“Thy vesture is white as snow; and thy face is as the sun.” (Daniel 7:9)
Day 2 - House of Gold
Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit God dwells in the Blessed Mother. In the ‘Litany of Loreto’ we call on Mary, ‘House of Gold’, the abode of greatest conceivable splendour. In this foremost Tabernacle in the Old Testament, later the Temple, Yahweh meets his people.
Before God announced his coming into the world, he prepared Mary as the proper creature in whose womb he will dwell from his Incarnation until his birth in Bethlehem. Mary, the ‘House of Gold’, the new Temple of God, is so beautiful, a greater perfection is impossible. The grace of her Immaculate Conception, including all gifts God ever bestowed are in fulfilment of her divine Maternity. (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, 3,q27,a5)
The Archangel Gabriel is full of veneration for Mary on greeting her. He knows her greatness in grace and virtue; her exceptional union with God. The gift of supernatural life exceeds that of all the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors and Virgins combined. God dwells in Our Lady more than in all the angels and saints. (R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The Mother of the Saviour”, p411)
Mary’s relationship with the Blessed Trinity is most intimate. Her absolute honor is supreme; and her majesty truly unique. The Second Vatican Council reiterated her recognition throughout Church history -- the Father’s firstborn and most highly favored daughter. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 53)
By Our Lady’s blood relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we can truly say that Mary is the Temple and Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit. (John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptoris Mater”, 9) What joy to recall that we have a Mother very close to God, so pure and beautiful; and can closely identify with our daily experience.
“Sing to Mary Immaculate, reminding her: Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of God the Holy Spirit! Greater than you -- no one, but God!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 496)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:275-81
Early expectations and Christian hope
There are many who repeat the expression “while there’s life there’s hope”, as if hope were an excuse for ambling along through life without too many complications or worries on one’s consciences. Or as if it were a pretext for postponing indefinitely the decision to mend one’s ways and the struggle to attain worthwhile goals, particularly the highest goal of all which is to be united with God.
If we follow this view, we will end up confusing hope with comfort. Fundamentally, what is wrong with it is there is no real desire to achieve anything worthwhile, either spiritual or material. Thus some people’s greatest ambition boils down to avoiding whatever might upset the apparent calm of their mediocre existence.
These timid, inhibited, lazy souls, full of subtle forms of selfishness, are content to let the days, the years, go by “Neither hoping nor fearing”, without setting themselves demanding targets, nor experiencing the hopes and fears of battle: the important thing for them is to avoid the risk of disappointment and tears. How far one is from obtaining something, if the very wish to possess it has been lost through fear of the demands involved in achieving it!
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 207
The mistake of Judas and Satan’s complaint
Our Lord’s betrayer, Judas Iscariot, made two mistakes:
1) in desperation, he forgot that Jesus would have forgiven him if he repented; and 2) it did not occur to him that the Mother of Jesus could have helped him.
The devil complained many times to God that His Mother was stealing so many sinners from him, and that he himself has no chance to find recourse to the refuge of sinners.
At a rendition of the Passion Play, the actor who had the role of Judas, going into utter despair after becoming aware of his crime, shrieked at the top of his voice in the most doleful and distressing strain: ‘To whom can I go? I have betrayed my God! To whom can I go?’ The play was at its tensest and most tragic part.
A seven-year-old girl was beside her mother in the middle of a packed hall, completely absorbed by the drama. Sorry for the wretched man in his terrible plight, and eager to help him out, she said to her mother in a childish voice that was heard throughout the hall in the hushed audience: ‘Mama, why doesn’t he go to Mary?’
The child’s simple solution was correct. Had Judas, in his remorse, but gone to Mary and asked her to intercede for him with her Son, instead of becoming a desperate suicide, he could have become a great saint.
Even Satan is jealous of us because we have such a merciful and powerful Mother. It is said that one day the devil said to the saintly ‘Curé’ of Ars (St Jean Marie Vianney, who so greatly loved the Blessed Virgin and made her well-known and loved by others), ‘Ah! If only I had had a Mother like yours, such a merciful refuge of sinners! ...’
Mary is truly the Mother and the ‘Refuge of sinners’! She takes a great pleasure when two of her sons, Jesus and the sinner reconcile. Do you think that you are a great sinner? Listen to what the Saintly Blosius said: ‘There is no sinner so spoiled and so sunken in vice that Mary would detest him and deny him aid.’
· “However great a man’s sins may be, if he shall return to me, I am ready instantly to receive him. Nor do I regard the number of the enormity of his sins, but the will with which he comes to me; for I do not disdain to anoint and heal his wounds, because I am called, and truly am, the Mother of sinners.” -- Our Lady to St Bridget
· “Mary, the Mother of Mercy, has such a desire to save sinners, that she looks for them in order to help them.” -- St Alphonsus Liguori
· “Mary was born from love, she lived for love, and she died of love ... She is the Mother of beautiful love.” -- St Bernardine of Siena
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, pp29, 35
• Our Lady of Ratisbonne, in Bavaria, founded by Duke Theodon, after receiving baptism from St. Rupert, Bishop of Salzburg and apostle of Bavaria, who afterwards consecrated this church.— (Canisius, lib. v. de Beata Virgine. cap. 25.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Ratisbon (also known as Ratisbonne). Bavaria, Germany. 1842. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame de Puy-le-Dome” (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Light. Cainta, Rizal, PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
30 November 2011: Immaculate Conception Novena
“Thou art all fair, O Mary, and stain of original sin is not found in thee.” (Song of Songs 4:7)
Mary constantly showers down graces and favors on the faithful, and so has won the privilege of ‘all-powerful intercessor’. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Christians know that they can reach God through his Mother: our shortcut -- the most direct path to God.
Our love for her is shown in our always coming up with new ways of expressing affection for her. We begin the Novena leading to the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception by trying to offer Our Lady something special each day.
Day 1 - Morning Star
Mary is prefigured in the Old Testament. After the Almighty proclaims Redemption following the fall of our first parents, God tells the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between her seed and your seed: He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen 3:15)
Literally, the woman is Eve who is tempted and falls. On a deeper level though, the woman represents Mary, the new Eve, who will give birth to Christ, the absolute conqueror of the devil, who is symbolized by the serpent. Satan himself is powerless before her grandeur.
Isaiah prophesied Mary is to be the Virgin Mother of the Messiah. (cf Isa 7:14) St Matthew explicitly refers to fulfilment of this prophecy through Our Lady. (1:22-3) The Church also applies to our Blessed Mother the praise the people of Israel grant to their heroine Judith, who saved her people (Jdt 15:9-10). Mary cooperates in freeing us from an enemy greater than Holofernes whose head Judith cut off. (C Pozo, “Mary in Scripture and in the Faith of the Church”)
“I am the Mother of fair love, of fear, of knowledge and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue ...” (Sir 24:18)
Our Lady illumines our way and guides us through life. She is also found at the origin of our conversion to Christ. All spiritual benefits come to us by way of Mary. The Blessed Virgin makes it easy for us to begin over and over again. She offers all that “she ponders in her heart” (Lk 2:51), all that refers specifically to Jesus, towards whom she draws us by the hand. (John Paul II, “Address”, 20 October 1979)
“She does not shine for herself, or from herself, but she is the reflection of her and our Redeemer, and she glorifies him. When she appears in darkness, we know that He is close at hand.” (John Henry Newman, “Mystical Rose”)
Our glowing star when we are on the sea of life. (John Paul II, “Address”, 4 June 1979) “Don’t take your eye off the splendor of the brightly-glowing Star Mary if you do not want to be overcome by the squalls.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the Blessed Virgin Mary”, 2)
“The Mother of God is full of grace to a degree that surpasses even that of the angels. Therefore, rightly is she called ‘Mary’ which means ‘illuminated one’. It also signifies ‘illuminator of others’, with respect to the whole world.” (St Thomas, “On the ‘Hail, Mary’ in Catechetical writings”, 182)
Our Lady, Star of the Sea “alone dispels the darkness, brings down all blessings, and opens the door of Paradise for us. For this reason, the name ‘Mary’ which signifies ‘Star of the Sea’, most appropriately belongs to her. Just as the brightest star in the sky guides sailors toward a safe haven, Mary leads Christians to glory.” (St Thomas, Op cit, 185)
In every moment, she will guide us on a sure path... ‘Most sweet heart of Mary, prepare for us a safe way.’
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 7:268-74
Look at the Star ... Invoke Mary
“And the Virgin’s name was ‘Mary’. Let us stop to contemplate this name, which fits the Virgin Mary so perfectly. Nothing is more fitting than to compare her to a star which sends forth its rays without being changed, even as the Virgin brought forth her Son without loss of bodily integrity. The ray takes nothing from the light of the star, nor does the birth of her Son detract from the integrity of the Virgin. She is, therefore, this radiant Star whose rays light up the entire universe.” -- St Bernard (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, p17)
‘Our Mother’
“Our mother”, “mother of mine”, “Show yourself to be a mother”: such were the terms with which St Josemaria Escrivá often addressed the most holy Virgin. She is truly our mother, because she begot us to supernatural life. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 61)
Mary’s mothehood remains without lapsing ... until all the elect have been gathered to God. Once assumed into heaven, she has kept up this saving mission, for with her manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the gifts of eternal salvation.
With love most motherly she tends to the brethren of her Son, who continue as pilgrims amid danger and anxiety till they are led to their most blessed homeland. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 62)
Nailed to the cross, Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother: “‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’” (Jn 19:26-7) On the edge of dying he bequeathed his most precious belongings, “the testament of the cross” (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 30).
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 63
Feast -- St Andrew, Apostle
A disciple of John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ to whom he brought his brother, Peter. With Philip he presented the Gentiles to Christ. Before the miracle in the desert, he pointed to Christ the boy with the loaves and fishes. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1702)
He was crucified in Patras, Greece, and according to common opinion, on a cross in the form of the letter ‘X’. (“New St Joseph Weekday Missal”, I:762)
St Andrew shows how authentic friendship makes it easy to speak of Christ: the apostolate of friendship and confidence. (cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:264)
• Our Lady of Genesta, on the coast of Genoa, in Italy. A poor woman, named Petruccia, undertook to build this church, a task which appeared to every one impossible; she however proceeded to lay the corner stone, and assured every one that she should not die until the Blessed Virgin and St Augustine finished this work. In fact, this church was found miraculously completed a short time afterwards. -- Segninus, in his Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Genesta, Genoa, Italy (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Madonna della Genesta”. Genoa, Italy. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Mary constantly showers down graces and favors on the faithful, and so has won the privilege of ‘all-powerful intercessor’. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Christians know that they can reach God through his Mother: our shortcut -- the most direct path to God.
Our love for her is shown in our always coming up with new ways of expressing affection for her. We begin the Novena leading to the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception by trying to offer Our Lady something special each day.
Day 1 - Morning Star
Mary is prefigured in the Old Testament. After the Almighty proclaims Redemption following the fall of our first parents, God tells the serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between her seed and your seed: He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Gen 3:15)
Literally, the woman is Eve who is tempted and falls. On a deeper level though, the woman represents Mary, the new Eve, who will give birth to Christ, the absolute conqueror of the devil, who is symbolized by the serpent. Satan himself is powerless before her grandeur.
Isaiah prophesied Mary is to be the Virgin Mother of the Messiah. (cf Isa 7:14) St Matthew explicitly refers to fulfilment of this prophecy through Our Lady. (1:22-3) The Church also applies to our Blessed Mother the praise the people of Israel grant to their heroine Judith, who saved her people (Jdt 15:9-10). Mary cooperates in freeing us from an enemy greater than Holofernes whose head Judith cut off. (C Pozo, “Mary in Scripture and in the Faith of the Church”)
“I am the Mother of fair love, of fear, of knowledge and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue ...” (Sir 24:18)
Our Lady illumines our way and guides us through life. She is also found at the origin of our conversion to Christ. All spiritual benefits come to us by way of Mary. The Blessed Virgin makes it easy for us to begin over and over again. She offers all that “she ponders in her heart” (Lk 2:51), all that refers specifically to Jesus, towards whom she draws us by the hand. (John Paul II, “Address”, 20 October 1979)
“She does not shine for herself, or from herself, but she is the reflection of her and our Redeemer, and she glorifies him. When she appears in darkness, we know that He is close at hand.” (John Henry Newman, “Mystical Rose”)
Our glowing star when we are on the sea of life. (John Paul II, “Address”, 4 June 1979) “Don’t take your eye off the splendor of the brightly-glowing Star Mary if you do not want to be overcome by the squalls.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the Blessed Virgin Mary”, 2)
“The Mother of God is full of grace to a degree that surpasses even that of the angels. Therefore, rightly is she called ‘Mary’ which means ‘illuminated one’. It also signifies ‘illuminator of others’, with respect to the whole world.” (St Thomas, “On the ‘Hail, Mary’ in Catechetical writings”, 182)
Our Lady, Star of the Sea “alone dispels the darkness, brings down all blessings, and opens the door of Paradise for us. For this reason, the name ‘Mary’ which signifies ‘Star of the Sea’, most appropriately belongs to her. Just as the brightest star in the sky guides sailors toward a safe haven, Mary leads Christians to glory.” (St Thomas, Op cit, 185)
In every moment, she will guide us on a sure path... ‘Most sweet heart of Mary, prepare for us a safe way.’
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 7:268-74
Look at the Star ... Invoke Mary
“And the Virgin’s name was ‘Mary’. Let us stop to contemplate this name, which fits the Virgin Mary so perfectly. Nothing is more fitting than to compare her to a star which sends forth its rays without being changed, even as the Virgin brought forth her Son without loss of bodily integrity. The ray takes nothing from the light of the star, nor does the birth of her Son detract from the integrity of the Virgin. She is, therefore, this radiant Star whose rays light up the entire universe.” -- St Bernard (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, p17)
‘Our Mother’
“Our mother”, “mother of mine”, “Show yourself to be a mother”: such were the terms with which St Josemaria Escrivá often addressed the most holy Virgin. She is truly our mother, because she begot us to supernatural life. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 61)
Mary’s mothehood remains without lapsing ... until all the elect have been gathered to God. Once assumed into heaven, she has kept up this saving mission, for with her manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the gifts of eternal salvation.
With love most motherly she tends to the brethren of her Son, who continue as pilgrims amid danger and anxiety till they are led to their most blessed homeland. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 62)
Nailed to the cross, Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother: “‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’” (Jn 19:26-7) On the edge of dying he bequeathed his most precious belongings, “the testament of the cross” (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 30).
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 63
Feast -- St Andrew, Apostle
A disciple of John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ to whom he brought his brother, Peter. With Philip he presented the Gentiles to Christ. Before the miracle in the desert, he pointed to Christ the boy with the loaves and fishes. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1702)
He was crucified in Patras, Greece, and according to common opinion, on a cross in the form of the letter ‘X’. (“New St Joseph Weekday Missal”, I:762)
St Andrew shows how authentic friendship makes it easy to speak of Christ: the apostolate of friendship and confidence. (cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:264)
• Our Lady of Genesta, on the coast of Genoa, in Italy. A poor woman, named Petruccia, undertook to build this church, a task which appeared to every one impossible; she however proceeded to lay the corner stone, and assured every one that she should not die until the Blessed Virgin and St Augustine finished this work. In fact, this church was found miraculously completed a short time afterwards. -- Segninus, in his Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Genesta, Genoa, Italy (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Madonna della Genesta”. Genoa, Italy. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Monday, November 28, 2011
29 November 2011: Jesus predicts the Last Judgment
Jesus describes the signs which shall herald it. “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars; and on earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of what is coming upon the whole world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.” (Lk 21:25-6)
During his mortal life, Jesus is known only as the good Shepherd who came to seek and save. At this last judgment, he comes with majestic power and to terrify whoever abused his long-suffering and mercy.
When we are tempted to evil, let us recall this last judgment, and the terrible sentence to be pronounced against the impenitent sinners.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep at his right hand but the goats on the left. ...
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’; ... Then he will say to those on his left hand, ‘You that are cursed, depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’. ...” (cf Mt 25:31-41)
Let us try to imagine the joy in the hearts of the blessed at seeing the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. They who have generously carried their own cross here will gaze with delight upon the cross of Jesus.
Consider the confusion of those whom our Lord will place on his left hand, with the reprobates. How terrible will be this separation between friends! Where would we be, should we die now?
When will this last judgment be? “Of that day or hour no man knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mk 13:32) But we all know that death is near at hand to each one of us, and that judgment follows death; as certainly as death, life.
“Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ... And what I say to you I say to all, ‘Watch!’” (Mk 13:33, 37)
These are the words of Jesus Christ himself. ‘Be you also ready’, says our Lord. Are we?
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp751-3
Look at death joyfully
Don’t dress death, in your sickly and not very supernatural imagination, with black drapes and decaying flowers: look at death joyfully, as the wonderful conclusion of the Christian adventure.
It is the moment of meeting and embracing: forever between the son and the Father, the brave soldier and his Captain, the lover and his Love, the redeemed and his Redeemer, the creature and his Creator, the good and faithful servant and the just and generous Master, the victorious athlete and his laurels: ‘God, you are your soldiers’ prize, destiny, and crown of laurels’.
For you and for me, my friend, “to live is Jesus Christ”, St Paul tells us, “and death is gain” (Phil 1:21). Together with this thought and this feeling of joy, remembering death also gives us a wonderful sense of detachment for it teaches us how to renounce the things of the earth.
When we think, in the light of death, about our life and the things around us, we discover the great wisdom contained in knowing how to live as someone “who has nothing yet possesses everything” (2 Cor 6:10).
What are wealth, honor, pleasures? Things which slip through our fingers like water, and which we cannot bring with us further than the portal of death.
Detachment. Let us live in such a way that the words of the Angel of the Apocalypse, “Time has come to an end” (Rev 10:6), find us with our heart and our hands empty of the goods of the earth and full of God and of his goods. Let us learn to die, a little each day, through separating ourselves from everything that is not eternal.
Do you know why men, when they reach their last hour, suffer and are in anguish? Because through having lived quite forgetful of the “I face death each day” (1 Cor 15:31), they have to do in half an hour what they ought to have done over their entire lifetime.
How hard, how bitter, is this forced detachment which no one can escape. “O death, how bitter is the reminder of you to one who lives at peace among his possessions.” (Sir 4:1)
Whereas the Christian, the detached soul, dies savoring the truth of those words: “How I rejoiced when they said to me: ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (Ps 121:1)
Ref: Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as Friend”, 1981, pp90-91
Preparing ourselves for judgment
Life is a time of probation. We must acquire a profound understanding of ourselves to prepare for this encounter with the Lord. St Paul warned: “If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.” (1 Cor 11:31)
Let us not be surprised, then, by our past failings. We need to identify our trouble spots and apply the necessary remedy.
“The ‘name of the game’ is examination of conscience. You will teach yourself to love God and make good use of your days by making clear, effective resolutions. Take up the book of your life, turn its pages every day, so you won’t be surprised when read on the day of your judgment, and won’t be ashamed on the day of the universal judgment.” (cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as Friend”, p76)
How much time is left to correct and improve the manuscript of our book? The examination of conscience helps us to ask pardon for our mistakes; gives us time to correct our behaviour. If we examine our conscience each night we will be well prepared for a good Confession.
Let us go to Our Lady, ‘Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope’. She will help us to purify our soul so that it may bear abundant fruit.
We should pray to our Guardian Angel as well: “... It is he who, at your particular judgment, will remember the kind deeds you performed for Our Lord throughout your life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 693)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:417-9
• Our Lady of the Crown (Palermo, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Crown. Palermo, Italy. ["...so called because was there that the kings of Sicilty received the royal crown, as holding it from the Mother of God, and unwilling to wear it for any but her. (Thom. Facellus, book 8, prioris decad. de rebus Siculia.)"] (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Beauraing - The Virgin with the Golden Heart. Belgium 1932 Apparition. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
During his mortal life, Jesus is known only as the good Shepherd who came to seek and save. At this last judgment, he comes with majestic power and to terrify whoever abused his long-suffering and mercy.
When we are tempted to evil, let us recall this last judgment, and the terrible sentence to be pronounced against the impenitent sinners.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep at his right hand but the goats on the left. ...
“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’; ... Then he will say to those on his left hand, ‘You that are cursed, depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’. ...” (cf Mt 25:31-41)
Let us try to imagine the joy in the hearts of the blessed at seeing the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. They who have generously carried their own cross here will gaze with delight upon the cross of Jesus.
Consider the confusion of those whom our Lord will place on his left hand, with the reprobates. How terrible will be this separation between friends! Where would we be, should we die now?
When will this last judgment be? “Of that day or hour no man knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mk 13:32) But we all know that death is near at hand to each one of us, and that judgment follows death; as certainly as death, life.
“Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ... And what I say to you I say to all, ‘Watch!’” (Mk 13:33, 37)
These are the words of Jesus Christ himself. ‘Be you also ready’, says our Lord. Are we?
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp751-3
Look at death joyfully
Don’t dress death, in your sickly and not very supernatural imagination, with black drapes and decaying flowers: look at death joyfully, as the wonderful conclusion of the Christian adventure.
It is the moment of meeting and embracing: forever between the son and the Father, the brave soldier and his Captain, the lover and his Love, the redeemed and his Redeemer, the creature and his Creator, the good and faithful servant and the just and generous Master, the victorious athlete and his laurels: ‘God, you are your soldiers’ prize, destiny, and crown of laurels’.
For you and for me, my friend, “to live is Jesus Christ”, St Paul tells us, “and death is gain” (Phil 1:21). Together with this thought and this feeling of joy, remembering death also gives us a wonderful sense of detachment for it teaches us how to renounce the things of the earth.
When we think, in the light of death, about our life and the things around us, we discover the great wisdom contained in knowing how to live as someone “who has nothing yet possesses everything” (2 Cor 6:10).
What are wealth, honor, pleasures? Things which slip through our fingers like water, and which we cannot bring with us further than the portal of death.
Detachment. Let us live in such a way that the words of the Angel of the Apocalypse, “Time has come to an end” (Rev 10:6), find us with our heart and our hands empty of the goods of the earth and full of God and of his goods. Let us learn to die, a little each day, through separating ourselves from everything that is not eternal.
Do you know why men, when they reach their last hour, suffer and are in anguish? Because through having lived quite forgetful of the “I face death each day” (1 Cor 15:31), they have to do in half an hour what they ought to have done over their entire lifetime.
How hard, how bitter, is this forced detachment which no one can escape. “O death, how bitter is the reminder of you to one who lives at peace among his possessions.” (Sir 4:1)
Whereas the Christian, the detached soul, dies savoring the truth of those words: “How I rejoiced when they said to me: ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (Ps 121:1)
Ref: Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as Friend”, 1981, pp90-91
Preparing ourselves for judgment
Life is a time of probation. We must acquire a profound understanding of ourselves to prepare for this encounter with the Lord. St Paul warned: “If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.” (1 Cor 11:31)
Let us not be surprised, then, by our past failings. We need to identify our trouble spots and apply the necessary remedy.
“The ‘name of the game’ is examination of conscience. You will teach yourself to love God and make good use of your days by making clear, effective resolutions. Take up the book of your life, turn its pages every day, so you won’t be surprised when read on the day of your judgment, and won’t be ashamed on the day of the universal judgment.” (cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as Friend”, p76)
How much time is left to correct and improve the manuscript of our book? The examination of conscience helps us to ask pardon for our mistakes; gives us time to correct our behaviour. If we examine our conscience each night we will be well prepared for a good Confession.
Let us go to Our Lady, ‘Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope’. She will help us to purify our soul so that it may bear abundant fruit.
We should pray to our Guardian Angel as well: “... It is he who, at your particular judgment, will remember the kind deeds you performed for Our Lord throughout your life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 693)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:417-9
• Our Lady of the Crown (Palermo, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Crown. Palermo, Italy. ["...so called because was there that the kings of Sicilty received the royal crown, as holding it from the Mother of God, and unwilling to wear it for any but her. (Thom. Facellus, book 8, prioris decad. de rebus Siculia.)"] (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Beauraing - The Virgin with the Golden Heart. Belgium 1932 Apparition. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Sunday, November 27, 2011
28 November 2011: Jesus weeps over Jerusalem
The acclamations of the crowd increased as the procession neared the town. Jesus, seeing the city, wept: not at the thought of the cruel death awaiting him there (which he had long desired); but at the thought of the blindness of the inhabitants who would persist in rejecting him; and consequently, were to be chastised.
A year before, he said, “I have a baptism with which to be baptized; how anxious am I until it is completed!” (Lk 12:50) Their eternal censure drew from his lips: “If you had only recognized the things that make for peace; but now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Lk 19:42)
Let us learn from these tears of Jesus: 1) To be less involved with our petty miseries and be more concerned about so many hardened sinners; and to use prayers and mortifications for their conversion; 2) to keep alive a spirit of repentance; and 3) to fear above all, as the saints did, failure to cooperate sufficiently with the grace of God.
Jesus loved Jerusalem tenderly. His heavenly Father had made it the home of his chosen people, the place of his Temple; and called it the Holy City, the City of God.
How the thought of its total destruction must have grieved his Sacred Heart when he made the fearful prophecy, “For days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God!” (Lk 19:43-4)
Jesus still hoped by this terrible warning to convert the unbelieving Jews. The prophecy was not fulfilled for thirty-eight years, when the Romans, the instruments of God’s vengeance, besieged Jerusalem; and, after reducing it by famine, laid it to waste exactly as Jesus had described.
The destruction of Jerusalem is a figure of the desolation caused by mortal sin in the faithless soul, which loses all its beauty in the eyes of God; becomes a hideous ruin, deprived of all the rights bestowed in holy baptism, of sanctifying grace, peace, and happiness, of all acquired merits, and finally, the reward of heaven.
Oh merciful God may this desolation spare us! Let this thought increase our zeal and fervor.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp739-41
Joy despite troubles and weakness
As we confront our shortcomings, which seemingly increase at almost every turn, the joy that children of God experience sometimes becomes clouded. Yet for a child of God, weaknesses are also a reason to rejoice. They offer an occasion to experience our Father God’s mercy and goodness.
Mothers are thrilled to give their newborns all the care needed, and then some, with no repugnance at the helpless child’s limitations. They teach the young child to talk, to read, and to pray; they would truly suffer if the child were to foolishly try to be independent.
The fact that a toddler needs practically everything spurs his mother’s love and generosity. If they truly love their parents, good children show they need them.
In the spiritual realm however, there is no need for airs: we weaklings are always in need of God, in everything. And he loves us “just as we are”, insisted St Josemaria Escrivá, that is, weak, fragile, barely worth anything.
Thus he wrote: “To know we are made of clay, [the broken pieces] riveted together again, is a continual source of joy. It means acknowledging our littleness in the eyes of God: a little child. Can there be any joy to compare with that of the person who, knowing himself to be poor and weak, knows also he or she is a child of God?” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 108) When we feel our weakest and neediest, we are to revel all the more in our divine filiation.
Our peerless joy born of being and knowing to be a child of God does not rest on our virtues, on the satisfaction of right-doing, but solely on our helplessness.
“Don’t be afraid to know your real self. That’s right, you are made of clay. Don’t be worried. For you and I am children of God ... We are chosen by a divine calling from all eternity: ‘The Father chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him’ (Eph 1:4).” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 160)
Such is our life: struggling to please our Father, giving him joys, like his Son Jesus Christ, in whom he is well pleased. That is the reason for the cheerfulness in the lives of children of God, trying to behave as such.
Joy stems from divine filiation which cannot disappear. Only grave sin weakens our filiation. So long as we consequently struggle, our cheerfulness cannot end.
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 135-6
A happy soul is closer to God
Joy is indispensable to a Christian’s life. A joyful soul has wings to fly towards God. A happy soul is closer to God and is able to undertake works of service for other people.
In contrast, sadness paralyzes one’s desires for sanctity and apostolate. It is a great evil because it clouds our vision. Our Christian joy will be a source of strength in time of trial.
We must bring this joy and peace to everybody God has placed beside us. Our homes should be ‘bright and cheerful’, because Christ is at its head. To be disciples of Christ means we are living those human and supernatural virtues intimately tied to joy: generosity, cordiality, spirit of sacrifice, sympathy, making life pleasant for others, etc.
Our joy should accompany us to where we work, to our colleagues, to people we meet by chance on the street. Many of these people are sad and troubled. We should help them see the joy of living in Christ.
The smiling face of the Lord should shine through our life and works. His perfect peace was shown during his Passion and Death.
Let us turn to Our Mother Mary, ‘Cause of our joy’. She will lead us to the path of true peace and joy should we ever lose our way. We will then understand that the path to joy is the same as the path to God.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:312, 316-7
• Our Lady of Walsingham, in England, greatly honored by Edward I, who, as he was playing one day at chess, rose up instinctively from his seat, and at the same time a large stone became loose in the roof, and fell upon the chair where he had been sitting. From that time he particularly honored Our Lady of Walsingham. — Thomas Walsingham, History of England under Edward I. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Walsingham (England, 1061). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
A year before, he said, “I have a baptism with which to be baptized; how anxious am I until it is completed!” (Lk 12:50) Their eternal censure drew from his lips: “If you had only recognized the things that make for peace; but now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Lk 19:42)
Let us learn from these tears of Jesus: 1) To be less involved with our petty miseries and be more concerned about so many hardened sinners; and to use prayers and mortifications for their conversion; 2) to keep alive a spirit of repentance; and 3) to fear above all, as the saints did, failure to cooperate sufficiently with the grace of God.
Jesus loved Jerusalem tenderly. His heavenly Father had made it the home of his chosen people, the place of his Temple; and called it the Holy City, the City of God.
How the thought of its total destruction must have grieved his Sacred Heart when he made the fearful prophecy, “For days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God!” (Lk 19:43-4)
Jesus still hoped by this terrible warning to convert the unbelieving Jews. The prophecy was not fulfilled for thirty-eight years, when the Romans, the instruments of God’s vengeance, besieged Jerusalem; and, after reducing it by famine, laid it to waste exactly as Jesus had described.
The destruction of Jerusalem is a figure of the desolation caused by mortal sin in the faithless soul, which loses all its beauty in the eyes of God; becomes a hideous ruin, deprived of all the rights bestowed in holy baptism, of sanctifying grace, peace, and happiness, of all acquired merits, and finally, the reward of heaven.
Oh merciful God may this desolation spare us! Let this thought increase our zeal and fervor.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp739-41
Joy despite troubles and weakness
As we confront our shortcomings, which seemingly increase at almost every turn, the joy that children of God experience sometimes becomes clouded. Yet for a child of God, weaknesses are also a reason to rejoice. They offer an occasion to experience our Father God’s mercy and goodness.
Mothers are thrilled to give their newborns all the care needed, and then some, with no repugnance at the helpless child’s limitations. They teach the young child to talk, to read, and to pray; they would truly suffer if the child were to foolishly try to be independent.
The fact that a toddler needs practically everything spurs his mother’s love and generosity. If they truly love their parents, good children show they need them.
In the spiritual realm however, there is no need for airs: we weaklings are always in need of God, in everything. And he loves us “just as we are”, insisted St Josemaria Escrivá, that is, weak, fragile, barely worth anything.
Thus he wrote: “To know we are made of clay, [the broken pieces] riveted together again, is a continual source of joy. It means acknowledging our littleness in the eyes of God: a little child. Can there be any joy to compare with that of the person who, knowing himself to be poor and weak, knows also he or she is a child of God?” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 108) When we feel our weakest and neediest, we are to revel all the more in our divine filiation.
Our peerless joy born of being and knowing to be a child of God does not rest on our virtues, on the satisfaction of right-doing, but solely on our helplessness.
“Don’t be afraid to know your real self. That’s right, you are made of clay. Don’t be worried. For you and I am children of God ... We are chosen by a divine calling from all eternity: ‘The Father chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him’ (Eph 1:4).” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 160)
Such is our life: struggling to please our Father, giving him joys, like his Son Jesus Christ, in whom he is well pleased. That is the reason for the cheerfulness in the lives of children of God, trying to behave as such.
Joy stems from divine filiation which cannot disappear. Only grave sin weakens our filiation. So long as we consequently struggle, our cheerfulness cannot end.
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 135-6
A happy soul is closer to God
Joy is indispensable to a Christian’s life. A joyful soul has wings to fly towards God. A happy soul is closer to God and is able to undertake works of service for other people.
In contrast, sadness paralyzes one’s desires for sanctity and apostolate. It is a great evil because it clouds our vision. Our Christian joy will be a source of strength in time of trial.
We must bring this joy and peace to everybody God has placed beside us. Our homes should be ‘bright and cheerful’, because Christ is at its head. To be disciples of Christ means we are living those human and supernatural virtues intimately tied to joy: generosity, cordiality, spirit of sacrifice, sympathy, making life pleasant for others, etc.
Our joy should accompany us to where we work, to our colleagues, to people we meet by chance on the street. Many of these people are sad and troubled. We should help them see the joy of living in Christ.
The smiling face of the Lord should shine through our life and works. His perfect peace was shown during his Passion and Death.
Let us turn to Our Mother Mary, ‘Cause of our joy’. She will lead us to the path of true peace and joy should we ever lose our way. We will then understand that the path to joy is the same as the path to God.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:312, 316-7
• Our Lady of Walsingham, in England, greatly honored by Edward I, who, as he was playing one day at chess, rose up instinctively from his seat, and at the same time a large stone became loose in the roof, and fell upon the chair where he had been sitting. From that time he particularly honored Our Lady of Walsingham. — Thomas Walsingham, History of England under Edward I. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Walsingham (England, 1061). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
27 November 2011: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
In 1830, France was in upheaval. Wars were imminent; the common people starving. The Blessed Virgin appeared at least three times in the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris to a humble novice, Sister Catherine Laboure. The first was on July 18:
“That night at eleven-thirty, I heard my name called three times. Upon drawing my bed curtains I beheld a child of four or five years who said to me: ‘Come to the Chapel. The Blessed Virgin awaits you!’ I followed him to the sanctuary. I saw a Lady descend the steps of the altar and seat herself in the chair ... Then I sprang forward, throwing myself on my knees on the steps of the altar. I rested my hands on the knees of the Blessed Virgin. She said to me: ‘My child, I am going to charge you with a mission’. ...”
The second and third apparitions were very similar, the principal manifestations were on November 27. St Catherine describes it:
On the epistle side, over the ‘Virgo Potens’ Altar, Our Lady appeared “standing on a globe, her face beautiful beyond words. Her fingers were covered with precious jewels whose light dazzled me.
And I heard: ‘Behold the symbol of the graces I shed upon those who ask for them’. Then an oval formed around the Blessed Virgin and I read in letters of gold: ‘O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.’
“The vision reversed, and I beheld the letter ‘M’ surmounted by a cross, at the foot of the cross a bar; and below all, the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. A voice said to me: ‘Have a Medal struck after this model. Persons who wear it indulgenced will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.’”
Ecclesiastical authorities after two years of rigid investigation declared the apparitions to be fact. They allowed the Medal to be struck and to be used by the faithful.
The Medal spread like wildfire. Marvels of grace and health, peace and prosperity, followed in its wake. Thus, people began to call it the ‘Miraculous’ Medal.
Ref: The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, PA, USA, “Membership Booklet”, 1952, pp6-10
Our Lady anticipated the Dogma of her Immaculate Conception
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Holy Church in 1854. Four years later, Our Lady, at Lourdes declared she is the Immaculate Conception.
It is not strange that God works miracles using water to cleanse the soul of original sin in Baptism. He uses oil to confer his graces in Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick.
He uses a Medal, not as a sacrament, but as an agent, in causing marvelous results. ‘The weak things of this earth hath God chosen to confound the strong’.
The Medal is truly one of those trifles which are crucial in daily life. A railroad signal, eg, is but a feeble light through a bit of red glass. And yet it can halt the mightiest train and save hundreds of lives.
So we may say the Medal is a signal designed by Mary; approved by God. Upon our breasts it is a signal to Mary that we need her aid.
Mary has promised to recognize that signal always. ‘Persons who wear it indulgenced will receive graces.’ And Mary is every day fulfilling her promise!
The obverse, ‘joyful’, side of the Medal shows Mary in the glory of her Immaculate Conception standing on the globe as Queen-Mother of all mankind. Her feet crush the serpent, to proclaim that Satan and his brood are helpless before her.
From her outstretched hands pour ‘the graces which she sheds on all who ask for them’. About the rim is the invocation she composed: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
The reverse, ‘sorrowful’, side pictures Mary’s suffering. Mary told Sister Catherine, “the ‘M’ and two hearts express enough”.
For the love of men His heart wears a crown of thorns; hers, pierced with a lance. The letter ‘M’ under the cross is for Mary who stood beneath the cross of Christ.
The twelve stars refer to the Apostles or to the vision of St John in which “a great sign appeared in Heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1).
Ref: The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, PA, USA, “Membership Booklet”, 1952, pp6-10
‘An Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal’
“O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to thee under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of thy affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties towards thee. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son. O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.”
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” (3x)
Ref: The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, PA, USA, “Membership Booklet”, 1952, pp6-10
Science and the Mystery of Life
The enlightened copyist who in the 13th century (as evidenced by a document in the Vatican Library) wished to transcribe the Hippocratic Oath by arranging the text in the form of a cross, certainly recognized that rational argumentation on the right to life had value as a preparation for the Christian conception of the human person and sacredness of life: indeed, for full recognition of the mystery of life. Such recognition does not circumscribe the impetus of science, but spurs it on and ennobles it. (cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 70)
Tears formed in her eyes
At Rue du Bac in Paris, St Catherine’s guardian angel led her to the chapel where Our Lady was waiting. As she began to speak, ‘tears formed in her eyes’. She spoke of the sufferings that will come upon the world due to sin. At La Salette (France), 16 years later (1846), she appeared as ‘Queen of the World, weeping’. (J M Haffert, “The Meaning of Akita”, 39)
• Dedication of the town of Lesina, in the campaign of Rome. This town was given to Our Lady in the year 1400 by Margaret, Queen of Poland, and mother of Ladislas. — Bzovius, liv. ix. de Signis Ecclesiae. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Novgorod (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Universally celebrated) Rue du Bac, France 1830. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
“That night at eleven-thirty, I heard my name called three times. Upon drawing my bed curtains I beheld a child of four or five years who said to me: ‘Come to the Chapel. The Blessed Virgin awaits you!’ I followed him to the sanctuary. I saw a Lady descend the steps of the altar and seat herself in the chair ... Then I sprang forward, throwing myself on my knees on the steps of the altar. I rested my hands on the knees of the Blessed Virgin. She said to me: ‘My child, I am going to charge you with a mission’. ...”
The second and third apparitions were very similar, the principal manifestations were on November 27. St Catherine describes it:
On the epistle side, over the ‘Virgo Potens’ Altar, Our Lady appeared “standing on a globe, her face beautiful beyond words. Her fingers were covered with precious jewels whose light dazzled me.
And I heard: ‘Behold the symbol of the graces I shed upon those who ask for them’. Then an oval formed around the Blessed Virgin and I read in letters of gold: ‘O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.’
“The vision reversed, and I beheld the letter ‘M’ surmounted by a cross, at the foot of the cross a bar; and below all, the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns, and the Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. A voice said to me: ‘Have a Medal struck after this model. Persons who wear it indulgenced will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.’”
Ecclesiastical authorities after two years of rigid investigation declared the apparitions to be fact. They allowed the Medal to be struck and to be used by the faithful.
The Medal spread like wildfire. Marvels of grace and health, peace and prosperity, followed in its wake. Thus, people began to call it the ‘Miraculous’ Medal.
Ref: The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, PA, USA, “Membership Booklet”, 1952, pp6-10
Our Lady anticipated the Dogma of her Immaculate Conception
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Holy Church in 1854. Four years later, Our Lady, at Lourdes declared she is the Immaculate Conception.
It is not strange that God works miracles using water to cleanse the soul of original sin in Baptism. He uses oil to confer his graces in Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick.
He uses a Medal, not as a sacrament, but as an agent, in causing marvelous results. ‘The weak things of this earth hath God chosen to confound the strong’.
The Medal is truly one of those trifles which are crucial in daily life. A railroad signal, eg, is but a feeble light through a bit of red glass. And yet it can halt the mightiest train and save hundreds of lives.
So we may say the Medal is a signal designed by Mary; approved by God. Upon our breasts it is a signal to Mary that we need her aid.
Mary has promised to recognize that signal always. ‘Persons who wear it indulgenced will receive graces.’ And Mary is every day fulfilling her promise!
The obverse, ‘joyful’, side of the Medal shows Mary in the glory of her Immaculate Conception standing on the globe as Queen-Mother of all mankind. Her feet crush the serpent, to proclaim that Satan and his brood are helpless before her.
From her outstretched hands pour ‘the graces which she sheds on all who ask for them’. About the rim is the invocation she composed: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
The reverse, ‘sorrowful’, side pictures Mary’s suffering. Mary told Sister Catherine, “the ‘M’ and two hearts express enough”.
For the love of men His heart wears a crown of thorns; hers, pierced with a lance. The letter ‘M’ under the cross is for Mary who stood beneath the cross of Christ.
The twelve stars refer to the Apostles or to the vision of St John in which “a great sign appeared in Heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1).
Ref: The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, PA, USA, “Membership Booklet”, 1952, pp6-10
‘An Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal’
“O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to thee under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of thy affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties towards thee. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son. O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.”
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” (3x)
Ref: The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, Philadelphia, PA, USA, “Membership Booklet”, 1952, pp6-10
Science and the Mystery of Life
The enlightened copyist who in the 13th century (as evidenced by a document in the Vatican Library) wished to transcribe the Hippocratic Oath by arranging the text in the form of a cross, certainly recognized that rational argumentation on the right to life had value as a preparation for the Christian conception of the human person and sacredness of life: indeed, for full recognition of the mystery of life. Such recognition does not circumscribe the impetus of science, but spurs it on and ennobles it. (cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 70)
Tears formed in her eyes
At Rue du Bac in Paris, St Catherine’s guardian angel led her to the chapel where Our Lady was waiting. As she began to speak, ‘tears formed in her eyes’. She spoke of the sufferings that will come upon the world due to sin. At La Salette (France), 16 years later (1846), she appeared as ‘Queen of the World, weeping’. (J M Haffert, “The Meaning of Akita”, 39)
• Dedication of the town of Lesina, in the campaign of Rome. This town was given to Our Lady in the year 1400 by Margaret, Queen of Poland, and mother of Ladislas. — Bzovius, liv. ix. de Signis Ecclesiae. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Novgorod (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Universally celebrated) Rue du Bac, France 1830. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Friday, November 25, 2011
26 November 2011: ‘Nuestra Señora de los Remedios’
Our Lady of Remedies -- Parish church at Malate, Manila. Patroness of mothers who have just given birth. The Augustinans brought this image from Mexico in 1598. (Nicanor G Tiongson, “Filipino Heritage”, 1977, VII:1733)
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
On the day after the feast at Simon’s house, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Near Bethphage and Bethania, in Mount Olivet, He told two of his disciples, “Go into the town; on entering it you will find the colt of an ass tied on which no man ever had sat. Loose him and bring it here. If any man will ask why you loose him say, ‘Because the Lord needs it’.” (cf Mt 21:2; cf Lk 19:30-31; cf Mk 11:3)
What can we admire most? The foresight of Jesus, and his free domain over the goods of his creatures; the prompt obedience of his disciples to an order which seemed rash. Or the eagerness of the inhabitants of Bethany to comply with the request of his messengers.
Let us learn--
1) To abandon ourselves to the providence of God who watches over each one of us, knows all that happens to us, and turn it in his love to our profit;
2) to sincerely offer him health, talents, learning, etc; and
3) not to hesitate when obedience imposes on us apparently difficult duties. In a spirit of faith like the disciples, all problems will disappear fast.
What enthusiasm in the people on our Lord’s entry! What sweetness and majesty united in him. “They took branches of palm in their hands, and spread their garments on the road, and cried, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’” (Lk 19:36; Mt 21:9)
If we are praised for our zeal or charity, repress all hint of vanity. Refer all our success to God alone. Remember that only five days after the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the very same streets re-echoed with the cry of “Crucify him, crucify him!” (Lk 23:21)
The Scribes and Pharisees could not ignore Zachary’s prophecy fulfilled in this triumphal entry, but their pride and jealousy prevailed. They said, “Do you see that we can do nothing? The whole world has gone after him. (Jn 12:19)
Some even told Jesus, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop. He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out’.” (Lk 19:39-40)
How wonderfully were these words realized on Good Friday! For when the terrified disciples stood silent on Calvary, the earthquake bore witness to his divinity. If we are vexed at the success of our colleagues, let us not yield to jealousy. Thank God that good is done, whoever is the instrument.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp737-9
Liberation from Religious Alienation
Is not the fear which upsets modern man also that which, “in its deepest roots, has arisen from ‘the death of God’”?
Not that death on the cross, which became the beginning of the Resurrection and the source of glorification of the Son of God, at the same time the foundation of human hope and the sign of salvation. No, not from that death. But from the death whereby man makes God die in himself, particularly in the course of the last stage of his story, in his thought, in his conscience, in his workings.
This is like the common denominator of many initiatives of human thought and will. Man takes himself and the world away from God, thinking that only in this way will he be able to enter into full possession of the same, become master of the world and his own destiny.
So man “makes God die” in himself and others. Of what use are entire philosophical systems, social, economic and political programs? We live in an epoch of gigantic material progress, which is also the epoch of a negation of God previously unknown. Such is the image of our society.
But why is man afraid? Perhaps exactly because, in consequence of this negation of his, he remains alone in the last analysis, metaphysically alone ... interiorly alone.
Or maybe? Maybe because man, who makes God die, will not find any other decisive restraint against slaying man which is in God. The ultimate reason why man should live, respect and protect the life of man is in God. The ultimate foundation of the value and dignity of man, of the meaning of his life, is the fact that he is God’s image and likeness!
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p101
Serving with joy
Humility ought to characterize our service to God and others. Rectitude of intention is paramount. In the words of Cardinal Luciani, later Pope John Paul I:
“When I am paid a compliment, I must compare myself with the little donkey that carried Christ on Palm Sunday. And I say to myself: If that little creature, hearing the applause of the crowd, had become proud and had begun (jackass that he was) to bow his thanks left and right like a prima donna, how much hilarity he would have aroused! Don’t act the same!” (Albino Luciani, “Illustrisimi”, 1978, p50)
We must help others in a way they do not even notice our intentions, if possible. Our only compensation will then be the loving glance of Christ. Indeed, such is the highest reward ever! This ideal should guide us even in the more unpleasant aspects of daily life.
Such sacrifices make social and family life much more pleasant. We must resolve to really excel in our spirit of service to others, always with a cheerful disposition. This spirit also includes people we may meet only once. This behaviour will make us understand: to “serve is to reign” (Pope John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptor hominis”, 4 March 1979, 21).
Our Lady can teach us how to help others. She gives the best example: “In the middle of the rejoicing at the feast in Cana, only Mary notices that they are short of wine. A soul will notice even the smallest details of service if, like her, it is alive with a passion for helping its neighbor, for God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 631)
In this service, we will be blessed to find Jesus who will tell us: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:271-2
• Our Lady of the Mountains, in Italy, between the Esquiline and Viminal Hills. This image was miraculously found in the year 1500. — Triple Cour., n. 99. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Mountains. Mt. Esquilin, Italy. 1500. Namesake of many U.S. churches. ["...between the Esquiline and Viminal Hills. The image was miraculously found in the year 1500." Triple Couronne, n. 99.] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Mountains. Near Mt. Esquilin, Italy 1500. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem
On the day after the feast at Simon’s house, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Near Bethphage and Bethania, in Mount Olivet, He told two of his disciples, “Go into the town; on entering it you will find the colt of an ass tied on which no man ever had sat. Loose him and bring it here. If any man will ask why you loose him say, ‘Because the Lord needs it’.” (cf Mt 21:2; cf Lk 19:30-31; cf Mk 11:3)
What can we admire most? The foresight of Jesus, and his free domain over the goods of his creatures; the prompt obedience of his disciples to an order which seemed rash. Or the eagerness of the inhabitants of Bethany to comply with the request of his messengers.
Let us learn--
1) To abandon ourselves to the providence of God who watches over each one of us, knows all that happens to us, and turn it in his love to our profit;
2) to sincerely offer him health, talents, learning, etc; and
3) not to hesitate when obedience imposes on us apparently difficult duties. In a spirit of faith like the disciples, all problems will disappear fast.
What enthusiasm in the people on our Lord’s entry! What sweetness and majesty united in him. “They took branches of palm in their hands, and spread their garments on the road, and cried, saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!’” (Lk 19:36; Mt 21:9)
If we are praised for our zeal or charity, repress all hint of vanity. Refer all our success to God alone. Remember that only five days after the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the very same streets re-echoed with the cry of “Crucify him, crucify him!” (Lk 23:21)
The Scribes and Pharisees could not ignore Zachary’s prophecy fulfilled in this triumphal entry, but their pride and jealousy prevailed. They said, “Do you see that we can do nothing? The whole world has gone after him. (Jn 12:19)
Some even told Jesus, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop. He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out’.” (Lk 19:39-40)
How wonderfully were these words realized on Good Friday! For when the terrified disciples stood silent on Calvary, the earthquake bore witness to his divinity. If we are vexed at the success of our colleagues, let us not yield to jealousy. Thank God that good is done, whoever is the instrument.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp737-9
Liberation from Religious Alienation
Is not the fear which upsets modern man also that which, “in its deepest roots, has arisen from ‘the death of God’”?
Not that death on the cross, which became the beginning of the Resurrection and the source of glorification of the Son of God, at the same time the foundation of human hope and the sign of salvation. No, not from that death. But from the death whereby man makes God die in himself, particularly in the course of the last stage of his story, in his thought, in his conscience, in his workings.
This is like the common denominator of many initiatives of human thought and will. Man takes himself and the world away from God, thinking that only in this way will he be able to enter into full possession of the same, become master of the world and his own destiny.
So man “makes God die” in himself and others. Of what use are entire philosophical systems, social, economic and political programs? We live in an epoch of gigantic material progress, which is also the epoch of a negation of God previously unknown. Such is the image of our society.
But why is man afraid? Perhaps exactly because, in consequence of this negation of his, he remains alone in the last analysis, metaphysically alone ... interiorly alone.
Or maybe? Maybe because man, who makes God die, will not find any other decisive restraint against slaying man which is in God. The ultimate reason why man should live, respect and protect the life of man is in God. The ultimate foundation of the value and dignity of man, of the meaning of his life, is the fact that he is God’s image and likeness!
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p101
Serving with joy
Humility ought to characterize our service to God and others. Rectitude of intention is paramount. In the words of Cardinal Luciani, later Pope John Paul I:
“When I am paid a compliment, I must compare myself with the little donkey that carried Christ on Palm Sunday. And I say to myself: If that little creature, hearing the applause of the crowd, had become proud and had begun (jackass that he was) to bow his thanks left and right like a prima donna, how much hilarity he would have aroused! Don’t act the same!” (Albino Luciani, “Illustrisimi”, 1978, p50)
We must help others in a way they do not even notice our intentions, if possible. Our only compensation will then be the loving glance of Christ. Indeed, such is the highest reward ever! This ideal should guide us even in the more unpleasant aspects of daily life.
Such sacrifices make social and family life much more pleasant. We must resolve to really excel in our spirit of service to others, always with a cheerful disposition. This spirit also includes people we may meet only once. This behaviour will make us understand: to “serve is to reign” (Pope John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptor hominis”, 4 March 1979, 21).
Our Lady can teach us how to help others. She gives the best example: “In the middle of the rejoicing at the feast in Cana, only Mary notices that they are short of wine. A soul will notice even the smallest details of service if, like her, it is alive with a passion for helping its neighbor, for God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 631)
In this service, we will be blessed to find Jesus who will tell us: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:271-2
• Our Lady of the Mountains, in Italy, between the Esquiline and Viminal Hills. This image was miraculously found in the year 1500. — Triple Cour., n. 99. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Mountains. Mt. Esquilin, Italy. 1500. Namesake of many U.S. churches. ["...between the Esquiline and Viminal Hills. The image was miraculously found in the year 1500." Triple Couronne, n. 99.] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Mountains. Near Mt. Esquilin, Italy 1500. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
25 November 2011: The supper at Bethany
The conduct of Mary Magdalene, Judas and the Jews
Mary had previously anointed the feet of Jesus, in the house of Simon at Bethany. This time, eight days before the Passion, Lazarus was present.
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (Jn 12:3)
This holy woman lost no opportunity of showing her love and gratitude to Jesus. She had formerly delighted in adorning her hair, and in rich perfumes. Now she sacrifices both in his service.
In imitation of this great penitent let us take every opportunity to show our love and generosity towards our Lord. Let us offer in particular what costs us most to give up, our judgment and liberty.
Let us be “the good odor of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15) diffusing it by our example of regularity, anointing our Lord’s feet by cherishing especially the suffering members of his mystical body.
Judas, far from favoring the holy prodigality of Mary Magdalene, vented his vexation in complaints under the guise of charity. “‘Why was this perfume not sold for three-hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put therein.” (Jn 12:5-6)
We are justly indignant at the behavior of Judas, who has become a thief and hypocrite though one of the twelve. While we admire the unruffled sweetness of Jesus, who, though he knew the hearts of all men, and that of Judas in particular, abstained from a word of reproach, as if, by sparing his reputation before men, he still hoped to win the traitor back.
He merely blamed him indirectly while praising Mary Magdalene. “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you ... Truly, I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” (Mk 14:6-9)
The inhabitants of Jerusalem may fall in four classes:
1) Those having been converted by the resurrection of Lazarus, had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and flocked to Bethany to pay him homage;
2) those who had been drawn there by curiosity;
3) the majority, who remained at home, wholy indifferent about the miracle; and
4) the bitter enemies of Jesus, the chief priests, who “planned to kill Lazarus also, because on account of him, many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus” (Jn 12:10).
The triumphs of the Church are always followed by conversion of the well-disposed, and consolation of the faithful. An increase of hatred in the declared enemies of Christ; and indifference of the greatest number entirely absorbed in pleasure and mere material interests. Let us derive an increase of zeal for the glory of our Lord and conversion of sinners.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp735-7
Personal prayer
Prayer is indispensable for us; if we neglect conversing with God, our spiritual life slowly shrivels up. If you abandon prayer you may at first live on spiritual reserves, and after that, by cheating. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 445)
On the other hand, prayer unites us to God, who tells us, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Let us keep on praying and not lose heart (cf Lk 18:1).
We are to speak with him and draw close to him in all settings of our life: “Without prayer, how difficult it is to accompany him!” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 89)
Jesus teaches us with the example of his life what our attitude is to be: “a filial dialogue with God” (St Theresa of Avila, “Life”, 8, 2). This dialogue should not be interrupted; but must continue amid all our undertakings.
This closeness must be more thorough in the times we reserve for mental prayer: meditating and speaking in his presence, truly knowing that he “hears and sees us”. To go forward on the path to holiness, especially when we are weighed down by our frailty, let us recollect ourselves in prayer, in intimate conversation with our heavenly Father.
Prayer overflows in warmth and strength: an apostolic fire that burns and purifies. “That’s why you go to prayer: to become a blaze, a living flame giving heat and light.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 92)
“Now as you pray, you realize that this is the source that wells up within the true children of God.” (Ibid, “Furrow”, 455)
Ref: Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 121-2
Perseverance in prayer
St Theresa has written: “Mental prayer is nothing else, in my opinion, but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him Who, we know, loves us.” (“Life, 8, 7”)
Prayer gives us strength to sanctify our daily work, to turn contradictions into blessings, to win over all difficulties. We will draw strength if our prayer is authentic.
On making ‘our act of the presence of God’, we have begun the conversation with him. A short prayer made with devotion and attention may help to begin our dialogue.
We should pray: ‘I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me ...’ God sees us. Recognizing this reality is itself prayer without even saying a word.
We may not experience special feelings in our prayer. Never mind! “For the person who makes a serious effort there will, however, be moments in which he seems to be wandering in a desert and, inspite of all his efforts, he ‘feels’ nothing of God. These trials are not spared anyone who takes prayer seriously ...” (SCDF, “Letter on some aspects of Christian meditation”, 15 October 1989, 30)
We may think that our struggle in prayer is futile, while God is immensely happy at our progress. Let us ask Our Lady that she teach us how to deal with her Son. Let us firmly resolve never to neglect our prayer, and simply do our best to overcome distractions in this time of personal conversation with the Lord.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:327-9
• Our Lady of the Rock, in the territory of Fiezoli, in Tuscany. This image is placed in a rock where two shepherds retired to pray: Our Lady ordered them to build a church in this place. — Archangel. Janius, in Annal. PP. Servitarum. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Rock. Fiezoli, Tuscany, Italy. 1028. ["This image is placed in a rock, where two shepherds retired to pray; Our Lady ordered them to build a church in this place. (Archangel. Janius, in Annal. PP. Servitarum.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Rock (near Fiezoli, Tuscany, 1028). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
Mary had previously anointed the feet of Jesus, in the house of Simon at Bethany. This time, eight days before the Passion, Lazarus was present.
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (Jn 12:3)
This holy woman lost no opportunity of showing her love and gratitude to Jesus. She had formerly delighted in adorning her hair, and in rich perfumes. Now she sacrifices both in his service.
In imitation of this great penitent let us take every opportunity to show our love and generosity towards our Lord. Let us offer in particular what costs us most to give up, our judgment and liberty.
Let us be “the good odor of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15) diffusing it by our example of regularity, anointing our Lord’s feet by cherishing especially the suffering members of his mystical body.
Judas, far from favoring the holy prodigality of Mary Magdalene, vented his vexation in complaints under the guise of charity. “‘Why was this perfume not sold for three-hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put therein.” (Jn 12:5-6)
We are justly indignant at the behavior of Judas, who has become a thief and hypocrite though one of the twelve. While we admire the unruffled sweetness of Jesus, who, though he knew the hearts of all men, and that of Judas in particular, abstained from a word of reproach, as if, by sparing his reputation before men, he still hoped to win the traitor back.
He merely blamed him indirectly while praising Mary Magdalene. “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you ... Truly, I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” (Mk 14:6-9)
The inhabitants of Jerusalem may fall in four classes:
1) Those having been converted by the resurrection of Lazarus, had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and flocked to Bethany to pay him homage;
2) those who had been drawn there by curiosity;
3) the majority, who remained at home, wholy indifferent about the miracle; and
4) the bitter enemies of Jesus, the chief priests, who “planned to kill Lazarus also, because on account of him, many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus” (Jn 12:10).
The triumphs of the Church are always followed by conversion of the well-disposed, and consolation of the faithful. An increase of hatred in the declared enemies of Christ; and indifference of the greatest number entirely absorbed in pleasure and mere material interests. Let us derive an increase of zeal for the glory of our Lord and conversion of sinners.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp735-7
Personal prayer
Prayer is indispensable for us; if we neglect conversing with God, our spiritual life slowly shrivels up. If you abandon prayer you may at first live on spiritual reserves, and after that, by cheating. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 445)
On the other hand, prayer unites us to God, who tells us, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Let us keep on praying and not lose heart (cf Lk 18:1).
We are to speak with him and draw close to him in all settings of our life: “Without prayer, how difficult it is to accompany him!” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 89)
Jesus teaches us with the example of his life what our attitude is to be: “a filial dialogue with God” (St Theresa of Avila, “Life”, 8, 2). This dialogue should not be interrupted; but must continue amid all our undertakings.
This closeness must be more thorough in the times we reserve for mental prayer: meditating and speaking in his presence, truly knowing that he “hears and sees us”. To go forward on the path to holiness, especially when we are weighed down by our frailty, let us recollect ourselves in prayer, in intimate conversation with our heavenly Father.
Prayer overflows in warmth and strength: an apostolic fire that burns and purifies. “That’s why you go to prayer: to become a blaze, a living flame giving heat and light.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 92)
“Now as you pray, you realize that this is the source that wells up within the true children of God.” (Ibid, “Furrow”, 455)
Ref: Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 121-2
Perseverance in prayer
St Theresa has written: “Mental prayer is nothing else, in my opinion, but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him Who, we know, loves us.” (“Life, 8, 7”)
Prayer gives us strength to sanctify our daily work, to turn contradictions into blessings, to win over all difficulties. We will draw strength if our prayer is authentic.
On making ‘our act of the presence of God’, we have begun the conversation with him. A short prayer made with devotion and attention may help to begin our dialogue.
We should pray: ‘I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me ...’ God sees us. Recognizing this reality is itself prayer without even saying a word.
We may not experience special feelings in our prayer. Never mind! “For the person who makes a serious effort there will, however, be moments in which he seems to be wandering in a desert and, inspite of all his efforts, he ‘feels’ nothing of God. These trials are not spared anyone who takes prayer seriously ...” (SCDF, “Letter on some aspects of Christian meditation”, 15 October 1989, 30)
We may think that our struggle in prayer is futile, while God is immensely happy at our progress. Let us ask Our Lady that she teach us how to deal with her Son. Let us firmly resolve never to neglect our prayer, and simply do our best to overcome distractions in this time of personal conversation with the Lord.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:327-9
• Our Lady of the Rock, in the territory of Fiezoli, in Tuscany. This image is placed in a rock where two shepherds retired to pray: Our Lady ordered them to build a church in this place. — Archangel. Janius, in Annal. PP. Servitarum. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Rock. Fiezoli, Tuscany, Italy. 1028. ["This image is placed in a rock, where two shepherds retired to pray; Our Lady ordered them to build a church in this place. (Archangel. Janius, in Annal. PP. Servitarum.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Rock (near Fiezoli, Tuscany, 1028). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
24 November 2011: We must pray always
A time of danger and temptation has come for the Apostles. More than ever they needed to strengthen themselves by prayer. Therefore, Jesus told them to pray ‘always’.
In all situations of life we need grace to enable us to fight successfully against temptation, or to fulfil our Christian obligations. “Ask and it shall be given you” (Mt 7:7), is the condition imposed by our Lord himself. Hence, the maxim, ‘All by prayer; nothing without prayer’.
How are we to pray always? It can be done in various ways. One is to be familiar with some ejaculatory prayers or aspirations which, by frequent use springs from the heart to the lips without the least effort.
How happy should we be if we were thus united to God by prayer! And what strength it would give us in time of temptation! It is in our power to obtain it; but only by constant and generous effort.
“We need to pray always and not to lose heart.” (Lk 18:1) The same lesson is taught in the parable of the unjust judge. For a long time a poor oppressed widow appealed to him. Finally, the judge is compelled to do her justice, “because she keeps bothering me ...” (Lk 18:5).
Jesus, after having exhorted us to pray always, deemed essential that he should urge us to continue in prayer, and not to get discouraged. Many first prayed with fervor and confidence, finding their petitions unanswered, have lost heart and abandoned prayer! Had the widow of the parable thus acted, she would have obtained nothing.
We are often discouraged by the thought of our unworthiness, faults, and falls. We should console ourselves by realizing that nothing is more pleasing to God than the prayer of a humble and contrite heart.
That the greater our miseries, the more abundant his mercies. That the promise of our Lord, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you’, proves that it is our prayer and not our merits that draws down on us the favor of heaven. And that oftentimes, if we do not receive what we have asked, we obtain other and more precious graces.
Ref: Cf Practical Meditations by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp733-5
From resolution to action
Let us imagine that one has taken once and for all the resolution of giving himself to God, with a love which sets no barriers or limitations, in all actions and every instant of his life. Very soon he will forget his resolve, go back to his old ways, resume those thoughts, words and actions which are far from being inspired by God’s love.
What is the reason for this? Christ has given it to us in a short sentence which sums up the practical psychology of humanity and all that has been described by novels and dramas of history: “The spirit is willing enough, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt 26:41)
We are unfaithful to what we have resolved, because we constantly allow ourselves to be drawn and led astray by the weakness of the flesh. But Christ has not shown us our malady without telling us its cure: ‘Watch and pray.’
The only way by which we can achieve our resolution of belonging entirely to God; the whole programme of Christian life -- vigilance and prayer. This vigilance is the conscious and willing attention that we pay our thoughts, words and actions, to direct them towards God and make them answer the demands of God’s love.
From the moment we relax our watchfulness, the subconscious workings of our brain and movements of our sensitive nature carry us far from God. Our attitude can never be the result of these physiological and psychological reflexes, but should be what we will it to be.
All our thoughts, actions and words must come under the conscious control of the intelligence and the will. Only in this way will we be masters of ourselves and of our lives. An instant of carelessness turns us into machines directed by blind and hidden forces.
Ref: Jean Daujat, “The Faith Applied”, 1984, pp43-4
The help of the Communion of Saints
Close to Christ in the Tabernacle, or wherever we may be praying, love makes us persevere always especially when nothing seems to be of any use. It is inspiring to know our union with the ‘Ecclesia orans’, the Church praying in all parts of the world. Our voices rise as one cry every moment to God the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit.
“During our time of mental prayer and also throughout the day, we are never alone, although physically we may find ourselves in isolation. In our life we remain always united to the Saints in heaven (Church Triumphant), the souls undergoing purification in purgatory (Church Suffering) and all our brothers and sisters who are still going on with their struggle on earth (Church Militant).
“Therefore, when you find yourself dry in prayer, go on praying and say: My God, I don’t want my voice to be missing from that great chorus of permanent praise to You which will never come to an end.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Historical Records of the Founder”, 20165, p1411)
In daily prayer arises all spiritual progress and a source of continuing joy provided we are determined in the effort to be “alone with the one we know loves us”. (St Theresa, “Life”, 8, 2) Our interior life grows and advances in proportion as our prayer-life develops, increasingly influencing our actions, work, apostolate and spirit of mortification.
Frequent recourse to the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph
No one has ever known how to address our Saviour the way his Mother did. Together with her, we can always go to Saint Joseph who conversed so often with the child, the boy, the young man Jesus while he was working or at rest, traveling on long journeys or going about his business in the streets of Nazareth.
After Mary, Joseph spent the most time close to the Son of God. He will teach us how to talk to Jesus. If we ask him, Saint Joseph will help us to make firm resolutions on how to improve our work, smooth off the rough edges of our character, make us more ready to serve, and be cheerful throughout all our problems.
‘Saint Joseph, pray for them’ (fixing our attention on specific people we wish to pray for). ‘And pray for me.’
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:606-8
• In the year 1535, Our Lady of Montserrat restored the use of speech to a Savoyard who had lost it. — History of Montserrat. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Montserrat, Spain (1535). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
In all situations of life we need grace to enable us to fight successfully against temptation, or to fulfil our Christian obligations. “Ask and it shall be given you” (Mt 7:7), is the condition imposed by our Lord himself. Hence, the maxim, ‘All by prayer; nothing without prayer’.
How are we to pray always? It can be done in various ways. One is to be familiar with some ejaculatory prayers or aspirations which, by frequent use springs from the heart to the lips without the least effort.
How happy should we be if we were thus united to God by prayer! And what strength it would give us in time of temptation! It is in our power to obtain it; but only by constant and generous effort.
“We need to pray always and not to lose heart.” (Lk 18:1) The same lesson is taught in the parable of the unjust judge. For a long time a poor oppressed widow appealed to him. Finally, the judge is compelled to do her justice, “because she keeps bothering me ...” (Lk 18:5).
Jesus, after having exhorted us to pray always, deemed essential that he should urge us to continue in prayer, and not to get discouraged. Many first prayed with fervor and confidence, finding their petitions unanswered, have lost heart and abandoned prayer! Had the widow of the parable thus acted, she would have obtained nothing.
We are often discouraged by the thought of our unworthiness, faults, and falls. We should console ourselves by realizing that nothing is more pleasing to God than the prayer of a humble and contrite heart.
That the greater our miseries, the more abundant his mercies. That the promise of our Lord, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you’, proves that it is our prayer and not our merits that draws down on us the favor of heaven. And that oftentimes, if we do not receive what we have asked, we obtain other and more precious graces.
Ref: Cf Practical Meditations by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp733-5
From resolution to action
Let us imagine that one has taken once and for all the resolution of giving himself to God, with a love which sets no barriers or limitations, in all actions and every instant of his life. Very soon he will forget his resolve, go back to his old ways, resume those thoughts, words and actions which are far from being inspired by God’s love.
What is the reason for this? Christ has given it to us in a short sentence which sums up the practical psychology of humanity and all that has been described by novels and dramas of history: “The spirit is willing enough, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt 26:41)
We are unfaithful to what we have resolved, because we constantly allow ourselves to be drawn and led astray by the weakness of the flesh. But Christ has not shown us our malady without telling us its cure: ‘Watch and pray.’
The only way by which we can achieve our resolution of belonging entirely to God; the whole programme of Christian life -- vigilance and prayer. This vigilance is the conscious and willing attention that we pay our thoughts, words and actions, to direct them towards God and make them answer the demands of God’s love.
From the moment we relax our watchfulness, the subconscious workings of our brain and movements of our sensitive nature carry us far from God. Our attitude can never be the result of these physiological and psychological reflexes, but should be what we will it to be.
All our thoughts, actions and words must come under the conscious control of the intelligence and the will. Only in this way will we be masters of ourselves and of our lives. An instant of carelessness turns us into machines directed by blind and hidden forces.
Ref: Jean Daujat, “The Faith Applied”, 1984, pp43-4
The help of the Communion of Saints
Close to Christ in the Tabernacle, or wherever we may be praying, love makes us persevere always especially when nothing seems to be of any use. It is inspiring to know our union with the ‘Ecclesia orans’, the Church praying in all parts of the world. Our voices rise as one cry every moment to God the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit.
“During our time of mental prayer and also throughout the day, we are never alone, although physically we may find ourselves in isolation. In our life we remain always united to the Saints in heaven (Church Triumphant), the souls undergoing purification in purgatory (Church Suffering) and all our brothers and sisters who are still going on with their struggle on earth (Church Militant).
“Therefore, when you find yourself dry in prayer, go on praying and say: My God, I don’t want my voice to be missing from that great chorus of permanent praise to You which will never come to an end.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Historical Records of the Founder”, 20165, p1411)
In daily prayer arises all spiritual progress and a source of continuing joy provided we are determined in the effort to be “alone with the one we know loves us”. (St Theresa, “Life”, 8, 2) Our interior life grows and advances in proportion as our prayer-life develops, increasingly influencing our actions, work, apostolate and spirit of mortification.
Frequent recourse to the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph
No one has ever known how to address our Saviour the way his Mother did. Together with her, we can always go to Saint Joseph who conversed so often with the child, the boy, the young man Jesus while he was working or at rest, traveling on long journeys or going about his business in the streets of Nazareth.
After Mary, Joseph spent the most time close to the Son of God. He will teach us how to talk to Jesus. If we ask him, Saint Joseph will help us to make firm resolutions on how to improve our work, smooth off the rough edges of our character, make us more ready to serve, and be cheerful throughout all our problems.
‘Saint Joseph, pray for them’ (fixing our attention on specific people we wish to pray for). ‘And pray for me.’
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:606-8
• In the year 1535, Our Lady of Montserrat restored the use of speech to a Savoyard who had lost it. — History of Montserrat. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Montserrat, Spain (1535). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
23 November 2011: Our Lord’s retreat at Ephrem
Jesus stayed at Ephrem with his disciples. We find that he remained there six days. This stay, a fortnight before his Passion, reminds us of the annual retreat prescribed by our norms. That we may profit as we ought by so great a means of grace, let us bear in mind the ends proposed:
1. To sound the depths of our hearts, learn to know ourselves, and see the status of our vocation.
2. To repair what is past by a good confession or a review of the year, accompanied by perfect contrition.
3. To lay down a rule of life for the future, and to renew our fervor, diminished as it is by advance in age.
Our spiritual exercises ought to sustain and increase our fervor in serving God. These valuable means of perfection are apt to weaken by use. The chief end of the retreat is to impart a fresh vigor to our daily practices of piety, and lead us to fulfil them better for the future.
These considerations will serve to show the importance of this retreat, and the danger incurred by those who make it carelessly. Has our conscience nothing to reproach us with on this subject? Means of making the retreat well --
1. Think how reasonable it is that we who have labored for our material welfare during a whole year should at least spend a few days to devote exclusively about our own soul.
2. God has from all eternity attached special graces to this retreat: our perseverance and eternal salvation may depend on it. Perhaps he may even desire that it should serve as our preparation for death.
3. Excite within ourself an earnest desire of making it well, with a lively confidence that God will enable us to gather abundant fruit from it.
4. Pray much: the more wretched we feel about ourself, the greater must be our confidence, joining mortification to prayer, and a special devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Think what a rigorous account God will ask us of this retreat; of how many lost souls, had they received such a grace, could have become saints. Think of our own salvation; and of our neighbors’ salvation which may depend upon how well we make this retreat.
Means of preserving the fruits of the retreat --
1. Write down clearly, before coming out of retreat, what change we must make in any part of our conduct as regards men and God; what habits we should adopt for the future as regards God and men.
2. Make these points the matter of our particular examination of conscience.
3. Make them the topics of our prayers on Sundays.
4. Examine ourself more thoroughly about these points on the day of our annual retreat, and to give an account of them to our spiritual director.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp731-3
Enclosed retreats
When we make serious efforts in daily prayer and frequent aspirations, our life is utterly transformed. But we must be trained to live in this way, and the best transformation is found in enclosed retreats.
These should be made at least once, and if possible, several times a year, depending on how many days they occupy. An enclosed retreat means one day, or preferably a few days, when we withdraw completely from all our business, official or private, to live face to face with God.
If we can manage only one day at a time, several must be taken each year, but it is indispensable to make enclosed retreats lasting several days with comparative frequency throughout our life. In the Encyclical “Mens Nostra”, Pius XI has emphasised the importance of enclosed retreats for the forming of a Christian life.
We must not confuse enclosed retreats we speak of here with what may be called ‘retreats’ in certain parishes, colleges or groups. These consist merely of sermons and pious exercises morning and evening; the rest of the day free for one’s customary duties. Unless all occupations other than prayer are set aside for at least a whole day, there is no ‘retreat’ in the strict sense of the word.
Neither must we confuse enclosed retreats with weeks of study, contact, interchange of viewpoints such as those organised by many Catholic groups. In a retreat the only thing we do is to pray; a period of solitude with God.
It is essential that the rule of ‘silence’ should secure this isolation with him. Consequently, it can allow no conversation, no exchange of views with other retreatants.
If interior life is to grow, long hours of silence before God are needed. The single absolute condition of the true retreat is the silence which alone permits us to devote ourselves exclusively to God.
Ref: Jean Daujat, “The Faith Applied”, 1984, pp53-4
‘To whom much is given, much will be required’
How much has the Lord entrusted to us? How many graces has he conferred on others because of our lives? How many people are depending on our correspondence with grace?
Let us consider if our life is a response to all the good things God has granted us. How many marvels has the Lord worked through us when we have let him?
His greatest works “consist in giving divine life to men through the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus counts on us to help him complete his work. He works through us if we will only let him do so.” (cf Chiara Lubich, “Words which give life”, Madrid, 1990)
We ask Our Lady to help us fulfil the work entrusted to us by her Son -- a vibrant apostolate wherever we are working.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:291, 294-5
St Clement I, Pope and martyr
(+ 97) The third pope after St Peter. He wrote the famous epistle to the Corinthians, commanding them to seek peace and unity. We see in it the providence of God who gives us a clear example of the pope’s universal jurisdiction, even before AD 100. (Memorial. Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1701)
St Columban, abbot
(+ 615) An Irish monk [Memorial. Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1702]; great statesman and preacher. He founded numerous monasteries in Gaul, Switzerland, Italy; and Iona, a little island off the west coast of Scotland. (Tom Peete Cross, ‘et al’, “English Writers”, p5)
• Our Lady of the Vault, near the town of St Anastasia, in the environs of Florence. — Triple Cour., n. 102. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Vault (near Florence, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); Name of a church in Brussels, Belgium. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Teutonic House (Jerusalem). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
1. To sound the depths of our hearts, learn to know ourselves, and see the status of our vocation.
2. To repair what is past by a good confession or a review of the year, accompanied by perfect contrition.
3. To lay down a rule of life for the future, and to renew our fervor, diminished as it is by advance in age.
Our spiritual exercises ought to sustain and increase our fervor in serving God. These valuable means of perfection are apt to weaken by use. The chief end of the retreat is to impart a fresh vigor to our daily practices of piety, and lead us to fulfil them better for the future.
These considerations will serve to show the importance of this retreat, and the danger incurred by those who make it carelessly. Has our conscience nothing to reproach us with on this subject? Means of making the retreat well --
1. Think how reasonable it is that we who have labored for our material welfare during a whole year should at least spend a few days to devote exclusively about our own soul.
2. God has from all eternity attached special graces to this retreat: our perseverance and eternal salvation may depend on it. Perhaps he may even desire that it should serve as our preparation for death.
3. Excite within ourself an earnest desire of making it well, with a lively confidence that God will enable us to gather abundant fruit from it.
4. Pray much: the more wretched we feel about ourself, the greater must be our confidence, joining mortification to prayer, and a special devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Think what a rigorous account God will ask us of this retreat; of how many lost souls, had they received such a grace, could have become saints. Think of our own salvation; and of our neighbors’ salvation which may depend upon how well we make this retreat.
Means of preserving the fruits of the retreat --
1. Write down clearly, before coming out of retreat, what change we must make in any part of our conduct as regards men and God; what habits we should adopt for the future as regards God and men.
2. Make these points the matter of our particular examination of conscience.
3. Make them the topics of our prayers on Sundays.
4. Examine ourself more thoroughly about these points on the day of our annual retreat, and to give an account of them to our spiritual director.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp731-3
Enclosed retreats
When we make serious efforts in daily prayer and frequent aspirations, our life is utterly transformed. But we must be trained to live in this way, and the best transformation is found in enclosed retreats.
These should be made at least once, and if possible, several times a year, depending on how many days they occupy. An enclosed retreat means one day, or preferably a few days, when we withdraw completely from all our business, official or private, to live face to face with God.
If we can manage only one day at a time, several must be taken each year, but it is indispensable to make enclosed retreats lasting several days with comparative frequency throughout our life. In the Encyclical “Mens Nostra”, Pius XI has emphasised the importance of enclosed retreats for the forming of a Christian life.
We must not confuse enclosed retreats we speak of here with what may be called ‘retreats’ in certain parishes, colleges or groups. These consist merely of sermons and pious exercises morning and evening; the rest of the day free for one’s customary duties. Unless all occupations other than prayer are set aside for at least a whole day, there is no ‘retreat’ in the strict sense of the word.
Neither must we confuse enclosed retreats with weeks of study, contact, interchange of viewpoints such as those organised by many Catholic groups. In a retreat the only thing we do is to pray; a period of solitude with God.
It is essential that the rule of ‘silence’ should secure this isolation with him. Consequently, it can allow no conversation, no exchange of views with other retreatants.
If interior life is to grow, long hours of silence before God are needed. The single absolute condition of the true retreat is the silence which alone permits us to devote ourselves exclusively to God.
Ref: Jean Daujat, “The Faith Applied”, 1984, pp53-4
‘To whom much is given, much will be required’
How much has the Lord entrusted to us? How many graces has he conferred on others because of our lives? How many people are depending on our correspondence with grace?
Let us consider if our life is a response to all the good things God has granted us. How many marvels has the Lord worked through us when we have let him?
His greatest works “consist in giving divine life to men through the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus counts on us to help him complete his work. He works through us if we will only let him do so.” (cf Chiara Lubich, “Words which give life”, Madrid, 1990)
We ask Our Lady to help us fulfil the work entrusted to us by her Son -- a vibrant apostolate wherever we are working.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:291, 294-5
St Clement I, Pope and martyr
(+ 97) The third pope after St Peter. He wrote the famous epistle to the Corinthians, commanding them to seek peace and unity. We see in it the providence of God who gives us a clear example of the pope’s universal jurisdiction, even before AD 100. (Memorial. Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1701)
St Columban, abbot
(+ 615) An Irish monk [Memorial. Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1702]; great statesman and preacher. He founded numerous monasteries in Gaul, Switzerland, Italy; and Iona, a little island off the west coast of Scotland. (Tom Peete Cross, ‘et al’, “English Writers”, p5)
• Our Lady of the Vault, near the town of St Anastasia, in the environs of Florence. — Triple Cour., n. 102. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Vault (near Florence, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); Name of a church in Brussels, Belgium. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Teutonic House (Jerusalem). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
Monday, November 21, 2011
22 November 2011: Our Lady of La Vang (1798)
Refers to a claimed Marian apparition at a time when Catholics were persecuted and killed in Vietnam. Many people sought refuge in the rain forest of La Vang, and many became very ill.
They were praying when a lady appeared, wearing the traditional Vietnamese ‘áo dài’ dress and holding a child in her arms, with two angels beside her. The people present interpreted the vision as the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus Christ.
They said that Our Lady comforted them and told them to boil leaves from the trees for medicine to cure the ill. [The name La Vang is derived from a type of fern which used to grow in great quantities in the region.]
In 1961, the Catholic bishops of Vietnam selected the Church of La Vang as the National Sacred Marian Centre. In 1962, Pope John XXIII declared the Church the Basilica of La Vang.
Although there is no official Vatican recognition of this event as a Marian apparition, on June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II publicly recognized the importance of Our Lady of La Vang and expressed desire to rebuild the La Vang Basilica in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the first vision. (Our Lady of La Salette and Saint Joseph Church)
Ref: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chief Priests and Rulers conspire against Jesus
“Many of the Jews who had come with Martha and Mary had seen the resurrection of Lazarus, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. The chief priests and Pharisees called a council meeting and said, ‘What are we to do? This Man is performing many signs. If we let him alone, everyone will believe in him ...’” (Jn 11:45-8)
Here are clear proofs of the jealousy and hatred the chief priests and Pharisees bore our Lord, both because he rebuked their pride and hypocrisy. Passion blinded them, and led to putting to death one who had come to save them.
Passion is ever ashamed to come out openly and hides under spurious pretexts. Thus the chief priests and the Pharisees reasoned, “If we let him alone, ... the Romans will come and take away our place and nation” (Jn 11:48).
How many members of the Church, distinguished by their learning and talents, have been similarly deceived? May their example make us fear for ourselves.
We still see men, notable among their peers as these Scribes and Pharisees, who conspire against Jesus and his Church. Their passions make them persecutors of all that is holy; but would pretend to be influenced only by the good of humanity and succeed in inducing many to join them.
The hostility of the priests and Pharisees comes out openly. “But one of them, Caiphas, the high priest that year, told them, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed’.
He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death.
“Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went to a town called Ephrem.” (cf Jn 11:49:54)
The prophetic words of Caiphas show us that in the supernatural order the power of the priest is derived from his office, and not from his personal character. This is our security in the reception of the Sacraments.
By his flight, our Lord teaches us also that to hide from persecution is not cowardice, and that a contrary act would oftentimes be rashness.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp729-31
Work as Sharing in Christ’s Cross and Resurrection
There is yet another aspect of human labor, an essential dimension, where spirituality founded on the Gospel enters deeply. Every kind of work, manual or mental, is inevitably linked with effort and fatigue.
In a certain sense, the Gospel has its last word to say on this matter as well, in the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ. It is necessary to seek there the answers to these problems which are so important for the spirituality of human labor.
‘The paschal mystery contains the cross of Christ’, his obedience unto death, which the Apostle contrasts with that disobedience which weighed upon man’s history on earth from the beginning. Contained in it also is ‘the elevation of Christ’: through the death on the cross, he returns to his disciples with the power of the Spirit in the resurrection.
The Christian finds a little bit of the cross of Christ in human work, and accepts it in the same spirit of redemption in which Christ accepted his cross for our sake. Thanks to the light entering us from the resurrection of Christ, we always find ‘a gleam of new life’, of new good, in labor, by way of announcement of “a new heaven and a new earth”, which are really shared by man and the world through the effort of work.
Through effort and fatigue, never without it. On the one hand, this confirms the indispensability of the cross in the spirituality of human labor; on the other hand, it discovers a new good in this cross and in effort, a new good arising from labor itself ....
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp392-3
Understanding the horror of sin
Nowadays many have lost, or are losing, their sense of sin; and thus, their sense of God. Unnatural behaviour contrary to divine law is treated as normal in movies, on television, in media. Some people may deplore the sad consequences but not relative to the Creator.
‘Lifestyles’ publicized to attract public curiosity devoid of any attempt to treat the subject on a moral plane. Many members of the Church, distinguished by their learning and talents, have been deceived!
May their example make us fear for ourselves. Marital infidelity, defamation, divorce, living-in, lying, same-sex marriages, cheating, etc described in lurid detail, but not called by their name.
Totally forgotten is what it means to God who gives true meaning to everything human. Some people tend to judge according to so-called principles which omit God, as if He never existed or has no role in our lives.
A paganized environment has reverted to the world of the first Christians which they transformed. We must similarly transform our society.
We will feel the weight of our sins if seen as offences against God. Sin separates us from God, making our soul incapable of listening to the Holy Spirit.
We may even reach that point St Augustine described: “There are those who have committed certain kinds of sins, sins without human victims, which they say are no sins at all.” (“Sermon 278”, 7)
Let us ask Our Mother Mary, so docile to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, to teach us to develop a delicate and discriminating conscience. We must promptly and vigorously avoid even the least deliberate venial sin.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:259-61
Eternity -- “Even in our times, despite those who deny God, earth is very close to Heaven.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 992)
St Cecilia, virgin and martyr
Patroness of music. (Memorial. Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1700) Considered inventor of the organ, called vocal frame, by which she expanded the former narrow bounds of musical instruments and added length to solemn sounds. (Tom Peete Cross, ‘et al’, “English Writers”, p62)
• Institution of the Confraternity of the Presentation of Our Lady, at St Omer’s, in the year 1481. — Adalardus Tassart, in Chrou., ad ann. 1481. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Institution of the Confraternity of the Presentation of Our Lady by St. Omer 1481. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Lavang, Viet Nam (1798). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Peace (Queen of El Salvador). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
They were praying when a lady appeared, wearing the traditional Vietnamese ‘áo dài’ dress and holding a child in her arms, with two angels beside her. The people present interpreted the vision as the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus Christ.
They said that Our Lady comforted them and told them to boil leaves from the trees for medicine to cure the ill. [The name La Vang is derived from a type of fern which used to grow in great quantities in the region.]
In 1961, the Catholic bishops of Vietnam selected the Church of La Vang as the National Sacred Marian Centre. In 1962, Pope John XXIII declared the Church the Basilica of La Vang.
Although there is no official Vatican recognition of this event as a Marian apparition, on June 19, 1988, Pope John Paul II publicly recognized the importance of Our Lady of La Vang and expressed desire to rebuild the La Vang Basilica in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the first vision. (Our Lady of La Salette and Saint Joseph Church)
Ref: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chief Priests and Rulers conspire against Jesus
“Many of the Jews who had come with Martha and Mary had seen the resurrection of Lazarus, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. The chief priests and Pharisees called a council meeting and said, ‘What are we to do? This Man is performing many signs. If we let him alone, everyone will believe in him ...’” (Jn 11:45-8)
Here are clear proofs of the jealousy and hatred the chief priests and Pharisees bore our Lord, both because he rebuked their pride and hypocrisy. Passion blinded them, and led to putting to death one who had come to save them.
Passion is ever ashamed to come out openly and hides under spurious pretexts. Thus the chief priests and the Pharisees reasoned, “If we let him alone, ... the Romans will come and take away our place and nation” (Jn 11:48).
How many members of the Church, distinguished by their learning and talents, have been similarly deceived? May their example make us fear for ourselves.
We still see men, notable among their peers as these Scribes and Pharisees, who conspire against Jesus and his Church. Their passions make them persecutors of all that is holy; but would pretend to be influenced only by the good of humanity and succeed in inducing many to join them.
The hostility of the priests and Pharisees comes out openly. “But one of them, Caiphas, the high priest that year, told them, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed’.
He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death.
“Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went to a town called Ephrem.” (cf Jn 11:49:54)
The prophetic words of Caiphas show us that in the supernatural order the power of the priest is derived from his office, and not from his personal character. This is our security in the reception of the Sacraments.
By his flight, our Lord teaches us also that to hide from persecution is not cowardice, and that a contrary act would oftentimes be rashness.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp729-31
Work as Sharing in Christ’s Cross and Resurrection
There is yet another aspect of human labor, an essential dimension, where spirituality founded on the Gospel enters deeply. Every kind of work, manual or mental, is inevitably linked with effort and fatigue.
In a certain sense, the Gospel has its last word to say on this matter as well, in the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ. It is necessary to seek there the answers to these problems which are so important for the spirituality of human labor.
‘The paschal mystery contains the cross of Christ’, his obedience unto death, which the Apostle contrasts with that disobedience which weighed upon man’s history on earth from the beginning. Contained in it also is ‘the elevation of Christ’: through the death on the cross, he returns to his disciples with the power of the Spirit in the resurrection.
The Christian finds a little bit of the cross of Christ in human work, and accepts it in the same spirit of redemption in which Christ accepted his cross for our sake. Thanks to the light entering us from the resurrection of Christ, we always find ‘a gleam of new life’, of new good, in labor, by way of announcement of “a new heaven and a new earth”, which are really shared by man and the world through the effort of work.
Through effort and fatigue, never without it. On the one hand, this confirms the indispensability of the cross in the spirituality of human labor; on the other hand, it discovers a new good in this cross and in effort, a new good arising from labor itself ....
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp392-3
Understanding the horror of sin
Nowadays many have lost, or are losing, their sense of sin; and thus, their sense of God. Unnatural behaviour contrary to divine law is treated as normal in movies, on television, in media. Some people may deplore the sad consequences but not relative to the Creator.
‘Lifestyles’ publicized to attract public curiosity devoid of any attempt to treat the subject on a moral plane. Many members of the Church, distinguished by their learning and talents, have been deceived!
May their example make us fear for ourselves. Marital infidelity, defamation, divorce, living-in, lying, same-sex marriages, cheating, etc described in lurid detail, but not called by their name.
Totally forgotten is what it means to God who gives true meaning to everything human. Some people tend to judge according to so-called principles which omit God, as if He never existed or has no role in our lives.
A paganized environment has reverted to the world of the first Christians which they transformed. We must similarly transform our society.
We will feel the weight of our sins if seen as offences against God. Sin separates us from God, making our soul incapable of listening to the Holy Spirit.
We may even reach that point St Augustine described: “There are those who have committed certain kinds of sins, sins without human victims, which they say are no sins at all.” (“Sermon 278”, 7)
Let us ask Our Mother Mary, so docile to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, to teach us to develop a delicate and discriminating conscience. We must promptly and vigorously avoid even the least deliberate venial sin.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:259-61
Eternity -- “Even in our times, despite those who deny God, earth is very close to Heaven.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 992)
St Cecilia, virgin and martyr
Patroness of music. (Memorial. Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1700) Considered inventor of the organ, called vocal frame, by which she expanded the former narrow bounds of musical instruments and added length to solemn sounds. (Tom Peete Cross, ‘et al’, “English Writers”, p62)
• Institution of the Confraternity of the Presentation of Our Lady, at St Omer’s, in the year 1481. — Adalardus Tassart, in Chrou., ad ann. 1481. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Institution of the Confraternity of the Presentation of Our Lady by St. Omer 1481. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Lavang, Viet Nam (1798). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Peace (Queen of El Salvador). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
21 November 2011: Solemnity -- The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Early tradition is that as a small child, Mary’s parents presented her to the Lord in the Temple. This celebration expresses the total dedication of Mary to God’s service and her obedience to God’s plans. We, too, are called to serve God joyfully without seeking any human glory. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1699)
The significance of the feast
We learn of Our Lady’s life when the Archangel appears to her to announce that she has been chosen by God to become the Mother of the Eternal Son. Up to that decisive moment, Mary’s life must have been truly unique, however, since she was full of grace from the first instant of her Immaculate Conception.
Throughout her life God watched over Mary with a singular predilection. At the same time Our Lady was a normal child in her neighborhood. She was always the delight of her contemporaries in an ordinary town. The crucial events of her life happen in the intimacy of her soul, in the continual dialogue with God the Father.
Today’s feast has its origin in ancient tradition. But the essential basis is firm: the personal oblation that the Blessed Mother made to the Lord during her early youth. She was moved by the Holy Spirit to consecrate her life to God. (Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation, “Marialis cultus”, 2 February 1974, 8)
We celebrate the complete surrender the Blessed Virgin makes to God’s plans for salvation of mankind. In the light of her total commitment, which implies the state of virginity, Our Lady will later say to the Archangel Gabriel: “I know not man.” (Lk 1:34) Thus, she tactfully reveals an entire history of fidelity to God that takes place deep within her soul.
Mary personifies the fulfilment of the New Testament affirmation of virginity’s superiority of state over marriage. Its higher vocation in no way lessens the sanctity of marriage which Christ himself raised to the dignity of a sacrament. (Second Vatican Council, “Gaudium et spes”, 48)
Let us ask Our Lady’s help in living our own dedication to the full, in whatever state God has placed us, in accord with the specific vocation we have received from the Lord. “Talk with Our Lady and tell her trustingly, ‘O Mary, in order to live the ideal which God has set in my heart I need to fly very high -- ever so high ...’” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 994)
Our Lady was moved by a special grace of the Holy Spirit to commit her entire life to God. Perhaps she made the decision just as she reached the age of reason. Maybe she never made a formal commitment to God, but was simply accustomed to living her dedication in a natural way.
St Alphonsus Liguori affirms: “The child Mary is well aware that complete oblations alone are acceptable to God”. In line “with the divine precept, hearts that are divided do not please him: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and with your whole strength (Deut 6:5).’ From the beginning of her life, the Blessed Mother strives to love God with all her strength ... entirely given over to his service.” (“The Glories of Mary”, II, 3)
Every advance in our union with God necessarily entails more frequent recourse to the Holy Spirit, the Divine Guest of our soul. Our Lady’s docility to the Holy Spirit, as we have seen, grows throughout her life.
St Josemaria Escrivá composed this prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my understanding to know your commandments. Strengthen my heart against the snares of the enemy. Inflame my will ... I hear your voice and do not want to harden my heart and resist saying: “Later ... tomorrow. ... Now I begin!” Now, since tomorrow may never come.
“Oh Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, Spirit of Understanding and Counsel, Spirit of Joy and Peace, I fully accept whatever you desire for me, in the way and at the time that you do, simply because you so want it.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Postulation Articles for his Beatification and Canonization, Historical Records of the Founder”, 20172, 145)
Let us ask Our Lady today that there may be many who, as our Mother Mary did from the time of her youth, follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and give their lives entirely over to the Lord’s service.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:254-60
‘True devotion to Mary’
St Louis Marie de Montfort, a great lover of Mary, wrote a treatise entitled, “The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary”. He gives a full explanation of the great secret of achieving union with Christ and a tender devotion to Mary. This devotion is founded on her role in the economy of salvation as mother and queen.
Pope Pius XII in canonizing him on 20 July 1947 declared his doctrine ‘burning, solid and correct’. Underneath are a few sayings of this great Marian writer:
“God gathered together all the waters of earth and called them seas. He gathered together all the graces of heaven and called them Mary.”
“No one can acquire an intimate union with Jesus and a perfect fidelity to the Holy Spirit without being greatly united to Mary.”
“A lover of Mary must be pious. Mary lived in continual prayer; her devotee must pray ... continually.”
“Mary is so powerful against the devil; he fears a single breath of hers more than all the prayers of the Saints.”
“The Holy Spirit, upon entering a soul and finding there Mary, His beloved Spouse, communicates His life to that soul and fills it with gifts.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p19
The Catholic Church
“The Church is Christ continued in time. We may not break away from her, just as a bough wishing to burst into new flower in the springtime may not separate itself from the tree and the root whence it draws its life. This is one of the capital points of the contemporary history of Christianity. It is a decisive point. It is a question of either belonging faithfully and fruitfully to the Church’s authentic and authoritative tradition, or of cutting oneself off from it mortally.” (Pope Paul VI, 20 August 1970. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1484)
• Presentation of Our Lady. This feast was instituted in the Greek Church more than nine-hundred years ago, since St Germanus, who held the see of Constantinople in the year 715, composed a sermon upon it. — Baronius, Notes to the Martyrology. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Presentation of Mary in the Temple. ["This feast was instituted in the Greek Church more than nine hundred years ago, since St. Germanus, who held the see of Constantinople in the year 715, composed a sermon on it. (Baronius, Notes to the Martyrology.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Presentation of Mary at the Temple (celebrated since 543; universally since 1585). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (13 B.C.) (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Good Health. Basilica in Venice, Italy built to celebrate the end of a plague in 1631/1630. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Peace. Rome. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Quinche (Queen of Ecuador). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Proclamation of Mary "Mother of the Church" by Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council (1964). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
The significance of the feast
We learn of Our Lady’s life when the Archangel appears to her to announce that she has been chosen by God to become the Mother of the Eternal Son. Up to that decisive moment, Mary’s life must have been truly unique, however, since she was full of grace from the first instant of her Immaculate Conception.
Throughout her life God watched over Mary with a singular predilection. At the same time Our Lady was a normal child in her neighborhood. She was always the delight of her contemporaries in an ordinary town. The crucial events of her life happen in the intimacy of her soul, in the continual dialogue with God the Father.
Today’s feast has its origin in ancient tradition. But the essential basis is firm: the personal oblation that the Blessed Mother made to the Lord during her early youth. She was moved by the Holy Spirit to consecrate her life to God. (Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation, “Marialis cultus”, 2 February 1974, 8)
We celebrate the complete surrender the Blessed Virgin makes to God’s plans for salvation of mankind. In the light of her total commitment, which implies the state of virginity, Our Lady will later say to the Archangel Gabriel: “I know not man.” (Lk 1:34) Thus, she tactfully reveals an entire history of fidelity to God that takes place deep within her soul.
Mary personifies the fulfilment of the New Testament affirmation of virginity’s superiority of state over marriage. Its higher vocation in no way lessens the sanctity of marriage which Christ himself raised to the dignity of a sacrament. (Second Vatican Council, “Gaudium et spes”, 48)
Let us ask Our Lady’s help in living our own dedication to the full, in whatever state God has placed us, in accord with the specific vocation we have received from the Lord. “Talk with Our Lady and tell her trustingly, ‘O Mary, in order to live the ideal which God has set in my heart I need to fly very high -- ever so high ...’” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 994)
Our Lady was moved by a special grace of the Holy Spirit to commit her entire life to God. Perhaps she made the decision just as she reached the age of reason. Maybe she never made a formal commitment to God, but was simply accustomed to living her dedication in a natural way.
St Alphonsus Liguori affirms: “The child Mary is well aware that complete oblations alone are acceptable to God”. In line “with the divine precept, hearts that are divided do not please him: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, and with your whole strength (Deut 6:5).’ From the beginning of her life, the Blessed Mother strives to love God with all her strength ... entirely given over to his service.” (“The Glories of Mary”, II, 3)
Every advance in our union with God necessarily entails more frequent recourse to the Holy Spirit, the Divine Guest of our soul. Our Lady’s docility to the Holy Spirit, as we have seen, grows throughout her life.
St Josemaria Escrivá composed this prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten my understanding to know your commandments. Strengthen my heart against the snares of the enemy. Inflame my will ... I hear your voice and do not want to harden my heart and resist saying: “Later ... tomorrow. ... Now I begin!” Now, since tomorrow may never come.
“Oh Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, Spirit of Understanding and Counsel, Spirit of Joy and Peace, I fully accept whatever you desire for me, in the way and at the time that you do, simply because you so want it.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Postulation Articles for his Beatification and Canonization, Historical Records of the Founder”, 20172, 145)
Let us ask Our Lady today that there may be many who, as our Mother Mary did from the time of her youth, follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and give their lives entirely over to the Lord’s service.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:254-60
‘True devotion to Mary’
St Louis Marie de Montfort, a great lover of Mary, wrote a treatise entitled, “The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary”. He gives a full explanation of the great secret of achieving union with Christ and a tender devotion to Mary. This devotion is founded on her role in the economy of salvation as mother and queen.
Pope Pius XII in canonizing him on 20 July 1947 declared his doctrine ‘burning, solid and correct’. Underneath are a few sayings of this great Marian writer:
“God gathered together all the waters of earth and called them seas. He gathered together all the graces of heaven and called them Mary.”
“No one can acquire an intimate union with Jesus and a perfect fidelity to the Holy Spirit without being greatly united to Mary.”
“A lover of Mary must be pious. Mary lived in continual prayer; her devotee must pray ... continually.”
“Mary is so powerful against the devil; he fears a single breath of hers more than all the prayers of the Saints.”
“The Holy Spirit, upon entering a soul and finding there Mary, His beloved Spouse, communicates His life to that soul and fills it with gifts.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p19
The Catholic Church
“The Church is Christ continued in time. We may not break away from her, just as a bough wishing to burst into new flower in the springtime may not separate itself from the tree and the root whence it draws its life. This is one of the capital points of the contemporary history of Christianity. It is a decisive point. It is a question of either belonging faithfully and fruitfully to the Church’s authentic and authoritative tradition, or of cutting oneself off from it mortally.” (Pope Paul VI, 20 August 1970. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1484)
• Presentation of Our Lady. This feast was instituted in the Greek Church more than nine-hundred years ago, since St Germanus, who held the see of Constantinople in the year 715, composed a sermon upon it. — Baronius, Notes to the Martyrology. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Presentation of Mary in the Temple. ["This feast was instituted in the Greek Church more than nine hundred years ago, since St. Germanus, who held the see of Constantinople in the year 715, composed a sermon on it. (Baronius, Notes to the Martyrology.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Presentation of Mary at the Temple (celebrated since 543; universally since 1585). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (13 B.C.) (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Good Health. Basilica in Venice, Italy built to celebrate the end of a plague in 1631/1630. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Peace. Rome. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Quinche (Queen of Ecuador). (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Proclamation of Mary "Mother of the Church" by Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council (1964). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
20 November 2011: Solemnity of Christ the King
Last Sunday in Ordinary time (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1421)
“The Ruler of kings on earth” (Rev 1:5)
“The Lord will reign forever and will give his people the gift of peace.” (Ps 28:10-11)
This Solemnity is “... the synthesis of the entire salvific mystery” (cf John Paul II, “Address”, 20 November 1983). This feast brings the liturgical year to a close. Over the past months we have celebrated the mysteries of the life of the Lord. Now we contemplate Christ in his glorified state as King of all Creation and of our souls.
The feasts of the Epiphany, Easter and the Ascension also relate to Christ as King and Lord of the Universe, but the Church has wanted to have this feast as a special remembrance to modern man, who seems somewhat indifferent to his supernatural destiny. (cf Pius XI, Encyclical, “Quas primas”, 11 December 1925)
The texts for today’s Mass emphasize the love of Christ the King. He did not come to establish his kingdom by force. His ‘weapons’ are goodness and a shepherd’s solicitude: “I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out: As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (Ez 34:11-2)
The Lord tends to his lost sheep, men and women who have gone astray through sin. He heals their wounds and goes so far as to die for his sheep.
“As King, he came to reveal God’s love, to be the Mediator of the new Covenant, the Redeemer of mankind. The kingdom which Jesus initiated works in its interior dynamism as ‘leaven’ and a ‘sign of salvation’ to build a more just, more fraternal world, one with more solidarity, inspired by the evangelic values of hope and of the future happiness to which all are called.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 26 November 1989)
This is what the Kingdom of Christ is all about. Each one of us is called to participate in this kingdom and expand it through our apostolate. The Lord must be present in our families, among our friends, neighbors and colleagues at work.
“... Against those who reduce religion to a set of negative statements, or are happy to settle for a watered-down Catholicism; against those who wish to see the Lord with his face against the wall, or to put him in a corner of their souls, we have to affirm, with our words and ... deeds, that we aspire to make Christ the King reign indeed over all hearts, theirs included.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 608)
St Paul teaches us that while Christ’s Kingdom is achieved in time and space, it will attain its definitive fulness at the Last Judgment. He depicts this epochal event as a rite of homage to the Father: Christ will present all Creation to him as an offering. Then all things will be subjected to his rule. (cf 1 Cor 15:23-8) His Second Coming will establish “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1-2). He will, therefore, vanquish the devil, sin, pain and death. (cf “The Navarre Bible”, note to 1 Cor 15:23-8)
Christ is a King who has been given all power in Heaven and on earth, but governs like one “gentle and lowly of heart” (cf Mt 11:29). His rule is “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (cf Mt 20:28). His throne was a manger in Bethlehem and then a cross on Calvary. “... the Ruler of kings on earth” (Rev 1:5) whose tribute is our faith and love.
The first person formally to recognize Christ as king was a condemned criminal. He captured the Lord’s Heart with that humble request: “Jesus, remember me when you come to your kingly power” (Lk 23:42). This man was able to grasp the real meaning of Christ’s kingship although it was the object of merciless ridicule from the clamoring throng. His faith deepened as Christ’s divinity became increasingly obscured.
Jesus speaks to us on the occasion of this solemn feast: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11) Let us ask his blessing on our efforts to extend his kingdom through our apostolate of friendship and confidence.
“This is the calling of Christians, ... our apostolic task, the desire which should consume our soul: to make this kingdom of Christ a reality, to eliminate hatred and cruelty, to spread throughout the earth the strong and soothing balm of love.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 183)
If we are to turn these ideals into reality we must go again to Our Lady. “Mary, the holy Mother of our king, the queen of our heart, looks after us as only she knows how. Mother of Mercy, throne of grace: we ask you to help us compose, verse by verse, the simple poem of charity in our own life and the lives of the people around us; ... ‘like a river of peace’ (Isaiah 66:12). For you are a sea of inexhaustible mercy.” [‘All streams run to the sea, but the sea is never full.’ (Eccles 1:7) (St Josemaria Escrivà, “Christ is passing by”, 187)]
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:526-31
Truth, the Power of Peace
First among the ethical imperatives that must preside over the relations among nations and peoples is ‘truth’ ... I am confident the governments and the nations ... will, as they have so admirably done in the past, associate themselves once again with this lofty aim: to instill truth into all relationships, be they political or economic, bilateral or multinational. Bringing truth into all relations is to work for peace, for it will make it possible to apply to the problems of the world solutions that are in conformity with reason and with justice -- in a word, with the truth about man.
And this brings me to the second point I would like to make. If it is to be true and lasting, peace must be truly human. The desire for peace is universal. It is embedded in the hearts of all human beings and it cannot be achieved unless the human person is placed at the center of every effort to bring about unity and brotherhood among nations.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p404
• Our Lady of ‘La Gardia’, near Bologna, in Italy. This picture was in the Church of Santa Sophia at Constantinople with this inscription: “This picture, painted by St Luke, must be taken to the mountain of ‘La Gardia’ and placed over the altar of the church.” A Greek monk set out for Italy about the year 433, with the picture entrusted to him, and deposited it on the mountain, of ‘La Gardia’. — Bzovius, ad ann. 1433, n. 379. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• “Madonna della Guardia” (also known as “La Gardia”). Bologna, Italy. 433. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Guard (near Bologna, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of “La Guarde”, Bologna, Italy (433). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Nuestra Señora de la Regla” (Our Lady of the Rule). Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines (“The 2002 Catholic Directory of the Philippines”, p57)
• Our Lady of Remedies. Malate, Manila, PHL. Moveable feast -- Third Sunday in November. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Cardinal Spellman Consecrates the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (1959). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
“The Ruler of kings on earth” (Rev 1:5)
“The Lord will reign forever and will give his people the gift of peace.” (Ps 28:10-11)
This Solemnity is “... the synthesis of the entire salvific mystery” (cf John Paul II, “Address”, 20 November 1983). This feast brings the liturgical year to a close. Over the past months we have celebrated the mysteries of the life of the Lord. Now we contemplate Christ in his glorified state as King of all Creation and of our souls.
The feasts of the Epiphany, Easter and the Ascension also relate to Christ as King and Lord of the Universe, but the Church has wanted to have this feast as a special remembrance to modern man, who seems somewhat indifferent to his supernatural destiny. (cf Pius XI, Encyclical, “Quas primas”, 11 December 1925)
The texts for today’s Mass emphasize the love of Christ the King. He did not come to establish his kingdom by force. His ‘weapons’ are goodness and a shepherd’s solicitude: “I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out: As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (Ez 34:11-2)
The Lord tends to his lost sheep, men and women who have gone astray through sin. He heals their wounds and goes so far as to die for his sheep.
“As King, he came to reveal God’s love, to be the Mediator of the new Covenant, the Redeemer of mankind. The kingdom which Jesus initiated works in its interior dynamism as ‘leaven’ and a ‘sign of salvation’ to build a more just, more fraternal world, one with more solidarity, inspired by the evangelic values of hope and of the future happiness to which all are called.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 26 November 1989)
This is what the Kingdom of Christ is all about. Each one of us is called to participate in this kingdom and expand it through our apostolate. The Lord must be present in our families, among our friends, neighbors and colleagues at work.
“... Against those who reduce religion to a set of negative statements, or are happy to settle for a watered-down Catholicism; against those who wish to see the Lord with his face against the wall, or to put him in a corner of their souls, we have to affirm, with our words and ... deeds, that we aspire to make Christ the King reign indeed over all hearts, theirs included.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 608)
St Paul teaches us that while Christ’s Kingdom is achieved in time and space, it will attain its definitive fulness at the Last Judgment. He depicts this epochal event as a rite of homage to the Father: Christ will present all Creation to him as an offering. Then all things will be subjected to his rule. (cf 1 Cor 15:23-8) His Second Coming will establish “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1-2). He will, therefore, vanquish the devil, sin, pain and death. (cf “The Navarre Bible”, note to 1 Cor 15:23-8)
Christ is a King who has been given all power in Heaven and on earth, but governs like one “gentle and lowly of heart” (cf Mt 11:29). His rule is “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (cf Mt 20:28). His throne was a manger in Bethlehem and then a cross on Calvary. “... the Ruler of kings on earth” (Rev 1:5) whose tribute is our faith and love.
The first person formally to recognize Christ as king was a condemned criminal. He captured the Lord’s Heart with that humble request: “Jesus, remember me when you come to your kingly power” (Lk 23:42). This man was able to grasp the real meaning of Christ’s kingship although it was the object of merciless ridicule from the clamoring throng. His faith deepened as Christ’s divinity became increasingly obscured.
Jesus speaks to us on the occasion of this solemn feast: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11) Let us ask his blessing on our efforts to extend his kingdom through our apostolate of friendship and confidence.
“This is the calling of Christians, ... our apostolic task, the desire which should consume our soul: to make this kingdom of Christ a reality, to eliminate hatred and cruelty, to spread throughout the earth the strong and soothing balm of love.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 183)
If we are to turn these ideals into reality we must go again to Our Lady. “Mary, the holy Mother of our king, the queen of our heart, looks after us as only she knows how. Mother of Mercy, throne of grace: we ask you to help us compose, verse by verse, the simple poem of charity in our own life and the lives of the people around us; ... ‘like a river of peace’ (Isaiah 66:12). For you are a sea of inexhaustible mercy.” [‘All streams run to the sea, but the sea is never full.’ (Eccles 1:7) (St Josemaria Escrivà, “Christ is passing by”, 187)]
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:526-31
Truth, the Power of Peace
First among the ethical imperatives that must preside over the relations among nations and peoples is ‘truth’ ... I am confident the governments and the nations ... will, as they have so admirably done in the past, associate themselves once again with this lofty aim: to instill truth into all relationships, be they political or economic, bilateral or multinational. Bringing truth into all relations is to work for peace, for it will make it possible to apply to the problems of the world solutions that are in conformity with reason and with justice -- in a word, with the truth about man.
And this brings me to the second point I would like to make. If it is to be true and lasting, peace must be truly human. The desire for peace is universal. It is embedded in the hearts of all human beings and it cannot be achieved unless the human person is placed at the center of every effort to bring about unity and brotherhood among nations.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p404
• Our Lady of ‘La Gardia’, near Bologna, in Italy. This picture was in the Church of Santa Sophia at Constantinople with this inscription: “This picture, painted by St Luke, must be taken to the mountain of ‘La Gardia’ and placed over the altar of the church.” A Greek monk set out for Italy about the year 433, with the picture entrusted to him, and deposited it on the mountain, of ‘La Gardia’. — Bzovius, ad ann. 1433, n. 379. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• “Madonna della Guardia” (also known as “La Gardia”). Bologna, Italy. 433. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Guard (near Bologna, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of “La Guarde”, Bologna, Italy (433). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Nuestra Señora de la Regla” (Our Lady of the Rule). Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines (“The 2002 Catholic Directory of the Philippines”, p57)
• Our Lady of Remedies. Malate, Manila, PHL. Moveable feast -- Third Sunday in November. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Cardinal Spellman Consecrates the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (1959). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
Friday, November 18, 2011
19 November 2011: The cure of the blind man at Jericho
“As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what this meant. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by’. He shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Lk 18:35-9)
Let us consider the qualities of the prayer of this blind man.
First, it was ‘well-timed’: he learned that Jesus was passing. Moved by grace, he seized the opportunity. He cried out at once. He was heard, and healed. Had he delayed, would he have received his sight?
Second, it was ‘fervent’: spoken from the depths of a heart conscious of its misery. Why are our prayers so cold? Because we do not feel our misery?
Third, it was ‘pressing and persevering’: he cried out and continued to cry though Jesus did not seem to heed him, and those by his side rebuked him. Is lack of perseverance the cause?
Alhough Jesus seemed not to heed the cries of the blind man, wishing to test his faith and confidence, his Heart was full of compassion for him. “He stood still and ordered the man be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again’.” (Lk 18:40-41)
If God does not immediately grant our petitions, it is for our good. He requires us to express them, not because they are unknown to him, but for our advantage. In so doing, we recognize that all benefits flow from him alone, and show our filial confidence in our heavenly Father.
How wonderfully were the blind man’s faith and perseverance rewarded! “Jesus told him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you’. Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.” (Lk 18:42-3)
Note our Lord’s goodness here. Not only does he give sight to the bodily eyes of the blind man, but he opens the eyes of his soul. In his Benefactor the blind man recognizes the promised Messiah. He follows and blesses him. His enthusiasm infects the surrounding multitude.
Let us, after his example, praise, adore, and glorify our Lord, from whom we have received even greater favors. Let us try to know and love him more and more, and to make others know and love him also.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp722-4
Fulfilling the will of God
“... Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, is our third petition to God in the ‘Our Father’. We pray for the Lord to grant us the necessary graces so that we may do his Will on earth, just as the blessed do his Will in heaven. The best prayer is one which transforms our desire into his desire. Thus we will be able to say, ‘Not my will, but thine be done’.
Indeed the principal purpose of all prayer is to identify ourselves with the divine Will. If we pray with this spirit we can always be sure of answers to our prayer. No one is more interested than our Lord in our welfare and happiness. Sometimes unknowingly, we may pray fervently that the divine will coincide with our own.
The challenge is to want and joyfully accept the Will of God always; whether difficult or unknowable. “This is not the capitulation of the weak before the strong. It is a manifestation of the trust between a son and his Father. The Father’s goodness teaches us to become fully human, to discover the grandeur of our divine filiation.” (G Chevrot, “In Secret”, 164)
It can happen that our will coincides with God’s Will. Everything proceeds smoothly. Still, we must not forget, the way to holiness requires purifying our will of its selfish tendencies. This might mean abandoning our most carefully laid-out plans, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways ...” (Is 55:8)
Jesus is the perfect example of adapting ourselves to the Will of God in everything; his constant teaching in the Gospels. We recall the scene in Samaria when, after a whole day’s journey, the Apostles brought him some food to eat. He told them: “My food is to do the Will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.” (Jn 4:34)
The Lord wants us to do whatever we can to improve a bad situation, if possible. If this is not to be or if we have to be more patient, let us hold on to our Father God’s hand with renewed trust. As St Paul said amidst a great trial: “With all our afflictions, I am overjoyed.” (2 Cor 7:4)
Our Lady is our model. ‘Be it done unto me’, she said, ‘according to thy word’. May your Will be done, Lord, whenever and however it may please you.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:197-9,201-2
‘Thy will be done ...’
2822 Our Father “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). He is “forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9; cf Matthew 18:14). His commandment is “that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34; cf 1 John 3:4; Luke 10:25-37). This commandment summarizes all the others, and expresses his entire will.
Ref: “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, 1994
Confidence in God
“Job says the life of man upon earth is a continual warfare, conflict. No matter how advanced we are in the spiritual life, we must never expect immunity from temptation ..." St Paul wrote, ‘Everyone runs, but not everyone gets a prize. Everyone who strives for the mystery must refrain from many things.’
St Paul is addressing people who live in the isthmus of Corinth, a place famous at that time for beauty, art, luxury and, consequent on the latter, profligacy. But also a spot rendered famous by the games which took place there.
“Thus, St Paul likens the spiritual life to games, to a race. He is not addressing those who sit under an awning watching and gently applauding the efforts of the athletes. He speaks to those who take part in the race. It is an image of the spiritual life, which entails effort, exertion, and often exhaustion. ...”
Ref: Daniel Considine, SJ. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, p1557
• Our Lady of Good Tidings, in the Abbey of St Victor, which was visited every Saturday by Mary of Medicis. The abbey was founded in 1113 by Louis the Large. — Ex. Archiv. S. Victoris Parisiensis. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Good News / Our Lady of Glad Tidings. Venice, Italy. (See September 16, December 12). ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Good News or Glad Tidings. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Bourdieux (near Bourges, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Divine Providence. Queen of Puerto Rico. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Mother of Divine Providence / Our Lady of Providence (‘Beata Maria Virgo’, ‘Divinµ Providentiµ Mater’). Patroness of the imprisoned, sick, and afflicted; and of Puerto Rico. ... Established by the Barnabites. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the third Sunday of November. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Mother of Divine Providence / Our Lady of Providence. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the third Sunday in November. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
Let us consider the qualities of the prayer of this blind man.
First, it was ‘well-timed’: he learned that Jesus was passing. Moved by grace, he seized the opportunity. He cried out at once. He was heard, and healed. Had he delayed, would he have received his sight?
Second, it was ‘fervent’: spoken from the depths of a heart conscious of its misery. Why are our prayers so cold? Because we do not feel our misery?
Third, it was ‘pressing and persevering’: he cried out and continued to cry though Jesus did not seem to heed him, and those by his side rebuked him. Is lack of perseverance the cause?
Alhough Jesus seemed not to heed the cries of the blind man, wishing to test his faith and confidence, his Heart was full of compassion for him. “He stood still and ordered the man be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again’.” (Lk 18:40-41)
If God does not immediately grant our petitions, it is for our good. He requires us to express them, not because they are unknown to him, but for our advantage. In so doing, we recognize that all benefits flow from him alone, and show our filial confidence in our heavenly Father.
How wonderfully were the blind man’s faith and perseverance rewarded! “Jesus told him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you’. Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.” (Lk 18:42-3)
Note our Lord’s goodness here. Not only does he give sight to the bodily eyes of the blind man, but he opens the eyes of his soul. In his Benefactor the blind man recognizes the promised Messiah. He follows and blesses him. His enthusiasm infects the surrounding multitude.
Let us, after his example, praise, adore, and glorify our Lord, from whom we have received even greater favors. Let us try to know and love him more and more, and to make others know and love him also.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp722-4
Fulfilling the will of God
“... Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, is our third petition to God in the ‘Our Father’. We pray for the Lord to grant us the necessary graces so that we may do his Will on earth, just as the blessed do his Will in heaven. The best prayer is one which transforms our desire into his desire. Thus we will be able to say, ‘Not my will, but thine be done’.
Indeed the principal purpose of all prayer is to identify ourselves with the divine Will. If we pray with this spirit we can always be sure of answers to our prayer. No one is more interested than our Lord in our welfare and happiness. Sometimes unknowingly, we may pray fervently that the divine will coincide with our own.
The challenge is to want and joyfully accept the Will of God always; whether difficult or unknowable. “This is not the capitulation of the weak before the strong. It is a manifestation of the trust between a son and his Father. The Father’s goodness teaches us to become fully human, to discover the grandeur of our divine filiation.” (G Chevrot, “In Secret”, 164)
It can happen that our will coincides with God’s Will. Everything proceeds smoothly. Still, we must not forget, the way to holiness requires purifying our will of its selfish tendencies. This might mean abandoning our most carefully laid-out plans, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways ...” (Is 55:8)
Jesus is the perfect example of adapting ourselves to the Will of God in everything; his constant teaching in the Gospels. We recall the scene in Samaria when, after a whole day’s journey, the Apostles brought him some food to eat. He told them: “My food is to do the Will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.” (Jn 4:34)
The Lord wants us to do whatever we can to improve a bad situation, if possible. If this is not to be or if we have to be more patient, let us hold on to our Father God’s hand with renewed trust. As St Paul said amidst a great trial: “With all our afflictions, I am overjoyed.” (2 Cor 7:4)
Our Lady is our model. ‘Be it done unto me’, she said, ‘according to thy word’. May your Will be done, Lord, whenever and however it may please you.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:197-9,201-2
‘Thy will be done ...’
2822 Our Father “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). He is “forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9; cf Matthew 18:14). His commandment is “that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34; cf 1 John 3:4; Luke 10:25-37). This commandment summarizes all the others, and expresses his entire will.
Ref: “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, 1994
Confidence in God
“Job says the life of man upon earth is a continual warfare, conflict. No matter how advanced we are in the spiritual life, we must never expect immunity from temptation ..." St Paul wrote, ‘Everyone runs, but not everyone gets a prize. Everyone who strives for the mystery must refrain from many things.’
St Paul is addressing people who live in the isthmus of Corinth, a place famous at that time for beauty, art, luxury and, consequent on the latter, profligacy. But also a spot rendered famous by the games which took place there.
“Thus, St Paul likens the spiritual life to games, to a race. He is not addressing those who sit under an awning watching and gently applauding the efforts of the athletes. He speaks to those who take part in the race. It is an image of the spiritual life, which entails effort, exertion, and often exhaustion. ...”
Ref: Daniel Considine, SJ. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, p1557
• Our Lady of Good Tidings, in the Abbey of St Victor, which was visited every Saturday by Mary of Medicis. The abbey was founded in 1113 by Louis the Large. — Ex. Archiv. S. Victoris Parisiensis. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Good News / Our Lady of Glad Tidings. Venice, Italy. (See September 16, December 12). ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Good News or Glad Tidings. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Bourdieux (near Bourges, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Divine Providence. Queen of Puerto Rico. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Mother of Divine Providence / Our Lady of Providence (‘Beata Maria Virgo’, ‘Divinµ Providentiµ Mater’). Patroness of the imprisoned, sick, and afflicted; and of Puerto Rico. ... Established by the Barnabites. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the third Sunday of November. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Mother of Divine Providence / Our Lady of Providence. Moveable feast -- Saturday before the third Sunday in November. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).
18 November 2011: The Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles
These basilicas were completed in the 4th century. The anniversaries of this feast have been celebrated since the 12th century. “The Holy Mother Church has always been the friend of the fine arts and continuously sought their noble help so that all things set apart for use in divine worship should be truly worthy, beautiful signs and symbols of heavenly realities.” (Second Vatican Council, “Sacrosanctum Concilium”, 122)
Ref: Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1697
Divine grace makes us living temples of God
The true temple of the New Covenant is no longer made by human hands. From now on, the holy Humanity of Jesus is the new Temple of God. Christ said: “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
“He was speaking of the Temple of his Body.” (Jn 2:20-1) If the Body of Jesus is the new Temple of God, so is the Church the Body of Christ and we are members of his Mystical Body. We go to our church to meet God where he awaits us with his real presence in the Tabernacles.
“... now as then, he is rejected, disregarded and given up for dead. But the Father has made the Son the solid and firm-set base of the new building forever through Christ’s glorious resurrection. The Mystical Body is as strong as the degree to which the members adhere to their Head, and the measure to which they ‘grow’ in him toward ‘the fullness of Christ’. In and through the Church, ‘the dwelling place of God in the Spirit’, the Lord is glorified by virtue of the spiritual sacrifices of the ‘holy priesthood’ of the faithful (1 Pet 2:5). The Lord’s kingdom is thus established in the world." (John Paul II, “Homily”, 3 November 1982)
St Paul frequently reminded the first Christians: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16) We must often recall that the most Holy Spirit “inhabits the souls of the just in a singular way. By means of the grace of God, Christ dwells in each one of us as in a temple.” (Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical, “Divinum illud munus”, 9 May 1897)
Meditation on this marvellous reality will make us more conscious of the transcendent value of living in God’s grace. We must have a deep horror of offending the Lord, because sin ‘destroys Christ’s temple’ and deprives our souls of friendship with God.
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we enjoy in anticipation the beatific vision.
“This admirable union differs only in condition from the one that God grants the blessed in heaven.” (Pope Leo XIII, op cit, 11) God’s presence in our soul in this life is an invitation to increase constantly the intensity of our personal closeness to the Lord: the one we are called to seek out in the depths of our soul always.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:252-3
Mother of the Church
I like to go back in my imagination to the years Jesus spent close to his Mother, years which span almost the whole of his life on earth. I like to picture him as a little child, cared for by Mary who kisses him and plays with him. I like to see him growing up before the loving eyes of his mother and of Joseph, his father on earth. What tenderness and care Mary and the Holy Patriach must have shown towards Jesus, as they looked after him during his childhood, all the while, silently, learning so much from him.
Their souls would become more and more like the soul of that Son, who was both Man and God. This is why his Mother and after her, St Joseph understand better than anyone the feelings of the heart of Christ; and the two of them are thus the best way, I would say the only way, to reach the Savior.
“May the soul of Mary”, writes St Ambrose, “be in each of you, so that you may praise our Lord; may the spirit of Mary be in each one of you, so that you may rejoice in God.” This Father of the Church goes on to say something which at first sight seems bold, but which has a clear spiritual meaning for the life of the Christian. “According to the flesh, there is only one Mother of Christ; according to the faith, Christ is the fruit of all of us.” (St Ambrose, “Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam”, 2, 26)
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 281
Mary, Mother of the Church
At the end of the third session of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI solemnly proclaimed Mary “Mother of the Church”. When we call Mary, Mother of the Church we re-emphasize the fact that she belongs to the Church, as any mother is truly part of her family where she always holds a place of special honor.
Mary, according to Pope Paul VI “is the greatest, most perfect, most important and most chosen member of the Church. Paul VI also said: “Knowledge of what is, in fact, true Catholic doctrine on Mary will always constitute a key to our true understanding of the mystery of Christ and the Church. Mary, therefore, in so far as she is the Mother of Christ, is also the Mother of all clergy and faithful, that is to say, of the whole Church.”
St Bernard wrote: “The reason for our love of Mary is the Lord Jesus; the measure of our love for her is to love her without measure.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p11
The Mother of Christians
The Second Vatican Council proclaims: “... the Mother of God is a type of the church in the matter of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ ...” (“Lumen Gentium”, 63)
The Council sees the church’s motherhood, which is modeled on Mary’s, in the fact that the church “brings forth to a new and immortal life children who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God”. Here we find echoed St Paul’s words about “the children with whom I am again in travail” (cf Gal 4:19), in the same way as a mother gives birth.
When, in the letter to the Ephesians, we read about Christ as the spouse who “nourishes and cherishes” the church as his body (cf Eph 5:29), we cannot fail to link this spousal solicitude on the part of Christ above all with the gift of Eucharistic food, similar to many maternal concerns associated with “nourishing and cherishing” a child.
Ref: Pope “John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 18
• Our Lady of Bourdieux, near Bourges. This abbey of Benedictines was built in the year 928 by Ebbo, the Lord of Berry. — Bzovinus, ad ann. 928. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Bourdieux. Bourges. ["This abbey of Benedictines was built in the year 928, by Ebbo, the Lord of Berry." Bzovius, ad ann. 928.] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• “Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá” (“La Chinita”). Venezuela and Colombia. In Spanish. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• The Rosary Virgin of Chiquinquira (1749). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• The Rosary Virgin of Chiquinquira. Colombia (1555). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Rosary”. Chiquinquira. Colombia 1555. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Chiquinquira (Venezuela, South America). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Ref: Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1697
Divine grace makes us living temples of God
The true temple of the New Covenant is no longer made by human hands. From now on, the holy Humanity of Jesus is the new Temple of God. Christ said: “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
“He was speaking of the Temple of his Body.” (Jn 2:20-1) If the Body of Jesus is the new Temple of God, so is the Church the Body of Christ and we are members of his Mystical Body. We go to our church to meet God where he awaits us with his real presence in the Tabernacles.
“... now as then, he is rejected, disregarded and given up for dead. But the Father has made the Son the solid and firm-set base of the new building forever through Christ’s glorious resurrection. The Mystical Body is as strong as the degree to which the members adhere to their Head, and the measure to which they ‘grow’ in him toward ‘the fullness of Christ’. In and through the Church, ‘the dwelling place of God in the Spirit’, the Lord is glorified by virtue of the spiritual sacrifices of the ‘holy priesthood’ of the faithful (1 Pet 2:5). The Lord’s kingdom is thus established in the world." (John Paul II, “Homily”, 3 November 1982)
St Paul frequently reminded the first Christians: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16) We must often recall that the most Holy Spirit “inhabits the souls of the just in a singular way. By means of the grace of God, Christ dwells in each one of us as in a temple.” (Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical, “Divinum illud munus”, 9 May 1897)
Meditation on this marvellous reality will make us more conscious of the transcendent value of living in God’s grace. We must have a deep horror of offending the Lord, because sin ‘destroys Christ’s temple’ and deprives our souls of friendship with God.
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we enjoy in anticipation the beatific vision.
“This admirable union differs only in condition from the one that God grants the blessed in heaven.” (Pope Leo XIII, op cit, 11) God’s presence in our soul in this life is an invitation to increase constantly the intensity of our personal closeness to the Lord: the one we are called to seek out in the depths of our soul always.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:252-3
Mother of the Church
I like to go back in my imagination to the years Jesus spent close to his Mother, years which span almost the whole of his life on earth. I like to picture him as a little child, cared for by Mary who kisses him and plays with him. I like to see him growing up before the loving eyes of his mother and of Joseph, his father on earth. What tenderness and care Mary and the Holy Patriach must have shown towards Jesus, as they looked after him during his childhood, all the while, silently, learning so much from him.
Their souls would become more and more like the soul of that Son, who was both Man and God. This is why his Mother and after her, St Joseph understand better than anyone the feelings of the heart of Christ; and the two of them are thus the best way, I would say the only way, to reach the Savior.
“May the soul of Mary”, writes St Ambrose, “be in each of you, so that you may praise our Lord; may the spirit of Mary be in each one of you, so that you may rejoice in God.” This Father of the Church goes on to say something which at first sight seems bold, but which has a clear spiritual meaning for the life of the Christian. “According to the flesh, there is only one Mother of Christ; according to the faith, Christ is the fruit of all of us.” (St Ambrose, “Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam”, 2, 26)
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 281
Mary, Mother of the Church
At the end of the third session of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI solemnly proclaimed Mary “Mother of the Church”. When we call Mary, Mother of the Church we re-emphasize the fact that she belongs to the Church, as any mother is truly part of her family where she always holds a place of special honor.
Mary, according to Pope Paul VI “is the greatest, most perfect, most important and most chosen member of the Church. Paul VI also said: “Knowledge of what is, in fact, true Catholic doctrine on Mary will always constitute a key to our true understanding of the mystery of Christ and the Church. Mary, therefore, in so far as she is the Mother of Christ, is also the Mother of all clergy and faithful, that is to say, of the whole Church.”
St Bernard wrote: “The reason for our love of Mary is the Lord Jesus; the measure of our love for her is to love her without measure.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p11
The Mother of Christians
The Second Vatican Council proclaims: “... the Mother of God is a type of the church in the matter of faith, charity and perfect union with Christ ...” (“Lumen Gentium”, 63)
The Council sees the church’s motherhood, which is modeled on Mary’s, in the fact that the church “brings forth to a new and immortal life children who are conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of God”. Here we find echoed St Paul’s words about “the children with whom I am again in travail” (cf Gal 4:19), in the same way as a mother gives birth.
When, in the letter to the Ephesians, we read about Christ as the spouse who “nourishes and cherishes” the church as his body (cf Eph 5:29), we cannot fail to link this spousal solicitude on the part of Christ above all with the gift of Eucharistic food, similar to many maternal concerns associated with “nourishing and cherishing” a child.
Ref: Pope “John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 18
• Our Lady of Bourdieux, near Bourges. This abbey of Benedictines was built in the year 928 by Ebbo, the Lord of Berry. — Bzovinus, ad ann. 928. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Bourdieux. Bourges. ["This abbey of Benedictines was built in the year 928, by Ebbo, the Lord of Berry." Bzovius, ad ann. 928.] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• “Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquirá” (“La Chinita”). Venezuela and Colombia. In Spanish. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• The Rosary Virgin of Chiquinquira (1749). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• The Rosary Virgin of Chiquinquira. Colombia (1555). (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of “Rosary”. Chiquinquira. Colombia 1555. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Chiquinquira (Venezuela, South America). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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