23 August 2011: St Rose of Lima, virgin

The first saint of the American continent, a model of penitence, continuous prayer, and simplicity of life. She received the habit of the Third Order of St Dominic when she was five years old; and was particularly devoted to the Virgin Mary. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1619)

“... do not fear.”
“At about the fourth watch of the night”, about dawn, “Jesus came to them, walking upon the sea” (Mt 14:25). They saw him from afar, not clearly for it was still dark. They were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost” (Mt 14:26).
The human figure that the Apostles saw like an apparition walking on the water, drew nearer towards them. Terrified, they cried out. Immediately he spoke and said, “Be of good heart, it is I; do not fear” (Mt 14:27).
The Apostles were at sea by the express command of Jesus. They had, therefore, a right to count on his help; and it did not fail them.
Let us learn here that in works of zeal or charity laid on us by obedience, and in which we are often exposed to many temptations and dangers, we may always count on a special assistance from God. This is very encouraging.
As soon as St Peter heard the voice of his dearest Master, he said excitedly, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water” (Mt 14:28); and Jesus said, “Come” (Mt 14:29).
Peter went down from the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. But feeling the strong wind, he was afraid. When he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord save me!” (Mt 14:30) At once Jesus, stretching forth his hand, held him and said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31)
When they came up into the boat, the wind ceased, and soon the ship reached their destination. “And”, adds St Matthew, those in the boat came and adored him, saying, “Indeed you are the Son of God” (Mt 14:33).
This Gospel passage is full of practical instruction for us. We see the ardent love of St Peter, impatient to be with his Divine Master again. We see his lively faith rewarded by a wonderful miracle. Then we see the inconstancy of that same faith, ready to defy all perils at one moment; but failing because of a gust of wind.
On the other hand, we see the wonderful goodness of Jesus Christ. He extends his hand to his disciple and raises him up, while he says to him words which humble and encourage him at the same time.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp524-6

Faith and obedience in the apostolate ...
... are indispensable. Our efforts, human resources, night vigils or even mortifications are useless if devoid of any supernatural sense. Without obedience, everything is useless in God’s eyes. It would be useless starting an apostolic task unless we intend to count on Our Lord.
Even our most worthwhile apostolic works would be fruitless if we lacked the desire to carry out God’s will. “God does not need our work, but He does need our obedience”, St John Chrysostom teaches (“Homilies on St Matthew’s Gospel”, 56).
Our Lord calls all of us to be apostles in the middle of the world-- facing a computer, behind the plough, wielding a broom, in a metropolitan or rural area, talented or not. He calls all of us, so that with holiness of life and by our good example we may be his instruments in a world that seems to forsake him.
All the faithful, whatever their circumstances though each in his own way, are called to that perfection of sanctity by which our heavenly Father himself is perfect. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 11 ) Through their special vocation, it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will. (Ibid, 31)
Our Lord calls all Christians and leaves the majority of them in some job or professional occupation where they find Him, fulfilling their task with human perfection, and at the same time with supernatural outlook. Offering their work to God, they live charity with everyone, not scorning the little mortifications that arise; and constantly keeping presence of God.
“Then, though you won’t see why, because you’re very aware of your own wretchedness, you will find that people come to you. ... you talk to them quite simply and naturally -- on your way home from work for instance, or in a family gathering, on a bus, walking down the street, anywhere. You will chat about the sort of longings that everyone feels deep down in his soul, even though some people may not want to pay attention to them: they will come to understand them better, when they begin to look for God in earnest.
“Ask Mary, ‘Regina Apostolorum’ [Queen of Apostles], to help you make up your mind to share the desires of ‘sowing and fishing’ that fill the Heart of her Son. I assure you that if you begin, you will see the boat filled, just like the fishermen from Galilee did. And you will find Christ on the shore, waiting for you; because the catch belongs to him.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 273)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:235-7; 239

Tom Harmon and the rosary
An American star quarterback in football and Heisman trophy winner from the University of Michigan, Tom became a pilot during World War II. One day his plane crashed in a dense jungle. His chances of survival were nil, and he knew it.
In fact, 25 planes crashed in the same jungle the same week Tom’s did. Not one crew member from those planes survived. Tom was the only one who did.
Newsmen asked Tom how he accounted for his miraculous survival. He surprised them by saying, “Prayer!” He surprised them even more, explaining: “I said at least a million “Hail, Mary’s” during my trek out. ... I yelled “Hail, Mary’s” at the top of my voice, hoping that someone would hear me shouting. ... Without great faith I would not have gotten out of that jungle.”
Ref: Cf Fr Bel R San Luis, SVD, “Word Alive, Manila Bulletin”, 6 October 1999

• On this day, in the year 1328, Philip de Valois, being surrounded by Flemings near Mount Cassel, had recourse to the Blessed Virgin, who immediately delivered him. from that danger. Out of gratitude for this favor, when he made his entry into Paris, he went straight to Notre Dame, and going into the church on horseback, he proceeded the whole length of the nave up to the crucifix, and there laid down his arms. The picture of this monarch on horseback was for a long time to be seen in that church, to which he gave a revenue of 100 livres, to be levied on his domain of Gatinais. -— Triple Couronne, trait. 4, c. 7, n. 7. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Victory. 1328. Mary helps Philip of Valois defeat the Flemings. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)