“The soul does not find silence and peace through many reflections, but simply by meditating on the truth.” (St. Peter of Alcántara)
St. Peter of Alcántara, who was endowed with great mystical gifts by God and led an exceptionally ascetic life, points us to this invaluable source of prayer. Time and again, such gifted souls remind us that we should seek simply to dwell in the presence of God.
What extraordinary stories the lives of the saints tell. They devoted themselves entirely to God’s service, often wearing themselves out in the process. It was his fiery love for God that drove St. John to deeds far beyond what a human being is normally capable of. The mystery of God is revealed!
John of Capistrano was born in Naples in 1386 and was on his way to a distinguished secular career. However, due to political tensions, in which he had actually intended to mediate as an advocate for King Ladislaus of Naples, he was captured and thrown into a fortified tower. Though his treatment was cruel, God used it to lead John to realize that he should serve the heavenly King and renounce the world.
John was released and decided to join the Franciscan Order.
“Just let the truth triumph” (Inner Word)
A few words from the priest, Mag. Don Michael Gurtner, may inspire us to reflect once more on the infinite value of truth and to commit ourselves to it with all our hearts.
The priest writes with a critical eye on the current state of the Church, which is, after all, called to be the guardian of truth:
Lk 12:49-53
‘In those days Jesus said: ‘ I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on, a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; father opposed to son, son to father, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to mother-in-law.’ Read More
“The truth has the power to endure.” (Inner Word)
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mt 24:35)
What a comforting word from our Lord! The truth remains unchanging and is a sure anchor in a time when it is not widely loved, or when people ask, like Pontius Pilate: “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
Eph 3:2-12
Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in[a] God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. Read More
It is not uncommon for me to include a few words about the saints between the Gospel meditations and the readings, as well as in some spiritual teachings. It is always a great joy for me to share about them. Today I would like to present some thoughts by Dietrich von Hildebrand on this topic and comment on them briefly.
In his insightful book, Trojan Horse in the City of God, he addresses many topics to explain the crisis in the Church. He devotes a chapter to the saints, and it is well worth listening to what he has to say. It will help us to examine and appreciate the person and message of the saints even more closely.
“The truth is like love. The more you speak it and put it into practice, the deeper it penetrates your being and shapes who you are” (Inner Word).
Living in the truth and speaking the truth is the highest good and makes us like the Son of God, who can say of Himself: “I am the truth.” (cf. John 14:6) While lies and insincerity distort our lives, the truth is different. It does not tolerate lies or pretense; rather, it shapes us according to the image in which God created us.
“First learn to know Me better and to love Me to the extent that I desire, that is, not only as a Father, but as your Friend and Confidant.” (From God the Father’s message to M. Eugenia Ravasio).
What does such a friendship, to which the Divine Father calls us, look like?
Eph 2:1-10
Bretheren: he made you alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God- not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Read More
