SEPTEMBER
September--Our buildings
need to be winterized. Now is the time to think of energy conservation
measures, adding caulking and painting, completing needed repairs, composting
yard wastes, and protecting garden plants for late fall and winter. Do we
regard our abodes as God's dwelling space, a sacred trust and healthy place? Do
we cherish the abundance of space and use it properly as good stewards?
The
month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial the
Church celebrates on September 15. September falls during the liturgical season
known as Ordinary Time,
which is represented by the liturgical color green. During September, as in all
of Ordinary Time (formerly known as Time
After Pentecost), the Liturgy does not focus on one particular
mystery of Christ but views the mystery of Christ in all its aspects. We follow
the life of Christ through the Gospels and focus on the teachings and parables
of Jesus and what it means for us to be a follower of Christ. During Ordinary
Time we can concentrate more on the saints and imitate their holiness as
Christ's followers.
September
is Harvest Time
Since
man is both a spiritual and physical being, the Church provides for the needs
of man in his everyday life. The Church's liturgy and feasts in many areas
reflect the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, fall and winter). The
months of August, September, October and November are part of the harvest
season, and as Christians we recall God's constant protection over his people
and give thanksgiving for the year's harvest. The September Ember Days were
particularly focused on the end of the harvest season and thanksgiving to God
for the season. Ember Days were three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) set
aside by the Church for prayer, fasting and almsgiving at the beginning of each
of the four seasons of the year. The ember days fell after December 13, the
feast of St. Lucy (winter), after the First Sunday of Lent (spring), after
Pentecost Sunday (summer), and after September 14, the feast of the Exaltation
of the Holy Cross (fall). These weeks were known as the quattor tempora,
the "four seasons." Since the late 5th century, the Ember Days were
also the preferred dates for ordination of priests. So during these times the
Church had a threefold focus: (1) sanctifying each new season by turning to God
through prayer, fasting and almsgiving; (2) giving thanks to God for the
various harvests of each season; and (3) praying for the newly ordained and for
future vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Since the reorganization
of the Roman calendar in 1969 after the Second Vatican Council, Ember Days are
still retained in principle, but how and when they are to be observed is at the
discretion of each country's Episcopal Conference. There is no longer set Mass
readings for the Ember Days in the Ordinary Rite. Another harvest feast is
September 29, the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Before
the revision of the calendar, this used to be only the feast of St. Michael. In
many countries this day was referred to as "Michaelmas" and is
celebrated with traditional foods and customs.
Since
the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special
devotions. Due to her feast day on September 15, the month of September has
traditionally been set aside to honor Our Lady of Sorrows. All the sorrows of
Mary (the prophecy of Simeon, the three days' loss, etc.) are merged in the
supreme suffering at the Passion. In the Passion, Mary suffered a martyrdom of
the heart because of Our Lord's torments and the greatness of her love for Him.
"She it was," says Pope Pius XII, "who immune from all sin,
personal or inherited, and ever more closely united with her Son, offered Him
on Golgotha to the Eternal Father together with the holocaust of her maternal
rights and motherly love. As a new Eve, she made this offering for all the
children of Adam contaminated through his unhappy fall. Thus she, who was the
mother of our Head according to the flesh, became by a new title of sorrow and
glory the spiritual mother of all His members."
Daily Prayers for September
At Morning
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our
Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed
the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me
with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for
those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I
may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and
all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor,
glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother
of God. Amen. --Saint Bonaventure
At
Noon
Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of
Martyrs, accept the sincere homage of my filial affection. Into thy heart,
pierced by so many swords, do thou welcome my poor soul. Receive it as the
companion of thy sorrows at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus died for the
redemption of the world. With thee, O sorrowful Virgin, I will gladly suffer
all the trials, contradictions, and infirmities which it shall please our Lord
to send me. I offer them all to thee in memory of thy sorrows, so that every
thought of my mind, and every beat of my heart may be an act of compassion and
of love for thee. And do thou, sweet Mother, have pity on me, reconcile me to
thy divine Son Jesus, keep me in His grace, and assist me in my last agony, so
that I may be able to meet thee in heaven and sing thy glories. Amen.
At
3PM
Most holy Virgin. and Mother, whose
soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the Passion of thy divine Son, and who
in His glorious Resurrection wast filled with never-ending joy at His triumph;
obtain for us who call upon thee, so to be partakers in the adversities of Holy
Church and the sorrows of the Sovereign Pontiff, as to be found worthy to
rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and
peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
At
Twilight
O most holy and afflicted Virgin!
Queen of Martyrs! thou who didst stand motionless beneath the Cross, witnessing
the agony of thy expiring Son--through the unceasing sufferings of thy life of
sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past
trials, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before
thee to venerate thy dolors, and place my requests, with filial confidence, in
the sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf,
to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred death and passion,
together with thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united
efficacy of both obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I
resort in my wants and miseries if not to thee, O Mother of Mercy, who, having
so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of
those who still sigh in the land of exile? Offer for me to my Savior one drop
of the Blood which flowed from His sacred veins, one of the tears which
trickled from His divine eyes, one of the sighs which rent His adorable Heart.
O refuge of the universe and hope of the whole world, do not reject my humble
prayer, but graciously obtain the grant of my petition.
At
Slumber
Mary
most sorrowful, Mother of Christians, pray for us. Virgin most sorrowful, pray
for us.
September
is the month of Angels and Mary is the Queen of Angels
The
church traditionally honors angels during the month of September. Paul in
Colossians states of Christ, “He is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were
created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were
created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things
hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For
in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all
things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether
those on earth or those in heaven.”
“St. Michael and the Angels”
is a beautiful and inspiring book telling all about the angels. Filled with
stories from the lives and writings of the saints, it tells of the role which
the good angels play in the divine economy of saving souls. Led by St. Michael,
the Prince of the heavenly host, the angels act as our guardians, serve as
messengers from God to us and from us to God, surround the altar during Mass,
and bear the graces of the Mass like incense to the altar of God on high. Here
is explained the relationship of the angels to the Blessed Virgin Mary and how,
if she is to send them to our aid, we must request her to do so. Included too
is the prayer to our guardian angel asking him to go in our place to attend
Mass when we cannot, plus the way the good angels protect us against the evil
spirits. The book also discusses in detail the pre-eminent role of St. Michael
as "Champion of the Church," "Defender of Christians,"
"Guardian of Purgatory," and "Helper of the Sick and
Dying."
It is also a good practice to ask for angelic help throughout our
day. There are nine choirs of angels and three hierarchies three within three.
Remember to ask their assistance about every two hours throughout your
day
Upon rising (7 am) address the first
choir of angels, the Seraphim. Their chief characteristic is great and ardent
love. They were made for one thing alone-----to love the God of Love. Without
ceasing they honor, praise, and love the most Blessed Trinity-----they can do
nothing else-----this is their happiness. Practice upon rising to try to become
a Seraph of love: let this be your habitual disposition. Love and do what God
wills. Ask this great gift feverently. Aspiration: "Oh! Blessed Seraphim!
Make us love." Say the Shema Yisrael.
At the fourth hour (11
am) of
the day address the third choir is the choir of Thrones. They are
called Angels of Peace; calm, tranquility, and stability. Ask them for
that peace of soul which is the fruit of a good conscience. Invoke their aid
for such as are prone to hatred, passion and impatience; and after their
example, practice being meek, calm, and peaceful with all. Practice: Dispose
yourself to great sweetness and patience. Aspiration: "O Holy
Thrones!
Obtain that Divine peace, which surpasses all understanding, may keep our
hearts and minds in Jesus Christ, Our Lord."
At the sixth hour (1
pm) of
the day address the fourth choir
of angels which is the choir of Dominations. They are consumed by their
yearning for the interests of God: their principal office is to manifest His
will. We should also beg of God to manifest His will to us by these Blessed
"Intelligences" and then take care to fulfill it scrupulously, as
being the shortest way to perfection and sanctity. We should ask these Angels
to help us to spread God's kingdom upon earth, for the conversion of heretics
and infidels, and for the return of lukewarm and fallen away Catholics to the
practice of the faith. Practice: Give practical proof of your zeal for the
glory of God; do something for His reign in souls, as instructing the ignorant.
Aspiration: "Holy Dominations! Animate us with thy zeal."
At the eighth hour (3
pm) of
the day address the fifth choir
of angels which is the choir of Principalities. The Principalities watch over
Empires, Provinces, and Dioceses. Purity of intention is the virtue
ascribed to them, for in their high functions they never seek but the honor and
interest of God alone. Let us imitate them. It is the intention which stamps
the action with merit or demerit. Practice: In all you do and say, seek the greater
glory of God. Aspiration: "O Holy Spirits! May we, like thee,
seek God, for God alone." Now would be a good time to also pray a divine mercy prayer
At the 10th hour (5 pm) of the day address the
sixth choir of angels the Powers.
These Angels have unlimited mastery over the wicked Spirits; they are endowed
with great intelligence and are able to discover their schemes and plans for
our destruction. Their power is so incredible that one alone of them would be
able to destroy the entire infernal host. It is well to invoke them in
temptation: but to merit their assistance we must take care to avoid the occasions of sin. Practice: Resist the
attacks of vice and passion; frequently make acts of diffidence in self and
confidence in God; combat your evil inclinations. Aspiration: "Lord! Send
Thy Angels to assist us."
At the 12th hour (7 pm) of the day address the
seventh choir of angels the Virtues. Energy and strength are attributed to
the Virtues. They have dominion over the elements; all nature is subjected to
their control. Hence, they can raise or appease the tempest. We may profitably
invoke them in unforeseen accidents, sickness, etc. We may also have recourse
to them for that strength necessary to lead a penitential life and root out the
inclinations of depraved nature. All persons inclined to the contemplative life
should call on this choir of Angels for help, for good thoughts alone do not
make holy, one needs also strength to persevere and to accomplish this great
task. Practice: Visit the Blessed Sacrament to obtain grace to overcome your
evil dispositions. Aspiration: "Holy Virtues! Strengthen and fortify
us."
At the 14th hour (9
pm) of the day address the eighth choir of angels the Archangels. The
Archangels are distinguished from the Angels by the greater importance of their
functions: the Guardians of those invested with authority in the Church and
State and are remarkable for their love and care of men. Let us imitate them,
doing our neighbor all the good we can and invoking in his behalf these Blessed
Spirits. Members of this choir are the holy spirits who stand before the throne
of God, ever ready to announce His commands. St. Michael is the warrior leader
of God’s angels. St. Gabriel is the special messenger of The Holy Spirit. St.
Raphael is the angel of Joy. Practice-----Two Acts of Charity, with great
affection. Aspiration: "Holy Archangels! Pray for us, and for our
priests."
At the 16th hour (11
pm) of
the day address the Ninth choir of the angels. They are charged with the
execution of the Divine ordinances and are appointed the Guardians of men.
Humility is the virtue particularly ascribed to them-----for though the
least among the Choirs, yet they see their celestial companions without
desiring their greater, more excellent endowments. The Guardian Angels exercise
continual watchfulness over the souls committed to their care. Their number is
exceedingly great, and it is not necessary when an Angel has accompanied his
charge into Heaven, that he be again assigned to a soul in any future
generation. Our Guardian, who is our companion in life, will also be forever at
our side in Heaven. The joy of these Angels is immeasurably increased when
souls entrusted to their care enter Heaven. The Guardian Angels of the lost
souls are not deprived of their share of joy. God in His justice increases also
theirs with the others, and then assigns them to the special guard of the Queen
of Angels, where they with great joy praise the Infinite Justice of God. Let
us, like the humble Guardian Angels, love the lowest place, especially when
placed therein by Divine Providence, and to behold with joy the preference
given to others. Practice: Three Acts of Humility, interior and exterior.
Aspiration: "Who is like God!"
Information
was obtained from: http://www.catholictradition.org/Angels/angels.htm
The
Church has always practiced and encouraged devotion to the holy angels. All
ancient liturgies make mentions of them and the protection they provide to men.
It is their greatest desire to aid us in all our acts of religion by uniting
their supplications to ours. We should honor and love angels as well as our
fellow mankind for it is though the Precious Blood of Christ we are all united.
Christ is the head of angels as well as men, and it is as Man that He is Head
of the angels. To honor them and love them we must first know them and
earnestly strive to cultivate their friendship.
SEPTEMBER 1 Twelfth Sunday af.
Pentecost (22nd
S. Ord. Time)
1
Maccabees, Chapter 3, Verse 22
He will crush them before us; so, do
not fear them.
If you crush a grape you express all the juice out of the grape. Have you
ever felt crushed? All out of juice? Do not be unbelieving for if God is for us, who can be
against us.
My first experience of being brokenhearted occurred when I saw the ugliness of the murder of a loved one. It was a dark path for a time when I questioned everything and everyone—especially God. I experienced a great spiritual battle with temptations to deny Christ who did not prevent this gut-wrenching tragedy in our family. A demon of death pursued us. Death is the preoccupation of the devil. When you are brokenhearted or crushed in spirit there is a greater need for spiritual accompaniment. Holy Mother Church provides. I know by experience. To heal my wound, to overcome the wild temptations, and to forgive the murderer, I deposited my pain into the wounds of Jesus Christ whose pain was “unto death on a Cross”— and I was healed (not instantly; it was a process). I experienced healing through the Cross and Eucharist.
One of the greatest temptations of the devil is, “Put down the cross; get off the cross; reject the cross; hate the cross.” Of course! By the sacrifice of divine love on the cross, Satan was, is, and always will be, defeated. Christians don’t run from the cross. We unite with Christ on the cross. We raise it up! We proclaim Christ’s victory over evil and darkness. We are victors, not victims. When the devil perceives that we won’t reject the cross, that we cling to it as our victory weapon, he is weakened (cf. James 4:7).
Seek Help
Many inquired as to where to begin
when one believes that he or she is afflicted by evil spirits. Please start
with your local parish priest. Why? Because the Catholic priest is ordained to
be a spiritual father with God-given spiritual authority. Of this I am sure,
your desire for liberation from evil and sin is God’s grace because He
desires it all the more. He will not abandon you unto sin and evil. He will
lead you to the place of healing, conversion, and restoration. The journey to
liberation is not unlike the Exodus experience of the Israelites fleeing the
slavery of the Egyptians (cf. Exodus 14). Sometimes we grumble because we want
quick fixes, not true conversion of life. It takes courage to seek help, to
entrust your broken heart to a priest. Catholic priests have a special
anointing conferred upon them for the liberation of God’s people. Ideally,
you will be welcomed and met with compassionate understanding. Remember that
you are not seeking a perfect personality fit, you are seeking the healing
power (authority) of the universal Church through a person who is on a journey
toward holiness (a work in progress). Some people wrote about the disbelief of
their priests regarding diabolical affliction. I acknowledge that according to
a publication of the “Association
of International Exorcists”
some priests have ceased to believe in the existence of the devil. Pray for our
priests please (foundationforpriests.org). Most clergy do believe
according to the teaching of the Church. Please do not be discouraged, rather,
keep seeking help within the Church and do not go outside of the Church. Too
many people suffer terrible spiritual, emotional and physical consequences from
so-called healing practitioners outside of the Church. Let us imitate the
entrustment of Jesus who places His Body and Blood into the imperfect, anointed
hands of His priest in the sacrifice of the Mass to become our spiritual food.
Christ is vulnerable first so that when we are “crushed in spirit” we can entrust the
little pieces of our heart to Him. He collects, cherishes and re-constructs the
broken parts into something quite beautiful and new.
Praying for Yourself
Exorcist
priests explain to the diabolically afflicted person that while he and the team
can help toward liberation, the big extent of the work will be done by the
person. The Exorcist has the authority to pray the Rite (powerfully effective),
but the hard work of conversion, of cultivating a sacramental prayer life, and
renouncing evil practices, is done by the person. Praying for oneself, putting
on the armor of God (Ephesians 6), is necessary. You can find Catholic prayer
books with authorized deliverance prayers for the laity, ideally with the
Church’s
Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. The most powerful reading for liberation is
scripture; the Word of God is living and effective. Insert your name into the
scripture. Pray with the Psalmists; insert yourself into the scenes of healing
and liberation, personalize scripture passages.
Sacramental Confession
For Catholics who experience
diabolical affliction, I encourage you to run to the confessional. It is one of
the Church’s
most powerful sacraments of healing; a hundred times more powerful than a
sacramental such as the rite of exorcism (according to exorcists).
The spiritual effects of the
sacrament of Penance are:
–
reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace;
– reconciliation with the Church;
– remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
– remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;
– peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation;
– an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.
– reconciliation with the Church;
– remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
– remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;
– peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation;
– an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.
Recourse to Mary
One day, while I was saying to the demon, “in the name of our Most Immaculate Mother, leave this body!”, The demon yelled, “That is the word that I hate the most!” And I responded, “Immaculate?” And the demon said, “Yes!”
One time during the novena of the Immaculate Conception, a demon began to yell, “Send her away! Send her away! Send her away! Everyone is saying her name in these days. All are calling her.
Everyone says her name. Too much light, too much light, too much light!”
Another time, one demon exclaimed, “The Immaculate Conception is my opposite.”
In another exorcism, we repeated the following prayer several times: Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. The demon responded, “Stop that! This short prayer is powerful against me!”
School of Holiness
“Even diabolical
possession can be a school of holiness.” Possession is rare. More common
are diabolical oppressions or obsession. Christ is your sure help, the Church
is your hospital, sacramental grace is your medicine. You were not created to
be crushed or brokenhearted. God’s
provision is yours. His hand is grasping for yours. St. Paul teaches, “No, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Of
this I am sure because I have witnessed the liberation of persons tormented by
the demonic who are then transformed into healed vessels of light, peace and
joy.
Focus: True and laudable service as
we run to attain the eternal promises and increase in faith, hope, and love
Introit
of the Mass to-day is the prayer of an afflicted soul entreating God for
assistance. “Incline to my aid, O God; O Lord, make haste to help me; let my
enemies be con founded and ashamed who seek my soul. Let them be turned
backwards, and blush for shame, who desire evils to me.”
Prayer.
O almighty and merciful
God, from Whose gift it comes that Thou art worthily and laudably served by the
faithful, grant us, we beseech Thee, to run without offence to the attainment
of Thy promises.
EPISTLE,
ii. Cor. iii. 4-9.
Brethren:
Such confidence we have through Christ towards God : not that we are sufficient
to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from
God: Who also hath made us fit ministers of the New Testament, not in the
letter, but in the spirit: for the letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth.
Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was
glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face
of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void: how shall not
the ministration of the Spirit be rather in glory? For if the ministration of
condemnation be glory: much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in
glory.
Explanation.
St. Paul here introduces a comparison between the
priest hood of the Old and that of the New Law, in order to show that the
dignity of the priesthood under the New Law (and consequently the respect and
confidence due to it) as far excels the dignity of the priesthood under the Old
as the spirit does the letter the truth the figure. For if the ministry of
Moses, which consisted in the service of the letter, and imparted no grace, was
so glorious, how much more glorious is that priest hood of the New Law, through
which is conveyed the sanctifying grace of God! And how much more veneration
and obedience should accordingly be paid to the priests of the New Law!
GOSPEL Luke x 23-37
At that time Jesus said to His
disciples: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to
you that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see
and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard
them. And behold a certain lawyer stoodup, tempting Him, and saying: Master,
what must I do to possess eternal life? But He said to him: What is written
inthe law? How readest thou? He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself. And He said to him: Thou
hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify
himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering, said: A
certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who
also stripped him: and, having wounded him, went away leaving him half dead.
And it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him,
passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw
him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan being on his journey came near him: and
seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his
wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought
him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence
(worth two days wages), and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him: and
whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I at my return will repay thee.
Which of these three in thy opinion was neighbor to him that fell among the
robbers? But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go
and do thou in like manner.
Why
does Jesus call His disciples blessed? Because they had
the happiness which so many kings, patriarchs, and prophets had desired in vain
of seeing the Savior of the world, and of hearing His teaching.
What
is it to love God? To acknowledge God as the highest
and most perfect good; to desire that He should be known, honored, loved, by
all men; that His will should be fulfilled by all; and so zealously to observe
His commandments that we would lose all the goods of life, and even life
itself, rather than transgress these commands and be separated from God.
What
does it mean to love God with the whole heart, etc.? “With
thy whole heart”, signifies with all the motions and inclinations of the heart
“with thy whole soul”, with all the thoughts, conceptions of the soul, “with
thy whole mind”, with all the desires, wishes, and determination of the will;
“with all thy strength”, with all the powers and faculties of body and soul
with all the acts and motions of the senses. All these should be directed to
God alone, as the last object and end of man.
How
can this be done? By doing whatever we do, whether
it be mental or manual labor, eating, drinking, or recreation, with the
intention of doing the will of God and what is pleasing to Him. By this it is
understood that idle talk, intemperance in meat and drink, and in general all
sinful works, cannot be offered to God, because they are contrary to His will
and therefore deserve punishment.
Is
that true love which loves God because He does us good?
That love is truly good and praiseworthy, but not perfect, for self-interest
creeps in with it.
What,
then, is the perfect love of God? When we love God
only because He is in Himself the highest good and most worthy of love. In such
manner must we endeavor to love God; not out of self-interest, not from the
expectation of reward, nor yet from fear of punishment.
Can
everyone thus love God? Yes; for there is no state of life
in which we cannot refer everything to God. Love does not require great deeds,
but that we should avoid evil, and refer everything to God; and all can do
this.
Who is our neighbor? Every man be he a foreigner or a fellow-countryman, poor or rich, of our own religion or of any other, a friend or an enemy.
How are we to love our neighbor? We must love our neighbor as ourselves; that is, we must wish for him and do for him what in similar circumstances we should desire for ourselves, and not wish for him or do to him what we would not wish done to ourselves (Matt. vii. 12).
In what way are we particularly to practise the love of our neighbor?
1. By heartily rejoicing over the gifts and graces which our neighbor has received from God, and by sympathizing with him in misfortune;
2. By praying God to grant to our neighbor such gifts as St. Paul, on his knees, besought for the Ephesians, the fulness of the knowledge of God, and of all perfection;
3. By overlooking and patiently bearing our neighbor s faults, disorders, and infirmities of every kind, as St. Paul says: “Bear ye one another s burdens and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ”;
4. In general, by both the spiritual and the corporal works of mercy. With what intention should we love our neighbor? We must love our neighbor in God, and for God s sake, be cause He commands it, and because such love is pleasing to Him.
35
Promises of God[6]
1. “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you,
and you shall glorify me.”
-Ps 50:15
-Ps 50:15
Daily Devotions
·
Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving
your day to God.
[3]
St. Michael and the Angels, Tan Books, 1983.
[4]https://catholicexchange.com/spiritual-battle-victors-not-victims
[5]Goffine’s
Devout Instructions, 1896.
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