10 July 2011: The light of the world

Our Lord, after telling his apostles they were to be the salt of the earth, went on to say they were to be the light of the world. They were to drive out the darkness of idolatry. They were to cause the one true God to be known, adored, and faithfully served unto the ends of the earth; to convert and sanctify the human race.
We know how faithfully they fulfilled their sublime mission. St Paul’s words to Christians at Ephesus give us an idea: “You know from the first day I came into Asia how I have been with you and taught you publicly from house to house. ... I ceased not night and day to warn every one with tears.” (cf Acts 20:18, 31)
A zealous apostle, always, and in all circumstances, seeks and finds occasions of saying a word which will enlighten the mind and kindle the fire of divine love in the heart. The light and grace he has received in prayer naturally flow from his heart and lips. People always feel enlightened and drawn nearer to God.
‘The living image of Christian perfection’ -- “A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ... Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (cf Mt 5:14-6)
We learn from these words the third quality by which we must be distinguished. We should constantly give edification before men: we must draw them towards God by the silent language of our conduct, a language which is more persuasive than the most eloquent words.
Is our conduct such as this in the house and out of it? Can we truthfully say what St Paul said to the Corinthians, “Be you followers of me, as I also am of Christ”? Happy indeed would it be for us if we all verified the powerful declaration of St Cyprian in answer to pagan objections, “We think far less about speaking well than acting well”.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p433

Salt and light for all souls
A quotation from “Man the Saint” [J Urteaga, SCEPTER, Chicago-Dublin-London], can help us make practical resolutions about being Christ’s apostles: “The Christian should be salt and light of the world for all souls. Salt to give flavor; light to illuminate. A man who is content with omission, with the folly of merely avoiding evil is a tasteless salt fit only for the manure- heap and a deathly pale light fit only to illuminate a cemetery.
“Cursed by God be the Christian who is not concerned about the soul of his prodigal son, of his sick brother, of his dead friend!
“Omissions? Content with avoiding sin? Passing through life without leaving a trace?
“What are we doing for Christ?”
Helping lead souls to salvation is a necessary and most urgent task. St Paul supplies the reason: “For the love of Christ impels us.” The very same reason made him exclaim: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
Ref: Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, pp173-4

Sowers of peace and joy
“Christ is our peace.” (Eph 2:14) For twenty centuries he has been saying to us: ‘Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.’ He wants each one of us to proclaim peace to the whole world: by how we live, wherever we live in this global village.
The life of the first Christians helped many discover the meaning of their existence. They brought peace to their families and society where they lived. This peace which is from God, will be found on earth as long as there are “men and women of good will” (Lk 2:14).
A significant part of our apostolate is to bring serenity and joy to those around us. Our apostolate will be more urgent the more sadness and anxiety we meet. “Every Christian has the duty to bring peace and joy to his surroundings ... This cheerful crusade of manliness will move even shrivelled or rotten hearts, and raise them to God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 92)
Although in life they suffered trials and tribulations as others do, every Christian must be remembered as a serene, cheerful person who gave an example of smiling self-sacrifice, because he or she lived as a child of God. Our resolution from today could be: “May no one read sadness or sorrow in your face, when you spread in the world around you the sweet smell of your sacrifice: the children of God should always be sowers of peace and joy.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 59) This is possible only if we live our divine filiation.
Remembering that we are children of God will give us that solid peace immune to the ups and downs of our emotions or the events of the day. It will give us the serenity and steadiness we all need so much. To ensure our open mind and friendly attitude to everyone, we must remove any kind of antipathy or animosity.
We also need to fight against any roughness in our character which could upset others and would indicate our lack of mortification. We must overcome the tendency to selfishness, softness and love of comfort. These are serious obstacles to friendship and to effectiveness in the apostolate.
The sincere desire for peace which Our Lord has placed in our hearts should urge us to do everything possible to avoid anything that might cause disunity or conflict. For example, being critical of others or having a negative attitude towards them, talking about people behind their backs or complaining about them.
Let us have recourse to Mary, our Mother, so we may never lose our joy and serenity. “Mary is the 'Queen of Peace', and thus the Church invokes her. So when your soul or your family are troubled, or things go wrong at work, in society or between nations, cry out to her without ceasing. Call to her by this title: 'Queen of peace, pray for us.' Have you at least tried it when you have lost your calm? You will be surprised at its immediate effect.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 874)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:481-2

Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm)
Third Day
O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we might be known as your faithful children. May we always wear it with honor by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this desire of ours.
(‘Pause and mention petitions.’)
Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’
‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’

• Dedication of Our Lady of Boulogne, near Paris, in the year 1469 by Chartier, Bishop of Paris. The confraternity of Our Lady of Boulogne is so illustrious that six of Our kings have chosen to belong to it. — Du Breuil, Antiq., lib. iv. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Boulogne, France (1469). (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 Boulogne”. France. 1469. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)