“Do everything, endure everything, to win souls for the Lord.” (Don Bosco)
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To hate one’s own life in this world
Jn 12:24-26
Reading for the Feast of St. Lawrence
At that time Jesus said to his disciples: “In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me, must follow me, and my servant will be with me wherever I am. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him”.
At first, these words of the Lord that we should hate our life would seem to be contrary to the great gift of life, which we are to care for and protect.
However, their meaning will be revealed to us when we understand that natural life itself is not our goal; but that each person has a task to fulfil, which is the true goal of his life: it is to attain eternal life and to be in perpetual communion with God and his own.
Hold Fast to the Tradition
1 Cor 15:1–10
Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.
A BRIEF JOURNEY INTO ASCETICISM
“A man who masters his passions is master of the world. We must either master them or be mastered by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.” (St. Dominic).
A JOY FOR THE SAINTS
“The saints will help and serve you” (Inner Word).
THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS: “Faithful unto death: Blessed John Felton, martyr” († August 8, 1570)
Today’s saint—and we are not talking about St. Dominic—takes us to England during a time of great political tension. It is particularly important to note that, under the reign of Henry VIII, a difficult period began for Catholics who wished to remain faithful to their faith.
Henry VIII succeeded his father to the throne in 1509 at the age of seventeen. Initially, his countrymen were enthusiastic because he seemed to be a positive change from his father. However, over the years, his reign became oppressive. A fateful break with the Catholic Church ensued. Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and have his marriage annulled so that he could marry another woman. She had not given him the male heir he desired. However, he did not receive the Pope’s approval. His passion for this woman—Anne Boleyn—was so great that he went through with the break with Rome. In 1534, Henry and Anne Boleyn were excommunicated by the Pope. That same year, Henry proclaimed himself “Supreme Head of the Church of England on Earth.” This marked the birth of the Anglicans.
Feast of God the Father
Through the meditations of the last few days, we have had the opportunity to encounter God the Father more closely. Sometimes negative experiences that we may have had in our lives prevent us from recognizing the true image of God, for example, if the relationship with our biological father was rather problematic. However, one should not get caught up in these experiences; instead, it becomes even more necessary to discover God as our loving Father, who is able to heal our wounds and fill any inner emptiness with Himself.
As we mentioned at the beginning of the novena, this celebration of God the Father as the Father of all humanity responds to a request that He Himself transmitted through Mother Eugenia Ravasio. Only the ecclesiastical hierarchy can establish it as an official feast in the liturgical calendar, but until that happens, priests who share this intention could celebrate on this day a votive Mass to the Blessed Trinity, especially dedicated to the Heavenly Father.
Novena to God the Father – Day 9: “At the service of the love of God Father”
This novena, which we have concluded today, has been aimed at showing us the love of the Father, so that we can experience it as the source of our joy. During these nine days we have been invited to deepen our trust in God, to glorify Him, to love Him and to enter into an intimate friendship with Him.
God’s joy is to be in the midst of us, the people. And this applies to each and every one of us. Read More
Novena to God the Father – Day 8: “Loving our Father”
The best thing we can give our Father is our sincere love. Let us remember what Jesus said: “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me” (Jn 14:21). This is the constant and necessary response for God’s love not only to go out to us, but to penetrate us. As long as we do not live according to the commandments, God will knock at the door of our heart to let Him in. If we open the door, the Father, together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, will come to dwell in us (cf. Jn 14:23). Read More
Novena to God the Father – Day 7: “Honour our father”
“Honor to whom honor is due” (Rom 13:7). This applies to our Father more than to anyone else! To Him belong “honour, glory and praise”, as the hymn of the Apocalypse so beautifully proclaims (Rev 5:12).
If we could only catch a glimpse of heaven and see how He is constantly honoured by the angels and saints who live in loving and full communion with Him, our attitude towards God would be profoundly transformed. Read More