12 July 2013 Exact observance of the law “Do not think I came to abolish the law. ... For I truly tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter will pass from the law till all be accomplished.” (cf Mt 5:17) These words teach us that an exact observance of the rule and discipline is pleasing to our Lord. Let us earnestly meditate on his words: “Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; for I tell you unless your justice exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19-20) Consider what the author of the “Imitation” [Thomas à Kempis] says: “A religious man that lives not in discipline (ie, who excuses himself from what is irksome) lies open to dreadful ruin. He who does not shun small defects, by little and little, falls into greater.” Then we will understand the presumption and peril of an ‘habitual’ neglect of the norms -- peril for ourself and for others from our bad example. Let us meditate further on our Lord’s words: “He that shall do and teach them” (ie, the smallest precepts) “shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19) Great, because he will have shown great generosity in the service of God. Great, because by his example, still more than by his words, he will have done much to secure the perseverance and spiritual progress of his neighbor. This thought is a most encouraging one, and we shall be always faithful to the smallest observances if we can but always keep them in mind. Let us beg of God that it may be thus, and that the words of the author of the “Imitation” may be applicable to us: “Oh, how sweet and comfortable it is to see brethren fervent and devout, regular and well-disciplined!” Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp437-9 Offering God our day God has given us days and nights so that we may order our lives. As we leave the previous day, each new day reminds us that we must continue the work interrupted by night, and move on with our projects and hopes. “Man goes forth to his work and to his labour until the evening; then night comes, and with a kindly smile bids us put away all the toys we poor mortals make such a fuss over; shuts our books for us, hides our distractions from us, draws a great black coverlet over our lives ... As the darkness closes round us, we go through a dress-rehearsal of death; soul and body say good night to one another ... And then morning comes, and with morning, a re-birth.” (R A Knox, “A Retreat for Lay People”, pp21-2) In a certain sense, each day, begins with a birth and ends with a death. It is a microcosm of life. ‘Today’ is the only time we can offer to God. “Each day echoes its secret to the next, ...” (Ps 18:2); yesterday whispers to today, and on God’s behalf says to us: begin well. “Do your duty ‘now’, without looking back on ‘yesterday’, which has already passed, or worrying over ‘tomorrow’, which may never come for you.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 253) What we must sanctify is the present day. And how are we going to do that if we don’t start by offering it to God? Only those who don’t know God, and lukewarm Christians are who routinely start their day. The ‘Morning Offering’ is an act of piety which focuses the day properly from the outset, directing it towards God. Our ‘Morning Offering’ disposes us to listen to the Holy Spirit, and to heed the inspirations and graces he sends all day. God does talk to us each day. Let us tell our Lord we want to serve him today and to be conscious of his presence. “Renew your decision each morning, with a very determined ‘Serviam’, I will serve you, Lord. Renew your resolution not to give in, not to give way to laziness or idleness; to face up to your duties with greater hope and more optimism, convinced that if we are defeated in some small skirmish we can overcome this setback by making a sincere act of love.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 217) Our actions will be all the more pleasing in the eyes of God if our offering is made through his Mother, who is also our Mother. “Try to put whatever you wish to offer to God into the hands of Mary -- her hands are most gracious and worthy of all esteem -- so that your offering will be happily accepted by our Lord.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, 18) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:489-91 The Christian Vocation With words simple and clear, ‘Jesus offered reflections on every aspect of daily life. Jesus proposed a new concept of living.’ In the short introductory phrases of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sounded the keynote of the new era he had come to proclaim. The new spirit is to be gentle, generous, simple and above all sincere. To avoid being arrogant, censorious or self-seeking. The disciples of the new Kingdom must seek happiness even amidst poverty, deprivation, tears and oppression. To aim for the new kingdom requires a ‘radical change’ in outlook, in mentality, in behavior, in relations with others. Just as the law was revealed to Moses on Mt Sinai, so, in this Sermon on the Mount, ‘Jesus, the new Lawgiver, offers to all mankind a new way of life, a charter of Christian life’. It is this loving Fatherhood of God which pervades every word of Jesus. Throughout this discourse he appeals to his listeners to respond to the Father, with a response of filial love. “Everyone who will be animated by this new spirit is a child of God.” The spirit of sons which makes us cry out, “Abba, Father” (Rom 8:14-5). Love will be the mainspring of the new era. Jesus later affirmed this, saying: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them; we will come to them and make our home with them.” (Jn 14:23) Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p253 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Fifth Day O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people. (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • Dedication of Our Lady of all Graces, at the convent of the Minims of Nigeon, near Paris, in the year 1578. This house was given in the year 1476, by Ann of Brittany, wife of Louis XII, to St Francis of Paula, who had instituted his order in the year 1436. — Du Breuil, Antiquite’s de Paris. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of All Graces. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Lure, Avignon, France (1110). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Notre Dame de Lure”. Avignon, France. 1110. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)