Today is the 64th Anniverary of foundation of Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw.
This morning there was fresh falling of snow. At lunch time there was a request to take photos of the hill scenery.
There followed a striking comment:
Your photographs are fantastic. The light is very delicate- quite different from your other photos when the snow was heavier. Well done good and faithful servant. (Anne Marie)
Checking out St Thomas Aquinas' Commentery on the Four Gospels - the Catena Aurea, Golden Chain. The only English translation was by Cardinal Henry Newman 1821. Freshly re-typeset. This is the first time in more than 150 years that the English translation of theCatena Aureahas been entirely re-typeset, meaning that the text is crisp, clear and easy to read, unlike many facsimile editions. It costs! To good fortune the Catena Aurea is Online - Catechetics Online With this Internet amenity we can browse St. Thomas' commentary on, e.g., the Preasentation of the Lord, Lk 2: 22-40
28. - and blessed God, and said, 29. Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word: 30. For mine eyes have seen your salvation, 31. Which you have prepared before the face of all people; 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
ORIGEN; If we marvel to hear that a woman was healed by touching the hem of a garment, what must we think of Simeon, who received an Infant in his arms, and rejoiced seeing that the little one he carried was He who had come to let loose the captive! Knowing that no one could release him from the chains of the body with the hope of future life, but He whom he held in his arms. Therefore it is said, And he blessed God, saying, Lord, now let you your servant depart.
THEOPHYL. When he says Lord, he confesses that He is the very Lord of both life and death, and so acknowledges the Child whom he held in his arms to be God.
ORIGEN; As it he said, "As long as I held not Christ, I was in prison, and could not escape from my bonds."
BASIL; If you examine the words of the righteous, you will find that they all sorrow over this world and its mournful delay. Alas me! says David, that my habitation is prolonged.
AMBROSE; Observe then that this just man, confined as it were in the prison house of his earthly frame, is longing to be loosed, that he may again be with Christ. But whoso would be cleansed, let him come into the temple; - into Jerusalem: let him wait for the Lord's Christ, let him receive in his hands the word of God, and embrace it as it were with the arms of his faith. Then let him depart that he might not see death who has seen life.
GREEK EX. Simeon blessed God also, because the promises made to him had received their true fulfillment. For He was reckoned worthy to see with his eyes, and to carry in his arms the consolation of Israel. And therefore he says, According to your word, i.e. since I have obtained the completion of your promises. And now that I have seen with my eyes what was my desire to see, now let you your servant depart, neither dismayed at the taste of death, nor harassed with doubting thoughts: as he adds, in peace.
GREG. NYSS. For since Christ has destroyed the enemy, which is sin, and has reconciled us to the Father, the removal of saints has been in peace.
ORIGEN; But who departs from this world in peace, but he who is persuaded that was Christ reconciling the world to Himself; who has nothing hostile to God, having derived to himself all peace by good works in himself?
GREEK EX. But it had been twice promised to him that he should not see death before ho should see the Lord's Christ, and therefore he adds, to show that this promise was fulfilled, For mine eyes have seen your salvation.
GREG. NYSS. Blessed are the eyes, both of your soul and your body. For the one visibly embrace God, but the others not considering those things which are seen, but enlightened by the brightness of the Spirit of the Lord, acknowledge the Word made flesh. For the salvation which you have perceived with your eyes is Jesus Himself, by which name salvation is declared.
CYRIL; But Christ was the mystery which has been revealed in the last times of the world, having been prepared before the foundation of the world. Hence it follows, which you have prepared before the face of all men.
ATHAN. That is to say, the salvation wrought by Christ for the whole world. How then was it said above that he was watching for the consolation of Israel, but because he truly perceived in the spirit that consolation would be to Israel at that time when salvation was prepared for all people.
GREEK EX. Mark the wisdom of the good and venerable old man, who before that he was thought worthy of the blessed vision, was waiting for the consolation of Israel, but when he obtained that which he was looking for, exclaims that he saw the salvation of all people. So enlightened was he by the unspeakable radiance of the Child, that the perceived at a glance things that were to happen a long time after.
THEOPHYL. By these words, Before the face, he signifies that our Lord's incarnation would be visible to all men. And this salvation he says is to be the light of the Gentiles and the glory of Israel, as it follows, A light to lighten the Gentiles.
ATHAN. For the Gentiles before the coming of Christ were lying in the deepest darkness, being without the knowledge of God.
CYRIL; But Christ coming was made a light to them that sat in darkness, being sore oppressed by the power of the devil but they were called by God the Father to the knowledge of His Son, Who is the true light.
GREG. NYSS. Israel was enlightened though dimly by the law, so he says not that light came to them, but his words are, to be the glory of your people Israel. Calling to mind the ancient history that as of old Moses after speaking with God returned with his face glorious, so they also coming to the divine light of His human nature, casting away their old veil, might be transformed into the same image from glory to glory. For although some of them were disobedient, yet a remnant were saved and came through Christ to glory, of which the Apostles were first-fruits, whose brightness illumines the whole world. For Christ was in a peculiar manner the glory of Israel, because according to the flesh He came forth from Israel, although as God He was over all blessed for ever.
GREG. NYSS, He said therefore, of your people, signifying that not only was He adored by them, but moreover of them was He born according to the flesh.
THEOPHYL; And well is the enlightening of the Gentiles put before the glory of Israel, because when the fullness of the Gentiles shall have come in, then shall Israel be safe.
First of February - Feast of St. Brigid in Ireland. Monday of week 4 of the year, Gospel Mark 5: 1-20.
The Gadarene Swine
For the Community Mass this morning has a long Gospel.
It is easily remembered by the ‘Gadarene Swine’ drama. The words have become idiomatic in the language. Among journalists and politicians they bandy the abuse on opposition parties as the “Gadarene swine on the Gadarene slide”.
The best Catechesis on the text Mark 5: 1-20 is found from Pope Benedict xvi in one of his Audiences. He says that, “the existence of the power of evil . . . is an undeniable fact”.
See below . . .
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".
Every thing is connected.Today, the 1st February, is the popular Saint, Brigid of the Gaels.
In many homes, the St. Brigid RUSH-CROSS is kept prominent in the house and in the places of animals.
In the late Fr. Felim’s room, the Rush-Cross still hangs. The tradition continues in so many homes as the visual memorial of St. Brigid, and a kind of sacramental of exorcism of evil in the home, protection for the family.
[St. Brigid Faughart near Dundalk.
In 2005 I had the happy occasion at the Retreat of the Order of St. Clare - Poor Clares at the birthplace of St. Bridgid at the neardy shrine of Faughart.
Faughart is a town in County Louth, Ireland, situated between Forkill and Dundalk. It was the birthplace of St. Brigid (450 A.D.), and Edward Bruce is buried in the graveyard on the hill above the town. Bruce, who had taken the title King of Ireland, was defeated and killed at the Battle of Faughart in 1318. Landmarks include St. Bridget's stone and pillar, her shrine and well, and modern religious sites devoted to the saint that attract pilgrims and tourists].
Celtic Tradition
St. Brigid (c. 451-525), the foundress of women’s religious life in Ireland, was born in Faughart, a mile down the road from our monastery. Brigid’s form of life was Celtic monasticism. Her contemporary, St. Moninna (432-518), continued this tradition and established the first women’s monastic settlement on Faughart Hill, in the foothills of the CooleyMountains. The ruins of this monastery overlook our own monastery.
Pope Benedict XVI
General Audience of 03/12/08
Mark 5:1-20."Unclean spirit, come out of the man!"
Thus, the existence of the power of evil in the human heart and in human history is an undeniable fact. The question is: how can this evil be explained?...
Faith tells us: there exist two mysteries, one of light and one of night, that is, however, enveloped by the mysteries of light.
The first mystery of light is this: faith tells us that there are not two principles, one good and one evil, but there is only one single principle, God the Creator, and this principle is good, only good, without a shadow of evil.
And therefore, being too is not a mixture of good and evil; being as such is good and therefore it is good to be, it is good to live. This is the good news of the faith: only one good source exists, the Creator...
Then follows a mystery of darkness, or night. Evil does not come from the source of being itself, it is not equally primal. Evil comes from a freedom created, from a freedom abused. How was it possible, how did it happen? This remains obscure. Evil is not logical. Only God and good are logical, are light.
Evil remains mysterious... We may guess, not explain; nor may we recount it as one fact beside another, because it is a deeper reality. It remains a mystery of darkness, of night.
But a mystery of light is immediately added. Evil comes from a subordinate source. God with his light is stronger. And therefore evil can be overcome. Thus the creature, man, can be healed... And finally, the last point: man is not only healable, but is healed de facto. God introduced healing. He entered into history in person. He set a source of pure good against the permanent source of evil.
The Crucified and Risen Christ, the new Adam, counters the murky river of evil with a river of light. And this river is present in history: we see the Saints, the great Saints but also the humble saints, the simple faithful. We see that the stream of light which flows from Christ is present, is strong.
Following visiting Kursi on two occasions, I was sorely tempted to accept the invitation to join the Volunteers in the Kursi archaeology dig at the site. There are excellent pictures of Kursi in this Website (biblewalks.com).
Mar 4:24And he said to them, "Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you.
Mar 4:25For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
NRSV
Mar 4:24 And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you.
Mar 4:25 For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."
Vulgate
Mar 4:24et dicebat illis videte quid audiatis in qua mensura mensi fueritis remetietur vobis et adicietur vobis
Mar 4:25qui enim habet dabitur illi et qui non habet etiam quod habet auferetur ab illo
DRB
Mar 4:24And he said to them: Take heed what you hear. In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you.
Mar 4:25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, that also which he hath shall be taken away from him.
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William . . .
To: Donald . . .Sent: Sat, January 30, 2010 10:06:48 AM
Subject: re: Give - Get – Still More
Dear Father Donald,
I love your extract from St. Thomas Aquinas, and the R. Knox harmony of the Gospels. I have something to share on Mark 4: 24.
Walking passed a charity bookshop on Thursday, I was very curious about a paperback "Amplified Bible" in their window. The preface explained that it "attempts to go beyond the traditional 'word-for-word' concept of translation to bring out the richness of the Hebrew and Greek languages. Its purpose is to reveal, together with the single English word equivalent to each key Hebrew and Greek word, any other clarifying meanings that may be concealed by the traditional translation method". This was enough to tempt me, for I have neither Hebrew nor Greek understanding, and I might gain from having it by me. In the shop, I found the day's reading which I had read that morning:
Mark 4: 24 The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you - and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.
My bible commentary give little on this verse, whereas the [amplification] greatly enriches it for me. You may know of the Amplified Bible (perhaps you might know it), but the delight for me is how this passage has been running in my mind, with its 'interior' meaning, and lo! it features on your Blog! The Amplified Bible is online http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Amplified-Bible-AMP
. . .
Yours . . .
William
___________________________
Thank you, William,
Amplified Bible is OK.
I looked for Amplified Bible and after a third search found it was on our shelves..
Your COMMENT set me on further searching.
After ‘Measure and Measure’ and ‘Golden Rule’, I think the next heading should be ‘Give – Get –and still More’. That is the best version in both RSV and NRSV above.
On the other hand, the best backup however is the King James with Strong’s numbers (online explanations). That is from our e-Sword online Bible. Do you have that on board?
KJV+
Mar 4:24And2532 he said3004 unto them,846Take heed991what5101yehear:191with1722what3739measure3358yemete,3354itshallbemeasured3354toyou:5213and2532untoyou5213that hear191shallmore be given.4369
At the back of my mind, the Thomas Aquinas Catena Aurea memory prompted me to link Jesus’ ‘Measure’ with the Eucharist/Blessed Sacrament. It suggests hearing Jesus speaking in the ‘first person’ instead of the ‘third person’; “the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more”
Meanwhile, surprise, surprise, (not yet caught up with Thomas Aquinas), this is from David Wilkerson (of The Cross and the Switchblade. Fame), taking up the perspective of:
“He said unto them…with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath” (Mark 4:24–25).
Jesus knew these words might sound strange to non-spiritual ears, so he preceded his message by saying, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:23). Jesus was telling us, “If your heart is open to God’s Spirit, you’ll understand what I have to say to you.”
What, exactly, is Jesus saying in this passage? He’s speaking of the glory of God in our lives—that is, Christ’s manifest presence. In short, the Lord measures out his glorious presence in various amounts, whether to churches or to individuals. Some don’t receive any of his glory. Yet others receive an ever-increasing measure, emanating from their lives and churches in greater and greater amounts.
God has promised to pour out his Spirit on his people in these last days. Indeed, all of Scripture points to a triumphant, glory-filled church at the close of time. Jesus himself said the gates of hell will not prevail against his church. We won’t be limping into heaven—beaten down, depressed, whimpering, defeated, discouraged. No—our Lord is going to bring greater power to his church. This power won’t be manifested merely in signs and wonders. It will be revealed in his people—in the glorious transformation of hearts touched by God’s Spirit.
How can we obtain a greater, ever-increasing measure of Christ’s glory? The Lord tells us very clearly: “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you” (Mark 4:24).Jesus is saying, “According to the portion of yourself you allot to me, I’ll give back to you in like portion. I’ll deal with you in the manner you deal with me. Whatever measure you mete out to me, I’ll mete out to you.” If you mete out to God sloth and laziness—taking for granted his great work—you’ll be dealt a spirit of slumber. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger” (Proverbs 19:15). As a result, your soul will go hungry, unable to be satisfied.
God’s love, mercy and grace toward us are boundless. The issue here isn’t obtaining his love, mercy or grace—but having the blessing of his glory in our lives.
Jesus states plainly that he measures out different amounts of his glory to us, according to how we measure out our hearts to him. Our part is simply to move ever closer to him—in our worship, obedience and diligence.
2 As you have judged, so you will be judged; by the same rule; award shall be made you as you have made award, in the same measure.
LUKE 6: 36-42
38 Give, and gifts will be yours; good measure pressed down and shaken up and running over, will be poured you’re your lap; the measure you award to others is the measure that will be awarded to you.
MARK 4: 1-25
24 And he said to them, Look well what it is that you hear.
The measure in which you give is the measure in which you will be repaid, and
Thursday, January 28 Memorial of Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
The “Catena Aurea”, Thomas Aquinas’ Golden Chain, is an encouraging dip into his mountain of writings.
As we celebrate the Eucharist on his Feast Day it is a wish to see a Catena Aurea, on specific passages on the Eucharistic
There is a reference, “Instructions for the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ” (Saint Thomas Aquinas). It is not easily found. . . .
Mark 4: 21-25
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you, who has, more will be given;
--------------------------------------------
MEDITATION
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The Measure We Measure With
We ought to do good because all things are naturally intended to do good and whenever a person sacrifices himself, that is a sign of divine goodness. The goodness of God is poured forth in all things. It is a great indication of divine goodness that each creature is compelled to make some sacrifice ...
We ought to do good because all things naturally desire goodness and tend to what is good. Goodness is that which is desired by all, even the sinner seeks goodness but it is only a fictitious good and not the real good which he seeks. The evil looks good to the sinner and for that reason he longs for it. …
This morning we celebrated the Mass of the Founders: Robert, Alberic and Stephen.
What does 'Founder' mean?
When we dip into the Saints and the Hagiographies we come across this funny word, ‘Equipollent Canonization’. It is a very simple translation, ‘equivalent canonisation’.
Saint Robert was the kind of popular, head hunted personality for communities, and with his Vita (Life) guaranteed his soon canonisation.
Alberic and Stephen, the equivalent canonised Saints, are the ones who did ground work of the Cistercian Order. Robert had thirteen months as Abbot in Citeaux. Alberic was Abbot for 10 years and set firm base, Stephen Harding succeeded the next 20 years, and their lives had more or less had declined awaybefore the surge of St. Bernard and his followers.
The only sense of it all is really the movement of the Holy Spirit.
+ + +
We are mindful of new FOUNDERS today, the building of the new community in Norway, Munkeby – Mariakloster.
It is the first Foundation of Citeaux Abbey since the 15th century.
It is the same Holy Spirit who leads us all in the offering of the Eucharistic celebration this morning.
Ref. The Canonization of Saints, by Mgr. P. E. Hallett.
An outline of the history and the processes of beatification and canonization.
Published by the Incorporated Catholic Truth Society, London, 1952.
--COMMENT-- --- Forwarded Message ----
From: William Sent: Tue, January 26, 2010 6:44:24 PM
Subject: Striking words
Dear Father Donald,
Thank you for these striking words of Fr Brendan which have a deep resonance at this stage in my life....
Life is a call to move out of ourselves. As youth gives way to middle age we are challenged to detach from perceived ideals. As middle age gives way to old age we are forced to give up false ambition and pretenses. As old age progresses, we are made to detach from physical health itself, our body. The world we wanted to create is slowly taken from us and something unfamiliar and new replaces it. It slowly dawns on us that God is calling us and leading us on - no matter how dark it seems or how unfamiliar the road. The new self made in this image of Christ is replacing the old self. We leave ourselves to find ourselves again. Life is teaching us.
Let us put ourselves in the hands of the Lord of Life.
Thank you - from just one of the many who will be appreciating this article on your Blog.
