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Saturday, 19 October 2013
Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf and
Companions - Memorial
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SAINTS ISAAC
JOGUES
& JOHN DE BRÉBEUF PRIESTS & THEIR COMPANIONS MARTYRS (1642-1649)
Theses eight men were Jesuit
missionaries in North America in the 17th century, put to death, after
fearful torture by
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See commentary below.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12:8-12.
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man
will acknowledge before the angels of God.
. . .
For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."
. . .
For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say."
Commentary of the day :
Saint Raphael Arnaiz
Baron (1911-1938), a Spanish Trappist monk
Spiritual writings,
04/03/1938 (trans. cf. M. Mitchell)
"Everyone who
acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels
of God"
Today I take up my
pen, in the name of God, so that my words, imprinting themselves on the white
paper may give service in perpetual praise of God, the blessed author of my
life, my soul, my heart. I would like the whole universe, with all the planets,
stars and countless stellar systems, to be a vast smooth surface on which could
be written the name of God. I would like my voice to be stronger than a
thousand thunders, more powerful than the surge of the sea, more fearful than
the eruption of volcanoes, only to say the name of God. I would like my heart
to be as great as heaven, pure as that of the angels, guileless as that of the
dove, so that it could possess God. But as none of these grandiose dreams can
be realized, satisfy yourself, Brother Raphael, with little, and you who are
nothing, that very nothing must suffice...
Why keep silent about it? Why hide it? Why not cry out to the whole world and proclaim to the four winds the wonders of God? Why not say to everyone what they would like to hear: You see what I am? You see what I was? You see my wretchedness dragged through the mire? No matter. Marvel at it: in spite of everything, I have God. God is my friend! Let the sun fall and the sea dry up in amazement. God loves me so deeply that if the whole world understood this everyone would go mad and shout in sheer amazement. Still more, all that is very little. God loves me so much that even the angels themselves do not understand it!
How great is the mercy of God! To love me, to be my friend, my brother, my father, my master. To be God, and I to be what I am!... How is it that I don't become mad; how is it possible to live, eat, sleep, talk and have dealing with everyone?... How is it possible, Lord? I know well; it is you who have shown me: it is by the miracle of your grace.
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