambassador and Son of God. Then he had an ardent faith in the omnipotence of Jesus, that he could cure the leprosy ‘if he so willed’. If it is pleasing to you, you can cure me.
If we made all our prayers with the same feelings, they would always be effective. In this second point let us focus our attention on the Person of Jesus. How did he receive the leper and answer his prayer?
Though pressed upon by the crowd, Jesus received him with great sweetness, without showing any impatience or disgust at the sight and smell of the leprosy. He listened gently to his prayer, and wrought a miracle.
“Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I will; be made clean’. Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” (Mk 1:41-2)
This wonderful miracle greatly increased the faith of the multitude in the teaching of Jesus Christ; and it ought to be no less useful to us, especially when we compare our conduct with that of our Lord.
‘When someone comes to beg a service from me at a busy moment, especially if his appearance and manner are disagreeable, how do I receive and listen to him? Impatiently, crossly, or even harshly; putting him off to another time?’
We can easily imagine the joy and gratitude of the leper so suddenly cured. But Jesus warned him: “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a testimony to them.” (Mk 1:44) The leper, so overcome with joy forgot our Lord’s injunction.
Our Lord avoided rather than sought the praise and applause of men, so that God only might receive the glory. Like the leper, let us show our gratitude to Jesus Christ; and promote his knowledge and love.
Ref:Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp458-60
Lukewarmness: Salt that has lost its savour
Our Lord tells his disciples they are “the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). They do good to the world exactly what salt does to food, preserving or making it palatable. But salt can lose its savour or spoil; becomes useless.
Lukewarmness is a disease of the soul that affects both intellect and will; and leaves the Christian devoid of strength to carry out apostolate. The sickness starts with a weakening of the will as a result of repeated faults and culpable omissions; of frequently doing wrong and, probably worse, failing to do what is right.
The Christian no longer sees Christ in the horizon of his life. His interior life undergoes a profound change. Jesus is lost as the focal point of his life. Practices of piety become simply ‘going through the motions’, routinary or a force of habit, motivated by love no more.
St Thomas describes it as “a kind of sadness whereby a man becomes sluggish in spiritual exercises because they weary the body.” (“Summa Theologiae”, I, 63, 2) All norms of piety and devotion are a burden, increasingly hard to bear instead of being a powerful force to meet any difficulty.
Spiritual ‘aridity’ should not be confused with lukewarmness. In ‘aridity’, although the soul has no feeling and it seems difficult to pray, to carry on any real conversation with God, true devotion nevertheless remains. St Thomas has defined it as the “will to give oneself readily to things concerning the service of God”. (“Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 82, 1)
This ‘readiness’ grows weak if the will falls into a state of lukewarmness: “I have this against you”, says the Lord, “that you have abandoned this love you had at first” (Rev 2:4); you have weakened.
The determined person who keeps up his prayer even when all feeling is absent, is like one who draws water from a well, bucket by bucket -- one aspiration after another, an act of sorrow ... It is hard work and demands effort, but he draws out water. The imagination strays and runs wild. Firm determination to dispel voluntary distractions is lost. Ultimately, prayer is abandoned with the excuse that no results are forthcoming.
Genuine conversation with God even if God allows it to be ‘arid’ is always fruitful, whatever the circumstances, as long as there is rectitude of intention and a firm desire to be close to God.
Lukewarmness is sterile. Salt without savour “is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot”. (Mt 5:13) ‘Aridity’ can be the positive sign that God wants to purify a particular soul.
Let us confidently turn to the Blessed Virgin, the perfect model of loving correspondence with the Christian vocation. We beg her to remove from our soul any shadow of lukewarmness. Let us also ask our Guardian Angel to make us diligent in God’s service.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:541-7
The Miracle of Mercy
No human mercy can erase the mercy of God or prevent him from unleashing all his triumphant power, if we only call on him. Indeed, sin makes even more radiant the Father’s love. In order to ransom a slave, he sacrificed his Son: his mercy is our redemption.
This mercy reaches its fulness in the gift of the Spirit, who bestows new life and demands that it be lived. No matter how many and great the obstacles put in his way by human frailty and sin, the Spirit, who renews the face of the earth (cf Ps 104:30), makes possible the miracle of the perfect accomplishment of the good.
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 32
• Our Lady of Verdun, in Lorraine, celebrated for numerous miracles. St Polichraine, fifth Bishop of Verdun, dedicated this church on his return from the council of Chalcedon. — Archives of the Church of Verdun. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Verdun, Lorraine (5th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Verdun”. Lorraine, France. 5th century. Cathedral. Music from the cathedral's grand organ. French website. Architectural history, in French. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
24 July 2011: Faith is the gift of God
Faith is the first in the order of virtues. By it, enlightened from above, we know God, his infinite attributes, his will, his good pleasure, and his intentions for us in this world and the next. Evidently, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6); or do a meritorious and supernatural act of virtue. That we may be able to do so at once, faith was given to us by baptism; but “not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).
Faith is the foundation of all virtues which will be so much more perfect as our faith is greater and more ardent. Let us do all we can to increase it. We cannot give it to ourselves, but we can increase it, like any other grace. First, by prayer as the Apostles cried out, “Increase our faith” (Lk 17:5). Again, by a continual exercise of it, doing everything in a spirit of faith as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Gal 3:11).
If we were penetrated with the thought of God’s presence, we would never sin. We should pray well, be humble and modest in prosperity, strong and courageous in trials and temptations. We should do even the smallest thing with the greatest care, with a pure intention and ardent love. In one word, ‘faith’.
Faith raises us above material things, above what we perceive by our senses and understanding. It raises us into the invisible, unto God, and the heights of his infinite perfections. It opens to us the splendor, glory, and happiness of our future country, Paradise.
By faith our thoughts and aspirations become great and noble. We disdain all that is not eternal. Our sole ambition is to lay up treasures in heaven. Faith raises us above ourselves, our weaknesses, our inconstancy. We become strong, invincible, even terrible to the devils. Like the first Christians, millions of martyrs who triumphed by faith over threats and persuasions, horrors of prison and exile, even cruel suffering, death.
Read that wonderful picture of faith written by St Paul. (Heb 11:1-40) By faith even our most ordinary actions become noble, meritorious, often heroic before God.
These thoughts doubtless will rekindle in our heart an ardent desire of excelling in faith, in that lively faith which proves itself by works and by a holy life. By these merits, ie, by the conformity of our actions with our faith, we can judge of its worth and degree. “Try your own selves if you be in faith.” (2 Cor 13:5)
We believe, for instance, that our immortal soul is worth far more care than our body. Yet we do not act so. We believe that God sees us, observes and reads the depths of our heart. But when alone we act as if there were no witness of our grave negligences and omissions, of our vain and useless thought.
We believe that without the spirit of prayer, which supposes recollection and mortification, we are a Christian only in name. Yet we prepare our mental prayer with little efforts to become recollected and mortified.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp 465-7
If You Want Peace, Serve the Poor
The divine master has taught us by his words the demanding features of that poverty which leads us to true freedom. He, “though he was in the form of God, did not deem equality with God as something to be exploited; but emptied himself, took the form of a slave” (Phil 2:6-7).
May rich and poor recognize they are brothers and sisters. May they share what they have with one another as children of the one God who loves everyone, wills the good of everyone, and offers to everyone the gift of peace!
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 8
Interior life is destined to grow
On one occasion, Jesus asks the Apostles to listen attentively to his doctrine: “Take heed ... To him who has, more will be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mk 4:24-5)
St John Chrysostom comments: “To him who is diligent and fervent will be given all the things that depend on God; but to him who has no love or fervour and who does not do what depends on him, what belongs to God will not be given him. For ‘even what he thinks he has will be taken away’ (Lk 8:18), says the Lord, not because God takes it away from him, but because he is incapable of receiving fresh graces.” (“Homilies on St Matthew’s Gospel”, 45, 1)
“To him who has, more will be given ...” (Lk 19:26) is a basic teaching for the interior life of every Christian. But he who fails to make the inspirations and help of the Holy Spirit bear fruit will become even poorer.
Interior life, like love, is destined to grow: “If you say ‘enough’ you are already dead.” (St Augustine, “Sermon 51”, 3) The interior life always demands progress, correspondence, being ready to receive new graces. If you don’t go forward, you go backwards. God has promised that we will always have access to all the help we need.
The difficulties, temptations, and obstacles we meet cause us to grow; the greater the difficulty, the more grace we receive. If he permits us to experience great temptations or setbacks, the Lord will give us still greater help to overcome them. Everything that seems to retard our holiness will become the cause of spiritual progress.
Only a lack of love, such as lukewarmness, is what causes the soul’s life to fall sick or die. Only a bad will, a lack of generosity towards God, can delay or prevent our union with him. “The vessel of faith carried to the fountain is filled according to its capacity.” (St Augustine, “Commentary on St John’s Gospel”, 17)
Our Lady, who is ‘Mother of Grace, of Mercy, of Forgiveness’, will always enkindle in us the hope of attaining the ambitious goal of becoming saints. Let us place the fruits of these moments of personal prayer in her hands, with the conviction that if we correspond with grace, still more grace will be given us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversaton with God”, 3:138-9, 144
• “Notre Dame de Cambron”. France. Church built in the 17th century. A venerated miraculous picture of the Virgin is in a nearby abbey. For print research, see Th. LeJuene, "La vierge miraculeuse de Cambron" (The miraculous virgin of Cambron) a 30 page article in volume 7 of the “Annales du Cercle Archéologique de Mons” (Annals of the Archeological Circle of Mons), published in 1867. The book on the subject is Romain Paternotte, “Histoire de Notre-Dame de Cambron et de son culte, précédée d'une notice sur l'abbaye” (History of Our Lady of Cambron and its worship, preceded by a note on the abbey) (Brussels: Ernult-Doncq, 1913). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Foundation of Our Lady of Cambron, near Mons in Hainault, by Anselm de Trasigny, lord of Peronne. — MS. of the year 1148; Hanno’s Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Foundation of Our Lady of Cambron, France (1148) (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Faith is the foundation of all virtues which will be so much more perfect as our faith is greater and more ardent. Let us do all we can to increase it. We cannot give it to ourselves, but we can increase it, like any other grace. First, by prayer as the Apostles cried out, “Increase our faith” (Lk 17:5). Again, by a continual exercise of it, doing everything in a spirit of faith as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Gal 3:11).
If we were penetrated with the thought of God’s presence, we would never sin. We should pray well, be humble and modest in prosperity, strong and courageous in trials and temptations. We should do even the smallest thing with the greatest care, with a pure intention and ardent love. In one word, ‘faith’.
Faith raises us above material things, above what we perceive by our senses and understanding. It raises us into the invisible, unto God, and the heights of his infinite perfections. It opens to us the splendor, glory, and happiness of our future country, Paradise.
By faith our thoughts and aspirations become great and noble. We disdain all that is not eternal. Our sole ambition is to lay up treasures in heaven. Faith raises us above ourselves, our weaknesses, our inconstancy. We become strong, invincible, even terrible to the devils. Like the first Christians, millions of martyrs who triumphed by faith over threats and persuasions, horrors of prison and exile, even cruel suffering, death.
Read that wonderful picture of faith written by St Paul. (Heb 11:1-40) By faith even our most ordinary actions become noble, meritorious, often heroic before God.
These thoughts doubtless will rekindle in our heart an ardent desire of excelling in faith, in that lively faith which proves itself by works and by a holy life. By these merits, ie, by the conformity of our actions with our faith, we can judge of its worth and degree. “Try your own selves if you be in faith.” (2 Cor 13:5)
We believe, for instance, that our immortal soul is worth far more care than our body. Yet we do not act so. We believe that God sees us, observes and reads the depths of our heart. But when alone we act as if there were no witness of our grave negligences and omissions, of our vain and useless thought.
We believe that without the spirit of prayer, which supposes recollection and mortification, we are a Christian only in name. Yet we prepare our mental prayer with little efforts to become recollected and mortified.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp 465-7
If You Want Peace, Serve the Poor
The divine master has taught us by his words the demanding features of that poverty which leads us to true freedom. He, “though he was in the form of God, did not deem equality with God as something to be exploited; but emptied himself, took the form of a slave” (Phil 2:6-7).
May rich and poor recognize they are brothers and sisters. May they share what they have with one another as children of the one God who loves everyone, wills the good of everyone, and offers to everyone the gift of peace!
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 8
Interior life is destined to grow
On one occasion, Jesus asks the Apostles to listen attentively to his doctrine: “Take heed ... To him who has, more will be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mk 4:24-5)
St John Chrysostom comments: “To him who is diligent and fervent will be given all the things that depend on God; but to him who has no love or fervour and who does not do what depends on him, what belongs to God will not be given him. For ‘even what he thinks he has will be taken away’ (Lk 8:18), says the Lord, not because God takes it away from him, but because he is incapable of receiving fresh graces.” (“Homilies on St Matthew’s Gospel”, 45, 1)
“To him who has, more will be given ...” (Lk 19:26) is a basic teaching for the interior life of every Christian. But he who fails to make the inspirations and help of the Holy Spirit bear fruit will become even poorer.
Interior life, like love, is destined to grow: “If you say ‘enough’ you are already dead.” (St Augustine, “Sermon 51”, 3) The interior life always demands progress, correspondence, being ready to receive new graces. If you don’t go forward, you go backwards. God has promised that we will always have access to all the help we need.
The difficulties, temptations, and obstacles we meet cause us to grow; the greater the difficulty, the more grace we receive. If he permits us to experience great temptations or setbacks, the Lord will give us still greater help to overcome them. Everything that seems to retard our holiness will become the cause of spiritual progress.
Only a lack of love, such as lukewarmness, is what causes the soul’s life to fall sick or die. Only a bad will, a lack of generosity towards God, can delay or prevent our union with him. “The vessel of faith carried to the fountain is filled according to its capacity.” (St Augustine, “Commentary on St John’s Gospel”, 17)
Our Lady, who is ‘Mother of Grace, of Mercy, of Forgiveness’, will always enkindle in us the hope of attaining the ambitious goal of becoming saints. Let us place the fruits of these moments of personal prayer in her hands, with the conviction that if we correspond with grace, still more grace will be given us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversaton with God”, 3:138-9, 144
• “Notre Dame de Cambron”. France. Church built in the 17th century. A venerated miraculous picture of the Virgin is in a nearby abbey. For print research, see Th. LeJuene, "La vierge miraculeuse de Cambron" (The miraculous virgin of Cambron) a 30 page article in volume 7 of the “Annales du Cercle Archéologique de Mons” (Annals of the Archeological Circle of Mons), published in 1867. The book on the subject is Romain Paternotte, “Histoire de Notre-Dame de Cambron et de son culte, précédée d'une notice sur l'abbaye” (History of Our Lady of Cambron and its worship, preceded by a note on the abbey) (Brussels: Ernult-Doncq, 1913). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Foundation of Our Lady of Cambron, near Mons in Hainault, by Anselm de Trasigny, lord of Peronne. — MS. of the year 1148; Hanno’s Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Foundation of Our Lady of Cambron, France (1148) (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
25 July 2011: St James, Apostle
The son of Zebedee, he and his brother John were called by Jesus. Along with Peter and John he witnessed the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1) and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:37). Beheaded by Herod Agrippa (AD 44), the first martyr among the apostles. The supernatural dignity of our vocation as Christians requires fortitude in our dedication. We should not get discouraged amidst difficulties but confidently go to God repeating what James and John said, ‘Possumus!’ (We can!) (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1583)
St James the Apostle
A friend of Jesus, the first of the Apostles to testify to the Gospel with his blood: St James the Greater.
St James, the brother of St John the Evangelist, accomplished his ‘vocation of service’ in the kingdom established by the Lord. Like the Divine Master, ‘he gave his life in ransom for many’. We have testimony of that at Compostela [at northwestern Spain]. A testimony of faith, which entire generations of pilgrims have sought over the centuries ‘to touch’ with their own hands and ‘kiss’ with their lips, coming for this purpose from countries of Europe and the East.
So it is that the apostolic testimony endures at Compostela and that response to the famous query, ‘Can you drink the cup ...’ of the generations is realized.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p269
Approaching our Blessed Mother during difficulties
The Lord has also called us. May we not give in to discouragement if our defects and weaknesses become manifest. If we approach Jesus for help, He will give us the courage to continue on our path with greater fidelity since he is ever patient and allows us the time we need to improve.
“We bear this treasure in vessels of clay so that it may be clearly seen that our power comes from God and not from ourselves.” (2 Cor 4:7) We are fragile creatures and unreliable. Nevertheless, we are capable of bearing within us an incomparable treasure since God works marvels in men despite their weaknesses.
Tradition recalls St James’ preaching throughout Spain. His great zeal for souls led him to the very limits of the known world. We also learn of the difficulties he experienced at the start of his evangelizing, and how Our Lady appeared to him to offer encouragement.
It is possible that we, too, may feel disheartened at times and baffled by the obstacles that obstruct our desires to bring other souls to Christ. We may also encounter misunderstanding, mockery and opposition of all sorts, but Jesus will never abandon us.
We will go to the Lord and be able to tell him with St Paul’s confidence: “We are sore pressed, but not destitute; we endure persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but never perish ...” (2 Cor 4:8)
We shall also seek the intercession of our Mother Mary. In her we will find the courage and joy to proceed on our way like the Apostle James.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:30-32
Message of St John Baptist to Jesus
John had heard in prison the works of Christ; sent two of his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Mt 11:2-3)
Why did the holy precursor send this message? He knew well that our Lord was the Messiah. He did not want to be released from prison. He knew that blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake. But he wished his disciples to see Jesus, to know him, to attach themselves to him, and follow him.
John the Baptist had lived a holy life, and he was thrown into prison, apparently abandoned. The Lord did nothing for him, but he never complained. His patience was not exhausted, his faith was unshaken.
And I, who have done so little, give way to impatience, to complaints and mistrust, when I do not succeed in my undertakings, or when left alone in trouble.
Then, again, the holy precursor was suffering a harsh captivity. He was severely tried, both physically and morally; but none of this could quench the ardor of his zeal. He still fulfilled his mission.
How far am I from possessing such strength of mind, such heroic constancy! A little indisposition, a slight suffering, cast me down, and make me neglect the whole or part of my duty to God and my neighbor.
On being asked, “Are you he who is to come?” (Lk 7:20) [The Messiah promised by the Prophets] Jesus responded by working various miracles before their eyes as foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Then said, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” (Lk 7:33).
After the example of Jesus we should show, more by our actions than by our words, that we are truly the children of God; our conduct accords with Christian doctrines. One of the greatest glories of St John the Baptist is that he was publicly praised by the Son of God, who alone can justly appreciate virtue, because he alone can see the depths of the heart.
“When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. ‘What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? ... But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.’” (Lk 7:24-6)
The praise of men is worth nothing because they see only the exterior. Let us try to be worthy of approbation from him who sees the heart and our judge. To win it, let us develop the two virtues he especially praised in his precursor; ie, ‘perseverance’ in a holy life, and an entire ‘mortification’ of our disorderly inclinations.
But, is it not precisely in these things we are wanting? Like the reed shaken by the wind, we are perpetually inconstant to our resolutions, bringing nothing to a good end, gratifying our senses and leisure.
Ref: “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp467-9
• Our Lady of Bouchet, two leagues and a half from Blanc and a half league from Berry, a pilgrimage which attracts a great concourse of pilgrims. The image of the Blessed Virgin is made of the wood of an aged oak, where the first image was found. — Ex monumentis hujus loci. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet”, Quebec (1920). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet” (near Blanc: in Berry, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet” near Blanc: in Berry, France & Quebec, Canada 1920. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame du Bouchet”. Blanc, Berry, France; Quebec. 1920. Photos of items from the French church. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
St James the Apostle
A friend of Jesus, the first of the Apostles to testify to the Gospel with his blood: St James the Greater.
St James, the brother of St John the Evangelist, accomplished his ‘vocation of service’ in the kingdom established by the Lord. Like the Divine Master, ‘he gave his life in ransom for many’. We have testimony of that at Compostela [at northwestern Spain]. A testimony of faith, which entire generations of pilgrims have sought over the centuries ‘to touch’ with their own hands and ‘kiss’ with their lips, coming for this purpose from countries of Europe and the East.
So it is that the apostolic testimony endures at Compostela and that response to the famous query, ‘Can you drink the cup ...’ of the generations is realized.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p269
Approaching our Blessed Mother during difficulties
The Lord has also called us. May we not give in to discouragement if our defects and weaknesses become manifest. If we approach Jesus for help, He will give us the courage to continue on our path with greater fidelity since he is ever patient and allows us the time we need to improve.
“We bear this treasure in vessels of clay so that it may be clearly seen that our power comes from God and not from ourselves.” (2 Cor 4:7) We are fragile creatures and unreliable. Nevertheless, we are capable of bearing within us an incomparable treasure since God works marvels in men despite their weaknesses.
Tradition recalls St James’ preaching throughout Spain. His great zeal for souls led him to the very limits of the known world. We also learn of the difficulties he experienced at the start of his evangelizing, and how Our Lady appeared to him to offer encouragement.
It is possible that we, too, may feel disheartened at times and baffled by the obstacles that obstruct our desires to bring other souls to Christ. We may also encounter misunderstanding, mockery and opposition of all sorts, but Jesus will never abandon us.
We will go to the Lord and be able to tell him with St Paul’s confidence: “We are sore pressed, but not destitute; we endure persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but never perish ...” (2 Cor 4:8)
We shall also seek the intercession of our Mother Mary. In her we will find the courage and joy to proceed on our way like the Apostle James.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:30-32
Message of St John Baptist to Jesus
John had heard in prison the works of Christ; sent two of his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” (Mt 11:2-3)
Why did the holy precursor send this message? He knew well that our Lord was the Messiah. He did not want to be released from prison. He knew that blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake. But he wished his disciples to see Jesus, to know him, to attach themselves to him, and follow him.
John the Baptist had lived a holy life, and he was thrown into prison, apparently abandoned. The Lord did nothing for him, but he never complained. His patience was not exhausted, his faith was unshaken.
And I, who have done so little, give way to impatience, to complaints and mistrust, when I do not succeed in my undertakings, or when left alone in trouble.
Then, again, the holy precursor was suffering a harsh captivity. He was severely tried, both physically and morally; but none of this could quench the ardor of his zeal. He still fulfilled his mission.
How far am I from possessing such strength of mind, such heroic constancy! A little indisposition, a slight suffering, cast me down, and make me neglect the whole or part of my duty to God and my neighbor.
On being asked, “Are you he who is to come?” (Lk 7:20) [The Messiah promised by the Prophets] Jesus responded by working various miracles before their eyes as foretold by the prophet Isaiah. Then said, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” (Lk 7:33).
After the example of Jesus we should show, more by our actions than by our words, that we are truly the children of God; our conduct accords with Christian doctrines. One of the greatest glories of St John the Baptist is that he was publicly praised by the Son of God, who alone can justly appreciate virtue, because he alone can see the depths of the heart.
“When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. ‘What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? ... But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.’” (Lk 7:24-6)
The praise of men is worth nothing because they see only the exterior. Let us try to be worthy of approbation from him who sees the heart and our judge. To win it, let us develop the two virtues he especially praised in his precursor; ie, ‘perseverance’ in a holy life, and an entire ‘mortification’ of our disorderly inclinations.
But, is it not precisely in these things we are wanting? Like the reed shaken by the wind, we are perpetually inconstant to our resolutions, bringing nothing to a good end, gratifying our senses and leisure.
Ref: “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp467-9
• Our Lady of Bouchet, two leagues and a half from Blanc and a half league from Berry, a pilgrimage which attracts a great concourse of pilgrims. The image of the Blessed Virgin is made of the wood of an aged oak, where the first image was found. — Ex monumentis hujus loci. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet”, Quebec (1920). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet” (near Blanc: in Berry, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Lac Bouchet” near Blanc: in Berry, France & Quebec, Canada 1920. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame du Bouchet”. Blanc, Berry, France; Quebec. 1920. Photos of items from the French church. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
26 July 2011: Ss Joachim and Ann -- Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary received her training to be the Mother of God in the home of Joachim and Ann. Thus devotion to them is an extension of the affection we have always professed toward our Blessed Mother. We, too, owe a debt of gratitude to our parents for their help in our Christian formation. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1585)
St Ann, Mother of Mary Most Holy
The person of St Ann reminds us of Mary’s early home, where she was born, bringing that extraordinary mystery of the Immaculate Conception. She was there surrounded by the love and care of her parents. There she learned from her mother how to be a mother.
Although Mary had given up the idea of motherhood, from the human point of view, the Heavenly Father nonetheless gratified her with the most holy maternity ...
In Hebrew, ‘Anna’ means ‘God has given a grace’. When meditating on this significance of St Ann’s name, St John Damascene exclaimed: “Since it had to be that the virgin Mother of God should be born of Ann, nature did not dare precede the seed of grace; but it remained without its own fruit so that grace might produce its own. ...”
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p270-71
The home of the Blessed Mother’s parents
A very ancient tradition has preserved for us the names of Mary’s parents, who were, “in their time and historical circumstances, a precious fundamental stone in the fulfilment of the salvation of mankind.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 26 July 1983) Through them, the blessing that God promised Abraham and his descendants reached us by their cooperation.
We know the blessed couple by the fruit they gave to humanity: the Virgin Mary. St Anne conceived her most pure and immaculate. “Oh, most beautiful, most lovable child! Oh, daughter of Adam and Mother of God! Blessed be the womb that bore you! Blessed be the arms that held you, the lips ... privileged to kiss you ...” (St John Damascene, “About the Nativity of the Virgin Mary”, 6)
Sts Joachim and Anne were truly privileged to care for the Mother of God. St Teresa of Avila put the monasteries she founded under the protection of St Joseph and St Anne: “The mercy of God is so great he will never fail to favor the homes of his glorious grandmother.” (cf M Auclair, “Teresa of Avila”, 316)
We can entrust to the parents of Our Lady all our needs, especially regarding the sanctity of our homes. We pray they teach us how to create a human and supernatural tone for our surroundings. Today we ask Saints Joachim and Anne to help us make our Christian homes places where God can easily be found.
John Paul II encourages us to seek our Lady’s intercession: “United together, let us raise our hearts to Mary. Through your mediation, daughter and Mother, show yourself to be the Mother of us all. Offer up our prayer so that Christ, who has become your Son, may kindly accept it.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 10 December 1978)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:33-4
Various effects of our Lord’s miracles
The miracles wrought before the eyes of St John’s messengers were almost immediately followed by a double miracle: the deliverance and cure of a possessed man.
“They brought him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him so that he spoke and saw. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’” (Mt 12:22-3).
Recognize in this possessed man the misery of the Christian in a state of mortal sin -- 1) Possessed by the devil, and will remain in it for all eternity if he dies in his sin. 2) Blind to the horror of his state; and the enormity of his sins and their eternal fatal effects on him. 3) Also dumb -- as to prayer, as to asking counsel; often dumb as to making a sincere confession.
If we have lived -- perhaps, for a long time -- in this state and luckily escaped from it, humbly acknowledge it as a miracle of grace and mercy from Jesus Christ.
The people who were free from prejudice and malice formed a wise judgment concerning our Lord and his actions; but the Scribes and Pharisees, motivated by pride and jealousy, confirmed their hatred of Jesus.
Unable to deny the fact of a double miracle, they attributed it to the devil. “He has Beelzebul; and by the prince of the devils he casts out devils” (Mt 12:24), they said, going against even common sense. Jesus argued, “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?” (Mt 12:26)
We have heard the absurd language of those blinded by passion which displays their motives. On the other hand, the calm and dignified language of Jesus simply refuted in a tone of authority the horrible accusation. May Jesus be our model! If we must justify ourselves, let us do it calmly, not from vanity.
“I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have revealed these things to little ones.” (Lk 10:21) Thus does the Son of God praise the simple faith and humble docility of the people.
But terrible is his language in describing the pride and hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes who taught the people error: “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil?” (Mt 12:34)
To the impenitent cities: “Alas for you, Corozain and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had taken place in Sodom, it would still be in existence today. But I tell you it will be more tolerable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (cf Mt 11:21-4)
We who live amidst abundant grace and means of sanctification must beware not to draw down on ourselves such severe reproaches and terrific threats. We must strive for the humble docility of childhood.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp470-72
• Our Lady of Faith, at Chancy near Abbeville. This image, having been removed from the oak where it is, into a chapel which was built for it fifty yards off, was miraculously found again in its former place. — Archives of Canchy. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Faith (at Chancy, near Abbeville). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de la Foi” / Our Lady of Faith. Chancy, Abbeville, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Techwin (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
St Ann, Mother of Mary Most Holy
The person of St Ann reminds us of Mary’s early home, where she was born, bringing that extraordinary mystery of the Immaculate Conception. She was there surrounded by the love and care of her parents. There she learned from her mother how to be a mother.
Although Mary had given up the idea of motherhood, from the human point of view, the Heavenly Father nonetheless gratified her with the most holy maternity ...
In Hebrew, ‘Anna’ means ‘God has given a grace’. When meditating on this significance of St Ann’s name, St John Damascene exclaimed: “Since it had to be that the virgin Mother of God should be born of Ann, nature did not dare precede the seed of grace; but it remained without its own fruit so that grace might produce its own. ...”
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p270-71
The home of the Blessed Mother’s parents
A very ancient tradition has preserved for us the names of Mary’s parents, who were, “in their time and historical circumstances, a precious fundamental stone in the fulfilment of the salvation of mankind.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 26 July 1983) Through them, the blessing that God promised Abraham and his descendants reached us by their cooperation.
We know the blessed couple by the fruit they gave to humanity: the Virgin Mary. St Anne conceived her most pure and immaculate. “Oh, most beautiful, most lovable child! Oh, daughter of Adam and Mother of God! Blessed be the womb that bore you! Blessed be the arms that held you, the lips ... privileged to kiss you ...” (St John Damascene, “About the Nativity of the Virgin Mary”, 6)
Sts Joachim and Anne were truly privileged to care for the Mother of God. St Teresa of Avila put the monasteries she founded under the protection of St Joseph and St Anne: “The mercy of God is so great he will never fail to favor the homes of his glorious grandmother.” (cf M Auclair, “Teresa of Avila”, 316)
We can entrust to the parents of Our Lady all our needs, especially regarding the sanctity of our homes. We pray they teach us how to create a human and supernatural tone for our surroundings. Today we ask Saints Joachim and Anne to help us make our Christian homes places where God can easily be found.
John Paul II encourages us to seek our Lady’s intercession: “United together, let us raise our hearts to Mary. Through your mediation, daughter and Mother, show yourself to be the Mother of us all. Offer up our prayer so that Christ, who has become your Son, may kindly accept it.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 10 December 1978)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:33-4
Various effects of our Lord’s miracles
The miracles wrought before the eyes of St John’s messengers were almost immediately followed by a double miracle: the deliverance and cure of a possessed man.
“They brought him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him so that he spoke and saw. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’” (Mt 12:22-3).
Recognize in this possessed man the misery of the Christian in a state of mortal sin -- 1) Possessed by the devil, and will remain in it for all eternity if he dies in his sin. 2) Blind to the horror of his state; and the enormity of his sins and their eternal fatal effects on him. 3) Also dumb -- as to prayer, as to asking counsel; often dumb as to making a sincere confession.
If we have lived -- perhaps, for a long time -- in this state and luckily escaped from it, humbly acknowledge it as a miracle of grace and mercy from Jesus Christ.
The people who were free from prejudice and malice formed a wise judgment concerning our Lord and his actions; but the Scribes and Pharisees, motivated by pride and jealousy, confirmed their hatred of Jesus.
Unable to deny the fact of a double miracle, they attributed it to the devil. “He has Beelzebul; and by the prince of the devils he casts out devils” (Mt 12:24), they said, going against even common sense. Jesus argued, “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?” (Mt 12:26)
We have heard the absurd language of those blinded by passion which displays their motives. On the other hand, the calm and dignified language of Jesus simply refuted in a tone of authority the horrible accusation. May Jesus be our model! If we must justify ourselves, let us do it calmly, not from vanity.
“I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have revealed these things to little ones.” (Lk 10:21) Thus does the Son of God praise the simple faith and humble docility of the people.
But terrible is his language in describing the pride and hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes who taught the people error: “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil?” (Mt 12:34)
To the impenitent cities: “Alas for you, Corozain and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had taken place in Sodom, it would still be in existence today. But I tell you it will be more tolerable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (cf Mt 11:21-4)
We who live amidst abundant grace and means of sanctification must beware not to draw down on ourselves such severe reproaches and terrific threats. We must strive for the humble docility of childhood.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp470-72
• Our Lady of Faith, at Chancy near Abbeville. This image, having been removed from the oak where it is, into a chapel which was built for it fifty yards off, was miraculously found again in its former place. — Archives of Canchy. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Faith (at Chancy, near Abbeville). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de la Foi” / Our Lady of Faith. Chancy, Abbeville, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Techwin (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
20 July 2011: ‘Judge not ...; condemn not ...’
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned” (Lk 6:37); “for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and why do you see the mote that is in your brother’s eye, and see not the beam that is in your own eye?” (Mt 7:1-3)
Our Lord uses strong words to make us abstain from judging our neighbors. These judgments are almost always presumptuous, often very sinful. We can only judge from appearances, which are always deceitful. We even judge and condemn their ‘intentions’, which God alone can penetrate, alone has the right to judge. When we are tempted to despise, judge, or condemn anybody, let us recall those divine words which came from our Saviour’s lips: “As long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
Or rather let us say to ourselves, ‘Why occupy myself with others? It is not for their acts, but for my own, that I shall have to answer to the Judge of all men. If I had always acted in this way, what a loss of time, what troubles, and what sins I should have avoided!’
“Enter at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are that go in there. How narrow is the gate and straight the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” (Mt 7:13-4) What is the connection between these words of Jesus and the doctrines he was preaching?
The Lord knew we would eventually try to misinterpret the sense of these doctrines; to make them yield to the false maxims of the world, the habits and customs of the multitude. Thus, He warned us against these false interpretations.
By embracing the yoke of our religion we happily have entered the narrow path that leads to life. But, even there we find means of enlarging the way, so that two paths emerge. One is that of the fervent, who are faithful to the maxims and holy practices. The other, that of the lukewarm, guided more by the teaching of the world than that of Jesus Christ.
In which of these two classes do we belong? “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you shall know them.” (Mt 7:15-6)
Our Lord’s second warning has the same purpose as the first -- to make us vigilant. Not only against heretics and unbelievers in disguise, but also against the examples and snares of those of our brothers who may unfortunately have strayed from the right path.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp455-7
Forgiveness, like love, must be infinite
The Apostles must have cherished fond memories of their intimate conversations with the Master. Here and there, the gospel lets us catch a glimpse of those unforgettable moments, and even mentions some of the many questions the Apostles asked Jesus in order to try to understand his doctrine better.
In one of those occasions, Peter asked Jesus: “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?” (Mt 18:21)
Peter must have thought he was already going to great lengths in his indulgent mercy by suggesting seven times as a limit. At that time, the rabbis were teaching that to forgive an enemy three times was the height of perfection.
Peter suggested a limit, and it was precisely the idea of a limit that Jesus would not admit. Jesus answered him: “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven times.” (Mt 18:22)
In the language of the Jews, ‘seventy times seven’ is equivalent to ‘always’. Jesus wanted to teach us that forgiveness, like love, must be infinite; it has no limits.
St Josemaria Escrivá put across the message of brotherly love in “The Way”, 452: “Force yourself, if necessary, always to forgive those who offend you, from the very first moment. For the greatest injury or offense you can suffer from them is nothing compared to what God has forgiven you.”
Ref: Cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, pp103-5
Mercy demands true compassion
Mercy (‘misericordia’) is a disposition of the heart which leads us to sympathize with the misfortunes of others as if they were our own. We must first of all try to show understanding for other people’s failings and defects. Such an attitude should lead us to respect the radical equality of all men who are all children of God.
“It is like a little trickle of fresh water that springs from the outpouring mercy of God and gives us a share in his very happiness. It teaches us, far better than books can, that true happiness does not consist in having and possessing, in judging and in always being right, in imposing justice according to our lights. ...” (S Pinckaers, “In search of happiness”, Madrid, 1981)
Thus we understand that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (cf Acts 20:35). A compassionate and merciful heart is one filled with happiness and peace. Thus we, too will receive that mercy we need so badly; and we will owe it to those who have given us the opportunity of doing something for them and for God.
A compassionate and merciful heart is filled with happiness and peace. In this way we, too will receive that mercy we need so badly. St Augustine tells us that mercy is the lustre -- the glory -- of the soul; enriching and causing its appearance to be good and beautiful. (cf in “Catena Aurea”, I:48)
Let us turn to our Mother, Mary, for she is “the woman who knows most deeply the mystery of God’s mercy. She knows its price and she knows how deep it is. In this sense we also call her Mother of mercy.” (John Paul II, “Dives in misericordia”, 30 November 1980, 9)
Although we may already have abundant proof of her motherly love for each one of us, we can say to Our Lady, “Monstra te esse matrem!“ (“Ave maris stella”, in “Handbook of Prayers”, Fr James Socias and Fr Charles Belmonte [Eds], 1988, p368) Show us that you are our mother; help us to show we are your good children and brothers of all men.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:539-40
• Our Lady of Grace at Picpus, Faubourg Saint-Antoine, of Paris. This image, which was in a ship of wood with two angels at end, was made in 1629 from a splinter taken from the famous image of Our Lady of “Boulogne-sur-Mer”. — Triple Couronne, n. 47. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Grace, at Picpus, Faubourg Saint Antoine, of Paris (1629). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Grace”. Picpus, Faubourg St. Antoine, Paris. 1629. Explanation of the icon (in French). Neighborhood in Montreal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lord uses strong words to make us abstain from judging our neighbors. These judgments are almost always presumptuous, often very sinful. We can only judge from appearances, which are always deceitful. We even judge and condemn their ‘intentions’, which God alone can penetrate, alone has the right to judge. When we are tempted to despise, judge, or condemn anybody, let us recall those divine words which came from our Saviour’s lips: “As long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
Or rather let us say to ourselves, ‘Why occupy myself with others? It is not for their acts, but for my own, that I shall have to answer to the Judge of all men. If I had always acted in this way, what a loss of time, what troubles, and what sins I should have avoided!’
“Enter at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are that go in there. How narrow is the gate and straight the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” (Mt 7:13-4) What is the connection between these words of Jesus and the doctrines he was preaching?
The Lord knew we would eventually try to misinterpret the sense of these doctrines; to make them yield to the false maxims of the world, the habits and customs of the multitude. Thus, He warned us against these false interpretations.
By embracing the yoke of our religion we happily have entered the narrow path that leads to life. But, even there we find means of enlarging the way, so that two paths emerge. One is that of the fervent, who are faithful to the maxims and holy practices. The other, that of the lukewarm, guided more by the teaching of the world than that of Jesus Christ.
In which of these two classes do we belong? “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you shall know them.” (Mt 7:15-6)
Our Lord’s second warning has the same purpose as the first -- to make us vigilant. Not only against heretics and unbelievers in disguise, but also against the examples and snares of those of our brothers who may unfortunately have strayed from the right path.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp455-7
Forgiveness, like love, must be infinite
The Apostles must have cherished fond memories of their intimate conversations with the Master. Here and there, the gospel lets us catch a glimpse of those unforgettable moments, and even mentions some of the many questions the Apostles asked Jesus in order to try to understand his doctrine better.
In one of those occasions, Peter asked Jesus: “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?” (Mt 18:21)
Peter must have thought he was already going to great lengths in his indulgent mercy by suggesting seven times as a limit. At that time, the rabbis were teaching that to forgive an enemy three times was the height of perfection.
Peter suggested a limit, and it was precisely the idea of a limit that Jesus would not admit. Jesus answered him: “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy times seven times.” (Mt 18:22)
In the language of the Jews, ‘seventy times seven’ is equivalent to ‘always’. Jesus wanted to teach us that forgiveness, like love, must be infinite; it has no limits.
St Josemaria Escrivá put across the message of brotherly love in “The Way”, 452: “Force yourself, if necessary, always to forgive those who offend you, from the very first moment. For the greatest injury or offense you can suffer from them is nothing compared to what God has forgiven you.”
Ref: Cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, pp103-5
Mercy demands true compassion
Mercy (‘misericordia’) is a disposition of the heart which leads us to sympathize with the misfortunes of others as if they were our own. We must first of all try to show understanding for other people’s failings and defects. Such an attitude should lead us to respect the radical equality of all men who are all children of God.
“It is like a little trickle of fresh water that springs from the outpouring mercy of God and gives us a share in his very happiness. It teaches us, far better than books can, that true happiness does not consist in having and possessing, in judging and in always being right, in imposing justice according to our lights. ...” (S Pinckaers, “In search of happiness”, Madrid, 1981)
Thus we understand that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (cf Acts 20:35). A compassionate and merciful heart is one filled with happiness and peace. Thus we, too will receive that mercy we need so badly; and we will owe it to those who have given us the opportunity of doing something for them and for God.
A compassionate and merciful heart is filled with happiness and peace. In this way we, too will receive that mercy we need so badly. St Augustine tells us that mercy is the lustre -- the glory -- of the soul; enriching and causing its appearance to be good and beautiful. (cf in “Catena Aurea”, I:48)
Let us turn to our Mother, Mary, for she is “the woman who knows most deeply the mystery of God’s mercy. She knows its price and she knows how deep it is. In this sense we also call her Mother of mercy.” (John Paul II, “Dives in misericordia”, 30 November 1980, 9)
Although we may already have abundant proof of her motherly love for each one of us, we can say to Our Lady, “Monstra te esse matrem!“ (“Ave maris stella”, in “Handbook of Prayers”, Fr James Socias and Fr Charles Belmonte [Eds], 1988, p368) Show us that you are our mother; help us to show we are your good children and brothers of all men.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:539-40
• Our Lady of Grace at Picpus, Faubourg Saint-Antoine, of Paris. This image, which was in a ship of wood with two angels at end, was made in 1629 from a splinter taken from the famous image of Our Lady of “Boulogne-sur-Mer”. — Triple Couronne, n. 47. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Grace, at Picpus, Faubourg Saint Antoine, of Paris (1629). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Grace”. Picpus, Faubourg St. Antoine, Paris. 1629. Explanation of the icon (in French). Neighborhood in Montreal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
27 July 2011: Raising of the widow’s son at Naim
The miracles wrought upon the leper and the centurion’s servant, which had caused such wonder, were to be followed by one still more striking -- the resurrection of a dead man.
“He went to a town called Naim, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town.” (Lk 7:11-2)
What a wonderful picture is here shown the folly of whoever place their happiness and hopes in the things of this world! A mother clad in widow’s weeds, robbed of all other joys, has still one consolation left to her, an only son. How happy she sees him advancing in years; and often dwells hopefully upon his future!
Vain is her plan, fleeting her joy! Death instantly ends it all, and she is left in solitude and despair. She is an image of the world, the history of whoever place their happiness in it.
The crowd ahead of Jesus stopped as the funeral procession was then coming out. Every eye was fixed on the desolate mother, weeping, anguished. “When the Lord saw her, being moved with mercy, said to her, ‘Weep not’. He came near and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still.”
Then, speaking in that tone of authority as the Master of life and death, he said, “Young man, I say to you, ‘Arise!’ (Lk 7:15)” The dead man sat up, and began to speak. Jesus gave him to his mother.
The tenderness of Jesus for a stranger who asked nothing should confound us at our want of confidence in him. We say, ‘I try in vain to be as fervent again as I once was; or I strive in vain to bring back this young man, or this sick person, or this hardened sinner, to the right path: it will require nothing less than a miracle’.
That may be; but why hesitate to ask for this miracle of grace? Why doubt that we will obtain it? Is it not doing an injury to the Heart of Jesus to believe that he will do less for the life of a soul than that of the body?
Many of the Fathers believe that in our Lord’s mind the bodily resurrection which he wrought at Naim was a figure of the spiritual resurrection which the Apostles and their successors were to accomplish everywhere.
It was ‘because of his mother’ that Jesus raised the dead man. When we desire to obtain any great favor, let us implore the intercession of our Mother, of Mary, and we will feel redoubled confidence.
When the multitude who surrounded him saw the miracle, “fear seized them all; and they glorifed God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us’, and ‘God has looked favorably on his people!’ (Lk 7:16)”.
God is always working miracles of power and goodness, in the order of nature and grace. We must show our gratitude by praising and blessing God, and by trying, when occasion offers, to inspire others with the same feelings of admiration and gratitude.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp473-5
Love Without Limits
Jesus brings God’s commandments to fulfilment, particularly the commandment of love of neighbor, by interiorizing their demands and by bringing out their fullest meaning. Love of neighbor springs from a loving heart. Precisely because it loves, it is ready to live out the loftiest challenges. Jesus shows that the commandments must not be understood as a minimum limit not to be gone beyond, but rather as a path involving a moral and spiritual journey toward perfection, at the heart of which is love (cf Col 3:14).
He becomes a living and personal law, who invites people to follow him. Through the Spirit, he gives the grace to share his own life and love; and provides strength to bear witness to that love in personal choices and actions (cf Jn 13:34-5).
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 5
Charity lasts eternally
“Love never ends. Prophecies may cease; tongues be silent; knowledge disappear ... faith, hope and love abide; but the greatest is love.” (cf 1 Cor 13:8, 13)
These three theological virtues, the most important in the Christian life, have God as their object and end. Faith and hope do not remain in Heaven: faith there gives way to the beatific vision, hope to the possession of God. Charity, on the other hand, remains eternally. Here on earth it is already the beginning of Heaven. ... (cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, I-II, 114, a4)
St Paul tells us the qualities which adorn charity -- it is ‘patient’ with others. Patience in turn denotes fortitude. Through it we imitate God, who is so long-suffering with our many errors and always “slow to anger” (cf Ps 145:8). “Love is kind, not jealous. Charity is not arrogant or rude; does not delight in wrong. Love excuses everything; hopes all things.” (cf 1 Cor 13:4-7)
Love is Christ’s greatest gift; his principal commandment; by which we are recognized as his disciples. (cf Jn 13:35) A virtue which is always challenged: relieve a need, say a pleasant word, avoid gossip, give a sign of encouragement, yield to others, pray to God for someone, give good advice, smile, forgive, etc.
We can do good or fail to do so; even do positive harm not only by omission. Charity urges us constantly to show our love by performing works of service, by prayer and also by penance. When we grow in charity, all our virtues are enriched and strengthened. None of them is a true virtue unless it is permeated with charity. “You have as much virtue as you have love, no more.” (F de Osuna, A “Spiritual Alphabet”, 16, 4)
By frequent recourse to Our Lady, she will teach us how to love and treat other people, for she is the ‘Teacher of charity’. So great is Mary’s love for all mankind that she, too, fulfilled Christ’s words: “Greater love has no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13). (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 287) Mary our Mother also gave herself up for us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:175-8
• In the year 1480, the Knights of Rhodes gained a signal victory over the Turks by the help of the Blessed Virgin, who appeared on the walls of that city holding a lance in her hand: the enemy, panic-struck, fled in disorder, and lost the greater part of their army. — Bosius. History of the Knights of Rhodes. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Miraculous defeat of the Turks through Mary's intercession. She appeared with a lance in Her hand and the Turks fled. 1840. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame de La Foi” / Our Lady of Faith. Gravelines, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Faith, Gravelines. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Snows. Kallikulam Kallikulam, Tamilnad (India) 1939 Alleged Apparition. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
“He went to a town called Naim, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town.” (Lk 7:11-2)
What a wonderful picture is here shown the folly of whoever place their happiness and hopes in the things of this world! A mother clad in widow’s weeds, robbed of all other joys, has still one consolation left to her, an only son. How happy she sees him advancing in years; and often dwells hopefully upon his future!
Vain is her plan, fleeting her joy! Death instantly ends it all, and she is left in solitude and despair. She is an image of the world, the history of whoever place their happiness in it.
The crowd ahead of Jesus stopped as the funeral procession was then coming out. Every eye was fixed on the desolate mother, weeping, anguished. “When the Lord saw her, being moved with mercy, said to her, ‘Weep not’. He came near and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still.”
Then, speaking in that tone of authority as the Master of life and death, he said, “Young man, I say to you, ‘Arise!’ (Lk 7:15)” The dead man sat up, and began to speak. Jesus gave him to his mother.
The tenderness of Jesus for a stranger who asked nothing should confound us at our want of confidence in him. We say, ‘I try in vain to be as fervent again as I once was; or I strive in vain to bring back this young man, or this sick person, or this hardened sinner, to the right path: it will require nothing less than a miracle’.
That may be; but why hesitate to ask for this miracle of grace? Why doubt that we will obtain it? Is it not doing an injury to the Heart of Jesus to believe that he will do less for the life of a soul than that of the body?
Many of the Fathers believe that in our Lord’s mind the bodily resurrection which he wrought at Naim was a figure of the spiritual resurrection which the Apostles and their successors were to accomplish everywhere.
It was ‘because of his mother’ that Jesus raised the dead man. When we desire to obtain any great favor, let us implore the intercession of our Mother, of Mary, and we will feel redoubled confidence.
When the multitude who surrounded him saw the miracle, “fear seized them all; and they glorifed God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us’, and ‘God has looked favorably on his people!’ (Lk 7:16)”.
God is always working miracles of power and goodness, in the order of nature and grace. We must show our gratitude by praising and blessing God, and by trying, when occasion offers, to inspire others with the same feelings of admiration and gratitude.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp473-5
Love Without Limits
Jesus brings God’s commandments to fulfilment, particularly the commandment of love of neighbor, by interiorizing their demands and by bringing out their fullest meaning. Love of neighbor springs from a loving heart. Precisely because it loves, it is ready to live out the loftiest challenges. Jesus shows that the commandments must not be understood as a minimum limit not to be gone beyond, but rather as a path involving a moral and spiritual journey toward perfection, at the heart of which is love (cf Col 3:14).
He becomes a living and personal law, who invites people to follow him. Through the Spirit, he gives the grace to share his own life and love; and provides strength to bear witness to that love in personal choices and actions (cf Jn 13:34-5).
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 5
Charity lasts eternally
“Love never ends. Prophecies may cease; tongues be silent; knowledge disappear ... faith, hope and love abide; but the greatest is love.” (cf 1 Cor 13:8, 13)
These three theological virtues, the most important in the Christian life, have God as their object and end. Faith and hope do not remain in Heaven: faith there gives way to the beatific vision, hope to the possession of God. Charity, on the other hand, remains eternally. Here on earth it is already the beginning of Heaven. ... (cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, I-II, 114, a4)
St Paul tells us the qualities which adorn charity -- it is ‘patient’ with others. Patience in turn denotes fortitude. Through it we imitate God, who is so long-suffering with our many errors and always “slow to anger” (cf Ps 145:8). “Love is kind, not jealous. Charity is not arrogant or rude; does not delight in wrong. Love excuses everything; hopes all things.” (cf 1 Cor 13:4-7)
Love is Christ’s greatest gift; his principal commandment; by which we are recognized as his disciples. (cf Jn 13:35) A virtue which is always challenged: relieve a need, say a pleasant word, avoid gossip, give a sign of encouragement, yield to others, pray to God for someone, give good advice, smile, forgive, etc.
We can do good or fail to do so; even do positive harm not only by omission. Charity urges us constantly to show our love by performing works of service, by prayer and also by penance. When we grow in charity, all our virtues are enriched and strengthened. None of them is a true virtue unless it is permeated with charity. “You have as much virtue as you have love, no more.” (F de Osuna, A “Spiritual Alphabet”, 16, 4)
By frequent recourse to Our Lady, she will teach us how to love and treat other people, for she is the ‘Teacher of charity’. So great is Mary’s love for all mankind that she, too, fulfilled Christ’s words: “Greater love has no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13). (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 287) Mary our Mother also gave herself up for us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:175-8
• In the year 1480, the Knights of Rhodes gained a signal victory over the Turks by the help of the Blessed Virgin, who appeared on the walls of that city holding a lance in her hand: the enemy, panic-struck, fled in disorder, and lost the greater part of their army. — Bosius. History of the Knights of Rhodes. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Miraculous defeat of the Turks through Mary's intercession. She appeared with a lance in Her hand and the Turks fled. 1840. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame de La Foi” / Our Lady of Faith. Gravelines, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Faith, Gravelines. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Snows. Kallikulam Kallikulam, Tamilnad (India) 1939 Alleged Apparition. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
28 July 2011: Falling back into sin
Magdalene, on being delivered from the seven devils who possessed her, never gave them entry again. Sadly, many do not imitate her. Jesus warns us and reveals the devil’s actions: “When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through arid wastelands seeking rest; but finds none.” (cf Mt 12:43)
The insult of the devil’s expulsion moves him to avidly explore how to regain what he has lost, determined to overcome every obstacle. “Then he said, ‘I will return to my house from where I came’.” (Mt 12:44)
Are we as keen to keep ourselves in grace and fervor as the devil does to rob us of them? Soon after we reconciled with God by a good confession, or regained fervor by a good retreat, we lose our inspiration.
We do not fear the enemy who is bent on a surprise attack. How often have we fallen back into sin? How many means of sanctification did we lose but could have been avoided if we had been on guard, praying?
The devil is not content with plans and resolutions. He takes the most violent means, bringing against us, if necessary, an infernal legion. Coming, “he finds it”, says our Lord, “empty, swept and put in order” (by grace). “Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself.” (Mt 12:44-5)
This means many others more crafty, more wily than itself, who attack us on all sides, in all ways. By joy and sorrow, by pleasure and pain, by prosperity and adversity, by love and by hate, by presumption and by despondency or despair.
The devil carefully watches us and the dispositions of our hearts, while we neglect to examine ourselves, or do it very superficially. The devil does not rely on its own strength, but seeks for help. While we, confiding too much in ourselves, do not, even in the most violent temptations, run for aid to God and to the saints.
Pride prevents us from presenting ourselves to our spiritual directors to seek their aid and counsel. Pride separates us from God, and deprives us of the grace we need to sustain us. We unwittingly help our greatest enemy.
When by presumption, negligence, or weakness, we have opened our hearts to the devil: “It enters in and dwells there”, says our Lord, “and the last state of that man is made worse than the first” (Mt 12:45).
Why so? By repetition, sin loses its horror. The withdrawal of so much grace weakens the soul. Light and faith are darkened. Bad habits are formed, and become, St Augustine said, speaking from experience, a second nature. ‘It is the greatest misery that can befall us.’
Let us try to understand this misery and have a lively fear of a habit even of venial sin, especially of a state of tepidity. It is so hard to get out of it. When such a thing happens, says St Bernard, “I look upon a change as more wonderful than the raising of the dead to life”.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp475-7
Christ Came to Bring Joy
I came to you as a servant of Jesus Christ, and I want to speak about him. Christ came to bring joy: joy to children, joy to parents, joy to families and to friends, joy to workers and to scholars, joy to the sick and to the elderly, joy to all humanity. In a true sense, joy is the keynote of the Christmas message and the recurring motif of the Gospels.
Recall the Angel’s words to Mary: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter, the Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28) And at the birth of Jesus, the angel announced to the shepherds: “I come to proclaim good news to you, tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people.” (Lk 2:10).
Years later as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, “the entire crowd of disciples began to rejoice and praise God loudly. ‘Blessed is He who comes as King in the name of the Lord!’” (Lk 19:37-8)
We are told that some Pharisees in the crowd complained, saying, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples”. But Jesus answered: “If they were to keep silence, I tell you the very stones would cry out” (Lk 19:39-40).
Are not those words still true today? If we are silent about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, the very stones of our cities will cry out! We are an Easter people. ‘Alleluia’ is our song. With St Paul I exhort you: “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) And rejoice because he is the master of our life!
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p272-3
Spiritual Communion: Our desire to receive Christ
All the conditions for receiving sacramental Communion fruitfully come down to just one -- “hunger for the Holy Eucharist”. (cf R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The Three Ages of the Interior Life”, Vol I) We should not allow anything to take precedence over this hunger and thirst for Christ.
Saint Catherine of Siena compares this desire to several people each carrying a candle of different weight and size. When the candles are lighted, one with the heaviest candle gives the most light. (St Catherine of Siena, “Dialogue”)
This intense desire to receive Communion -- a sure sign of faith and love -- will lead us to make many ‘spiritual communions’. We can make them before receiving him sacramentally and throughout the day, wherever we may be, or whatever we are engaged in.
“A spiritual communion consists of an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and a loving embrace as though we had already received him. ... It can be made without anyone noticing us, without our having to fast, and it can be made at any time.” (cf St Alphonsus Liguori, “Visits to the Blessed Sacrament”) We can express this desire in simple words such as -- “I wish Lord to receive you with the purity, humility and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervour of the saints.” (cf A Vazquez de Prada, “The Founder of Opus Dei”)
Our Lady will help us to prepare our souls ‘with the purity, humility and devotion’ with which she received him after the announcement made by the Angel.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:188-92
• Our Lady of Foye, at Gravelines. This image is very much celebrated in the country. — History of Our Lady of Foye, at Gravelines. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Faith (at Gravelines, Northwest of France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Victory over the Turks by the Knights of Rhodes in 1480 through Our Lady’s intercession. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
The insult of the devil’s expulsion moves him to avidly explore how to regain what he has lost, determined to overcome every obstacle. “Then he said, ‘I will return to my house from where I came’.” (Mt 12:44)
Are we as keen to keep ourselves in grace and fervor as the devil does to rob us of them? Soon after we reconciled with God by a good confession, or regained fervor by a good retreat, we lose our inspiration.
We do not fear the enemy who is bent on a surprise attack. How often have we fallen back into sin? How many means of sanctification did we lose but could have been avoided if we had been on guard, praying?
The devil is not content with plans and resolutions. He takes the most violent means, bringing against us, if necessary, an infernal legion. Coming, “he finds it”, says our Lord, “empty, swept and put in order” (by grace). “Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself.” (Mt 12:44-5)
This means many others more crafty, more wily than itself, who attack us on all sides, in all ways. By joy and sorrow, by pleasure and pain, by prosperity and adversity, by love and by hate, by presumption and by despondency or despair.
The devil carefully watches us and the dispositions of our hearts, while we neglect to examine ourselves, or do it very superficially. The devil does not rely on its own strength, but seeks for help. While we, confiding too much in ourselves, do not, even in the most violent temptations, run for aid to God and to the saints.
Pride prevents us from presenting ourselves to our spiritual directors to seek their aid and counsel. Pride separates us from God, and deprives us of the grace we need to sustain us. We unwittingly help our greatest enemy.
When by presumption, negligence, or weakness, we have opened our hearts to the devil: “It enters in and dwells there”, says our Lord, “and the last state of that man is made worse than the first” (Mt 12:45).
Why so? By repetition, sin loses its horror. The withdrawal of so much grace weakens the soul. Light and faith are darkened. Bad habits are formed, and become, St Augustine said, speaking from experience, a second nature. ‘It is the greatest misery that can befall us.’
Let us try to understand this misery and have a lively fear of a habit even of venial sin, especially of a state of tepidity. It is so hard to get out of it. When such a thing happens, says St Bernard, “I look upon a change as more wonderful than the raising of the dead to life”.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp475-7
Christ Came to Bring Joy
I came to you as a servant of Jesus Christ, and I want to speak about him. Christ came to bring joy: joy to children, joy to parents, joy to families and to friends, joy to workers and to scholars, joy to the sick and to the elderly, joy to all humanity. In a true sense, joy is the keynote of the Christmas message and the recurring motif of the Gospels.
Recall the Angel’s words to Mary: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter, the Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28) And at the birth of Jesus, the angel announced to the shepherds: “I come to proclaim good news to you, tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people.” (Lk 2:10).
Years later as Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt, “the entire crowd of disciples began to rejoice and praise God loudly. ‘Blessed is He who comes as King in the name of the Lord!’” (Lk 19:37-8)
We are told that some Pharisees in the crowd complained, saying, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples”. But Jesus answered: “If they were to keep silence, I tell you the very stones would cry out” (Lk 19:39-40).
Are not those words still true today? If we are silent about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, the very stones of our cities will cry out! We are an Easter people. ‘Alleluia’ is our song. With St Paul I exhort you: “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) And rejoice because he is the master of our life!
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p272-3
Spiritual Communion: Our desire to receive Christ
All the conditions for receiving sacramental Communion fruitfully come down to just one -- “hunger for the Holy Eucharist”. (cf R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The Three Ages of the Interior Life”, Vol I) We should not allow anything to take precedence over this hunger and thirst for Christ.
Saint Catherine of Siena compares this desire to several people each carrying a candle of different weight and size. When the candles are lighted, one with the heaviest candle gives the most light. (St Catherine of Siena, “Dialogue”)
This intense desire to receive Communion -- a sure sign of faith and love -- will lead us to make many ‘spiritual communions’. We can make them before receiving him sacramentally and throughout the day, wherever we may be, or whatever we are engaged in.
“A spiritual communion consists of an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, and a loving embrace as though we had already received him. ... It can be made without anyone noticing us, without our having to fast, and it can be made at any time.” (cf St Alphonsus Liguori, “Visits to the Blessed Sacrament”) We can express this desire in simple words such as -- “I wish Lord to receive you with the purity, humility and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervour of the saints.” (cf A Vazquez de Prada, “The Founder of Opus Dei”)
Our Lady will help us to prepare our souls ‘with the purity, humility and devotion’ with which she received him after the announcement made by the Angel.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:188-92
• Our Lady of Foye, at Gravelines. This image is very much celebrated in the country. — History of Our Lady of Foye, at Gravelines. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Faith (at Gravelines, Northwest of France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Victory over the Turks by the Knights of Rhodes in 1480 through Our Lady’s intercession. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
29 July 2011: The most Holy Humanity of Jesus
Soon after Jesus raised Lazarus to life, he visited him again. “Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. There they gave a supper for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him.” (Jn 12:1-2)
With what grateful love Martha must have attended to the Messiah in her house; God was in need of her services. She was able to wait on him. God became man in order to identify with our human needs, so that we might learn to love him through his most Sacred Humanity and be able to become his intimate friends.
We must always consider that the same Jesus of Nazareth eagerly awaits us in the nearest tabernacle. He is ‘in need’ of our attention and services. “It is true that I always call our tabernacles Bethany. Become a friend of the Master’s friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and then you will no longer ask me why ...” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 322)
There Christ is sacramentally present. We must visit him each day and keep him company, unhurried and without anxiety, during those precious moments of thanksgiving after we receive Holy Communion. How profitable this time can be for us!
St Thomas teaches that the Incarnation was the most effective and beneficial way for God to redeem mankind. (“Summa Theologiae”, II, 1, 2) His reasons are: “as far as faith is concerned”, it was easier to believe since God himself was the one speaking; “as far as hope” -- by the great proof of his salvific will that this act of revelation represents; “... as far as charity” -- since greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends (cf Jn 15:13); and “as far as actual deeds of love” -- since God himself was going to be our model. By taking on human flesh, God shows the tremendous value of every human creature. Through his humility, he cures our pride ...
Through the Sacred Humanity of Jesus, God’s love assumed human form for us which gently opens up an inclined plane that leads to union with God our Father. Therefore, Christian life consists in loving, imitating and following Christ. The example of his life inspires our friendship with him.
Our sanctification should not focus on the struggle against sin. It is not a question of avoiding evil, but of loving and imitating the Master who “... passes by doing good ...” (Acts 10:38) Christian life is profoundly human. Our hearts have an important role in the work of our sanctification since God has chosen to become man.
If we are lacking in affectionate care in our life of piety and recklessly allow the heart free reign among creatures, our personal friendship with the Master will suffer and find our strength of will insufficient for us to push ahead on the narrow path of holiness. We must make an effort to be always aware Jesus is at our side.
On another occasion Jesus and his disciples stopped by his friends at Bethany en route to Jerusalem. Martha and Mary prepared what is necessary to provide hospitality for the Master and his companions. But Mary, perhaps shortly after Jesus arrived, sat down at this feet and “listened to his teaching” (Lk 10:39) while Martha went on alone with the housework.
Mary set aside everything and gave her full attention to the Master. “The familiarity with which she settles down at his feet, her habit of listening to him, and her hunger to hear his words show that this is not a first encounter, but that there is a rare sympathy here.” (M J Indart, “Jesus in His world”)
Martha certainly was also listening attentively to the words of Jesus; but the domestic chores occupied her mind more. Jesus moves the conversation onto a higher plane. She becomes uneasy and perhaps feels overworked. Upset at Mary’s action, she trustingly tells Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Lk 10:40)
Jesus responds in the familiar tone and manner: “‘Martha, Martha’, he tells her, ‘you are worried and concerned about many things; only one thing is necessary’.” (Lk 10:41-2) Mary, who most assuredly would have been willing to help her sister, did not forget what was most essential: to have Christ at the center of her life. Our Lord does not praise Mary’s disposition, but precisely the most important part of it: her love.
Not even ‘the things of the Lord’ should make us forget the ‘Lord of all things’. Martha would never forget the Lord’s friendly counsel. Indispensable as her work was, her care not to relegate Christ to second place should have been even greater. Our activities and concerns that refer directly to God’s service should never cause us to neglect the Person of Christ.
In our daily life we must keep in mind that matters which seem very important, like work, financial gain and social relations should never take precedence over the family itself. These means are meaningless if family life suffers. A father or mother earns more money but neglects the children, what good would this be?
The Blessed Virgin who enjoys the ineffable presence of Christ in heaven forever, will gain for us the grace of better appreciating an active friendship with the Master. She will teach us to take diligent care of the things of the Lord without forgetting the Lord of all. She will intercede for us before Jesus so that we may learn never to value the family itself less than those noble gains we seek for its sake.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:41-5
· “St Martha, I resort to your protection and my faith. Comfort me in my difficulties and to the great favor you enjoyed in the lodging in the house of our Lord. Intercede for me and my family that we may hold God to our hearts and to be provided for in all our necessities.” (Novena to St Martha)
• In the year 1546, it was decreed at the Council of Trent that respecting the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, the constitution of Pope Sixtus IV, should be strictly observed under the penalties therein imposed. — Balingham on the Calendar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Council of Trent affirms the Immaculate Conception. 1546: "This same holy Synod doth nevertheless declare, that it is not its intention to include in this decree, where original sin is treated of, the blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, the mother of God; but that the constitutions of Pope Sixtus IV., of happy memory, are to be observed, under the pains contained in the said constitutions, which it renews." (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Council of Trent confirmed the decrees pertaining to the Immaculate Conception 1546. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Deliverance, Madrid, Spain. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Nuestra Señora dela Deliverance”. Madrid, Spain. (See December 16.). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
With what grateful love Martha must have attended to the Messiah in her house; God was in need of her services. She was able to wait on him. God became man in order to identify with our human needs, so that we might learn to love him through his most Sacred Humanity and be able to become his intimate friends.
We must always consider that the same Jesus of Nazareth eagerly awaits us in the nearest tabernacle. He is ‘in need’ of our attention and services. “It is true that I always call our tabernacles Bethany. Become a friend of the Master’s friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and then you will no longer ask me why ...” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 322)
There Christ is sacramentally present. We must visit him each day and keep him company, unhurried and without anxiety, during those precious moments of thanksgiving after we receive Holy Communion. How profitable this time can be for us!
St Thomas teaches that the Incarnation was the most effective and beneficial way for God to redeem mankind. (“Summa Theologiae”, II, 1, 2) His reasons are: “as far as faith is concerned”, it was easier to believe since God himself was the one speaking; “as far as hope” -- by the great proof of his salvific will that this act of revelation represents; “... as far as charity” -- since greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends (cf Jn 15:13); and “as far as actual deeds of love” -- since God himself was going to be our model. By taking on human flesh, God shows the tremendous value of every human creature. Through his humility, he cures our pride ...
Through the Sacred Humanity of Jesus, God’s love assumed human form for us which gently opens up an inclined plane that leads to union with God our Father. Therefore, Christian life consists in loving, imitating and following Christ. The example of his life inspires our friendship with him.
Our sanctification should not focus on the struggle against sin. It is not a question of avoiding evil, but of loving and imitating the Master who “... passes by doing good ...” (Acts 10:38) Christian life is profoundly human. Our hearts have an important role in the work of our sanctification since God has chosen to become man.
If we are lacking in affectionate care in our life of piety and recklessly allow the heart free reign among creatures, our personal friendship with the Master will suffer and find our strength of will insufficient for us to push ahead on the narrow path of holiness. We must make an effort to be always aware Jesus is at our side.
On another occasion Jesus and his disciples stopped by his friends at Bethany en route to Jerusalem. Martha and Mary prepared what is necessary to provide hospitality for the Master and his companions. But Mary, perhaps shortly after Jesus arrived, sat down at this feet and “listened to his teaching” (Lk 10:39) while Martha went on alone with the housework.
Mary set aside everything and gave her full attention to the Master. “The familiarity with which she settles down at his feet, her habit of listening to him, and her hunger to hear his words show that this is not a first encounter, but that there is a rare sympathy here.” (M J Indart, “Jesus in His world”)
Martha certainly was also listening attentively to the words of Jesus; but the domestic chores occupied her mind more. Jesus moves the conversation onto a higher plane. She becomes uneasy and perhaps feels overworked. Upset at Mary’s action, she trustingly tells Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Lk 10:40)
Jesus responds in the familiar tone and manner: “‘Martha, Martha’, he tells her, ‘you are worried and concerned about many things; only one thing is necessary’.” (Lk 10:41-2) Mary, who most assuredly would have been willing to help her sister, did not forget what was most essential: to have Christ at the center of her life. Our Lord does not praise Mary’s disposition, but precisely the most important part of it: her love.
Not even ‘the things of the Lord’ should make us forget the ‘Lord of all things’. Martha would never forget the Lord’s friendly counsel. Indispensable as her work was, her care not to relegate Christ to second place should have been even greater. Our activities and concerns that refer directly to God’s service should never cause us to neglect the Person of Christ.
In our daily life we must keep in mind that matters which seem very important, like work, financial gain and social relations should never take precedence over the family itself. These means are meaningless if family life suffers. A father or mother earns more money but neglects the children, what good would this be?
The Blessed Virgin who enjoys the ineffable presence of Christ in heaven forever, will gain for us the grace of better appreciating an active friendship with the Master. She will teach us to take diligent care of the things of the Lord without forgetting the Lord of all. She will intercede for us before Jesus so that we may learn never to value the family itself less than those noble gains we seek for its sake.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:41-5
· “St Martha, I resort to your protection and my faith. Comfort me in my difficulties and to the great favor you enjoyed in the lodging in the house of our Lord. Intercede for me and my family that we may hold God to our hearts and to be provided for in all our necessities.” (Novena to St Martha)
• In the year 1546, it was decreed at the Council of Trent that respecting the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, the constitution of Pope Sixtus IV, should be strictly observed under the penalties therein imposed. — Balingham on the Calendar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Council of Trent affirms the Immaculate Conception. 1546: "This same holy Synod doth nevertheless declare, that it is not its intention to include in this decree, where original sin is treated of, the blessed and immaculate Virgin Mary, the mother of God; but that the constitutions of Pope Sixtus IV., of happy memory, are to be observed, under the pains contained in the said constitutions, which it renews." (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Council of Trent confirmed the decrees pertaining to the Immaculate Conception 1546. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Deliverance, Madrid, Spain. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Nuestra Señora dela Deliverance”. Madrid, Spain. (See December 16.). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
19 July 2011: Laying up treasures
“Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth, where thieves break through and steal” (Mt 6:19), and which the great robber Death steals away in an instant, leaving nothing but regret, too often despair.
How can we in a short time lay up imperishable treasures of glory and happiness in heaven? The solution is easy, and consists of three things: ‘a state of grace, a pure intention, sanctification of crosses’.
If, then, during the brief time of life, we wish to lay up much treasure in heaven (and who doesn’t?), we must always be in a state of grace. Faith teaches us that all good works done in mortal sin, gain no merit for heaven. While every good action of the just, with the help of grace, will receive an eternal reward.
Of our numerous actions in a day, many are neither good nor evil before God, but indifferent eg, eating, drinking, sleeping, studying, manual labor, etc. They can be meritorious by a pure intention. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31-2) Or, ‘Do what is pleasing to God and meritorious to yourself’.
It would be folly indeed not to turn this second means of increasing our spiritual riches to profit, because it is so easy. What is easier than offering to God in our morning prayers all our actions, that we to perform them as well as possible, with the single motive of pleasing him, and doing his most holy will?
What is easier still than renewing this intention often during the day? Our actions will be more meritorious. We will have less reason to fear lest pride lessens the purity of our first intention or entirely corrupt it.
With what care and vigilance do we strive after a pure intention? Do we renew it during the day?
The great means of laying up treasures in heaven in a short time is, say the Doctors of the Church, to labor without ceasing for the glory of God and the good of souls; but especially to suffer much, and to bear it with patience and entire resignation to the Will of God in all the crosses which it pleases him to send us.
Let us dig into this rich mine of supernatural merit. Misery, suffering, and crosses are the heritage of humanity, and no one is exempt from them. We often complain of being overwhelmed by them.
But what good does that do us? Let us rather sanctify them, make them meritorious and of value for eternity, by accepting them as coming from God, and bearing them for love of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp453-5
On the Emmaus Road with Jesus
“With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’” [Lk 24:31-2]
We who belong to the present generation of those who confess Christ must seek to have the same experience as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let us pray, ‘Lord Jesus, make us understand the Scriptures; let our hearts burn inside us as you talk to us’.
Let our hearts burn! Faith cannot be only cold, hard facts calculated and weighed by our intellect. No, faith must be quickened by love. It must come alive through the good works which reveal God’s trust in us.
So we, too, inherit from the apostles the witness they gave, even if we are not direct eyewitnesses of the resurrection. We become witnesses to Christ ourselves. Being a Christian must mean being a witness for Christ.
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 4
In order to love, we need to understand
We ask Our Lord for a big heart full of understanding: to be able to suffer with those who suffer, and to rejoice with whoever rejoice. We must ask him to help us to prevent that suffering whenever we can, and to make us into people who live and spread happiness wherever we happen to be. We should ask for the vision, too, to understand that the true and principal good of others consists in their union with God, which will lead them one day to total happiness in Heaven.
The Church is aware that the truth about the God who saves cannot be separated from the manifestation of his preference for the poor and needy. (cf John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 March 1987, 37) “Works of mercy, as well as the relief they give to those in need, serve to improve our own souls and those of the people who accompany us in those activities.
“We have all experienced that contact with the sick, with the poor, with children and with adults who go hungry, always means for us a meeting with Christ in his weaker or unprotected members, and for that very reason such contact can mean a spiritual enrichment. The Lord enters with greater intensity into the soul of him who approaches his little brothers, moved not by a desire of mere altruism -- which is a noble desire but not one that is supernaturally effective -- but by the very sentiments of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and the Physician of souls.” (A del Portillo, “Letter”, 31 May 1987, 30)
Let us turn to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the heart of Mary, his Mother, and ask that we may never remain passive about the demands of charity. Thus, we will be able to confidently invoke Our Lady in the words of the liturgy: “Recordare, Virgo Mater Dei ...” Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, as you stand in his presence, “ut loquaris pro nobis bona”, to speak good things on our behalf and ask for our needs. (“Roman Missal, Antiphon, Common Mass of Our Lady”)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:532-4
Understanding is real charity -- “When you really achieve it, you will have a great heart which is open to all without discrimination. Even with those who have treated you badly you will put into living practice that advice of Jesus: ‘Come to me all you that ... are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 867)
• Our Lady of “Moyen-Pont”, near Peronne, France. The image was found by a shepherd near the ponds, where the meadows of Amele are at present; a church was built there, which was repaired in 1612. — Triple Couronne, n. 53. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Moyen-Pont” (near Peronne, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame de Moyen-Pont”. Near Peronne, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
How can we in a short time lay up imperishable treasures of glory and happiness in heaven? The solution is easy, and consists of three things: ‘a state of grace, a pure intention, sanctification of crosses’.
If, then, during the brief time of life, we wish to lay up much treasure in heaven (and who doesn’t?), we must always be in a state of grace. Faith teaches us that all good works done in mortal sin, gain no merit for heaven. While every good action of the just, with the help of grace, will receive an eternal reward.
Of our numerous actions in a day, many are neither good nor evil before God, but indifferent eg, eating, drinking, sleeping, studying, manual labor, etc. They can be meritorious by a pure intention. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31-2) Or, ‘Do what is pleasing to God and meritorious to yourself’.
It would be folly indeed not to turn this second means of increasing our spiritual riches to profit, because it is so easy. What is easier than offering to God in our morning prayers all our actions, that we to perform them as well as possible, with the single motive of pleasing him, and doing his most holy will?
What is easier still than renewing this intention often during the day? Our actions will be more meritorious. We will have less reason to fear lest pride lessens the purity of our first intention or entirely corrupt it.
With what care and vigilance do we strive after a pure intention? Do we renew it during the day?
The great means of laying up treasures in heaven in a short time is, say the Doctors of the Church, to labor without ceasing for the glory of God and the good of souls; but especially to suffer much, and to bear it with patience and entire resignation to the Will of God in all the crosses which it pleases him to send us.
Let us dig into this rich mine of supernatural merit. Misery, suffering, and crosses are the heritage of humanity, and no one is exempt from them. We often complain of being overwhelmed by them.
But what good does that do us? Let us rather sanctify them, make them meritorious and of value for eternity, by accepting them as coming from God, and bearing them for love of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp453-5
On the Emmaus Road with Jesus
“With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’” [Lk 24:31-2]
We who belong to the present generation of those who confess Christ must seek to have the same experience as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let us pray, ‘Lord Jesus, make us understand the Scriptures; let our hearts burn inside us as you talk to us’.
Let our hearts burn! Faith cannot be only cold, hard facts calculated and weighed by our intellect. No, faith must be quickened by love. It must come alive through the good works which reveal God’s trust in us.
So we, too, inherit from the apostles the witness they gave, even if we are not direct eyewitnesses of the resurrection. We become witnesses to Christ ourselves. Being a Christian must mean being a witness for Christ.
Ref: Pope John Paul II, “Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 4
In order to love, we need to understand
We ask Our Lord for a big heart full of understanding: to be able to suffer with those who suffer, and to rejoice with whoever rejoice. We must ask him to help us to prevent that suffering whenever we can, and to make us into people who live and spread happiness wherever we happen to be. We should ask for the vision, too, to understand that the true and principal good of others consists in their union with God, which will lead them one day to total happiness in Heaven.
The Church is aware that the truth about the God who saves cannot be separated from the manifestation of his preference for the poor and needy. (cf John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 March 1987, 37) “Works of mercy, as well as the relief they give to those in need, serve to improve our own souls and those of the people who accompany us in those activities.
“We have all experienced that contact with the sick, with the poor, with children and with adults who go hungry, always means for us a meeting with Christ in his weaker or unprotected members, and for that very reason such contact can mean a spiritual enrichment. The Lord enters with greater intensity into the soul of him who approaches his little brothers, moved not by a desire of mere altruism -- which is a noble desire but not one that is supernaturally effective -- but by the very sentiments of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and the Physician of souls.” (A del Portillo, “Letter”, 31 May 1987, 30)
Let us turn to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the heart of Mary, his Mother, and ask that we may never remain passive about the demands of charity. Thus, we will be able to confidently invoke Our Lady in the words of the liturgy: “Recordare, Virgo Mater Dei ...” Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, as you stand in his presence, “ut loquaris pro nobis bona”, to speak good things on our behalf and ask for our needs. (“Roman Missal, Antiphon, Common Mass of Our Lady”)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:532-4
Understanding is real charity -- “When you really achieve it, you will have a great heart which is open to all without discrimination. Even with those who have treated you badly you will put into living practice that advice of Jesus: ‘Come to me all you that ... are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 867)
• Our Lady of “Moyen-Pont”, near Peronne, France. The image was found by a shepherd near the ponds, where the meadows of Amele are at present; a church was built there, which was repaired in 1612. — Triple Couronne, n. 53. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Moyen-Pont” (near Peronne, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame de Moyen-Pont”. Near Peronne, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
30 July 2011: “Whoever does the will of my Father ...”
An apparently chance incident interrupted our Lord’s discourse. People came to tell him that his Mother and other near relatives have come from Nazareth and were standing outside seeking to speak to him.
“Someone told him, ‘Look, your Mother and your brethren seek you ...’. But answering him, Jesus said, ‘Who is my Mother, and who are my brethren?’ And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said, ‘Behold my mother and my brethren!’” (Mt 12:47-9) Or whoever stand in their place.
What does our Lord teach us by this? That when the glory of God, the salvation of souls, or our own sanctification is in question, we ought to forget all that attaches us to earth. We should sacrifice, when necessary, our affection for relatives to the obedience and fidelity that we owe to God.
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother.” (Mt 12:50) He who does the will of God is, in this sense, the brother of Jesus Christ. By conforming in all things with God’s will, which is also that of Jesus, one has a perfect ‘fraternity’ of thoughts and feelings with him.
By faithfully fulfilling the divine will, he possesses that charity which makes us adopted children of God, and thus ‘brothers’ of Jesus Christ. He himself gave that name to his disciples when, after his resurrection, he said to the holy women, “Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee” (Mt 28:10).
It identifies us, so to speak, with him and makes us partakers of all the immense blessings he won by his Passion and his death. Do we value this practice?
‘For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, ...’ Is my ‘mother’? There is something, then, greater still than becoming the brother of Jesus Christ -- something more marvellous, more inexplicable.
Pope St Gregory explains: “He becomes the mother of Christ who, by his preaching, causes him to be born in the hearts of men by making him known and loved by those who were strangers to him.” This is truly a spiritual maternity; as noble and meritorious as maternity according to the flesh.
We can all attain this divine maternity by trying with every means in our power to help in the propagation of the faith -- by offering to God our prayers, communions, penance, and sufferings for the conversion of pagans, heretics, and schismatics. By causing Jesus Christ to be born and to live in the souls of others at every opportunity.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp477-9
The Special Christian Vocation
It is essential for us to understand that Jesus has a specific task in life for each and everyone of us. Each one of us is handpicked, called by name -- by Jesus! There is no one among us who does not have a divine vocation!
St Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Each one of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it ... It was he who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-2)
First and foremost, God has called us into existence. He has called us to be! He called us, through his Son Jesus Christ, to a knowledge of himself as our Loving Father. He has called us to be his children! He has called us to fulfil his eternal plan in our individual lives, with Jesus as our guide. He has called us to be co-heirs with Jesus of his heavenly Kingdom!
What God our Father is offering us through his Son is a ‘new life as his real children, with Jesus for our brother’; a pressing call to live, to love, to labor for the coming of his Kingdom. And, lest, bewildered at what we must do, we hesitate, Jesus offers to be himself our guide and says: “Come after me.” (Lk 9:59)
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp259-60
The duty of making fraternal correction
In the Old Testament, God frequently made use of men of fortitude and courage to inform others they are straying from the way that leads to God. God sent the Prophet Nathan to King David (cf 2 Sam 12:1-17) to speak to him about his grave sins despite his obvious terrible offences (adultery with the wife of a faithful servant and arranging the latter’s death), and the fact that the king knew the Law very well.
David “perceived it not, his lust keeping in subjection all his reasoning powers ... Therefore, he stood in need of enlightenment from the prophet and of words calling to his mind what he had done.” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on St Matthew’s Gospel”, 60, 1) For weeks David lived with his conscience numbed to sin.
To make David realize the gravity of his fault, Nathan tells him a parable. “... two men ... one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his morsel, drink from his cup, lie in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.
“There came a traveller to the rich man and he was unwilling to take one of his flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer ... but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man. ... David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die’.
“Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man’. David recalled to mind his sins; he repented and expressed his sorrow in a Psalm which the Church holds up to us as a model of contrition. It begins, ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.’ ...” (Ps 50 [51]) David did penance and was grateful to God.
Let us turn to Our Lady, ‘Mother of Good Counsel’, and ask her to help us live this sign of fraternal charity for the people we come into most frequent contact.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:151-2, 157
• Our Lady de Gray, near Besançon in Franche Comte. This image made of the oak of Montaigu, was much honored in the country. — Triple Couronne, n. 58. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Gray (near Besançon, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady de Gray, France (1602). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Gris”. Besançon, France. 1602. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Mother of Mercy. Moveable feast -- Saturday after the 4th Sunday of July. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Mother of Mercy. Mother of Mercy Messengers. Essay on the title, by Johann Roten. Movable feast -- Saturday after the Fourth Sunday of July: (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady, Help of those in their last agony. Moveable feast -- Last Saturday in July. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html).
“Someone told him, ‘Look, your Mother and your brethren seek you ...’. But answering him, Jesus said, ‘Who is my Mother, and who are my brethren?’ And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said, ‘Behold my mother and my brethren!’” (Mt 12:47-9) Or whoever stand in their place.
What does our Lord teach us by this? That when the glory of God, the salvation of souls, or our own sanctification is in question, we ought to forget all that attaches us to earth. We should sacrifice, when necessary, our affection for relatives to the obedience and fidelity that we owe to God.
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother.” (Mt 12:50) He who does the will of God is, in this sense, the brother of Jesus Christ. By conforming in all things with God’s will, which is also that of Jesus, one has a perfect ‘fraternity’ of thoughts and feelings with him.
By faithfully fulfilling the divine will, he possesses that charity which makes us adopted children of God, and thus ‘brothers’ of Jesus Christ. He himself gave that name to his disciples when, after his resurrection, he said to the holy women, “Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee” (Mt 28:10).
It identifies us, so to speak, with him and makes us partakers of all the immense blessings he won by his Passion and his death. Do we value this practice?
‘For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, ...’ Is my ‘mother’? There is something, then, greater still than becoming the brother of Jesus Christ -- something more marvellous, more inexplicable.
Pope St Gregory explains: “He becomes the mother of Christ who, by his preaching, causes him to be born in the hearts of men by making him known and loved by those who were strangers to him.” This is truly a spiritual maternity; as noble and meritorious as maternity according to the flesh.
We can all attain this divine maternity by trying with every means in our power to help in the propagation of the faith -- by offering to God our prayers, communions, penance, and sufferings for the conversion of pagans, heretics, and schismatics. By causing Jesus Christ to be born and to live in the souls of others at every opportunity.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp477-9
The Special Christian Vocation
It is essential for us to understand that Jesus has a specific task in life for each and everyone of us. Each one of us is handpicked, called by name -- by Jesus! There is no one among us who does not have a divine vocation!
St Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Each one of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it ... It was he who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-2)
First and foremost, God has called us into existence. He has called us to be! He called us, through his Son Jesus Christ, to a knowledge of himself as our Loving Father. He has called us to be his children! He has called us to fulfil his eternal plan in our individual lives, with Jesus as our guide. He has called us to be co-heirs with Jesus of his heavenly Kingdom!
What God our Father is offering us through his Son is a ‘new life as his real children, with Jesus for our brother’; a pressing call to live, to love, to labor for the coming of his Kingdom. And, lest, bewildered at what we must do, we hesitate, Jesus offers to be himself our guide and says: “Come after me.” (Lk 9:59)
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp259-60
The duty of making fraternal correction
In the Old Testament, God frequently made use of men of fortitude and courage to inform others they are straying from the way that leads to God. God sent the Prophet Nathan to King David (cf 2 Sam 12:1-17) to speak to him about his grave sins despite his obvious terrible offences (adultery with the wife of a faithful servant and arranging the latter’s death), and the fact that the king knew the Law very well.
David “perceived it not, his lust keeping in subjection all his reasoning powers ... Therefore, he stood in need of enlightenment from the prophet and of words calling to his mind what he had done.” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on St Matthew’s Gospel”, 60, 1) For weeks David lived with his conscience numbed to sin.
To make David realize the gravity of his fault, Nathan tells him a parable. “... two men ... one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his morsel, drink from his cup, lie in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him.
“There came a traveller to the rich man and he was unwilling to take one of his flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer ... but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man. ... David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die’.
“Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man’. David recalled to mind his sins; he repented and expressed his sorrow in a Psalm which the Church holds up to us as a model of contrition. It begins, ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.’ ...” (Ps 50 [51]) David did penance and was grateful to God.
Let us turn to Our Lady, ‘Mother of Good Counsel’, and ask her to help us live this sign of fraternal charity for the people we come into most frequent contact.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:151-2, 157
• Our Lady de Gray, near Besançon in Franche Comte. This image made of the oak of Montaigu, was much honored in the country. — Triple Couronne, n. 58. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Gray (near Besançon, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady de Gray, France (1602). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Gris”. Besançon, France. 1602. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Mother of Mercy. Moveable feast -- Saturday after the 4th Sunday of July. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Mother of Mercy. Mother of Mercy Messengers. Essay on the title, by Johann Roten. Movable feast -- Saturday after the Fourth Sunday of July: (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady, Help of those in their last agony. Moveable feast -- Last Saturday in July. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html).
31 July 2011: St Ignatius of Loyola*, priest
A soldier converted by God while recuperating from battle wounds. In Paris to study theology, there gathered his first followers; and with them founded in Rome the Society of Jesus which is dedicated to the greater glory of God and service of the Church in total obedience to the Pope. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1590)
*Scholars derive the name ‘Loyola’ from ‘lobos y olla’, which is Spanish for ‘the wolves and the pot’. Hence the pot, or kettle, flanked by two wolves, which is emblazoned on the coat-of-arms of St Ignatius’ family. The symbol is traditionally interpreted to signify the generosity of the House of Loyola, at whose feasts even the wolves were not sent empty away. (Horacio de la Costa, SJ, “Light Cavalry”, p577)
“By the grace of God I am what I am.”
These words of St Paul most suitably describe St Ignatius. There are, indeed, few saints in whom the operations of grace were more wonderfully manifest. Gradually, it brought St Ignatius to his destiny. In the divine will he was to found a religious order intended to stop heresy in the sixteenth century, and to repair the losses it would cause the Church.
Yet, up to the age of thirty years he pursued the phantom of military glory, till at last, wounded and exhausted in defending the ciy of Pamplona (in northern Spain), he laid in bed, suffering. Then did grace begin its work, first by showing him the nothingness of this world, and inspiring him with the desire of repairing his past faults by severe penance.
“Since he enjoyed reading the worldly and fantastic books of chivalry, he asked for some to pass the time. As none could be found in the house, they brought him a ‘Life of Christ’ and a book on the lives of the saints.
And while “reading, he stopped to consider in his own mind: ‘What would happen if I carried out this thing St Francis did, and that other St Dominic?’ ... he thought long and hard about all their good works.” (cf St Ignatius of Loyola, “Autobiography”, Madrid 1963, I, 1, 5, 7)
As soon as the light of grace penetrated into the soul of Ignatius, he set himself to repair the past, and to attain what his vocation required from him. He secretly left the castle of Loyola, hung up his sword before the altar of our Lady in the sanctuary of Montserrat#; clothed himself and lived as a beggar. He made a general confession and retired to Manresa (in Barcelona).
Ten months in the grotto of Manresa prepared him by diverse trials and frequent ecstacies for the interior life and direction of souls. He became a top master of the spiritual life as shown in his book, “Spiritual Exercises”; destined to become an apostle and father of numerous apostolic men. But he was not educated!
A new man in Jesus Christ consumed with divine love, he gave himself up to zeal for souls. So he might be more successful with others, he pursued the study of letters at Alcala; then at Paris for the higher sciences. With invincible perseverance he overcame the difficulties of this long study, and especially in establishing the new order which he had learned by grace.
Grace gave him the desire and means of acquiring knowledge by secretly leading him to the University of Paris. There, prepared and ready for him, were the young students who were to form the nucleus of the new order he was to found. The unction of grace drawn from the spiritual exercises made them united in one desire of consecrating themselves forever to God, of offering themselves forever to the Vicar of Jesus Christ to be sent to preach anywhere; and particularly to devote themselves to education of the youth.
Ignatius withdrew from others while he composed the Constitutions. He was almost always on his knees, fasting or praying, that all of them might accord with God’s will and bring about the ‘greater glory of God’.
These words became his motto. It appeared in the Constitutions at least three-hundred and sixty times. Absolutely dead to self-love and worldly glory, he lived for God only; the fruit of his unwavering fidelity to grace.
Pope Paul III, after reading the summary of the rules of the Institute, said: ‘The finger of God is here’. Ignatius, guided by grace, governed the infant society so wisely for sixteen years, that it received the commendation of the Council of Trent; and extended rapidly to the ends of the earth. In 1609 he was canonized a saint.
Like St Ignatius, let us cooperate generously and perseveringly with grace. It will be our counsel in doubts, consolation in troubles, support in the spiritual combat. It will bring us that crown of glory promised to those who seek in everything the ‘greater glory of God’.
[#The Abbey of Montserrat was established in Barcelona, Spain in the 9th century by St Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order. In 1895, intrepid Spanish Benedictine monks from this Abbey arrived in the province of Surigao, Mindanao to work as missionaries. On 17 June 1901, they moved to Manila and founded ‘Colegio de San Beda’. (“STARWEEK”, 11 February 2001, p8)]
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp482-4
‘A New Kind of Motherhood’
Through the centuries and generations it has been seen that ‘in suffering there is concealed a particular power that draws a person interiorly close to Christ’, a special grace. To this grace many saints (Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, etc) owe their profound conversion. A result of such a conversion is that the individual discovers the salvific meaning of suffering; and above all he becomes a completely new person.
The Divine Redeemer wishes to penetrate the soul of every sufferer through the heart of his holy Mother. As though by continuation of that motherhood which by the power of the Holy Spirit had given him life, the dying Christ conferred upon the ever Virgin Mary ‘a new kind of motherhood’: spiritual, universal, towards all human beings, so every individual, during the pilgrimage of faith, might remain with her, closely united to him unto the Cross; and so that every form of suffering, given fresh life by the power of this Cross, should become no longer the weakness of man but the power of God.
Ref: John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, “Salvifici Doloris”, 11 February 1984
• Our Lady of the Murdered, at Ceiça near Lorban, a Cistercian monastery in Portugal. It is said that this image was brought from heaven to the Abbot John, uncle of King Alphonsus, and that it restored to life several persons who had been murdered; that in memory of this miracle they had from that time a red mark on their throats, like that which is seen at present, on the throat of the image. — Cistercian Chronicle, lib, vi., c. 27 and 28. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Slain (at Ceica: near Lorban, Portugal). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Nossa Senhora” / Our Lady of the Slain. Ceiça, Lorban, Portugal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
*Scholars derive the name ‘Loyola’ from ‘lobos y olla’, which is Spanish for ‘the wolves and the pot’. Hence the pot, or kettle, flanked by two wolves, which is emblazoned on the coat-of-arms of St Ignatius’ family. The symbol is traditionally interpreted to signify the generosity of the House of Loyola, at whose feasts even the wolves were not sent empty away. (Horacio de la Costa, SJ, “Light Cavalry”, p577)
“By the grace of God I am what I am.”
These words of St Paul most suitably describe St Ignatius. There are, indeed, few saints in whom the operations of grace were more wonderfully manifest. Gradually, it brought St Ignatius to his destiny. In the divine will he was to found a religious order intended to stop heresy in the sixteenth century, and to repair the losses it would cause the Church.
Yet, up to the age of thirty years he pursued the phantom of military glory, till at last, wounded and exhausted in defending the ciy of Pamplona (in northern Spain), he laid in bed, suffering. Then did grace begin its work, first by showing him the nothingness of this world, and inspiring him with the desire of repairing his past faults by severe penance.
“Since he enjoyed reading the worldly and fantastic books of chivalry, he asked for some to pass the time. As none could be found in the house, they brought him a ‘Life of Christ’ and a book on the lives of the saints.
And while “reading, he stopped to consider in his own mind: ‘What would happen if I carried out this thing St Francis did, and that other St Dominic?’ ... he thought long and hard about all their good works.” (cf St Ignatius of Loyola, “Autobiography”, Madrid 1963, I, 1, 5, 7)
As soon as the light of grace penetrated into the soul of Ignatius, he set himself to repair the past, and to attain what his vocation required from him. He secretly left the castle of Loyola, hung up his sword before the altar of our Lady in the sanctuary of Montserrat#; clothed himself and lived as a beggar. He made a general confession and retired to Manresa (in Barcelona).
Ten months in the grotto of Manresa prepared him by diverse trials and frequent ecstacies for the interior life and direction of souls. He became a top master of the spiritual life as shown in his book, “Spiritual Exercises”; destined to become an apostle and father of numerous apostolic men. But he was not educated!
A new man in Jesus Christ consumed with divine love, he gave himself up to zeal for souls. So he might be more successful with others, he pursued the study of letters at Alcala; then at Paris for the higher sciences. With invincible perseverance he overcame the difficulties of this long study, and especially in establishing the new order which he had learned by grace.
Grace gave him the desire and means of acquiring knowledge by secretly leading him to the University of Paris. There, prepared and ready for him, were the young students who were to form the nucleus of the new order he was to found. The unction of grace drawn from the spiritual exercises made them united in one desire of consecrating themselves forever to God, of offering themselves forever to the Vicar of Jesus Christ to be sent to preach anywhere; and particularly to devote themselves to education of the youth.
Ignatius withdrew from others while he composed the Constitutions. He was almost always on his knees, fasting or praying, that all of them might accord with God’s will and bring about the ‘greater glory of God’.
These words became his motto. It appeared in the Constitutions at least three-hundred and sixty times. Absolutely dead to self-love and worldly glory, he lived for God only; the fruit of his unwavering fidelity to grace.
Pope Paul III, after reading the summary of the rules of the Institute, said: ‘The finger of God is here’. Ignatius, guided by grace, governed the infant society so wisely for sixteen years, that it received the commendation of the Council of Trent; and extended rapidly to the ends of the earth. In 1609 he was canonized a saint.
Like St Ignatius, let us cooperate generously and perseveringly with grace. It will be our counsel in doubts, consolation in troubles, support in the spiritual combat. It will bring us that crown of glory promised to those who seek in everything the ‘greater glory of God’.
[#The Abbey of Montserrat was established in Barcelona, Spain in the 9th century by St Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order. In 1895, intrepid Spanish Benedictine monks from this Abbey arrived in the province of Surigao, Mindanao to work as missionaries. On 17 June 1901, they moved to Manila and founded ‘Colegio de San Beda’. (“STARWEEK”, 11 February 2001, p8)]
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp482-4
‘A New Kind of Motherhood’
Through the centuries and generations it has been seen that ‘in suffering there is concealed a particular power that draws a person interiorly close to Christ’, a special grace. To this grace many saints (Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, etc) owe their profound conversion. A result of such a conversion is that the individual discovers the salvific meaning of suffering; and above all he becomes a completely new person.
The Divine Redeemer wishes to penetrate the soul of every sufferer through the heart of his holy Mother. As though by continuation of that motherhood which by the power of the Holy Spirit had given him life, the dying Christ conferred upon the ever Virgin Mary ‘a new kind of motherhood’: spiritual, universal, towards all human beings, so every individual, during the pilgrimage of faith, might remain with her, closely united to him unto the Cross; and so that every form of suffering, given fresh life by the power of this Cross, should become no longer the weakness of man but the power of God.
Ref: John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, “Salvifici Doloris”, 11 February 1984
• Our Lady of the Murdered, at Ceiça near Lorban, a Cistercian monastery in Portugal. It is said that this image was brought from heaven to the Abbot John, uncle of King Alphonsus, and that it restored to life several persons who had been murdered; that in memory of this miracle they had from that time a red mark on their throats, like that which is seen at present, on the throat of the image. — Cistercian Chronicle, lib, vi., c. 27 and 28. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Slain (at Ceica: near Lorban, Portugal). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• “Nossa Senhora” / Our Lady of the Slain. Ceiça, Lorban, Portugal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
1 August 2011: St Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and Doctor of the Church
A lawyer who was ordained priest and founded the ‘Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer’ (Redemptorists). A tireless apostle of the Eucharist and of our Blessed Mother, he worked with great zeal for the poor and sick. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds] “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1591)
Devotion to Our Lady
We ought to seek in the lives of saints lessons and encouragement. We shall find many of these in the life of St Alphonsus. First, a powerful incentive to labor which is inevitable for us.
From his ordination until extreme old age, St Alphonsus never ceased to preach, hear confessions, give retreats and missions; the government of a diocese (13 years) and of his numerous congregations (42 more years). Enough labor to fill the life of anybody.
He had made a vow ‘never to lose time’ and, incredibly, he wrote (besides numerous small treatises) more than fifty-two books. Some of these, such as his “Moral Theology” and the “Glories of Mary”, are so filled with quotations showing he had read all works that had been written till then about morals and Our Lady. Feeble in health but he lived 91 years.
Do not imitate persons who are so fixated about their health that they withdraw from work, never dare to undertake anything great or laborious; and finally become a burden to others and to themselves. Imitate rather those who, although weak, seek a remedy for their habitual infirmities in labor. St Alphonsus is a proof that regular work prolongs life.
The life of St Alphonsus was an uninterrupted exercise of zeal in almost every town and village in Naples. His zeal was always rewarded by extraordinary conversions, often by striking miracles. More than a hundred of these are cited in the process of his canonization. He was seen to be levitated while celebrating mass or preaching.
At times, interrupting the sermon, he asked prayers for some great person who was dying in a distant spot. Usually, he pointed out to those who consulted him what they had hidden in the depths of their hearts. Often, with the sign of the cross, he cured those dangerously ill. Sometimes, he was present at the same time in two places [bilocation]: without leaving Naples, he was beside the deathbed of Pope Clement IX (22 September 1774).
To obtain great favors from God, we should be zealous. We can all be in different ways. But like the saint, we should exercise our zeal with a pure intention, aiming only at the glory of God and the good of souls.
There are many saints with such a tender love for Mary, and who have increased the devotion to her by their sermons and writings. The incomparable treatise, “Glories of Mary”, full both of unction and learning, has been translated into all languages, and has given everywhere a fresh impulse to the devotion to the Queen of Heaven. And she in return was pleased to pour favors on Alphonsus, and even to glorify him before men.
One day in particular, when preaching at Amalfi before an immense audience, he invoked Mary. Suddenly he was lifted some feet above the pulpit; and shone radiantly with a celestial light which streamed upon him from an image of Mary.
Let us cherish heartfelt feelings of filial love to Mary by spreading devotion to her; and we also shall experience the effects of her power and maternal love.
‘Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.’
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp488-90
“Prayer
“Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I venerate thee, great Queen, and I thank thee for the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me even unto this day; in particular for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins. I love thee, most dear Lady; and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee willingly forever and to do what I can to make thee loved by others also.
“I place in thee all my hopes for salvation; accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle, thou who art the Mother of mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the strength to overcome them until death. From thee I implore a true love for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by the love thou bearest to Almighty God, I pray thee to assist me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until thou shalt see me safe in heaven, there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen”
Ref: St Alphonsus Liguori, “The Blessed Virgin Mary”, 1982, p4
On the five first Saturdays
On 10 December 1925 at Tuy (Spain), Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia [of Fatima apparitions] and said: “Look, my daughter, at my heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say I promise to help at the hour of death, with the graces necessary of salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall: a) Confess, receive Holy Communion; b) Recite five decades of the Rosary; c) Keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary; and d) With the intention of making reparation to my heart.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p37
• In the year 1218, Our Lady, appearing on this day to St Raymond, of the order of St Dominic, to King James, of Aragon, and to St Peter Nolasco, made known to all the three separately that she desired them to establish an order for redeeming captives. — Surius, Life of St Raymond. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com). [See August 10.]
• Our Lady Asks for Establishment of an Order for Redeeming Captives (1218). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
• Mary appears to the three founders of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy / Order for Redeeming Captives. 1218. (See Aug 10) (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
Devotion to Our Lady
We ought to seek in the lives of saints lessons and encouragement. We shall find many of these in the life of St Alphonsus. First, a powerful incentive to labor which is inevitable for us.
From his ordination until extreme old age, St Alphonsus never ceased to preach, hear confessions, give retreats and missions; the government of a diocese (13 years) and of his numerous congregations (42 more years). Enough labor to fill the life of anybody.
He had made a vow ‘never to lose time’ and, incredibly, he wrote (besides numerous small treatises) more than fifty-two books. Some of these, such as his “Moral Theology” and the “Glories of Mary”, are so filled with quotations showing he had read all works that had been written till then about morals and Our Lady. Feeble in health but he lived 91 years.
Do not imitate persons who are so fixated about their health that they withdraw from work, never dare to undertake anything great or laborious; and finally become a burden to others and to themselves. Imitate rather those who, although weak, seek a remedy for their habitual infirmities in labor. St Alphonsus is a proof that regular work prolongs life.
The life of St Alphonsus was an uninterrupted exercise of zeal in almost every town and village in Naples. His zeal was always rewarded by extraordinary conversions, often by striking miracles. More than a hundred of these are cited in the process of his canonization. He was seen to be levitated while celebrating mass or preaching.
At times, interrupting the sermon, he asked prayers for some great person who was dying in a distant spot. Usually, he pointed out to those who consulted him what they had hidden in the depths of their hearts. Often, with the sign of the cross, he cured those dangerously ill. Sometimes, he was present at the same time in two places [bilocation]: without leaving Naples, he was beside the deathbed of Pope Clement IX (22 September 1774).
To obtain great favors from God, we should be zealous. We can all be in different ways. But like the saint, we should exercise our zeal with a pure intention, aiming only at the glory of God and the good of souls.
There are many saints with such a tender love for Mary, and who have increased the devotion to her by their sermons and writings. The incomparable treatise, “Glories of Mary”, full both of unction and learning, has been translated into all languages, and has given everywhere a fresh impulse to the devotion to the Queen of Heaven. And she in return was pleased to pour favors on Alphonsus, and even to glorify him before men.
One day in particular, when preaching at Amalfi before an immense audience, he invoked Mary. Suddenly he was lifted some feet above the pulpit; and shone radiantly with a celestial light which streamed upon him from an image of Mary.
Let us cherish heartfelt feelings of filial love to Mary by spreading devotion to her; and we also shall experience the effects of her power and maternal love.
‘Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.’
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp488-90
“Prayer
“Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I venerate thee, great Queen, and I thank thee for the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me even unto this day; in particular for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins. I love thee, most dear Lady; and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee willingly forever and to do what I can to make thee loved by others also.
“I place in thee all my hopes for salvation; accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle, thou who art the Mother of mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the strength to overcome them until death. From thee I implore a true love for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by the love thou bearest to Almighty God, I pray thee to assist me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until thou shalt see me safe in heaven, there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen”
Ref: St Alphonsus Liguori, “The Blessed Virgin Mary”, 1982, p4
On the five first Saturdays
On 10 December 1925 at Tuy (Spain), Our Lady appeared to Sister Lucia [of Fatima apparitions] and said: “Look, my daughter, at my heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say I promise to help at the hour of death, with the graces necessary of salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall: a) Confess, receive Holy Communion; b) Recite five decades of the Rosary; c) Keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary; and d) With the intention of making reparation to my heart.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p37
• In the year 1218, Our Lady, appearing on this day to St Raymond, of the order of St Dominic, to King James, of Aragon, and to St Peter Nolasco, made known to all the three separately that she desired them to establish an order for redeeming captives. — Surius, Life of St Raymond. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com). [See August 10.]
• Our Lady Asks for Establishment of an Order for Redeeming Captives (1218). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
• Mary appears to the three founders of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy / Order for Redeeming Captives. 1218. (See Aug 10) (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
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