Endurance

 Suppose you knew that someone would suffer a great deal and the suffering would be stubbornly persistent. What would you say to that person? Would you try to console the person, or admonish them to bear the suffering patiently and with good will? Would you tell that person the suffering was going to go away, even if you knew it would not?

Suppose you knew that entire nations of people were going to suffer grievously, and for a long time because it was stubbornly persistent. Would you be silent about what you knew, or what would you do?

These questions are nothing new, and if people think someone spoke authentically about such things, they might swarm over them for relics, bits and pieces of clothing or things touched if perchance it might convey some spiritual blessing.

Speak the truth, live the truth you know. Tell it like it is, and if there is nothing else you can do, at least offer a prayer for suffering people to have patience and faith that God's love suffices.

Blessed are the people who endure patiently in docility with love, for they have done a mighty deed with God, to bring about salvation where it might not have been possible before.

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong in praying for the healing of sufferers and their souls so they might experience salvation. Blessed are those who allow themselves to be engulfed in distress for their sake, if only so that the Lord might see you care, where no one else has noticed or expressed concern.

For Jesus suffered the nth degree of impatience and the full depths of human suffering to the point He finally died giving Himself to the Father in love, for us.

This being the case, conserve your strength and energy for the sake of God's people and so you might be a conduit of grace to them of which you do not participate.

There is grace in suffering for someone else and foregoing consolations for their sake so they may be saved by savoring the fragrance of those graces, letting them slip through your hands instead of trying to clutch at them to keep some particle for yourself.

Our time is short, nor does God often ask a person to forego everything for very long; He is neither feeble nor faint and is not uncaring, but the shortest route through the pain is enduring what is troubling, and loving Jesus because you cannot bear to see Him suffering His cross without relief.

It is not the person who cannot enter into suffering that is troubled with it, but the one who knows full-well and does not mind and does not seek escape. He will be filled with love and consolation to the fullest, who suffered most fully.

The simplicity of suffering souls is most pleasing to the Lord who relishes it, and does not take without acknowledging the source.

In all things be at peace, and acknowledge the presence of the Lord whether you are aware of His physical presence or not. Neither seek suffering nor avoid it, but rest in His hands and receive what He is intent on giving you. Great graces may be obtained that way, for the relief of those who suffer most and who least deserved to suffer at all. 

He was born in a stable in a place with no other rest available. He was born to be crucified and rested on the cold stone of the sepulcher, having been prepared for His death by those faithful to Him. All this unfolded into space and time in the world so that things might unfold still further as they should today. The stable is in all time, and the cross stands starkly against the dark sky still, and will remain forever, so that salvation my be forever, and our enjoyment of His consolations might also be eternal, but our pains and participation in the cross for others knows its limit too. It is only eternity that is eternal and how should that be without a moment that it came? It came because YOU came to participate and be beside Him hanging on the cross's nails because of the intensity of your love which would not allow you to desert or abandon Him, and in the Garden some did abandon Him so that He must go when He did not want to go.

If you allow Him to bring suffering upon you even when you did not want it, you will not remain the same but will become like Him, and surely release will come for others for whom you endured? It is impossible that the cross should be without efficacy, ours or His.

Endurance

 Suppose you knew that someone would suffer a great deal and the suffering would be stubbornly persistent. What would you say to that person? Would you try to console the person, or admonish them to bear the suffering patiently and with good will? Would you tell that person the suffering was going to go away, even if you knew it would not?

Suppose you knew that entire nations of people were going to suffer grievously, and for a long time because it was stubbornly persistent. Would you be silent about what you knew, or what would you do?

These questions are nothing new, and if people think someone spoke authentically about such things, they might swarm over them for relics, bits and pieces of clothing or things touched if perchance it might convey some spiritual blessing.

Speak the truth, live the truth you know. Tell it like it is, and if there is nothing else you can do, at least offer a prayer for suffering people to have patience and faith that God's love suffices.

Blessed are the people who endure patiently in docility with love, for they have done a mighty deed with God, to bring about salvation where it might not have been possible before.

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong in praying for the healing of sufferers and their souls so they might experience salvation. Blessed are those who allow themselves to be engulfed in distress for their sake, if only so that the Lord might see you care, where no one else has noticed or expressed concern.

For Jesus suffered the nth degree of impatience and the full depths of human suffering to the point He finally died giving Himself to the Father in love, for us.

This being the case, conserve your strength and energy for the sake of God's people and so you might be a conduit of grace to them of which you do not participate.

There is grace in suffering for someone else and foregoing consolations for their sake so they may be saved by savoring the fragrance of those graces, letting them slip through your hands instead of trying to clutch at them to keep some particle for yourself.

Our time is short, nor does God often ask a person to forego everything for very long; He is neither feeble nor faint and is not uncaring, but the shortest route through the pain is enduring what is troubling, and loving Jesus because you cannot bear to see Him suffering His cross without relief.

It is not the person who cannot enter into suffering that is troubled with it, but the one who knows full-well and does not mind and does not seek escape. He will be filled with love and consolation to the fullest, who suffered most fully.

The simplicity of suffering souls is most pleasing to the Lord who relishes it, and does not take without acknowledging the source.

In all things be at peace, and acknowledge the presence of the Lord whether you are aware of His physical presence or not. Neither seek suffering nor avoid it, but rest in His hands and receive what He is intent on giving you. Great graces may be obtained that way, for the relief of those who suffer most and who least deserved to suffer at all. 

He was born in a stable in a place with no other rest available. He was born to be crucified and rested on the cold stone of the sepulcher, having been prepared for His death by those faithful to Him. All this unfolded into space and time in the world so that things might unfold still further as they should today. The stable is in all time, and the cross stands starkly against the dark sky still, and will remain forever, so that salvation my be forever, and our enjoyment of His consolations might also be eternal, but our pains and participation in the cross for others knows its limit too. It is only eternity that is eternal and how should that be without a moment that it came? It came because YOU came to participate and be beside Him hanging on the cross's nails because of the intensity of your love which would not allow you to desert or abandon Him, and in the Garden some did abandon Him so that He must go when He did not want to go.

If you allow Him to bring suffering upon you even when you did not want it, you will not remain the same but will become like Him, and surely release will come for others for whom you endured? It is impossible that the cross should be without efficacy, ours or His.

Almost

DAY'S SAINTS
Charles de Foucauld, Union of Brothers and Sisters of the Sacred Heart
Blessed John Beche, Benedictines
Gospel Lk 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
"Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away."

+

A rose bud for the new born Lord.
Let us live in His childhood.

The Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem and carried off the inhabitants to be sold as slaves, and everything torn down, until the wailing wall alone remained. That empire was overcome and passed away until it was no longer remembered. The empires of today exert another kind of domination over the world, and some worship it, being money, which can be exchanged for minds, hearts and souls, purchased to worship the false god of money. It will be laid low, and like all the empires that existed, before it, will be forgotten and be buried in the dust until someone trips on its stones to reveal its existence.

The people of God are His children, and they will know the passing of the heavens and the end of times before they enter into His rest to love Him forever. The phenomenon we know as death means the ones we love are with us for a time, and pass. But He does not forget them, and they persist, sharing His life, for they had shared His death.

We enter a penitential time so as to be more attentive to Him for a time. Then we celebrate His birth into this world, to free us from domination and conquest, to live as He lives forever. So, then, this is a time to celebrate, even in the most solemn moments, rejoicing that we may be refreshed and cleansed by our penances to be acceptable to Him when He arrives.

The children of God will be free, and in their freedom they will rejoice to do penance, for then a time will have arrived in which no one mourns or grieves.

Almost

DAY'S SAINTS
Charles de Foucauld, Union of Brothers and Sisters of the Sacred Heart
Blessed John Beche, Benedictines
Gospel Lk 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable.
"Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away."

+

A rose bud for the new born Lord.
Let us live in His childhood.

The Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem and carried off the inhabitants to be sold as slaves, and everything torn down, until the wailing wall alone remained. That empire was overcome and passed away until it was no longer remembered. The empires of today exert another kind of domination over the world, and some worship it, being money, which can be exchanged for minds, hearts and souls, purchased to worship the false god of money. It will be laid low, and like all the empires that existed, before it, will be forgotten and be buried in the dust until someone trips on its stones to reveal its existence.

The people of God are His children, and they will know the passing of the heavens and the end of times before they enter into His rest to love Him forever. The phenomenon we know as death means the ones we love are with us for a time, and pass. But He does not forget them, and they persist, sharing His life, for they had shared His death.

We enter a penitential time so as to be more attentive to Him for a time. Then we celebrate His birth into this world, to free us from domination and conquest, to live as He lives forever. So, then, this is a time to celebrate, even in the most solemn moments, rejoicing that we may be refreshed and cleansed by our penances to be acceptable to Him when He arrives.

The children of God will be free, and in their freedom they will rejoice to do penance, for then a time will have arrived in which no one mourns or grieves.

Jonah

Day's Saints
All Franciscan Saints
Blessed Redmptorus of the Cross, Carmelite

Gospel Lk 21:12-19
Jesus said to the crowd:
"They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

+

Swallowed by the whale, Jonah
nevertheless had a safe place until
the Lord commanded the whale to
spew him forth.

Institutions have a life of their own, and they do not like to be discarded or ignored, even though they may very well discard or ignore the truth to suit their needs.

Nevertheless, the saints of God come into the world to shake its foundations and restore the honor of God who will not be mocked by His creation. The children of God will give testimony whose eloquence silences the lies on the tongues of evil.

Our life in the present moment is secured by the Lord, and we pass from the power of the wicked with ease as He bestows the blessings of heaven and salvation.

Do not give way to panic or fear, because in all instances we are in the power of the Lord who loves us and who delivers us. Ask Him for what you need, pray for the needs of others, and offer prayers, penance and sacrifices to the Lord for the needs of your brothers and sisters. Defy evil in this way, reaffirming the covenant between the people of God and the Lord Our God. Let your acts of love and courage in the face of adversity demonstrate the power of God and show the power of His love, for it will defend itself and win the victory that will raise us from the dead.

Jonah

Day's Saints
All Franciscan Saints
Blessed Redmptorus of the Cross, Carmelite

Gospel Lk 21:12-19
Jesus said to the crowd:
"They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

+

Swallowed by the whale, Jonah
nevertheless had a safe place until
the Lord commanded the whale to
spew him forth.

Institutions have a life of their own, and they do not like to be discarded or ignored, even though they may very well discard or ignore the truth to suit their needs.

Nevertheless, the saints of God come into the world to shake its foundations and restore the honor of God who will not be mocked by His creation. The children of God will give testimony whose eloquence silences the lies on the tongues of evil.

Our life in the present moment is secured by the Lord, and we pass from the power of the wicked with ease as He bestows the blessings of heaven and salvation.

Do not give way to panic or fear, because in all instances we are in the power of the Lord who loves us and who delivers us. Ask Him for what you need, pray for the needs of others, and offer prayers, penance and sacrifices to the Lord for the needs of your brothers and sisters. Defy evil in this way, reaffirming the covenant between the people of God and the Lord Our God. Let your acts of love and courage in the face of adversity demonstrate the power of God and show the power of His love, for it will defend itself and win the victory that will raise us from the dead.

The Bush

Day's Saints
Martyrs of VietNam
Chrysogonus, Martyr

Gospel Lk 20:27-40

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,
came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying,
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,
If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child,
his brother must take the wife
and raise up descendants for his brother.
Now there were seven brothers;
the first married a woman but died childless.
Then the second and the third married her,
and likewise all the seven died childless.
Finally the woman also died.
Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?
For all seven had been married to her."
Jesus said to them,
"The children of this age marry and remarry;
but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age
and to the resurrection of the dead
neither marry nor are given in marriage.
They can no longer die,
for they are like angels;
and they are the children of God
because they are the ones who will rise.
That the dead will rise
even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,
when he called 'Lord'
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,
for to him all are alive."
Some of the scribes said in reply,
"Teacher, you have answered well."
And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

+

The bush was not consumed but
burned brightly.

We see from Scripture, that things happen differently for the just, because they are like God. Likewise, they are recognized as different than the rest of men, because of their similitude to God. And yet, all that can be said is that they loved the Lord, but uncommonly well.

The just can fast and make sacrifices and endure all sorts of anguish and agony because they love the Lord and He loves them uncommonly well in return. We see, likewise that the just cannot die for they are like angels. And many other things can be said to be true of the just. They live because it pleases God, and it should be noted, that sinners may live to be very old before they die, so that they might have time enough to repent and be saved by God.

Some Christians believe that sinners should be cut off and not live, but they misunderstand the Lord if they do so, because He wishes life to be abundant and not death. Likewise, conquerors and emperors rise and build empires because they are brilliant of mind, yet all pass from the world into death where they are no longer seen and are forgotten, and the dust settles over their kingdoms to be forgotten.

But the just shall be remembered because  their valor in sacrificing themselves for their brothers and sisters was uncommon. The kindness and the gentleness of the man of God is noteworthy and he is remembered. If they are remembered by the Lord, perhaps we should take a cue from God. 

How is it the gentleness, love and intelligence of the children is lost and forgotten? Perhaps, with the grace of the Lord, it may be preserved and recalled to benefit the children of God so they may live?

It is necessary that a man grow up first, and live like Jesus lived, so that the same gentleness and intelligence might be abundant amongst the children of God. Those who seek to crush and eradicate the gentleness and love of the children, themselves will be crushed.

Remember that Jesus did not die a common death, nor was his passion common at all, for those who loved Him, remained with Him until they could take Him down and place Him in the sepulcher, administering the customary services to the dead. He rose again, and causes His passion to be recalled so that we may have the courage to recount His life and live accordingly. He did not come with a conquering army, nor did He sweep over the land like a storm, crushing everyone. He spoke with firmness and truth and gentleness and healing so that we might approach Him and live.

Some live as if they were Jesus, removed from the cross but bearing the wounds of a crucified man, blessing and healing and revealing salvation to everyone. It is earthly men who exact a price, but Jesus came giving everything for free, for the price of believing. Shall we do differently, or shall we not better do as He did as an example to us? This is the calling of the just man, and his means of being saved, for salvation is without price except for the price of a life.