September 3rd Fast

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JMJ

"One time I was traveling and far from home and lonely, and I awoke in the night almost on the verge of weeping with a sense of futility, of being unloved and unwanted. And suddenly the thought came to me of my importance as a daughter of God, a daughter of a king, and I felt a sureness of God's love and at the same time a conviction that one of the greatest injustices. . . which one can do to God, is to distrust His love, not realize His love. God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son.  If a mother will forget her children never will I forget you. Such tenderness. And with such complete, ingratitude we forget the Father and His love!"

Dorothy Day

The consequences of original sin are witnessed and felt daily by the inheritors of that punishment.  One of the most grievous afflictions that burden the descendants of Adam and Eve is the tainted understanding of love. From the moment that Adam betrayed Eve in his neglect to guard the garden and Eve selfishly sought to persuade Adam to join in her sin, the hearts of mankind were stripped of the knowledge  of unconditional love, as evidenced by how the first couple cowered in terror as they heard God calling for them.  Man regains some of his lost innocence when he is baptized but still must endure a world overshadowed by concupiscence.  A natural trust that exists from childhood will one day be sadly shattered when he realizes that others do not love him as they ought.

A selfish passion that parades as love divides man and wife, parent and child, friend from friend. But it also muddles one's knowledge of what sincere love is.  Cynicism can easily set in, and rash judgment often accompanies it.  This is a temptation that takes much courage to reject, but it is a battle that is necessary for the good of his soul.  For if he settles for the world's false version of love, he not only excuses himself from the challenge of living a life of total gift of self, but he also may deny himself the happiness of knowing that there is One who truly loves him and can satisfy him.  The cynic easily forgets the Father's love, and so misses his opportunity to rest in that love, to feel certain in the knowledge and certainty of it, to be hopeful of everlasting happiness abiding in it.  The love of the Father is ennobling and tender, sweet and secure.   As Padre Pio said:

"How is it possible that the fountain of living water which issues from the divine heart should be far from a soul that rushes to it like a thirsty deer? I therefore urge you in the charity of Christ to make sure you calm your anxiety by drinking at the fountain of divine love, which you must do in faith and trust, by humility and submission to God's will."