20 October 2012 The Pharisees try in vain to intimidate Jesus Jesus was still staying away from Jerusalem, evangelizing the countries bordering upon Galilee with great success. This was enough to make the Pharisees envious. Thus, they resolved to hinder his mission, and even make him abandon it under some false pretext. Assuming a hypocritical air, the Pharisees said, “Master, we hear that Herod, who murdered John the Baptist, intends to kill you. Save your life, leave!” (Lk 13:31) This is how the devil, jealous of whoever do works of charity and zeal, tries to hinder their success. He even drives them away from where they are doing good. Sometimes he tries to frighten and discourage them. Or he stirs up false brethren against them who try to drive them away under the pretext of avoiding disagreements. He endeavors, and even succeeds, in belittling them before their colleagues, by intrigue or calumny. We may be the victim of these snares. Great servants of God have been so, as we see in the lives of St John of the Cross and St Francis Regis. They were not disturbed but left their cause in the hands of God who sustained them in their trials; and glorified them. Instead of feeling fear, as the Pharisees wished, Jesus answered them calmly: “Go and tell that fox, ‘Listen, I cast out devils and do cures today, tomorrow, and on the third day’” (Lk 13:32); ie, as long as My mission requires me. This courageous answer should have impressed the Pharisees: ‘I do what I have willed, what is necessary for my mission. I fear no one; and I will die only at the time and in the manner I have appointed.’ The just man who obediently does his duty must answer with equal courage: ‘I do what God wills, what obedience has laid on me. I fear him only; and I will die at the time and in the manner he has resolved that I should die. Happy should I be if I might die a martyr to my duty and to obedience.’ Is this courage and constancy to be found in me? Am I often influenced and upset by fears which are usually imaginary? Do I apprehend many difficulties, contradictions, and annoyances? Has the simple fear that I may not succeed before men in my assignment made me resort to false pretences? “It cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.” (Lk 13:33) Thus, Jesus made the Pharisees realize that he knew their snares laid for him in Jerusalem. There indeed he would die, only because he so willed it. Then thinking of the terrible fate reserved for inhabitants of Jerusalem, he cried out in grief, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murderess of prophets and stoner of those who were sent to you! How often have I yearned to gather your children, as a mother bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused me!” (Mt 23:37) How wonderfully is the tenderness of the Divine Heart manifested to us in these words! Let us try to form our own hearts on the model of this tender and zealous heart. Let us try also to forget our own troubles, that we may only think how we can relieve the sorrows and needs of our brethren, of all confided to our care. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp650-52 Intimacy with God As he parted with the apostles on the eve of his Passion, Jesus said: “Anyone who loves me will be true to my word, and my Father will love him; and we will come to him, and make our dwelling place with him.” (Jn 14:23) Just a few moments before being handed over to death, he reveals the heights and depths of an immense love. He reveals to us the mystery of God’s indwelling presence. Yes, man is called to become a temple for the Blessed Trinity. What greater degree of communion with God could man ever aspire to? What greater proof than this could God ever give us of his saving love? The God of all wants to enter into communion with man. All the age-old history of Christian mysticism, even some of its most sublime expressions, can speak only imperfectly about the unutterable presence of God in our hearts. Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 14 The Heart of the World “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! ... Let us rejoice and be glad he has saved us!” (Is 25:9) These words invite us to trust in the Lord. On the mountain of victory he is preparing a banquet for all peoples. Tears will be wiped away from all faces; and death will be eliminated for ever. Peace will reign. Christ, Son of the Virgin Mary, will be the heart of the world. Let us pray that the Father’s will may be done, making all people children of God through unifying action of the Spirit. Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 120 The 15 Promises of Mary: 14. I have obtained from my Divine Son: all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73) Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘House of gold’ -- Gold is a symbol of love. Therefore, St Albert the Great calls Mary ‘a golden temple of charity’. And with reason, for St Thomas says, that ‘as all in the temple was covered with gold, so was everything in the beautiful soul of Mary filled with sanctity’. Mary was the house of gold which Eternal Wisdom, ie, the divine Word, chose for his dwelling on earth: “Wisdom hath built herself a house.” (Prov 9:1) ‘This House of God is so rich that it can relieve all our wants.’ (Richard of St Laurence) O Mary, you love God so much, and therefore, you desire to see him loved by all. This is the grace which above all others I ask of you, and which I hope from you; obtain me great love for God. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:324 Prayer for a deceased priest O LORD, we pray Thee that the soul of Thy priest, Thy servant N., which, while he abode in this world, Thou didst adorn with sacred gifts, may ever rejoice in a glorious place in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Ref: In “Blessed Be God”, by Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, 1925, p484 • Dedication of the church of Pontigny, four leagues from Anxerre, under the title of Our Lady. This abbey was founded in 1114 by Thibaud, Count of Champagne. — Angl. Manriq. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Abbey of Our Lady. Pontigny, France 1114. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Immaculate Heart of Mary. Marianist Missal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Mother Most Admirable. (www/mariedenazareth.com)