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.

15 

There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend,

    and no scales can measure his excellence.

16 

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

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"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)

 

December 2nd Fast

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"Look upon the hour of adoration assigned to you as an hour in paradise. Go to your adoration as one would to heaven, to the divine banquet. You will then long for that hour and hail it with joy. Take delight in fostering a longing for it in your heart. Tell yourself, "In four hours, in two hours, in one hour, our Lord will give me an audience of grace and love. He has invited me; he is waiting for me; he is longing for me." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

In his book, Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait, Fr. Leo Maasburg described the importance of prayer— specifically Adoration and Mass— for this saint of the gutters:

In 1972 when a catastrophic flood struck Bangladesh, Mother Teresa immediately sent her sisters there to help out.  The needs were enormous, and the work demanded superhuman efforts on the part of the Sisters. So they were asked if they would make an exception and not interrupt their work for prayer sessions. Mother Teresa decided against it: 'No, the Sisters will come home for Adoration and Holy Mass'...for Mother Teresa it was clear that the Sisters' strength dries up if they are not nourished daily by Mass and their Adoration of the Holy Eucharist."

During this season of Advent, the faithful Christian hears the Gospel story of the Birth of Christ; its familiarity is comforting, its sameness is soothing.  Listening to the Nativity story may bring back childhood memories, or evoke picturesque scenes.  It is easy to imagine oneself as the shepherd who would run in haste to meet his King just as he might imagine himself as one of the few standing by the cross. 

But perhaps, a more likely scenario for the modern man is the role of the innkeeper who said,"there is no room."  For why should one expect that he would make room to welcome the Savior to Bethlehem when he does not make room in his day for the same Lord? Instead of clearing the way so that he can spend time with His King, he clutters his path with excuse upon excuse.  

Many are blessed to be near churches with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, but many neglect to take advantage of this gift.  And why? Because in a culture where plans can be changed last minute, and distractions are ever at one's fingertips, committing to time in Adoration takes effort and sacrifice.  Saying yes to the invitation from Our Lord necessitates saying no to other demands upon one's time. It is the difference between just trying to simply squeeze in Our Lord somewhere, and the day revolving around the time with Him. Even if the former works, it is as if one is saying to Jesus,"I think I can find time for you on my schedule." But in the latter, he says,"Nothing is more important than you, my Jesus, and I will do everything in my power to be with you this day." 

November 4th Fast

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"Fear of the Lord, instead, is the gift of the Holy Spirit through whom we are reminded of how small we are before God and of his love and that our good lies in humble, respectful and trusting self-abandonment into his hands. . .When we are pervaded by fear of the Lord, then we are led to follow the Lord with humility, docility and obedience. This, however, is not an attitude of resignation, passivity or regret, but one of the wonder and joy of being a child who knows he is served and loved by the Father. Fear of the Lord, therefore, does not make of us Christians who are shy and submissive, but stirs in us courage and strength!"

(Pope Francis, General Audience, June 11, 2014)

The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In his excellent book, The Spirit of the Liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI enlightens the reader to the intentional interconnection of the sacred liturgy and liturgical calendar with the rhythm of time itself.  Just as Easter, the celebration of Christ's resurrection, purposely coincides with Spring, and Christmas, the Birth of the Light of the World, comes mere days after the Winter Solstice—the time when light gradually returns to the day—so too the month dedicated to the dead appropriately occurs when all of nature appears to be dying.  The brightness of the leaves is faded; their crackling under tread indicates that they are not newly fallen but long since dead.

While the world does all in its power to distract man from his finiteness, creation will not be deterred from inviting man to meditate on his inevitable mortality.  In keeping with this knowledge, the Holy Spirit mercifully grants man the gift of the Fear of the Lord, which means to "entertain a profound though filial fear of God, to meditate on the great disaster of losing His love, and of being separated from Him for all eternity."1

When one cultivates this gift, he embraces the words of Our Lord to fear nothing which can harm the body but only that which can harm the soul.  One shouldn't be surprised by suffering for it serves as a reminder that he is not meant for this world.  It serves to increase one's longing for heavenly rest, and helps the bearer to remember that the cross is not to be looked upon with angst and resentment, but with acceptance and gratitude.  The certainty of death and judgment sobers the faithful Christian, and prompts him to recollect that he must one day stand side by side with the martyrs, and then what will he have to show? 

"Nothing but crosses will assure us at the Day of Judgment. When that day shall come, we shall be happy in our misfortunes, proud of our humiliations, and rich in our sacrifices." (St. John Vianney)

1. Sheehan, Archbishop Michael. Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine. London:  The Saint Austin Press. 2001.

 

October 7th Fast

 +JMJ

"We believe it to be part of the designs of Providence that, in these times of trial for the Church, the ancient devotion to the august Virgin should live and flourish amid the greatest part of the Christian world. May now the Christian nations, . . . seek the protection of Mary with an ardour growing greater day by day; let them cling more and more to the practice of the Rosary, to that devotion which our ancestors were in the habit of practicing, not only as an ever-ready remedy for their misfortunes, but as a whole badge of Christian piety. 

(Supremi Apostolatus Officio, Encyclical on Devotion to the Rosary 

Pope Leo XIII, 1883)

    When Father Patrick Peyton was miraculously cured of Tuberculosis by the Blessed Mother, he solemnly promised to repay this heavenly Queen by spreading devotion to her and her Son.  Momentarily he thought to encourage devotion to the family rosary and attendance at daily Mass. But upon further reflection, he realized that the latter was not attainable for everyone whereas the former could be. 

    By its very nature, the rosary has always been a prayer for simple souls.  Its very name—Our Lady's Psalter,—reveals this simplicity as it was proffered as an alternative breviary for the mostly illiterate populace, its fifteen decades each composed of ten Hail Marys mirroring the 150 psalms recited by educated religious.  

    Greatness lies in littleness; sanctity shines in humility. It is not the grandeur of the prayer that is important, but the majesty of the one it is addressed to. When Naaman the Syrian is told to wash seven times in the Jordan, he initially ridicules Elisha for this mundane request, questioning its efficacy in curing his leprosy. Yet his servants implore him to obey:

 "My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much rather, then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 

If modern man scoffs at its repetitive, elementary nature, perhaps it is because of his own disordered soul, with its insatiable desire to constantly excite passions, forever seeking distractions to quell his inner unrest. In Laetitiae Sanctae, one of eleven encyclicals written by Pope Leo XIII on the Rosary, the Holy Pontiff keenly observed the modern temptations which cause man to recoil from this prayer:

 There are three influences which appear to Us to have the chief place in effecting this downgrade movement of society. These are-first, the distaste for a simple and laborious life (Joyful Mysteries); secondly, repugnance to suffering of any kind (Sorrowful Mysteries); thirdly, the forgetfulness of the future life.(Glorious Mysteries)."

For most of Christian history, the rhythm of the liturgical year, and daily prayer existed alongside the tempo of agricultural life.  Though society as a whole will not return to its agrarian roots, the family can recover the simplicity of that life by again embracing the order and rhythm Our Lady offers through the recitation of the daily rosary.  This constant prayer is like the silent heartbeat of the home, pumping and preserving life, felt but unseen. Fidelity, like love, requires an act of the will. One must daily decide to be a faithful servant of Our Lady, not on a whim, not in a dramatic fashion, but in consistent and patient perseverance.  

September 2nd Fast

 +JMJ

"It is much easier to see the redemptive role of pain and suffering in God's plan if you are not actually undergoing pain and suffering.. . If you look upon sacrifice and suffering only through the eyes of reason alone, your tendency will be to avoid as much of it as you can, for pain itself is never pleasant. But if you can learn to see the role of pain and suffering in relation to God's redemptive plan for the universe and each individual soul, your attitude must change. You don't shun it when it comes upon you, but bear it in the measure grace is given you."

(Father Walter J. Ciszek)

 One of the greatest treasures of the Church is the inexhaustible store of wisdom—emanating from the Holy Spirit, liberally dispersed among the saints.  It is not difficult to discover insights that apply to any difficulty nor learn of a holy one whose circumstances mirror one's own.  And yet, as is stated in the Imitation of Christ, no store of knowledge is beneficial unless it is put to use:

"It is better to feel contrition for your sins than to know how to define it. What good is it to know the entire Bible by heart and to learn the sayings of the all philosophers if you live without the grace and the Love of God?"

The saints became holy because they practiced heroic virtue in the midst of trying circumstances. They were patient when most justified anger; poor when most rationalized wealth; tempered when most called for liberality; humble when most clung to their pride; merciful when most demanded severity.

Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh. The Truth Itself becomes incarnate in all his actions. If one is to imitate Him, he must remove himself from the abstract world of lovely sayings, and beautiful images, and actualize the Truth in the words he has heard and read.   Otherwise, he can expect to hear from his Master the same rebuke that was given to the disciples:"Do you not yet understand?"

August 5th Fast

 +JMJ

"The fervent and diligent man is ready for all things. It is harder to labor to withstand vices and passions than to toil at bodily labors. He that shuns not small defects, little by little, falls into greater ones. You will always be glad in the evening if you spend the day profitably."

(The Imitation of Christ)

When modern conveniences were introduced, men rightly rejoiced as much time that was previously spent in arduous labor could now be employed for self-improvement, family, and above all, rest.  Unfortunately, man is a naturally undisciplined creature and so allotting him the gift of more time did not necessarily prove more beneficial.

Often taking a cavalier attitude, man assumes that perfect health, longevity, and the constant presence of children, friends or a spouse are givens rather than gifts.  Mislead into a false security by the evil one, man foolishly squanders his limited time on pursuits that are wasteful at best and harmful at worst.  The need for the soul to be refreshed is legitimate and proper; one cannot work continuously without sufficient rest and leisure. But, when in seeking to satiate this need, man grasps at immediate gratification in the form of empty diversions, he achieves the exact opposite by exciting passions—anger, anxiety, jealousy, etc.—that worthwhile pursuits would have quelled. 

Embracing each moment does not necessitate engaging in physical activity but it does require forethought and reflection.  Because the opportunities for rest are not lengthy nor predictable, if one does not examine his use of time and prayerfully prepare for these daily retreats, he will quickly gravitate to old habits.  True leisure reinvigorates and refreshes the mind, the body and the soul while mindless activity drains and wearies the heart. At the knee of Our Mother, one learns to ponder the works of the Creator in all that is true, good and beautiful.

"O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire. I. desire to use you as best I can. And although I am weak and small, You grant me the grace of Your omnipotence." (The Diary of St. Faustina)

 

 

 

July 1st Fast

 +JMJ

"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3: 15-17)

In her well known book, The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom details the cruel barbarities of a Nazi concentration camp that she and her sister, Betsy, endure. After a succession of humiliations and subjection to degrading conditions, Corrie nearly yields to despair, incredulous as to how the sisters will bear life in this hellish place. Then, Betsy gently reminds her of Paul's exhortation— "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God." (1 Thes. 5:18) —emphasizing that one is not only to show gratitude in times of comfort and security. Corrie mostly accedes, but resolutely refuses to thank her Maker for the fleas which are their constant companions until she later discovers that due to one guard's abhorrence of the aforementioned mites, the women can freely conduct prayer meetings in the barracks: a cherished consolation in the midst of their intense tribulation.

Paul's letters consistently remind his Christian audience that they, like the Israelites, are "strangers in a strange land" and must act accordingly to differentiate from their pagan neighbors. In the midst of difficulties, the secularist clings to his victim status: his petulant attitude a derivation of the ingrained expectation that he deserves better than the obstacles that litter his path. His resentment fuels frustration, inflaming a temper that is easily touched off at the slightest provocation. Literally weighing him down, his burdens foster a sarcastic and sullen attitude that is rife with cynicism. 

Yet the faithful Christian courageously refuses to wallow in  the mire of self-pity. He humbly acknowledges his faults and often reflects on the bounteous gifts that His father bestows, despite his many failings. Buoyed by this knowledge, he is not easily piqued by inconsequential burdens, nor vexed to suffer inconvenience. This posture of gratitude secures his peace. Thankful for the slightest minutiae, his patience increases, his perseverance strengthens, his endurance lengthens, and his joy abounds.

June 3rd Fast

 +JMJ

"Once understood, it seemed so simple. I was amazed it had taken me so long in terms of time and suffering to learn this truth. Of course we believe we depend on God, that his will sustains us in every moment of our life. But we are afraid to put it to the test. There remains deep down in each of us a little nagging doubt, a little knot of fear that we refuse to face or admit even to ourselves, that say, 'Suppose it isn't so.' We are afraid to abandon ourselves totally in God's hands for fear he will not catch us if we fall. 

It is the ultimate criterion, the final test of all faith and all belief, and it is present in each of us, lurking unvoiced in a closet of our mind we are afraid to open. It is not really a question of trust in God at all, for we want very much to trust him; it is really a question of our ultimate belief in his existence and his providence, and it demands the purest act of faith."

(Father Walter J. Ciszek, S.J.)

     Modern man is conditioned to not only know his outcomes but control them as well.  Unfortunately, when the outcome can so easily be controlled there is no need for trust, even on the simplest level, and so when a situation demands even a modicum of faith, man quickly retreats, preferring comfort to courage, safety to self surrender.  

As Christ yearns to unite, the devil devises to divide.  His ultimate goal is to erode the foundation of one's relationship with God by sowing seeds of suspicion and distrust; consequently the soul exchanges his confidence and peace for fear and anxiety.  The sundry of sin that originated in Eden first came from Eve's distrust of God's providence, her fear of His will, and ultimately her doubt of His love. 

It is this doubt of God's love that has plagued man ever since.  It is this doubt that prompted Our Lord to appear to St. Margaret Mary and reveal His Sacred Heart, reminding man of His intense love for him.  It is this mistrust of God's divine providence that moved Christ to appear to Saint Faustina, imploring man to place his trust in Him. 

Satan encourages man to think of God as distant and indifferent, an omnipotent but abstract being.  But Our dear Savior is not an abstract idea but a real person, flesh and blood, full of passionate love for the flock He lays His life down for.  The statues of Christ in Church do not invite man to worship cold stone, but rather remind the soul that what he worships is a real man, who walked this earth, who is alive in the Holy Eucharist, who aches for our love.  But he does not want a love that is conditioned and calculated, for that is not love at all, only a cowardly tepidity that dismays and disgusts him.  He begs for a love that is free of anxiety but full of trust; he invites man to relinquish his fears.  He asks,"Do you have the strength to believe in my providential care? Do you truly believe that I love you?" And so, in times of doubt, say this simple prayer over and over again, Jesus I trust in you. 

May 6th Fast

 +JMJ

"My soul magnifies the Lord, 

 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. 

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 

for He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name. 

And his mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.  

He has shown strength in His arm,  

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 

He has put down the mighty from their thrones, 

And has exalted those of low degree; 

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich Has has sent empty away. 

He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever. 

(Lk. 1:46-55)

Among the many benefits that classic literature affords is a study of human nature which is revealed by perceptive authors who portray their characters in a fashion which transcends the era in which they live. Elinor Dashwood, one of the protagonists in Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility, is frequently plagued by a troublesome companion, Lucy Steele.  The latter young woman imposes a trust upon the elder Miss Dashwood when she purposely reveals a secret engagement to the former's love interest, Edward Ferrars.  Assuming Elinor's attachment to her fiance, Lucy consistently strives to cultivate feelings of jealousy in the other; feigning friendship while conspicuously emphasizing her superior position to Elinor.  Miss Dashwood courageously refuses to indulge Lucy; pitying Edward for his evidently immature decision as a youth, rather than questioning her own merit as a worthy companion.

In one's journey to holiness he is frequently assailed by temptations, not the least of which is jealousy. Sometimes temptations to this vice arise from the devil sowing seeds of insecurity; at other times, the soul is enticed to the inverse, as envy drives him to willfully excite jealous feelings in another person who he imagines to be his competitor. 

Trapped in a jealous mindset a soul forgets that the race he is competing in is against himself, not against others.  Unfortunately the present culture only encourages this competitive spirit as the majority engages in an endless spewing of personal information— accomplishments, experiences, relationships, opinions, etc.— that consciously or unconsciously broadcasts their superiority. This tendency is not only found in secular society but frequently occurs in the Christian community when the holy desire to reform is distorted into the perverse desire to perform.  Does one keep in mind that in his excitement to highlight his advances, he may be also accentuating his neighbor's shortcomings?

The saints recognize that the road to perfection consists in the daily acceptance of God's will. Peace is attained when one's will and spiritual practices are attuned to his vocation and ability. The truly humble soul can never be jealous because he acknowledges that there has been and will always be someone smarter, prettier, wealthier, wittier, holier, etc. Confident that God knows of his capability, the saint is secure in the knowledge that sanctity lies in the many daily fidelities he practices in his vocation.  The jealous soul is hardened against His Maker; refusing to be grateful for how he has been made and what he has been given. But a soul at peace rejoices in his littleness and truly says with the Pslamist:

"For it was You who formed my inward parts; You knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Ps. 139: 13-14)

April 1st Fast

 +JMJ

"After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished said (to fulfill the scripture), 'I thirst,' A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said,'It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (Jn. 19:28-30)

 St. Teresa of Kolkata famously said,"I know that God will not give me anything I cannot handle. I just wish He would not trust me so much." How often in life does one echo these words in his heart? How often does he pray for the strength to endure seemingly endless tests of patience? How frequently does he sympathize with another famous Teresian quip (this time from the great saint of Avila):"If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few of them?"  

If one thing is certain about the Royal Road of the Cross it is that it is not a short one.  It is understood that God could have redeemed the world in any way He chose; one drop of Christ's blood would have been sufficient to pay our ransom. And yet, Our Savior chose to fill his cup of suffering up to the very brim. His mental anguish in Gethsemane was not enough; his betrayal by his one apostle and abandonment by his other apostles was not enough; his scourging and crowning with thorns was not enough. How his body, his human nature, must have ached to stay on the ground after each fall on the way to Calvary! Oh, surely He must have yearned to die in the arms of His beloved mother as she sorrowfully met Him on the Via Dolorosa.  

But it was not until His strength had been completely emptied that Christ breathed His last on Good Friday. For having poured out His sacrificial love as a ransom for sinners, He now cries out for that same love in the words,"I thirst". The love that satisfies is not one that is given in a burst of affection, or a brief moment of self-denial.  This love that the Greeks called "agape" is one that demands the total gift of self. One who strives to practice it does not say,"the burden is too heavy, the time is too long, the cross is too much." He may beg for assistance, but is prepared to persevere, plodding along steadily, rising when he falls, determined to shoulder the weight until the Lord may say to him:"It is enough."