“Live in intimacy with me, love me, and listen to me, and then everything will be well” (Inner Word).
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The school of humility
Lk 17:7-10
At that time the Lord said, ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal at once”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper ready; fasten your belt and wait on me while I eat and drink. You yourself can eat and drink afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are useless servants: we have done no more than our duty”.
Saint Andrew Avellino: A half-hearted priesthood is not enough
A handsome young man does not usually find it easy to escape the ladies who have taken a liking to him. Such was the case with Lancelot Avellino, born in 1521 in Castronuovo, Italy, the eldest son of Giovanni Avellino and Margherita Apelli. On more than one occasion, he found himself in a situation similar to that of Joseph in the house of Potiphar the Egyptian, but the memory of his beloved mother—a woman of extraordinary virtue—kept him from falling into temptation. Nevertheless, the interest of women pursued him at many stages of his life, and he always had to guard his chastity with great vigilance.
Lancelot— that was his given name—aspired to the priesthood. As a subdeacon, he taught catechism to children, guiding them toward a pious life. But the advances of the female sex did not cease, so he fled to Naples. Even there, he had to move several times to escape the amorous pursuits of ladies of high society. He controlled his passions through hard work and a very orderly lifestyle. In addition to theology, Lancelot studied law and soon earned a doctorate with honors.
LOOK AHEAD!
“Look ahead and prepare!” (Inner Word)
FOLLOW THE MOTIONS OF LOVE
“If your heart belongs to Me, you will notice even the slightest deviation. And that is good!” (Inner Word)
WAITING ON GOD
“Those who strive to live according to the truth and care little about how others treat or judge them find their serenity in God.” (Blessed Henry Suso)
Today salvation has come to this house
Lk 19:1-10
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchae′us; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchae′us, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchae′us stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” Read More
THE TRUE CHURCH
“You, who only know the religion in which you have grown up, and that religion is not the true one, open your eyes. Here is your Father!” (Message from God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio)
Saint Godfrey of Amiens: Visible fruits as abbot, bitter fruits as bishop
It is a great gift for a bishop of the Holy Church to see the fruits of his labor, praise God for them, and depart for eternity with a heart full of gratitude. However, not everyone receives that joy, and apparent failure can be a profound trial.
Today’s saint, Godfrey, came from a noble family in the Soissons region of France. After becoming a widower, his father chose to spend the rest of his life in a monastery. Godfrey was only five years old when he was entrusted to the care of the Abbot of Mont-Saint-Quentin, who had also baptized him.
From a young age, Godfrey strove to live a virtuous life by following the example of the religious. He prayed fervently, studied diligently, and willingly carried out any task entrusted to him. He also had a generous heart toward the poor, often giving them part of his own ration.
WHY NOT US?
“If they could do it, why not I?” — St. Augustine
I came across this quote a few days ago in an old missal, introducing the Solemnity of All Saints.