The attack on marriage is really an attack on the human person, and his dignity, for the devil seeks to pervert our true purpose, to pervert God's holy design. For many of us, we cannot march in protests or write dozens of letters or call numerous times to urge legislators to vote for the Truth. But one thing we can all do is pray and fast. We have designated one day each week to fast for these intentions:

1. That marriage may be preserved, promoted, and understood as God's plan for creation.

2. For all marriages that they may reflect the love of the Trinity.

3. For broken marriages that Christ bring healing and conversion to the spouses' souls.

4. For those who are married, for the sanctification of their marriage and their spouse. For those who are single, for their future spouse and vocation.


Thursday, May 3, 2018

May 4th Fast

+
JMJ

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought of what is noble in the sight of all." (Romans 12:14-18)
The characteristic that must define a Christian, and reveal his faith to others is the merciful love he practices in the manner of His Master.  This love can be witnessed in many exterior deeds of selfless charity, but to truly radiate from the soul, it needs to be cultivated interiorly as well. 

Sometimes it can be easier to help those in want rather than be happy for those in plenty. St. Paul's exhortation is too easily perverted when one rejoices at another's misery, and weeps at another's gain.  Frequently forgotten is our kinship with our brethren through the Mystical Body of Christ, and subsequently the truth that all is in God's Providence.  To envy another's good fortune is to begrudge the generosity of Our Heavenly Father, and question the wisdom of His will.   


She, who bore Wisdom Incarnate, gives us the supreme example of a compassionate heart, devoid of all bitterness.  Though He belonged to her for thirty years, she peacefully accepted His departure and allowed others to attend to His needs.  Mary intimately knew Her Son, gladly giving her whole self to Him, but was not jealous nor selfish when she saw He would now give His whole self to the world.  We can imitate her by willfully choosing generosity over jealousy, gratitude over self-pitying.  


It was revealed to St. Gertrude that when she thanked God for the blessings given to another, she was given many more graces than if she had received those particular blessings herself. Let us praise God for His gifts for us and for others.