“Give yourself to God without reserve. He is a Father, and a most loving Father, who would rather allow heaven and earth to collapse than abandon anyone who has placed their trust in Him” (St. Paul of the Cross).
Both through the saints and in His own words, the Lord invites us again and again to trust Him without reserve. It is the golden key that opens the heart of our Father, who values our trust so much—even if it is only a small flame or a mere spark—that He could never ignore it.
In the traditional calendar, today is the feast of St Ignatius of Antioch. If anyone prefers a meditation based on the current calendar, it can be found at the link below.
According to Church tradition, St Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of the Apostles Peter and John. He was later appointed Bishop of Antioch, the capital of Syria. He died a martyr’s death and was venerated as a saint in the Church from the earliest times. He always called himself Theophorus (θεοφόρος), which means “God-bearer”.
Phil 4:4–9
Reading for the Memorial of St. John Bosco
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
“Remain steadfast in yourself! No enemy, whether internal or external, can defeat you if you are master of yourself” (St. Bonaventure).
We could also paraphrase St. Bonaventure as follows: “Keep your inner house in order so that everything is centered on God and in harmony with His will. Then, no matter what happens, we can retreat to that inner refuge of peace and remain there.”
“Chastity is the guardian of the beauty of the soul” (Inspired word).
Mystics often describe the original beauty of the soul and marvel at the wonder of the Lord’s work in creating man. St. Gregory Nazianzen, for example, describes it in these terms:
Today we celebrate once again one of the holy virgins who suffered martyrdom at the beginning of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, thus becoming seeds for the growth of the Kingdom of God. It is admirable to see with what faith and determination these young women remained faithful to the Lord, unbowed. Not only should we remember them and imitate their example, but we can concretely ask them to help us to remain faithful to the Lord when we ourselves suffer slander and persecution.
Time and again in my meditations and conferences I have said that I believe our faith today is threatened both from without and from within. Certainly it has been threatened in every age, but we cannot overlook the fact that we are now in a time when the truth of our faith is under attack globally (though with varying intensity depending on the region). This can easily lead to a situation of persecution.
“Let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12)
This warning from St. Paul is intended to protect us from living with a false sense of security.
For those who prefer to read a reflection on the Gospel of the Day in the Novus Ordo, here is the link: en.elijamission.net/2021/01/28
In the traditional calendar, Saint Francis de Sales is commemorated today. He was born on 21 August 1567 in the Savoy region of France. The young man, who belonged to the nobility, was initially destined for a secular career. He studied law at Paris and Padua. At the same time, he studied theology because the Calvinist doctrine of predestination caused him a crisis. After obtaining a doctorate in civil and canon law, he was to become a senator, but despite his father’s opposition, he decided to become a priest.
“The prayer that a person offers with all their strength has great power. It sweetens a bitter heart, cheers a sad heart, enriches a poor heart, makes a foolish heart wise, makes a timid heart brave, strengthens a weak heart, opens the eyes of a blind heart, and warms a cold soul. It draws the great God to a small heart and lifts the hungry soul to the God of fullness” (St. Matilda of Hackeborn).
Wis 7:7-10.15-16
Reading for the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas
And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing. I reckoned no precious stone to be her equal, for compared with her, all gold is a pinch of sand, and beside her, silver ranks as mud. I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps. May God grant me to speak as he would wish and conceive thoughts worthy of the gifts I have received, since he is both guide to Wisdom and director of sages; for we are in his hand, yes, ourselves and our sayings, and all intellectual and all practical knowledge. Read More
