I spent several days researching the iconography available on line, and making sketches, — but no longer than just a couple of hours each time. There are distinct facial features, but not every iconographic type employs them for less known apostles.

**Cosmas and Damian were not only ideal Christians by their practice of medicine without fee, they also symbolized God’s blessing upon the art of healing and that respect for every form of science, which is an important part of Christian tradition. **

Can you even imagine a doctor performing duties for free these days?

I know there are some free clinics, and some doctors do free care to get a practice started, but these two saints did EVERYTHING for free!

The Word Among Us

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Meditation
Luke 9:1-6

Jesus was not naïve about the hardships of traveling. Having walked many miles proclaiming God’s kingdom, he understood perfectly well what was needed for long journeys. Yet as he sent the apostles out, Jesus told them not to bother about the very things that made traveling possible. Yes, he gave them “power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases” and preach. But then he turned around and told them to take “nothing” for their journey: “neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money” (Luke 9:1-3). What about their practical needs? It just doesn’t make sense!

When you think about it, though, what sense does it make for Almighty God to work his miraculous, healing power through mere human beings at all? Why would he depend on us to preach his kingdom? Why would God choose us to do his supernatural work?

Incredible as it seems, God wants to show his power to us and make us instruments through which that power is manifested to the rest of the world. Our part is to respond with the kind of faith and trust that allow him to work. Jesus meant it when he said, “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). What an overwhelming thought! But as Jesus told these apostles before sending them out, trust in God makes this possible. When we look to our heavenly Father, he supplies everything we need.

God has such confidence in us because he has provided us with all the grace we need to do his mission. The question is, do we have confidence in God? When someone tells you about an illness, pray in faith that they be healed. If family relationships are strained, pray and expect miracles in Jesus’ name! God wants his wonders to be a normal part of life. So start praying with anticipation and watch for God to work. Write down your intercessory prayers, and record how they are answered. It won’t take you long to fill an entire notebook!

“Holy Spirit, empower all your people to be witnesses to the kingdom. Help us to take you at your word and to receive all the grace you offer. Make us ambassadors of your love.”

Ezra 9:5-9; (Psalm) Tobit 13:2-4,7-8

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, September 26, 2007 >>

Sts. Cosmas & Damian

Ezra 9:5-9

Tobit 13:2-4, 7-8

Luke 9:1-6

View Readings

CRUTCHES

"Take nothing for the journey, neither walking staff nor traveling bag; no bread, no money." —Luke 9:3

"All depends on faith" (Rm 4:16). We bear abundant fruit in working for the Lord, not because of our abilities, funding, or technology but by faith in Jesus Christ. Thus did Jesus send forth His apostles with nothing to rely on but faith.

Walking by faith is a challenge. We tend to grab on to any crutch we can find while Jesus takes away anything we may use for a crutch. He wants us to stand by faith and depend on Him alone. Are you seeing God's power in your life? Are you living the Acts of the Apostles? If there's something crippling your Christian life, possibly you have weakened your faith by not exercising it, by leaning on a crutch.

Can you see anything you can get rid of which will force you to be totally dependent on the Lord? In weakness, God's power reaches perfection (2 Cor 12:9). In what ways can you stop doing it yourself and start believing in the Lord? You must do less, have less, and own less for God to do more, give more, and free you more.

Prayer: Father, put me in a situation where I have nowhere to turn but to You.

Promise: "Now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the Lord our God, Who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in His holy place; thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief in our servitude." —Ezr 9:8

Praise: Sts. Cosmas & Damian, both physicians, put their natural skills at the service of their Risen Lord.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 30 (31)
Trustful prayer in time of adversity
O God, protect me; be my refuge.
In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, Turn your ear to me, make haste to rescue me. Be my rampart, my fortification; keep me safe. For you are my strength and my refuge: you will lead me out to the pastures, for your own name’s sake. You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me – for you are my strength. Into your hands I commend my spirit: you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O God, protect me; be my refuge.

Psalm 129 (130)
Out of the depths
Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord.
Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears listen out for the voice of my pleading. If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord – Lord, who would be left? But with you is forgiveness, and for this we revere you. I rely on you, Lord, my spirit relies on your promise; my soul hopes in the Lord, more than the watchman for daybreak. More than the watchman for daybreak, let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is kindness and abundant redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all its transgressions. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord.

Reading	Ephesians 4:26-27
Be angry if you must, but do not sin: do not let your anger outlast the sunset: do not give the Devil his chance.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

Prayer
Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you lay a gentle yoke upon those who follow you. Meek and humble, you give them a light burden to carry. Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; and give us rest, to make us more eager to serve you, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.

Imitation of Christ -- Foreword [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ, 1,1 - Imitating Jesus Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1,2, Having A Humble Opinion of Self [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 3, The Doctrine of Truth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 4, Prudence in Action [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ, 1, 5, Reading the Holy Scripture [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 6, Unbridled Affections [Devotional]

Imitation of Christ: 1, 7, Avoiding False Hope and Pride [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 8, Shunning Over- Familiarity [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 9, Obedience and Subjection [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 10, Avoiding Idle Talk [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 11, Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 12, The Value of Adversity [Devotional]

Imitation of Christ: 1, 13, Resisting Temptation [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1. 14, Avoiding Rash Judgment [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 15, Works Done in Charity [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 16, Bearing With the Faults of Others [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1. 17, Monastic Life [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 18, The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers [Devotional]

Imitation of Christ: 1, 19, The Practices of a Good Religious [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 20, The Love of Solitude and Silence [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 21, Sorrow of Heart [Devotional]

From: Ezra 9:5-9

Ezra is pained to find the law ignored

[5] And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garments and my
mantle rent, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my
God, [6] saying:

“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to thee, my God, for our iniqui-
ties have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the
heavens. [7] From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great
guilt; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the
hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to
utter shame, as at this day. [8] But now for a brief moment favour has been
shown by the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant, and to give us a secure hold
within this holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little
reviving in our bondage. [9] For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken
us in our bondage, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of
Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its
ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.

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Commentary:

9:1-15. Ezra is deeply distressed to find that the people of God have intermarried
with the local inhabitants, who do not belong to the people of God (the Law for-
bade such marriages: cf. Deut 7:3-4); Ezra acknowledges this sin and does
penance for it.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.