In the Message to Mother Eugenia, the Father expresses a deep desire of His:
“Let My priests go fearlessly everywhere, among all nations, to bring the flame of My fatherly love to men. Then souls will be enlightened and conquered, not only among unbelievers, but in all those sects which are not of the true Church. Yes, I want these men also, who are My children, to see this flame shining before them, to know the truth, to embrace it and to put all the Christian virtues into practice.” Read More
We had reflected on the virtue of fortitude in context with the readings from the book of Maccabees; those courageous men and women of the People of Israel. I also pointed out that we need this virtue for our Christian witness in the world, which, in an extreme case, can go as far as martyrdom. We can train ourselves in the virtue of fortitude, and we should not be discouraged if we are naturally fearful. The story of the novice Blanche de la Force (narrated in Gertud von Le Fort’s novel “The Last One at the Scaffold”) can encourage these fearful souls, showing them that they too can be capable of heroic deeds. Read More
If we want to deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father, it is important to take time to be alone with Him. Many fruits could be listed that arise from this intimacy. However, there is one reason that can be our main motivation for seeking and cultivating this silent dialogue with our Father. He Himself mentions it:
“No one can imagine the joy I experience when I am alone with a soul!” Read More
Solemnity of Christ the King
Mt 25:31-46
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Read More
Fortitude – which is considered as one of the four cardinal virtues – is part of the basic equipment of a soldier. If he does not become courageous, he cannot be counted on in the toughest battles, for fear would take hold of him, so that the situation would become dangerous for all his comrades.
517th Meditation
Even though our Father knows in advance what we need, He wants us to ask Him for it. It is precisely this prayer of petition that leads us into the right relationship with God: on the one hand, because we become aware of Who it is that we are addressing; and, on the other hand, because we take the right attitude towards Him, that is, a trusting attitude, knowing that we are dependent on God and firmly believing that He will listen to us.
The readings of the last few days presented us with impressive examples of faith, faithfulness and fortitude. I have therefore decided to dedicate some meditations to the cardinal virtue of fortitude. In these times of turmoil, it is particularly important to aspire to and practice this virtue, in order to be able to resist the various temptations that are presented to us. Let us take as our model those people we met in the readings of the last days, who showed us that obedience and faithfulness to God are above all earthly values and that, with God’s help, it is even possible to overcome fear.
516th Meditation
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (Jn 20:29).
It is not so easy for us human beings to embark on the path of pure faith, because we usually want to grasp reality through the senses. A materially inclined world tends to accept only what it is capable of understanding.
515th Meditation
Our Father loves it when, in secret, we speak with Him and take time to be with Him (cf. Mt 6:6). In these moments, intimacy, friendship, trust, sensitivity to perceive his presence grow… There, in secret, he can easily speak to our hearts and build his holy temple in us.
1 Macc 2:15-29
‘The king’s commissioners who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein for the sacrifices. Many Israelites gathered round them, but Mattathias and his sons drew apart. The king’s commissioners then addressed Mattathias as follows, ‘You are a respected leader, a great man in this town; you have sons and brothers to support you. Be the first to step forward and conform to the king’s decree, as all the nations have done, and the leaders of Judah and the survivors in Jerusalem; you and your sons shall be reckoned among the Friends of the King, you and your sons will be honoured with gold and silver and many presents.’
