A Christian must always have a big heart and show respect for all, even for those who act as enemies, “not because they are brothers, but because brothers they must become; one must show fraternal love towards him who is already a brother, and towards the one who acts as an enemy, so that he may become a brother”. (St Augustine, “Commentary on 1 John”, 4, 10, 7)
This attitude presumes a prayerful life. It distinguishes us from those who refuse to be Christ’s disciples. For “if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the Publicans do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do that?” (Lk 6:32-3; Mt 5:45-6)
Our Faith calls not merely for a correct human behavior, but for living heroic virtues daily. Trusting in everyone’s capacity to rectify his errors, charity will impel us to devote ourselves to prayer, to give good example; and to do apostolate and practise fraternal correction.
If at some time we suffer through particularly painful offences, injustices or calumnies, we must ask Our Lady’s help.
Ref: Cf Fr Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:342-3
Unbounded Liberty, the Same as Slavery
‘Creating God’s kingdom means being with Christ.’
Creating the unity which ought to exist in us and among us means gathering (accumulating) together with Him. This is the basic program of God’s kingdom.
In His statements, Christ sets it in opposition to the evil spirit’s activity which stakes its program on apparently unbounded liberty for man. It flatters man with a liberty which is not his own. ... It flatters to make clear in the end that this liberty is nothing but adaptation to manifold constraints of the senses and instincts.
Can man awaken? Can he say to himself clearly that in the end this unlimited liberty becomes slavery?
Christ does not flatter man with the semblance of ‘unrestricted’ liberty. He says, “Know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32).
He shows that liberty was not given to man only as a gift but also as a duty which measures life. It is not a property which we may make use of in any way whatever and squander as well.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p119
Beginning again many times
The Christian’s daily struggle will entail fighting on very minor matters. Fortitude will be necessary to sincerely fulfil our acts of piety towards God despite setbacks or our state of mind during the course of the day.
There will be moments of falling and of rising again. We must always begin again ...; it is what God asks of all of us. The struggle demands a love that is vigilant and an effective desire to seek God throughout the day.
This cheerful struggle is the exact opposite of lukewarmness which means carelessness, laziness and sadness in fulfilling our obligations towards God and other people.
In this struggle we can always count on the help of Mary our Mother, who follows step by step our journey towards her Son. Each time we begin again, we receive the help of Our Lady, ‘Mediatrix of all graces’.
We must turn to her with complete abandonment whenever temptations become stronger. ‘My Mother!’ Mothers on earth look with greater love upon the weakest of their children, the one with the worst health, or who is the least intelligent, or is a poor cripple.
“Sweet Lady, I know you are more of a Mother than all other mothers put together. And, since I am your son, since I am weak, and ill, and crippled, and ugly ...” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 234)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:89-90
Lourdes: The fifteenth apparition
‘Thursday’, the last of the fifteen meetings promised by the Lady. Word of the apparitions had spread all over France.
Commissioner Jacomet, after a minute inspection of the grotto yesterday and this morning, had stationed an impressive contingent of police on the spot. The crowd was estimated at eight- to ten-thousand.
After attending mass for a deceased relative at 6:30 A.M., Bernadette left for the grotto. Two gendarmes helped her through the crowd, her cousin Jeanne Vedere beside her. At the third “Ave, Maria” of the second mystery, she fell into ecstasy which lasted about an hour.
Bernadette received no special revelation. Feeling very sad, she went home but remained calm and collected.
That afternoon she told Father Peyramale that she had again asked the Lady’s identity and make the roses bloom. “Aquero” just smiled and insisted on the chapel.
Peyramale was adamant -- if she wanted the chapel she would have to say who she is and provide the funds. Bernadette remained tranquil. She had fulfilled her promise; her fifteen appointments were over.
Ref: G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p12
· “My Mother and Lady, teach me how to pronounce a ‘yes’ which, like yours, will identify with the cry of Jesus before his Father: ‘not my will but God’s be done’ (Lk 22:42)”. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross” 4th Station, 1)
St Casimir
The son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth, monarchs of Poland and Lithuania. He had a great love for the Eucharist and for the Virgin Mary. Patron saint of Poland. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1487) He died of lingering tuberculosis at twenty-four years of age. (Rev H Hoever, “Lives of the Saints”)
THE SEVEN SUNDAYS DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH
Honors the seven joys and seven sorrows of St Joseph.
(Ref: “Handbook of Prayers”, Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias [Eds], 1988, pp321-3)
“What must Joseph have been, how grace must have worked through him, that he should be able to fulfill this task of the human upbringing of the Son of God.
“For Jesus must have resembled Joseph: in his way of working, in the features of his character, in his way of speaking. Jesus’ realism, his eye for detail, the way he sat at table and broke bread, his preference for using everyday situations to give doctrine -- all this reflects his childhood and the influence of Joseph.
“It’s not possible to ignore this sublime mystery: Jesus who is man, who speaks with the accent of a particular district of Israel, who resembles a carpenter called Joseph, is the Son of God.”
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivà, “In Joseph’s Workshop” in “Christ is passing by”, 40
5. The fifth sorrow and joy of St Joseph
His sorrow when he had to flee to Egypt with the Child Jesus and Mary; his joy in being always with Jesus and Mary.
“So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead.” (Mt 2:14-5)
“Joseph entrusted himself unreservedly to the care of God, but he always reflected on events and so was able to reach the level of understanding of the works of God which is true wisdom. In this way he learned little by little that supernatural plans have a logic which at times upsets human plans.”
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivà, “In Joseph’s Workshop”, 42
• Our Lady “de la Garde”, in Aragon, so-called for having preserved from death a child who had fallen into a well, in the year 1221. — Bzovinus, year 1221. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady “de la Guard’ (Marseille, France, 1221). (www/divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Guard. Aragon, Spain. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Guard (“de la Guard”). Aragon, Spain / Marseille, France. 1221. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Seven Sorrows (Italy, 1603) (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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