21 April 2012: We are never alone

In life, there will be no shortage of interior darkness, of misunderstandings. Oftentimes, situations arise wherein we must correct our course because we are lost.
Then we should strive to see Our Lord, who always comes in the trial of suffering. Let us learn to accept the setbacks with faith, as blessings from heaven to purify us and draw us closer to God.
It is enough to be in his company for us to feel secure always. Insecurity arises when our faith is weakened, when we don’t have recourse to Our Lord because it seems that he doesn’t hear us or maybe doesn’t care.
He knows very well what is happening to us. He wants us to go to him and ask for help. He will never leave us alone.
What confidence the words of Jesus contained in the Communion Antiphon should inspire in us: “Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am.” (Jn 17:24)
It would seem sometimes of greater or less duration that Christ is not there, as if He had abandoned us or did not hear our prayer. But he is never the one who abandons.
“The Lord looks on those who revere him to rescue their souls from death.” (Ps 32:18-9) If we remain close to Our Lord in personal prayer and the Sacraments, we will be able to do everything.
With Him the storms -- interior or exterior -- are converted into occasions for increasing our faith and hope and charity and fortitude. Eventually, we may come to understand the meaning of these afflictions.
We will emerge from all trials, temptations and tribulations through which we must pass if we are close to Christ, more purified, humbler, and with more love of God. And we shall always be able to count on the help of Our Mother in Heaven. She is there all the time, but especially when for whatever reason we are experiencing difficulties.
“You are not alone. Suffer that tribulation joyfully. It’s true, poor child, that you don’t feel your Mother’s hand in yours. But ... have you never seen the mothers of this earth, with arms outstretched, following their little ones when, without anyone’s help, they venture to take their first shaky steps? You are not alone: Mary is close beside you.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 900)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:377-80

Our Lord appears to two disciples on their way to Emmaus
Towards evening on the day of the Resurrection, two of the disciples were travelling toward Emmaus where one had some property. No doubt they needed some distraction after the sorrowful events. Still, the passion and death of their Master was the only theme during their journey.
We are not forbidden to relax at proper times, or to seek assistance when wearied or sorrowful. These things are not incompatible with a desire for perfection. But where do we seek consolations?
Perhaps, in long and frivolous conversation; in light reading or in risky sensual pleasures. True consolation is not to be found in creatures apart from God.
“While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them; but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Lk 24:15-6) Why did our Lord join them? To correct their errors, to give them instruction and consolation, and to strengthen them in the right way.
Such should be also the aim of our conversation, even at recreation, at home; or with whom we occasionally meet anywhere. Charity and duty oblige us to try that these persons should be better with our interaction; or at least, derive something good from it.
Jesus “said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other as you walk, and are sad?’" (cf Lk 24:17) Why did our Lord, who knew the innermost thoughts of men, thus question his disciples? By drawing from their own lips the worldly ideas about the promised Messiah, Jesus wants them to see their errors more clearly and ensure their correction.
Let us learn from this incident how we can best correct the faults of others. We, too, should question them, drawing the words from their own mouths, and showing the gravity and effects of their errors.
They will then be properly disposed to receive correction. We shall have accorded them a lasting benefit. Do we share this wise line of conduct?
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp212-4

A Path of Faith
Lent is presented ‘in the likeness of a path’, like that to which God called Abraham: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land I will show you.” (Gen 12:1) He set off, without lingering nor any support other than the divine promise.
Lent is a journey for us, too. We are called to face it with determination; to entrust ourselves to the plans God has for us. Even though the journey may be full of trials, St Paul assures us that, like Timothy, each of us is helped by “the strength which comes from God” (2 Tim 1:8).
And the country toward which we are heading is ‘the Christian’s new life’. It is a paschal Life, which can be realized only through the ‘power’ and the ‘grace’ of God: a mysterious power, “the grace held out to us in Christ Jesus before the world began but now made manifest by the appearance of our Savior. He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel.” (2 Tim 1:9-10)
The letter to Timothy also points out that the bread of new life is given to us because of a mysterious calling and assignment on God’s part “not because of any merit of ours but according to His own design” (2 Tim 1:9). So we ought to be men and women of faith, like Abraham; that is, who do not count so much on themselves as on the word, the grace and the power of God.
The Lord Jesus, while living on earth, personally revealed this way to His disciples.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp113-4

Examination of Conscience
235 A daily task. Book-keeping -- never neglected by anyone in business.
And is there any business worth more than that of eternal life? (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”)

237 Examine yourself: slowly, with courage. Isn’t it true that your bad temper and your sadness -- both without cause, without apparent cause -- are due to your lack of determination in breaking the subtle but real snares laid for you -- cunningly and attractively -- by your concupiscence? (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, )

238 The general examination is a weapon of defense. The particular [examination], of attack. The first is the shield, The second, the sword. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”)

• Institution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, at Toledo, in the year 1506, by Cardinal Francis Ximenes, archbishop of that city. — See his Life by Gormez, etc. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, Toledo, Spain (1506). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Institution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in 1503. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Slap (Italy, 1200) (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame of Fourviéres” (Lyons, France). Moveable feast -- Saturday after Low Sunday [15 Apr]. (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 the Pearls. Palermo, Italy. Moveable feast -- Saturday after Low Sunday [15 Apr]. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Valley Catamarca, Argentina. Moveable feast -- Saturday after Low Sunday [15 Apr]. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)