November 3rd Fast

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JMJ

"I beg you to see to it that those meditations of man's last four ends finish up with hope and trust in God, not with fear and fright. . . When they finish in fear, they are dangerous. . . God is not so terrible for those who love Him. . . He asks little of us because He knows how little we have." (St. Francis deSales) 

In the classic novel, Anna Karenina, a poignant scene is depicted between Kitty, the young newly married wife of Levin, and his dying brother, Nikolay. Knowing of her brother-in-law's decline and approaching death, Kitty has been pleading with her husband to allow her to call upon him before his impending end.  For a time, Levin refuses to permit this visitation out of concern that the sight of his wretched brother and the repugnant surroundings of his living situation would repulse his young bride, thereby defiling her sweet innocence. However, once Levin finally accedes to her persistent determination, he is astounded to discover that his sweet spouse is not as naive and timid as he thought. Not only is she undisturbed by the loathsome scene she encounters, but Kitty is actually unhindered by the fear of death that plagues Levin:

 "[She] knew without a shadow of a doubt what life was, and what death was, and although [she couldn't] have begun to answer or even understand questions which occured to Levin, [there] was no doubt to the significance of this phenomenon. . .the proof that [she] really did know what death was lay in the fact that [she] knew without a moment's hesitation how to deal with people who were dying and [was] not frightened of them. Levin and others, although they could say a lot about death, clearly did not know, because they were afraid of death and did not have the faintest idea what to do when people were dying."

Since the Fall, when sin and suffering entered the world, death has been an ever present reality to man. Though he may choose to ignore it—through laziness, a bloated over-confidence, or an idolization of health—man cannot escape mortality. But rather than being frustrated at his finiteness—a feeling that emanates from the pride that he is profoundly capable of anything—if man accepts the limitations that accompany his mortality, he will secure the serenity that Our Savior offers to those who live in union with his will. 

Though it may at first be humbling to acknowledge those limitations—both physical and emotional—in the end, it is a relief to rest in the fact that one need not strive for a perfect existence that is not in harmony with a nature that cries for respite from the unrealistic demands he puts upon himself. Christ desires this freedom for his followers when he offers to yoke himself to man.  No longer burdened by expectation, man is at peace, happily admitting to his weaknesses and gladly depending on God to make up for what is lacking.

October 6th Fast

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"The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” – Pope Pius XI

Man yearns for rest. One naturally desires for a life unencumbered by obstacles that disturb his quest for a soul at peace and so decries circumstances which upset this worthy goal and ideal.  When impediments arise, as they inevitably do, he resentfully blames uncontrollable situations or people for his restlessness, refusing to adapt and accept, choosing instead to begrudge and reject.  This spirit not only plants the weeds of ingratitude but furthermore, it drives away the peaceful security which resides in a soul who trusts in the providence of God. 

One frustrated by encumbrances, fails to understand that His Father has allowed these challenges to edify him not thwart him. It is not by happenstance that one is placed in a certain time and circumstance. When Esther bewailed her fate to confront the King unannounced at the peril of her life, her uncle Mordecai responded," Who knows that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as place?" (Esther 4:14) Like the Israelites in the desert who grumble and lament their liberty, the restive soul is narrowly focused on the burden of the journey, rather than perceiving the grace he has been given to pursue his goal.

Idyllic circumstances will rarely present themselves, and so man must resign himself to whatever situation is providentially afforded him, acknowledging obstacles but courageously refusing to be weighed down by them. The daily recitation of the rosary provides a beautiful example of this challenge. For it is a calling to fidelity, not flawlessness. The commitment to the rosary requires patience, and constancy even on very difficult days. It is in persevering in this daily discipline— calmly plodding through the hindrances that tempt him away from the devotion— one can understand that peace can be obtained not through perfection but through patience.

September 1st Fast

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"We put pride into everything like salt. We like to see that our good works are known. If our virtues are seen, we are pleased; if our faults are perceived, we are sad. I remark that in a great many people; if one says anything to them, it disturbs them, it annoys them. The saints were not like that – they were vexed if their virtues were known, and pleased that their imperfections should be seen." (St. John Vianney)

St. Catherine Laboure received many mystical graces—apparitions of Our Lady, prophetic visions of France's future, locutions from the Holy Spirit— but perhaps the most extraordinary grace she received was the gift of a hidden life.  Our Compassionate Mother shielded her servant from the world's eye, allowing this Sister 0f Charity the privilege of a peaceful existence. 

Yet, Sister Catherine cooperated with this invitation by humbly and gratefully accepting anonymity. How providential that her surname originates from the Latin root "to work"—laborare— for truly she led a life filled with drudgeries of the natural sort. Yet this ordinary life rose to supernatural heights— not owing to the miraculous occurrences that accompanied her years on earth— but as a direct consequence of the selfless love she poured forth in performing her duties without the desire of praise or attention. 

The call of each vocation is the total gift of self; yet that gift must be given without pretension or complaint. Sacrifices acquire their nobility not when they are exposed but when they are concealed.  For humility, the noblest of virtues, is attained through the most ignoblest of means: humiliations. The sincerely humble is eager for service and indifferent to notice. He serves the needs of others, not the needs of his ego. Not easily offended by others' seeming ingratitude, he is satisfied in the knowledge that his beloved is content. The hidden life of self-denial and daily service is one of heroic virtue, sought by a courageous few who accept the command of greatness in a life of littleness:

 "But not so with you, rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves." (Lk. 22:26-27)

 

 

August 4th Fast

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“The obligation we have to love our neighbor is so important that Jesus Christ put it into a Commandment that he placed immediately after that by which he commands us to love Him with all our hearts. He tells us that all the law and the prophets are included in this commandment to love our neighbor. Yes, my dear brethren, we must regard this obligation as the most universal, the most necessary and the most essential to religion and to our salvation. In fulfilling this Commandment, we are fulfilling all the others.” (St. John Vianney)

 How easy it is to give of one's resources to a worthy cause or even to present a gift to another who bestows lavish praise for one's thoughtfulness. How much more difficult to have peace with familial or fraternal relations? A material donation may require a single sacrifice while the gift of energy, emotions, time, etc. demands continuous self-denial, that refuses to tally any mounting costs.

The devil cannot endure tranquility and communion and so he uses various means to sow tension and discord. Subtly he tempts one to focus on trivialities, amplifying the weaknesses of the other while purposely obscuring and minimizing his strengths. All the while, he assuages the ego of his listener, magnifying the injuries he has received, cunningly whispering,"See how selfish that other person is! How he clings to his will while he ignores how often you have yielded so generously!"

In the midst of this inner dialogue—as one proudly trumps his own imagined magnanimity, and laments the other's perceived petulancy— does he ever stop to consider how the Evil One relishes this triumph of his? As he allows the devil to further divide him from a loved one, does he realize how his pride and resentment have so blinded him that he can see nothing but his own narrow view of endured injustices?

There are very real and painful deep wounds that exist in personal relationships, but there are also many cuts that may appear deep but are really only superficial, though irksome. Living in communion involves great sacrifice but also creates an opportunity for immense gratitude. It requires setting aside pride in order to obtain peace but also prompts one to reflect not just on what he has given up, but what he has gained. Christ invites man to rejoice in the good of the other, while excusing his faults; to accept his weakness, and praise his strength.

"Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, we renew our pledge of love and loyalty to you. Keep us always close to Your Loving Heart and to the Most Pure Heart of Your Mother. May we love one another more and more each day, forgiving each other's faults as you forgive us our sins. Teach us to see you in the members of our family and those we meet outside our home and to love them as you love them, especially the poor and the oppressed, that we may be instrumental in bringing about justice and peace."

 

July 7th Fast

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“There are many persons very dear to my Heart, but the moment I saw this blessed sun this Morning (with Kit  in my arms) dear Rebecca came at once in my thoughts, and if there had been a wish to name, it would have been to have you with me. .. You well know how much I value your Society and affection but we are not always to have what we like best in this world, thank Heaven! For if we had, how soon we should forget the other ,-the place of endless Peace, where they who were united by Virtue and affection here, will surely enjoy that union so often interrupted while on their journey Home.” 

(St. Elizabeth Ann Seton writing to her sister-in-law and dear friend, Rebecca Seton)

There has been much focus on how the current culture devalues the love of a man and woman, but a still greater depreciation has been the false idea of the love of friends. This latter is the more significant travesty because friendship is the basis of the strong marriage and a close relationship with Our Dear Lord.

A good friend, is not just someone who is seen often or whose circumstances are a reflection of one's own. Though it is common to meet a close friend through shared experiences, this does not comprise the entirety of the relationship. According to Aristotle in Book VIII of his Nichomachean Ethics:

"Perfect friendship is the friendship of men who are good, and alike in virtue; for these wish well alike to each other. . .now those who wish well to their friends for their sake are mostly true friends; for they do this by reason of own nature and not incidentally; therefore their friendship lasts as long as they are good—and goodness is an enduring thing." 

This type of friendship is unusual because of the high demands it places on man's character. Even Aristotle pessimistically admitted that it is "natural that such friendships should be infrequent; for such men are rare." A close friendship requires discernment, vulnerability, sacrifice and patience.

Discernment is vital to determine if the fellowship of the other is enjoyable and edifying. Longing for love and attachment, it is tempting to settle for less worthy companions just for the sake of avoiding solitude. Yet friendship depends on the confident independence of each and will never thrive if one party is insecure, possessive or manipulative. Prudence will be rewarded to those who patiently wait to find friends that lighten the heart with a joyful spirit and strengthen the will by a virtuous example.

Forming strong friendships requires vulnerability, which must begin with intentionality. One must bravely seek out others, despite the fear of rejection.  Our Lord commanded his disciples to go out into the world, not to shore up in a hole and hope someone would find them.  

Now, being vulnerable does not mean being imprudently impulsive. Sharing too much and too soon often leads to regret. Yet two can never hope to be equals if only one unlocks his door while the other firmly leaves his barred. Otherwise, insecurity and superiority replace empathy and consolation. The word vulnerable comes from the Latin root,"vulnus" meaning wound. Like an open wound which is grafted upon to create a new and stronger foundation, only a friendship that allows for an openness of heart, a humility of spirit and a willingness to mature, can blossom and grow firm through this grafting of hearts.

Finally, true Christian friendship necessitates sacrifice and patience. The Greek legend of Damon and Pythias illustrates the supreme love of friends when Damon offers to take the condemned place of Pythias so that he can visit his family one last time. When Pythias is considerably delayed Damon is prepared to suffer execution, firmly believing in his friend's fidelity despite Pythias' absence and the subsequent mockery he endures from the cruel Dionysius. At the final moment, Pythias appears and the dictator is so moved that he allows both to be freed.

At first glance, this story appears to highlight the ultimate sacrifice a friend is willing to make, but in truth, it depicts the constancy of a friend who patiently bears another's burden, faithfully sacrificing his freedom for the other.  Sacrificial love in a friendship practices intentional charity that is not convenient or comfortable. Self-interest, envy, judgment and defensiveness are set aside with a discarded ego. In forgetting himself, one discovers the joy of knowing the goodness of the other.  It is a tremendous gift to know and feel the genuine and abiding love and affection of a true sister or brother in Christ. A friendship that is founded and derives its strength from the Source of love, a friendship that seeks to return to that Love, is one of inestimable value.

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter:

    he that has found one has found a treasure.

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There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend,

    and no scales can measure his excellence.

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A faithful friend is an elixir of life;

    and those who fear the Lord will find him.

(Sirach 6:14-16) 

 

June 2nd Fast

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"Consider often that it is only the humble of heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. Converse with him. Love Him and be loved by Him." (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque)

June is the month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Heart of the Savior is the symbol of Jesus' total gift of self, his fathomless mercy and sacrificial love. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is aided by pious practices and worthy traditions but true devotion must consist in an earnest desire to pattern one's whole life on the model of His chosen Master. One who adores this tenderest of Hearts uses the example of Our Dear Lord's self-denying love as his guide in all his daily actions. Learning to reject self-indulgence—be it emotional or physical— he understands that there is no gain in a win for his will, only loss of an opportunity to grow in love. A true disciple of the Sacred Heart welcomes— or at least accepts— opportunities to deny himself a pleasure, be it ever so small. 

The invitation to sacrifice does not appeal to one out of duty or tradition or expectation; rather, the call to give the gift of himself is motivated by a firm decision to love.  Often, it requires acts of the will— devoid of feeling, deprived of consolation,  —but always it is a conscious decision to see others as He sees them, to love others as He loves them. It is the high call to practice charity— despite weariness, ingratitude and indifference— in imitation of Him but also united with Him. How little there is to lose and how much there is to gain when one says no to self and yes to love!

"Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself since that is the only way one can find entrance into you." (St. Claude de la Columbiere)

 

 

May 5th Fast

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"We would wish to fall generously, nobly…What an illusion! We would never want to fall? What does it matter, Jesus, if I fall at each moment? It shows me my weakness and for this reason is a great gain for me. It shows you what I am able to do and now you will be more tempted to carry me in your arms." 

(St. Therese)

In the well known play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, a common flower girl, Eliza Doolitle, seeks to employ Henry Higgins upon learning that he can help her garner a position selling flowers in a shop rather than hocking them off the street.  Spurned after hearing her "Lisson Grove lingo", Eliza foolishly believes that her conveyance in a taxi will impress Higgins, persuading him that she is a woman of worth and wealth. The reader may smile at the girl's ridiculous reasoning, but also pities her for her ignorance.

How our heavenly Father must look upon man in the same way as one looks at this simple London girl! He observes man trying desperately to impress others with his worth and prowess but only succeeds in displaying the absurdity of his claim.  It is in refusing to recognize his deficiencies that man finds frustration. It it his constant fear of humiliation which depresses and discourages him. 

What an irony it is that the one creature who could have boasted of her perfections, rejoiced in her limitations! Mary, our dearest Mother, shines in her humility as man grovels in his hubris. Yet he need not continue to be thwarted by unrealistic and unattainable ambitions—be they material or spiritual.  Rather, he must not only take Mary as his model, but truly claim her as his helper. For she surely supported St. Joseph in his moments of discouragement when he strove to provide for the Holy Family.  And undoubtedly she encouraged the apostles when they struggled to carry out the task Her Son commissioned them to do.  One can imagine the twelve going to her often, confident that they would find the succor they needed.

But one cannot be lifted up without lowering himself first. If he stubbornly clings to his pride, man only finds misery amidst frustration. But by humbly and realistically acknowledging his inabilities, relinquishing his bloated sense of self and his herculean grip of ego, man lightens his load so much that he becomes like a little one who abandons his toys to be carried and comforted by the mother he loves so dearly.

Good Friday Fast

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“Love and sacrifice are closely linked, like the sun and the light. We cannot love without suffering and we cannot suffer without love.” (St. Gianna)

From the time the Passion of Our Lord began in the Garden of Gethsemane, His strength was slowly drained with each new torture: the wounds to the flesh which taxed his vigor; the wounds to the heart which agonized his sensitive soul. Why was it, that if one small drop of the Savior's blood could have redeemed mankind, did he accept the added burdens which made His "soul sorrowful even unto death?" It is because His longing for us is so ardent, His love for us so consuming, that only the gift of His entire being could satisfy His desire.

Though his stamina was strained to its limit, and his heart yearned to be consoled, He did not return insults to those who mocked him—courageously choosing silence—nor spurn those who needed him—giving comfort to the women on the way, providing hope to the penitent thief. He was patient though he was violently abused. He was faithful though He was betrayed. He consoled though he was rejected. He was merciful though now mercy was shown Him.

In carrying the cross, one is tempted to retreat into solitude; resenting requests when his endurance is already spent.  Yet Our Lord tell His disciples,"Take up your cross and follow me." One cannot remain in the same place with his burden. The call is to go forth with the cross; for He expects one to not only carry the load, but to do so while patiently helping others to carry theirs as well.  It is love that allowed Him to persevere and it is love that will allow His disciples to endure as well. Not a passing feeling of passion but an intentional decision of love. A love which girds one's strength allowing him to understand that the extra demands on his soul are necessary to avoid self-pity and prompt a heroic and total gift of self.

                                                    

March 3rd Fast

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“The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.”  

Pope Benedict XVI

In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul wrote,"When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things." Lent offers an opportunity to emerge from childhood and embrace maturity. It is an invitation to detach from the empty pleasures of earth and attach to the hope of heaven. With each penitential season—and really, with each cross— the faithful Christian finds himself in the position of the rich young man in the Gospel who, having affirmed that he kept all the commandments, queries the Lord further as to how he can obtain eternal life:

"And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mk. 10:11)

God challenges man to sanctity. St. John Paul II often reminded his flock of the demand of the Gospels:

"Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. The kingdom of heaven is for those who are determined to enter it . . . Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since full, true freedom is born from holiness. "

The world  tempts man not only in the form of pleasures but excuses as well. Man often spends energy seeking reasons to excuse himself from fasting, prayer and the corporal works of mercy rather than preserving his strength to practice the aforementioned disciplines.  

Perhaps the reason that man yields to self-pitying and rationalizing his behavior is because he refuses to acknowledge that His Creator knows him better than he knows himself and so understands what he is truly capable of. Even the saints, had their doubts and fears when faced with an onerous task. Though St. Teresa of Kolkata was fond of saying—"I know God won't give me more than I can handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much."—she humbly accepted her crosses, shouldering through difficult moments, confident that she was "called to be faithful, not successful."

Let this Lent be a time of great trust that God's grace will be sufficient to carry the cross: those crosses that are freely and lovingly chosen and those that must be patiently accepted. Think not of its present burden but of its eternal merit.

"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle! Are they not in your book?" (Psalm 56:8)

 

 

February 3rd Fast

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"Depend upon it, it is better to learn how to live without being angry than to imagine one can moderate and control anger lawfully; and if through weakness and frailty one is overtaken by it, it is far better to put it away forcibly than to parley with it; for give anger ever so little way, and it will become master, like the serpent, who easily works in its body wherever it can once introduce its head. You will ask how to put away anger. My child, when you feel its first movements, collect yourself gently and seriously, not hastily or with impetuosity." 

(Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis deSales)

In her well known novel about the March family, Louisa May Alcott illustrates the near-fatal effects of Jo's tempestuous nature when Amy nearly drowns after a vengeful Jo spitefully fails to ensure that she heard Laurie's warning about the thin  ice they skate upon. As Jo tearfully repents of her hardness of heart, she laments that no one is aware of her mighty struggle to overcome this fault when her gentle mother surprises her with this confession:

"You think your temper is the worst in the world; but mine used to be just like it. . . . I've been trying to cure it for forty years and have only succeeded in controlling it. I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo; but I have learned not to show it; and I still hope to learn not to feel it though it may take another forty years."

As each new day dawns, the store of patience that is replenished through a restful night gives hope to the faithful Christian as he resolves to tackle each task with gentleness. Alas, with each disturbance of the day the simmering pot of impatience slowly increases into the rapid boil of anger, and seemingly nothing can stop a passionate nature from its wrathful storm.  St. Francis de Sales said:

"However, much I have been in the right,‟ he confessed, "I have never shown anger without discovering afterwards that I would have done better by not showing it.”

But each day brings unexpected vexations that try one's patience, and unexpected burdens that add to his plight.  Feeling justified in his reactions, one petulantly defends his tantrums by blaming uncontrollable factors. One may not explode each time, but irascibility creeps in when he allows every annoyance to irritate and irk him.  

Yet he will not learn to conquer this tendency until he recognizes it for the weakness that it is. It requires no effort to fall prey to a temptation to anger, but it requires great strength, endurance, and undoubtedly, God's grace to resist the ravening wolf of fury.  The fiery soul must courageously restrain his inner passions by using that same intense fervor to his advantage in conquering his fault rather than to his detriment in yielding to his impulsiveness. 

 Maintaining one's peace in the midst of constant disturbance is akin to holding down the fort in the midst of the siege. It is not something done on a whim, but a battle that must be prepared for with prayer and practical preparation. Anticipating and understanding the moments or people that particularly pique the soul will aid it in its fight against this fault.  One must implore God's help as he deliberately deflects blows to his peace, patiently plodding along the road to gentleness.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, 

make my heart like unto thine!

 

January 6th Fast

+JMJ 

"To have Christian hope means to know about evil and yet to go to meet the future with confidence. The core of faith rests upon accepting being loved by God, and therefore to believe is to say Yes, not only to him, but to creation, to creatures, above all, to men, to try to see the image of God in each person and thereby to become a lover." (Pope Benedict XVI)

St. Peter tells us to "Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour." It is certainly not difficult to notice the presence of the evil one in modern culture. Yet, it is not enough for the devil to drag souls down through overt temptation; the deceiver also furtively pulls souls into ruts by focusing their attention on all the destruction he has wrought.

Satan first seeks to terrify the devout by inundating the faithful Christian with stories of a pervasive evil. He convinces one to busy himself with anxious thoughts, making believe that he is accomplishing some good by putting his efforts into worrying rather than putting his efforts into prayer; yet nothing could be more fruitless than anxiety and nothing could be more fruitful than prayer.

If he fails in this regard, the evil one then tries a different tactic. If he cannot terrify the heart, he will instead harden it with contempt. Disgusted by the evil he sees and burdened by the crosses he must endure, one cultivates a cynical attitude, believing it will alleviate his weary soul. He is tired of dwelling in the darkness, but refuses to look for the Light. It takes very little effort or intelligence to be cynical but it demands great strength and thoughtfulness to remain silent and curb the appetite for caustic commentary.

The early Christians, living amongst pagan neighbors, also had their temptation to cynicism for surely they must have reminisced of the days when Rome lauded virtue and abhorred vice. Yet, they refused to be anchored by misery  and chose to live their days buoyed by hope. As Pope Benedict XVI said in Spe Salvi: "One who has hope lives differently." It was their hope of heaven that encouraged and lightened their hearts amidst tribulation. It was their hope of eternal happiness that radiated in their joyful countenances drawing others —depressed by the mania surrounding them— to implore them to share this treasure.

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Rom. 5:3-5)