Mark, Chapter 5, Verse 15:
As they
approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by
Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear.
Perhaps St. Jude refers
to a type of Holy fear we have when
we witness the greatness of God as mention in this verse. “On those who waver, have mercy; save others by snatching them out of
the fire; on others have mercy with fear,
abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23)
Corpus Christi[1]
Medieval piety is
famous, among other things, for its mystery plays, theatrical pieces
held after Mass on great feast days that dramatized the lesson or mystery of
the day. These effective didactic tools were enormously popular, but perhaps
none so much as those held on Corpus Christi. Shakespeare gives an oblique
allusion to them when he has Prince Hamlet speak of the Termagant, a violent,
overbearing woman in long robes who appeared often in these productions (Hamlet
III.ii). Favorite medieval saints, such as George and Margaret, would often
be the protagonists, though the details and plot varied from place to place.
Perhaps the most famous of these plays are the Autos Sacramentales (Plays
of the Sacrament) by Fr. Pedro Calderon de la Barca (1681).
Patron of Mountaineers[2]
Historically today is
the feast of St. Bernard of Montjoux, an Italian churchman, founder of the
Alpine hospices of Saint Bernard. He is most famous for the hospices he built
on the summits of passes over the Alps. Many pilgrims from France and Germany
would travel over the Alps on their way to Rome, but it was always a
possibility that one would die from freezing along the way. In the 9th century
a system of hospices had been attempted, but had lapsed long before Bernard's
time. Bernard's hospices in the 11th century were placed under the care of
clerics and laymen and were well equipped for the reception of all travelers. A
now-famous breed of dogs, known for its endurance in high altitude and cold,
was named in honor of this saint. Bernard's life has been the focus of many
romantic plays and stories. Many of us may remember childhood stories of St.
Bernard dogs coming to the rescue of stranded or injured victims on Alpine
slopes. The dogs almost always seem to have a cask of Brandy attached to their
collars and when the victims were revived by a good drink the dogs would lead
them to safety.
Hiking
Today I will be leading a spiritual hike you are invited but if you cannot I ask all my readers to add their prayers for Meek and humble souls as requested by our Lord via Saint Faustina.
Ninth Day"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm,
and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."
Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.
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