EIGHT
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (17th
S. in Ord. Time)
NOVENA ST. JOHN VIANNEY
2 Maccabees, Chapter 15, Verse 18
They were not so much concerned about wives
and children, or family and relations; their first and foremost fear was for the consecrated sanctuary.
Today’s meditation: Where is God’s consecrated Sanctuary?
Is calumny a grievous sin?
When the occasion is important, and the slander is deliberately uttered, with
evil intention, when one’s neighbor is thereby grievously injured, and his good
name damaged, every one may see how grievous and detestable, in such a case,
this sin is.
Is it sinful to disclose the faults of our neighbor?
To make public the faults and sins of our neighbor uselessly, merely for the
entertainment of idle persons, is always sinful. But if, after trying in vain
to correct his faults and sins by brotherly admonition, we make them known to
his parents or superiors, for his punishment and amendment, so far from being a
sin, it is rather a good work and a duty of Christian charity.
Is it a sin also to listen willingly to calumny?
Yes; for thereby we furnish the calumniator an occasion for sin and give him
encouragement. For which reason St. Bernard says: “Whether to calumniate be a
greater sin than to listen to the calumniator I will not lightly decide.”
What ought to restrain us from calumny? The
thought, 1, of the enormity of this sin; 2, of the number of sins occasioned
thereby of which the calumniator, as the occasion of them, becomes partaker; 3,
of the difficulty of correcting the harm done, since we cannot know the full
extent of the injury, nor stop the tongues of people. Finally, we must think
on the eternal punishment which follows this sin. The holy Fathers say that of
young persons who are condemned the greater part is for impurity, but of the
old, for calumny.
Horror of Sin
Saint John Mary Baptist Vianney, you were so adamant against sin, yet so
sympathetic and so ready to welcome the sinner. I come to you today as if you
were still alive, as if I were kneeling at your feet and you could hear me.
Bend towards me, listen to the repentant confidence for the weaknesses and
miserable deeds of mine. Priest of the Lord, inexhaustible Confessor, obtain
for me the horror for sin. You wanted us First to avoid the occasion of sin. I
want to take your advice and make the resolution to break bad habits and to
avoid the dangerous occasions of sin. Help me today to examine my conscience.
Holy Priest of Ars, I have confidence in your intercession. Pray for me during
this novena especially for... (mention silently your special intentions).
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
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