The Incarnation should have a pronounced and dramatic impact on our life. This event is the central moment of human history. Without Christ, life has no meaning.
“Christ the Redeemer ‘fully reveals man to himself’.” (John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptor hominis”, 4 March 1979, 11)
It is only through Christ that we will come to understand our inner self and everything that matters most to us: the hidden value of pain and of work well-done, the authentic peace and joy which surpass natural feelings and life’s uncertainties, the delightful prospect of the supernatural reward in our eternal homeland.
“Unceasingly contemplating the whole of Christ’s mystery, the Church knows with all the certainty of faith that the Redemption that took place through the cross has definitively restored his dignity to man and given back meaning to this life in the world, a meaning that was lost to a considerable extent because of sin.” (John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptor hominis”, 4 March 1979, 10)
The human testimony of the Son of God teaches us that all earthly realities ought to be loved and offered up to Heaven. Christ has transformed the human condition into a pathway to God.
As a consequence, the Christian’s struggle for perfection takes on a truly positive character. It does not mean erasing man’s humanity so that the divine might shine out instead.
Sanctity does not require total separation from worldly affairs. For it is not human nature that opposes God’s will, but sin and the effects of original sin which have so severely damaged our souls. Our struggle to become like Christ brings with it a life-long battle against whatsoever degrades our humanity -- egoism, envy, sensuality, a critical spirit ...
The authentic struggle for sanctity involves every aspect of the proper development of human personality: professional work, human and social virtues, love for everything that is truly human.
Similarly, the humanity of Christ is not effaced by his divinity. Thus, through the Incarnation, the human condition preserves its integrity and finds its final end.
“Through his Incarnation, through his work at Nazareth and his preaching and miracles in Judaea and Galilee, through his death on the cross and through his Resurrection, Christ is the centre of the universe, the firstborn and Lord of all creation.
“Our task as Christians is to proclaim this kingship of Christ, announcing it through what we say and do. Our Lord wants men and women of his own in all walks of life. Some he calls away from society, asking them to give up involvement in the world, so they remind the rest of us by their example that God exists. To others he entrusts the priestly ministry. But he wants the vast majority to stay right where they are, in all earthly occupations in which they work: the factory, the laboratory, the farm, the trades, the streets of big cities and the trails of the mountains.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 105)
This is the context of our vocation.
Let us go to the Mother of Jesus who is also our Mother. “O Mary! ... by your conception you have brought our Saviour to the world ... O Mary, blessed be you among all women for ever ... the Godhead has become one with our humanity in such a permanent bond that nothing can break it -- not our ingratitude, not even death itself.” (St Catherine of Siena, “Elevaciones”, 15) Blessed are you!
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:179-180
Jesus enters the Garden of Olives
Jesus walks resolutely with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives where there was a garden called Gethsemane. He entered and told his disciples, “Sit here while I go yonder and pray. Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” (Mk 14:32; Lk 22:39-40) “And he takes Peter and James and John with him, and he began to fear.” (Mk 14:33)
Why did Jesus select these three disciples to be with him at the time of the great mysteries of his agony? The Gospel is silent. We may presume that since they saw his glory and happiness at the Transfiguration on Mount Thabor, it was his will that they should witness also his humiliation and agony on the Mount of Olives.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp82-4
Prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Olives
Jesus Christ knelt down, hit his face on the earth, and remained prostrate as if unworthy to look to heaven. He thought of the infinite majesty of God to whom he spoke as man bearing the weight of our sins.
“My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevetheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Lk 22:4)
Jesus gives us the example of a heroic resignation. Like us in his human nature, the sight of death, the thought of sufferings and humiliations which will precede it, made him implore his heavenly Father, to spare Him these sacrifices. Still he declared his readiness to endure them if it is His will.
This is how we ought to pray when we ask God to deliver us from anything against our natural inclination. But we should always say ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ in everything we ask for daily.
Jesus interrupted his prayer three times to inquire of his disciples who seemed unaware of the greatest danger. Immediately he went back to pray, and repeated ... ‘not as I will, but thy will be done’.
We learn two things:
1) We ought not to pray too long as to neglect works of charity. Neither must we allow our charitable zeal lead to neglect of prayer. We should sanctify zeal by prayer, and enrich prayer by zealous charitable labors.
2) We ought not to pray with a variety of forms and expressions, nor be weary of repeating our petitions.
In any activity, much prayer should precede action.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp87-9
Our Lady
496 -- “How men like to be reminded of their relationship with distinguised figures in literature, in politics, in the armed forces, in the Church!
“Sing to Mary Immaculate, reminding her:
“Hail Mary, daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! Greater than you -- no one but God!”
500 -- “Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are deep-rooted among the faithful and so richly blessed by the popes. Besides, how motherly is the sabbatine privilege!”
507 --“What humility, that of my holy Mother Mary! She’s not to be seen amidst the palms of Jerusalem, nor -- except that first one at Cana -- at the hour of the great miracles.
“But she doesn’t flee from the degradation of Golgotha: there she stands, ‘juxta crucem Iesu’ -- ‘by the cross of Jesus’ -- his Mother.”
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”
• Our Lady of Soissons, occupied by Benedictine nuns. In this abbey is seen one of the shoes of Our Lady. — Hugo Farcitus. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Soissons. (France, 1128). In the Abbey one of the shoes of Our Lady is kept. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Soissons France. 1128. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Soissons (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• “Notre Dame de Soissons”. France. 1128. Relic of a Marian shoe. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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