February 5th Fast

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JMJ

"For the mercy we receive from the Father is not given solely for our benefit, but for the good of all, by transforming us into instruments, missionaries of mercy. By being such missionaries, we come to experience more deeply the gift of mercy in our own lives. May we take seriously our call to be Christians, to live as believers, so that the Gospel may touch the hearts of all people and open them to the gift of God’s love."

(Pope Francis, Jubilee Audience, January 30, 2016) 

From the beginning of time, after the Fall of Man when God promised a Redeemer, His message has been one of mercy.  Christ has pleaded with us throughout history to know Him as the God of Mercy.  As one matures, he often reflects on the merciful hand of God throughout his life.  It was not enough that Christ died once to open the gates of heaven, but He chooses to constantly intervene in our lives, even when we do not know to ask for it, to save us from a certain evil seeking to ensnare us.

Just as Christ desired the first apostles to proclaim the Good News to the ends of the earth, He wants us to know that this message of merciful love is at the foundation of the Gospel and is meant to be preached far and wide.  We are not meant to keep this treasure for ourselves, but to share it with others by the way we live our daily life.  What better way to live the message of mercy than in the cenacle of family?  A place that abounds with opportunities for forgiveness, and encouragement.  This coming time of Lent, and the Jubilee Year of Mercy should prompt one for further contemplation on the great gift of mercy, and how he is sharing it with those closest to him.

The daily grind easily breeds frustration which in turn fosters impatience and resentment.  But it need not be so.  One must be pray for a merciful heart and a joyful spirit.  When we learn to deny ourselves the comfort of sensual desires in food, drink, audio/visual, etc., we discipline our will to say no to other immediate impulses like anger, cynicism, defensiveness, etc.  It is in this way, that we train our will to grow in the virtues most necessary for living a holy life, a selfless life that is more concerned for the needs of others than that of ourselves.  Not only that, but we learn to let go of our own wounds and offenses in order to have peace in our marriages and in our homes.  Did not Christ bear much more in order to reconcile us to the Father?

Pray to be a "missionary of mercy" in the family this Lent and this year.

December 4th Fast

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JMJ

"Beloved Kate, I will take you then, for my pattern, and try to please Him as you please me.  To grieve with a like tenderness when I displease Him, to obey and mind His voice as you do mine.  To do my works neatly and exactly as you do yours, grieve to lose sight of Him for a moment, fly with joy to meet Him, fear He should go and leave me even when I sleep - this is the lesson of love you set me.  And when I have seemed to be angry, without petulance or obstinacy you silently and steadily try to accomplish my wish.  I will say,'Dearest Lord, give me grace to copy well this lovely image of my duty to Thee.' 

(St. Elizabeth Ann Seton writing about her daughter, Katherine)

 In meditating on the Nativity scene, one is struck by many beautiful thoughts: above all, that God would not only become man to save us, but that He would enter the world as a helpless infant in doing so.  Less we should ignore this essential lesson, Our Lord constantly reminds us in the Gospels that "unless [we] become as little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God."

We are all born with concupiscence, the tendency to sin, and any person who has been around a two year old will certainly not exempt children from this state.  Yet, though a child is not born a saint, he does possess a radiant innocence that provokes awe.  It is this innocence, if guarded properly, that allows a child to have the virtues that men should desire most: humility, mercy, patience, simplicity, sincerity, honesty, obedience, generosity and joyfulness.          

Most men have in some harsh way been tainted by the world and have lost their earlier innocence.  Their speech is no longer sweet but now laced with the bitterness of cynicism and gossip.  Their self, so often indulged quickly, bristles at the suggestion of patience.  Their heart, hurt and wounded, holds tightly to grudges.  Fears and anxieties prevent the trustfulness they once had in God and others.  Difficulties and drudgery drown their joy.

Yet, all is not lost, we can become little once more!  Christ comes to rejuvenate our hearts, to lift the burden from our souls!   He does not wait to grow to be a man to teach us how to become saints.  He begins His Father's work immediately in the manger in Bethlehem, revealing that these childlike virtues are not just a lovely ideal, but a reachable reality.   Let us pray for the perseverance and patience to become like children again.

November 6th Fast

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JMJ

"You know, Mother, that I have always wanted to be a saint. Alas! I have always noticed that when I compared myself to the saints, there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by passers-by.  Instead of being discouraged, I said to myself: God cannot inspire unrealizable desires.  I can, in spite of my littleness, aspire to holiness.  It is impossible for me to grow up, and so I must bear with all my imperfections.  But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short, and totally new. 

We are now living in an age of inventions, and we no longer have to take the trouble of climbing stairs, for, in the homes of the rich, an elevator has replaced these very successfully.  I wanted to find an elevator which would take raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection." (The Story of a Soul, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face)

Self-help books, and now blogs, have long enjoyed popularity in modern society.  Their staying power emanates from the natural and good desire of every human being to better himself for his good and those around him.  One is on the constant search, looking for an exact answer, a foolproof method, that will guarantee a desirous outcome to life's most pressing problems.  In essence, we are looking for the shortcut to peace and happiness because an arduous climb is none too appealing.

St. Thérèse recognized this desire for an "elevator [to heaven]" because she herself had it. Her Little Way is so perfect because it can be traveled in every vocation and in every state of life.  Yet, though it is simple, it is not easy.  Why?  Because it is not just saying yes to God once, it is saying yes, a thousand times a day.  A large piece of marble cannot be sculpted into a beautiful statue with just one tremendous blow.  Rather, it must be carefully and tediously chiseled until a perfect figure emerges.  Similarly, a soul can not be perfected in one single act of bravery.  Instead, it takes thousands of self-denials each day to chip away at the rough rock of our self-will so that the beauty within might shine forth. 

Thérèse knew that she did not need to seek out suffering, but only accept the little inconveniences and annoyances that came her way each day. She sought to perform little acts of love by denying the urge to indulge even a small want, and relinquishing the right to simple comforts.  In speaking to his brother bishops, St. Charles Borromeo once said:

"I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us the means to find it easily. One . . . may wish to lead a good, holy life, as he knows he should. He may wish . . . to reflect heavenly virtues in the way he lives. Yet he does not resolve to use suitable means, such as penance, prayer . . . "

Self-denial, prayer, patience and perseverance must be the companions of one's daily struggle; otherwise, any desires to increase in love for God and others will remain romantic ideals and not exterior realties. 

October 2nd Fast

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JMJ

"Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them.  Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind.  In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ."  (Ephesians 4:29-32)

It is a beautiful truth that men and women are equal in dignity for they are both made in the image and likeness of God.  This entails a relationship built on the mutual admiration for the gifts and responsibilities that God has bestowed on each. Men and women must not only recognize their differences, but more importantly, when husband and wife, they must discover the differences that are unique to their spouse.  One should rejoice and commend the other's strengths, and encourage and be patient with the other's weaknesses.  Show gratitude for the good and quickly forgive and forget the bad.

In marriage, and every friendship, respect for the other must be taken seriously less it become a romantic notion, a lofty ideal that is talked about but never practiced.  Spouses are called to get one another to heaven; in this, one must gently lead, not continually browbeat.   One must be careful not to cut away at the confidence of his spouse only to add to his own pride and self-satisfaction at being the presumed moral superior in any situation. Condescension and criticism must never replace compassion and encouragement.  A noble soul lifts others up by his joy and patience.  When he forgives, it is complete; he is never patronizing toward the other, and never makes another feel inferior.

Let us follow the exhortation of St. Paul, and encourage one another in holiness, with hearts full of  mercy and humility.

September 4th Fast

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JMJ

"In the same way, do not hope for many joys here below, otherwise you would have too many disappointments.  For myself, I know by experience what to think of earthly joys.  If I did not hope for the joys of Heaven, I should be very unhappy.  Pray with confidence to the Mother of Mercies; she will come to our help with the goodness and sweetness of the tenderest of mothers."  

(Letter of Bl. Zélie Martin, mother of St. Therese, June 25, 1877)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church points to Paul's letter to the Hebrews in its definition of Faith:

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

One's faith must shape who he is and who he strives to be.  It must inform the decisions of his day, and infuse his whole being.  His faith tells him that he is not long for this world, and must not let the numerous frustrations of the day blur his vision of Paradise.  Those difficulties need not be frustrations but instead illuminations: little lights that allow him to recall the plan for holiness: to deny himself and take up his cross daily.  His day must start with, not just the knowledge that he must deny himself, but the actual desire to sacrifice his will; the desire to sacrifice his pride, his opinions, his timeline, his pleasures, his comfort.

Crucifixes adorn the walls of many a Christian home.  They are meant as a daily reminder of the price of our redemption and our need to live our lives as one of thanksgiving for this incredible and inestimable gift God has given to us.  Yet, they also serve as a reminder that the Son came from heaven, not just to open its gates, but to show us that His path is the only way to Paradise.  He cannot come down from the Cross to be with us; we must go up to the Cross to be with Him.