The early chapters of ‘Genesis’ as the constitutive content of the mystery of creation, outline the reality of this gift and the act of giving. It confirms that the radiance of Love is an integrating part of this same mystery.
Only Love creates Good. In the last analysis, it alone can be perceived in all its dimensions and profiles in created things, in man above all.
The original happiness of man whom God created “male and female” (Gen 1:27), the spousal meaning of the body in its original nudity, all express rooting in Love.
This coherent giving goes back to the deepest roots of the conscience and the subconscious, to the ultimate strata of subjective existence in both man and woman.
It is reflected in their reciprocal ‘experience of the body’, it ‘testifies to their being rooted in Love’.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp94-5
The best of our life is for God
The book of “Genesis” (4:3-5) records that Abel offered to God the first fruits of his works and the finest of his cattle. God was pleased.
In contrast Cain, his brother, did not offer his best harvest. Abel was ‘just’, that is, holy and pious.
It is not the intrinsic quality of Abel’s offering that makes it better; but his dedication and generosity -- his intention.
Thus, God looked favourably on the victims Abel sacrificed. According to an ancient Jewish tradition, God sent down fire to consume them as a sign of his acceptance. (“The Navarre Bible”, note to Heb 11:4)
In our lives, too we must offer the best to God -- our time, our goods, our life. We cannot give him the worst, the surplus to our needs, what makes no real demand on us or what we don’t need.
The whole of our life is for God, including its best years. When we want to make an offering to God let us use the most precious things.
Man is not just a body or merely a soul. As matter and spirit, he must show his faith and love of God in visible acts.
How pitiful are those who find time for everything except for God -- for talking to him in prayer or visiting the Blessed Sacrament which takes only a few minutes.
Pitiful too are those who spend for so many things but are selfish when it comes to expenditure on God or on other people. Giving always dignifies and ennobles the heart of the giver.
Meanness, on the other hand, becomes ingrained and leads to an envious soul, like that of Cain: he could not bear Abel’s generosity.
“We should offer the Lord the sacrifice of Abel. ... a sacrifice of hearts that have one love alone -- you, my God. A sacrifice of minds that have been shaped through deep study and will surrender to your Wisdom; of childlike souls who will think only of pleasing you.
“Lord, receive even now this sweet and fragrant sacrifice.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 43)
The best of my life, work, talents, and possessions are all for you, Lord. Even of those I might have had.
For you, my God, totally and unconditionally everything you have given me in life. Please teach me to deny you nothing, to offer you always the best I have.
We ask God that we may learn to give him our best in all circumstances. Let us pray that there may be many sacrifices like those of Abel, the generous offerings of men and women who give themselves to God from their youth; and of hearts that at any age give what is asked of them, without haggling, without counting the cost.
Let us ask Our Lady to teach us to be generous as she was with God, in big things and little things, in youth and in maturity. That we offer, as Abel did, the very best we may have at any time, and in all circumstances of our life.
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:299-300, 305
Jesus condemned as a blasphemer
“The high priest tore his clothes, and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses?’” (Mt 26:65)
How detestable was the hypocrisy of Caiphas and his party! Under an appearance of piety and zeal, they masked their mortal hatred of our Lord and their long-conceived plan of putting him to death.
They sought a flimsy excuse for their conduct so as not to enrage the people. Caiphas thought he could find one by begging Jesus to say if he is ‘really’ the Son of God.
If Jesus said ‘no’, he can condemn him as an impostor since the people believe him to be God. If he said ‘yes’, Caiphas would sentence him as a blasphemer.
He would then make people believe that he was overwhelmed with horror at the sin. The wicked can be very ingenious!
“What is your verdict? They answered, ‘He deserves death’.” (Mt 26:66) The judges who pronounced this sentence were men inflamed with hatred because Jesus had righteously confessed the truth.
In this world, the crafty often calumniate and oppress the innocent. God permits this for wise and merciful reasons. In this instance, Caiphas was the instrument by which Jesus should sacrifice his life in reparation to his Father for the sins of mankind. The wicked death sentence opened to us all the gates of eternal life.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp106-7
Responsibility
“In the hour of rejection at the Cross, the Virgin is there by her Son, willing to go through the same fate. Let us lose our fear of behaving like responsible Christians when the environment in which we move is not easy. She will help us.”
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 977
• “Notre Dame de Boulogne-sur-Mer”, France. Photos of 19th Century basilica, damaged in 1941, subsequently rebuilt. Contains statue which was a popular pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages based on 7th Century miracles. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of “Boulogne-sur-Mer”. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Restoration of the chapel of Our Lady, at “Boulogne-sur-mer” by Claude Dormy, bishop of that city. — Triple Couronne, n. 53. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Re-establishment of the chapel of Our Lady, at “Boulogne-sur-mer”, by Bishop Claude Dormy. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Holy Cross (Jerusalem). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Miracles (Lucques, 1588) (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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