The carrying of the Cross
Nicholas Zafuri
Posted on 12/09/2014 7:41:43 PM PST by Salvation
O bless the Lord, my soul!
| Matthew | |||
| English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
| Matthew 11 |
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| 28. | Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. | Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis, et onerati estis, et ego reficiam vos. | δευτε προς με παντες οι κοπιωντες και πεφορτισμενοι καγω αναπαυσω υμας |
| 29. | Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. | Tollite jugum meum super vos, et discite a me, quia mitis sum, et humilis corde : et invenietis requiem animabus vestris. | αρατε τον ζυγον μου εφ υμας και μαθετε απ εμου οτι πραος ειμι και ταπεινος τη καρδια και ευρησετε αναπαυσιν ταις ψυχαις υμων |
| 30. | For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. | Jugum enim meum suave est, et onus meum leve. | ο γαρ ζυγος μου χρηστος και το φορτιον μου ελαφρον εστιν |
St. John Roberts
Feast Day: December 10
Born: 1575 :: Died: 1610
John was born in Wales to Anna and John Roberts. Although he was not a Catholic, he was taught by an elderly priest and at heart he was always a Catholic.
John went to Oxford University in England for a few years before going to study law. He then took a trip to France to have a good time. But his trip turned out to be more than fun.
It was in Paris, France, that another Englishman who was Catholic had great influence on him and John found great happiness in joining the Catholic Church.
John lost no time after this in taking steps to become a priest. He went to an English college in Spain and became a Benedictine monk.
Then his great dream of going back to England came true three years later when he and another monk were given permission to go. They knew the dangers they would face because Catholics were not welcome there, especially not priests.
In fact, they did not have long to wait before trouble began. They entered England wearing plumed hats and swords at their sides. But soon they were arrested for being priests and sent out of the country.
St. John Roberts managed to return to England again. He worked day and night to keep the Catholic faith alive during Queen Elizabeth's terrible persecution. Several times he was captured, put in prison, and exiled, yet he always returned.
The last time Father John was arrested, he was finishing Mass. This time there was no escape. When asked, he boldly said that he was a priest and a monk.
He explained that he had come to England to work for the salvation of the people. "Were I to live longer," he added, "I would continue to do what I have been doing." St. John was then condemned to death.
The night before he was to be hanged, a good Spanish lady arranged for him to have supper with eighteen other prisoners. They were also suffering for Christ's sake.
During their supper together, St. John was full of joy. Then he thought perhaps he should not show so much happiness. "Do you think I may be giving bad example by my joy?" he asked his hostess.
"No, certainly not," she replied. "You could not do anything better than to let everyone see the cheerful courage you have as you are about to die for Christ."
The next day, St. John was hanged. The crowds were so attracted by the personality of this young priest that they did not let the executioners make him suffer. St. John Roberts was martyred in 1610.
Today, let us pray for all of the dedicated men and women who boldly spend their lives to bring Jesus and the good news of salvation to others.
Wednesday, December 10
Liturgical Color: Violet
Today the Church honors St. Miltiades,
pope. Born in Africa, he reigned from 311
to 314 A.D. During his pontificate, the
emperor Constantine, after the vision "in
hoc signo vinces," issued his decree of
tolerance for the Christian Faith.
Advent Day 11 – How Can We Fully Enter Into Advent?
by Fr. Robert Barron
I think one of the best ways to enter into Advent is to get reacquainted with the Bible. Many Catholics don’t know the Bible very well. Vatican II called for a revival in biblical studies, but I don’t think that’s happened yet, at least among average Catholics.
We need to understand the great biblical story, beginning with Creation and the Fall, the formation of Israel, the coming of the prophets and patriarchs, and finally the formation of a people that leads to the coming of a savior. It’s only when we get the sweep of that whole story that we understand why the coming of the savior matters, and what the coming of the savior even means.
When you extract Jesus from the biblical narrative, he becomes a mere guru, teacher, or philosopher. That’s all our culture gives us: Jesus as another mystic, seer, or sage. But when you see Jesus against the backdrop of the great story of Israel, now you see that he’s the savior.
So this Advent, I would recommend to all Catholics, open up your Bible and get deeply immersed in the great biblical story.
Daily Readings for:December 10, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: Almighty God, who command us to prepare the way for Christ the Lord, grant in your kindness, we pray, that no infirmity may weary us as we long for the comforting presence of our heavenly physician. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
ACTIVITIES
o Advent Folksong: Maria Walks Amid the Thorn
PRAYERS
o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Advent (2nd Plan)
o December Devotion: The Immaculate Conception
o Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
o Collect of the Mass of Pope St. Melchiades
o Christmas Anticipation Prayer
o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Advent (1st Plan)
LIBRARY
o Ecclesia in Africa | Pope John Paul II
» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!
Old Calendar: St. Melchiades, pope and martyr; St. Eulalia (Hist)
St. Melchiades "who suffered much during the persecution of Maximianus; when at last peace was restored to the Church, died in the Lord." He was an African whom St. Augustine calls "the true child of the peace of Jesus Christ." He ruled the Church of God in the last period of the Christian persecution from 311-314; hence the title of martyr is applied to him in a wider sense. His was the good fortune of witnessing the beginning of an era of peace, for in 312 the Emperor Constantine granted freedom to the Church. According to the the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite today is his feast.
Historically today is the feast of the martyr, St. Eulalia who was a native of Merida, in Spain.
St. Melchiades (also known as St. Miltiades)
Two popes had been exiled by Emperor Maxentius, and for nearly two more years the Church in Rome was steeped in turmoil, making it impossible to choose a pope. Finally Miltiades, an African, was elected. He had served as a priest under Marcellinus during the terrible Diocletian persecution. Now, however, he witnessed the effects of a kinder, more generous Roman government. Indeed, the Church would actually be favored with splendid gifts. By 311 the Church began to enjoy a peace resulting from a decree of toleration issued in both the East and the West. Emperor Maxentius ordered the properties of the Church restored. These included the land and buildings that had been confiscated during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. In 312 for the first time since the outbreak of persecution, a pope was able to preside over the celebration of Easter in full possession of the Church's holy assets.
Pope Miltiades worked diligently in a difficult time of transition. His edicts included forbidding the Christians to fast on Thursday and Sunday (the days during which the pagans kept their fasts) and directing that the Eucharist plate blessed by the bishop be carried to the various churches.
Constantine, having been proclaimed emperor in Gaul, now marched on Rome. The sign of the cross had been revealed to him in a vision where he was told that "by this sign shalt thou conquer." Constantine ordered his standards changed, and for the first time in history, the sign of peace was borne by an army. Constantine's legions defeated Maxentius, and the year 312 ushered in a new era, an era of peace; the Christians were truly set free. During the emperor's stay in Rome, the famous Lateran palace was given to Pope Miltiades by Fausta, Constantine's wife. The Lateran served as the papal residence for some four hundred years.
Less than a year later, a schism broke out in North Africa. Headed by a rigorist named Donatus, the faction objected to the policies of the bishop of Carthage, Caecilian. Bypassing the pope, they appealed directly to Constantine to intervene. The emperor, annoyed that he should be called on to settle disputes among the clergy, commissioned Miltiades and three other Gallic bishops to rectify the matter. The pope gathered fifteen additional bishops and held a synod in the great Lateran palace. The decision of this synod was to condemn Donatus and his party and to support the true bishop, Caecilian. The Donatists (as they later became called) appealed again to Constantine, but by the time another council could be called, Pope Miltiades had died.
St. Miltiades was an excellent pontiff who guided the Church wisely during a difficult time of changeover. Pope Miltiades was the last pope to be buried in a catacomb in the cemetery of Calixtus. His feast is celebrated December 10.
Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett
St. Eulalia
St. Eulalia descended from one of the most prominent families in Spain. She was educated in the Christian religion and was taught the sentiments of perfect piety. From her infancy she distinguished herself by an admirable sweetness of temper, modesty and devotion.
She showed a great love of the holy state of virginity, and by her seriousness and her contempt of dress, ornaments diversions and worldly company, she gave early signs of her sincere desire to lead a heavenly life on earth. Her heart was raised above the world before she was thought capable of knowing it, so that its amusements, which usually fill the minds of youth, had no charms for her, and every day of her life she continued to grow in virtue.
She was just twelve years old when the bloody edicts of the Emporer Diocletian were issued, by which it was ordered that all persons, without exception of age, sex, or profession, should be compelled to offer sacrifice to the gods of the empire.
Eulalia, although young, took the publication of this order as a sign of battle, but her mother, observing her impatient ardor for martyrdom, carried her into the country. However, the young saint quickly found a means to make her escape by night, and after much fatigue, arrived at Merida before daybreak.
That same morning, as soon as the court convined, she presented herself before the cruel judge, whose name was Dacian, and reproached him with impiety in attempting to destroy souls by compelling them to renounce the only true God.
The governor then commanded her to be seized. First, employing caresses, Dacian presented to her the advantages which her birth, youth and fortune gave her in the world, and the grief which her disobedience would bring to her parents. Seeing that these temptations had no effect, he began to threaten her, placing the most cruel instruments of torture before her eyes, saying to her, "All this you shall escape if you will but touch a little salt and frankincense with the tip of your finger."
Provoked at these seducing flatteries, she threw down the idol, trampled upon the cake which was laid for the sacrifice and spat at the judge -- an action only to be excused by her youth and inattention under the influence of a warm zeal, and fear of the snares which were laid before her.
Upon the judge's order, two executioners began to tear her tender sides with iron hooks, so as to leave the very bones bare. While this was happening, she called the strokes the trophies of Christ. Next, lighted torches were applied to her breasts and sides: under which torment, instead of groans, nothing was heard from her mouth but thanksgivings. The fire at length catching her hair, surrounded her head and face, and the saint was stifled by the smoke and flame.
History says that a white dove seemed to come out of her mouth, and to wing its way upward when the holy martyr expired: at which prodigy the executioners were so much terrified that they fled and left the body.
Her relics are kept with great veneration at Oviedo, where she is honored as patroness. The Roman Martyrology mentions her name on December 10.
Excerpted from Butler's Lives of the Saints
Things to Do:
2nd Week of Advent
Have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:28)
The Israelites needed a wake-up call. Living in exile, surrounded by pagan gods, many of them began to think that Yahweh was just one among many deities. So while we may think that the prophet’s question is almost comical—of course God created everything—he was very serious. The people should never forget who God really is!
We may not be surrounded by pagan gods, but the daily grind of our busy schedules can certainly numb us to the astounding realities of who God is. We can become so used to the “concept of God” that we forget how real, how powerful, and how all-encompassing he is. In fact, many of us probably see a crucifix every day, whether at our homes or in church. But how often are we awestruck at God’s immensity? The maker of the universe is our friend! He who separated the heavens and the earth is our Father!
God is so much more than an abstract concept or a distant deity. The Israelites in exile faced the temptation to relegate God to the margins, considering him the “god” that their ancestors worshipped in Jerusalem. Some of them thought that the
Babylonian gods were better and were more suited to their situation. Don’t let that happen to you! Remember that the God we worship, the God of your ancestors, is a living, active, all-powerful God. He isn’t one viable option among many competitors. He is, and everything else comes from him.
As you pray today, let the reality of God, your heavenly Father, fill your imagination. Read today’s first reading aloud, slowly and prayerfully, and ask the Holy Spirit to amaze you with the immensity of who God is. Let this passage stretch your thoughts and give you a glimpse of the depth and breadth of the One who made you and who loves you. And then bow down before him. Worship him. Proclaim his greatness. As you do, you’ll find him drawing you into a deeper love for him and a greater surrender to his ways. His love for you will fan into flame your love for him!
“Almighty God, I bow before you. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing you are! All I can do is sit in awe and surrender my life to you.”
Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10
Matthew 11:28-30
Daily Marriage Tip for December 10, 2014:
Sit down with your spouse and look at some of your favorite photos from the past year. Was there an unexpected blessing? Give thanks.
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December 10, 2014. Wednesday of the Second Week in Advent |
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Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Introductory Prayer: Lord, you know the sincerity of my desire to spend this time with you. As I begin this meditation, I believe that you are here with me, that you never abandon me. Because I love you, my one wish is to please and console you in your solitude in the tabernacle. I hope in the boundless mercy that motivated your incarnation. May we one day meet again in your heavenly kingdom. Petition: Mary, you who are the perfect model of humility, help me to be meek and humble like Christ your Son, who out of love for me became a helpless infant at Bethlehem. 1. Who Is This Man? Who is this man who stands before us in this Gospel—the man whose gaze has penetrated into the most secret recesses of our souls and discovered what lies hidden there? A man who recognizes that we labor, that we are burdened by the demands of life, weighed down by our sins and imperfections, straining under the load of our passions and unfulfilled desires. Who is this man who would dare promise what we have always longed for in the inner sanctuaries of our consciences, yet never quite allowed ourselves to hope for? Who could utter such a simple, gentle, and appealing invitation, more than we could ever find ourselves worthy of: “Come to me… and I will give you rest”? Who but God himself? 2. How Can We Come to Him? How can we accept the invitation of the one who is God become man? How can we come to him? How can we attain what our souls have longed for all the days of our existence? Christ himself gives us the answer: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” He is so humble that he does not even wait for us to respond to his invitation. He humbles himself so that he can first come to us at Christmas. To discover how to turn to him with our heavy burden of selfishness and unrestrained passions, we can first approach the manger where the King of Kings lies so helplessly. 3. A Mystery of Humility and Love: Bethlehem is a mystery of humility and love. Doesn’t Christ seem humble to you, reduced to the state of a helpless infant? Without words or speeches he teaches a living lesson we need to feel with all the intensity of which we are capable, allowing the consequences to spring forth on their own. Can we imagine any other state in which the goodness and humility of God radiate more clearly? Before this helpless child, who is God Incarnate out of love for us, we are reduced to silent wonder. All vain ambitions fade, all anger and bitter passion soften and all idle pursuits are driven far from our hearts. The yoke that burdened us, the rod of our taskmaster, is smashed and it is replaced by the light and easy yoke of love. Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to penetrate more deeply into the mystery of your becoming a helpless and innocent child at Bethlehem for me. Help me to grow in goodness of heart so I can radiate your goodness to those around me. Resolution: On my way to and from work today, I will contemplate Christ meek and humble in the manger at Bethlehem. I will imitate his loving humility in my own life and have the confidence to turn to him for help with my failings. By Father Walter Schu, LC |
December 10, 2014
“When it rains it pours.”
You must have heard this saying. A lot of people don’t like the rain because it’s wet, it’s bothersome. It’s difficult to commute when it rains because traffic is heavy. The feeling becomes worse when the rain is strong and continuous because the effect is flooding.
When misfortune strikes, it’s not just one, but one after another. When someone in the family gets sick, another problem comes like financial difficulty. Then the house needs major repair, then… the list goes on and on. It’s not easy and oftentimes we really want to just give up and scream and cry asking God when will all these problems end?
On the other hand, when blessings come our way, more blessings follow. It comes one after another as well. And we give thanks to God for all the blessings.
Yes, life has its ups and downs. When we are up, we are up. Everything comes pouring in, and we live as if it will never end. But when we are going down, it feels like we are really crashing and drowning as if there is no hope for our survival. It may feel like it is the end of the world.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives us hope. He tells us to come to him and he will refresh us. He tells us to “take his yoke.” What is this yoke of Christ which he says is easy and light? It is to do the will of God in our lives. And what is God’s will for us? It is basically to love God first and foremost, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Concretely, God invites us to be like him, to be unselfish, to give our best to others without reserve.
We can do this if we realize how much God has loved us in Jesus Christ and how much He continues to love us every day. Happiness is in doing things for God, for Jesus, because we love Him. This is our vocation as Christians – to love as Jesus loved. Truly, his yoke is easy and his burden light.
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A Pro-Life Prayer For Our President And Public Officials
Lord God, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life,
Move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care.
Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are threatened with extermination by an indifferent society.
Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a gift from God and parents.
You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of the innocent unborn. Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life. Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.
Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
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