FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14LUKE 12:1-7(Romans 4:1-8; Psalm 32)
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and can do no more" (v 4).
KEY VERSE: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and can do no more" (v 4).
Month Memorial.
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Fr. Nivard ... @yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, 13 October 2011, 17:08
Subject: Fear him who has power to destroy body and soul
Do not fear those who kill the body Scripture: Luke 12:1-7
At the Funeral of Henry W. Wilberforce
From the letter of one who was present at the funeral of Mr. Henry Wilberforce at the Dominican Monastery at Woodchester, in 1873:
Extract: Newman drew an outline of his friend’s comfortable life and prospect of advancement. Then the word of the Lord came to him, as it did to Abraham of old, to go forth from that pleasant home, and from his friends, and all he held dear, and to become a fool for Christ's sake."
Newman then committed him to the hands of his Saviour. He then reminded us of the last hour, and dreadful judgment, which awaited us all, but which his dear brother had safely passed through. Finally he earnestly and sweetly prayed that every one present might have a holy and happy death.
Father, may the light of your word free our hearts from the deception of sin and consume them with a burning love for your truth. Through Christ our Lord.
Original: DURING the office a venerable figure came quietly up the aisle, and was going meekly to take a place on the chairs at the side; but H—— saw and took him into the sacristy, whence he soon made his appearance in cassock and cotta in the choir, and was conducted to the Prior's stall, which was vacated for him. This was dear Dr. Newman. He followed the office with them, but after awhile could contain his tears no longer, and buried his face in his handkerchief. At the end of Mass, Father Bertrand said something to Dr. Newman, and, after a little whispering, the venerable man was conducted to the pulpit. For some minutes, however, he was utterly incapable of speaking, and {17} stood, his face covered with his hands, making vain efforts to master his emotion. I was quite afraid he would have to give it up. At last, however, after two or three attempts, he managed to steady his voice, and to tell us "that he knew him so intimately and loved him so much, that it was almost impossible for him to command himself sufficiently to do what he had been so unexpectedly asked to do, viz., to bid his dear friend farewell. He had known him for fifty years, and though, no doubt, there were some there who knew his goodness better than he did, yet it seemed to him that no one could mourn him more." Then he drew a little outline of his life—of the position of comfort and all "that this world calls good," in which he found himself, and of the prospect of advancement, "if he had been an ambitious man." "Then the word of the Lord came to him, as it did to Abraham of old, to go forth from that pleasant home, and from his friends, and all he held dear, and to become——" here he fairly broke down again, but at last, lifting up his head, finished his sentence—"a fool for Christ's sake." Then he said that he now "committed him to the hands of his Saviour," and he reminded us of "the last hour, and dreadful judgment, which awaited us all, but which his dear brother had safely passed through," and earnestly and sweetly prayed "that every one there present might have a holy and happy death."
Lord Jesus, may the light of your word free my heart from the deception of sin and consume me with a burning love for your truth and righteousness.
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