19 October 2012 Ss John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs; and companions, martyrs Jesuit missionaries who died martyrs in Northern America where they preached the Gospel. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1672) [The parish church of Hinsdale, Illinois, USA is named after St Isaac Jogues.] Parable of the barren fig tree Some Jews told Jesus of the punishment Pilate had inflicted on certain Galileans. He, thus, took the opportunity to show them by a parable that they and their whole nation would be severely punished if they waste the graces he had lavished on them during his ministry of three years. “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came seeking fruit on it and found none. He told the gardener, ‘Look! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, leave it another year while I hoe around and put manure; then perhaps it will bear fruit. If not, it can be cut down.’” (cf Lk 13:6-9) [“The fig tree symbolizes the Jewish nation which, though rich in foliage, bore no fruit.” (In JMH Ledesma, SJ, “The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ”, 221)] Church Fathers remark that in this parable, our Lord did not have the Jews only in mind, but also whoever in future ages should become special objects of God’s grace. We have been receiving spiritual formation for weeks, months, years; tended with the utmost care, watered with a greater abundance of heavenly dew in a day than many others get in weeks and months. Where, then is our fruit? What progress have we made since our last retreat, the last monthly recollection? Perhaps nothing but barrenness and graces wasted. Let us ask God to enlighten us. Think of the mischief we have done through this barrenness, this tepidity. Have we robbed God of the honor due to him, our Saviour, of the fruit of his Passion; our neighbor, of the good we might have done him, our conduct actively and positively hurtful? Look closely and see that it may be so. Then think of the dangers to which this barrenness has exposed our soul. “Every tree that brings not good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire. The unprofitable servant cast out into the exterior darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (cf Mt 25:30) Among these barren trees (unprofitable servants) who have incurred the wrath of God, could be some acquaintances who have been surprised by an unhappy death and cast into the flames of hell. This thought must inspire us with a holy fear and induce us to examine ourself in earnest; and make generous resolutions. The tender-hearted, zealous gardener, who obtained a year’s reprieve for the fig tree, represents our Lord, who as man intercedes for us with his Father -- who obtains for us a further trial, more graces. Let this thought increase our confidence. Say with St Paul, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). I will seek a director and say to him, ‘Show me how to rid myself once for all of this spiritual stupor, and to bring forth fruits of righteousness in abundance. Cost what it may, I am determined to begin at once.’ Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp647-9 The seasoning of mortification In order to reach sanctity, an ordinary Christian (who is not a [member of a] religious [order]) has no reason to abandon the world, since that is precisely where he is to find Christ. He needs no external signs, such as a habit or insignias. All the signs of his dedication are internal: a constant presence of God and a spirit of mortification. As a matter of fact, only one thing is necessary, because mortification is nothing more than prayer of the senses. The christian vocation is one of sacrifice, penance, expiation. We must make reparation for the many times we turned our face aside so as to avoid the gaze of God, and all the sins of mankind. We must try to imitate Christ, “always carrying about in our body the dying of Christ”, his abnegation, his suffering on the cross, “so that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies” (2 Cor 4:10). Our way is one of immolation and, in this denial, we find both joy and peace. Mortification is the seasoning of our life. And the best mortification is that which overcomes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life in little things throughout the day. Ours should be mortifications that do not mortify others, and which give us more finesse, more understanding and more openness in our dealings with everybody. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 9 The 15 Promises of Mary: 11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary. 12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities. 13. All you who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ. Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Tower of ivory’ -- “Thy neck is a tower of ivory.” (Cant 7:4) Mary is called a neck for she is the mystic neck through which the vital spirits, ie, divine help which preserves in us the life of grace, are transmitted from Jesus Christ the Head to us the faithful, who are members of his Mystical Body, the Church. St Bernardine says, ‘The life-giving graces flow from Christ the Head, through the Blessed Virgin, into his mystic body’. The saint then adds, ‘that from the time when Mary conceived the Incarnate Word, she received the great honor from God, that no one should receive any grace otherwise than through her hands’. Hence, the Abbot Rupert writes of Mary, ‘that as a tower of ivory she is beloved by God, and terrible to the devil’. O my sovereign Lady, you are so beloved of God, you can obtain for us every grace; and because you are terrible to the evil spirits, you can deliver us from all their snares. Have mercy on us, who glory in living under your protection. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:324 • Dedication of the Abbey of Royaumont, under the title of the Holy Cross and Our Lady, by John, Archbishop of Mytileme, in the year 1235. This monastery had been founded by St Louis in the year 1227 — Gallia Christiana, t. iv. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Holy Cross and Our Lady Abbey, Royaumont, France (1235), founded by St. Louis. (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) • “Notre Dame de Royaumont”. France. 1235. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Valencia. (Spain, 1380) (www/mariedenazareth.com)