[Salvation]

Doctors of the Catholic Church

Saint Robert Bellarmine was the first Jesuit priest to develop the theory of the indirect power of the Pope in temporary affairs. He all but eliminated the Divine-Rights-of-Kings untenable principle that had been in existence many years before we worked at the Vatican.

He described and explained the head of hell-Satan and his cohorts. The titles of Gentle Doctor of The Controversies, one of his more notable writings, and the title "Prince of Apologists" are two of the most known names that identify him.

Robert is the Doctor of Church, State and Country Relations. The pope made him a Cardinal and insisted on having him by his side as his personal theologian. The more he stepped down, the more God raised this humble priest up with greater responsibilities at the Vatican.

This brilliant Jesuit lived in an age of great deflection within the church amidst religious controversy. His writings, intelligence, and character served the church at a time that was most needed.

St Robert Bellarmine, 1542-1621. Doctor of Church State Relations, Feast Sept 17th.

Diplomats, ambassadors, heads of state, government officials and top church decision-makers and ministers can learn much from Robert. He had major responsibilities and used it properly for the development and growth of the church, states and countries. The more authority one exercises, the more divine guidance one needs to serve others in a Christian manner. Plead with St Bellarmine to gain wisdom and discernment leading others and supporting your country. You will definitely receive strength and insight to handle sensitive issues that could affect your church, state and country.

Patriotism is a virtue. It is not only a virtue that displays love for country but also supports the authority and interest of country. Many have died defending our independence, liberty and freedom. We can defend and honor our country and its citizens by upholding everything that makes us free. However, in God's work of salvation, which means freedom from sin, a Christian patriot is one who stands up for any cause which promotes justice, equality and human dignity. That is what St Robert Bellarmine advocated and defended. Saints tell us that there are other battles going on in life. We are Christian protectors and defenders fighting for spiritual values as well as in the armed forces defending our country against oppressors and war. Hopefully, as humankind grows in spiritual perspectives, our struggles are going to be more socially, educationally and mentally rather then physically with forces and arms for war. However, we must be prepared to go to war and fight to defend freedom and destroyers of humanity and offenders of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Vitally important in this manner is the ghastly topic of abortion and the vivid pictures and disfigurement of infants in women's wombs through abortions, clearly witnessed. ABORTION KILLS MORE THAN 46,000,000 BABIES EVERY YEAR WORLDWIDE? That is a sheer horror to the Christian psyche. No educated person can impugn that all human life, no matter the stage, is a gift of God, unequivocally and indisputably, and any laws to the contrary can and must be subject to change.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 7:1-10

Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

“He deserves to have you do this for him.” (Luke 7:4)

The centurion’s messengers extolled his generosity. Though not a Jew, this soldier paid for the build­ing of their synagogue. Surely he deserved this favor. Surely Jesus would heal his servant.

As soon as the centurion realized how his request had been conveyed, he hastened to make an important correction. He was fully aware that Jesus didn’t owe him anything. His only claim was his great need, not his worthiness. He didn’t want to inconvenience the Master, who must have had more important things to do. Rather, he simply cast himself on Jesus’ mercy. He knew that this rabbi had the power to heal from a dis­tance simply by speaking a word of command.

Jesus was happy to heal this man’s servant, and he held the man up to others as a remarkable example of faith. However, maybe he was a lit­tle disappointed as well. It was not Jesus’ habit to use intermediaries to help people. Maybe Jesus wanted to enter under the man’s roof. Sure, he could have accomplished everything the centurion asked for with just a quick word, but he wanted so much more! Maybe he wanted to look into his eyes and help bring him closer to the one true God. Maybe he wanted to ask what the centurion under­stood about Judaism, what attracted him and made him so eager to sup­port it. Maybe he wanted to talk about how he had come to fulfill the deepest longings of the man’s heart, not just to heal his servant.

With our newly revised and trans­lated missal, we have the privilege of echoing the centurion’s words every time we approach the Eucharistic table. But we shouldn’t stop there. We know that we are not worthy of so great a redemption, but at the same time we also know that Jesus loves to “enter under our roof” and bring us to a deep experience of fel­lowship with him.

So open the door of your heart to the Lord today. Don’t think you have to limit yourself to asking Jesus to do something good for you. Instead, linger in his presence, and ask him to reveal his heart to you more fully. Let him speak words that heal your heart and soul!

“Lord, I am amazed that you want to unite yourself with me. Since we are under the same roof, I want to dwell in your love today.”

1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33; Psalm 40:7-10, 17