- Psalm 64:1-2 -
Waldtraud
Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
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We may believe that God wants to hear only certain requests from us. While
it is
true we should offer praise, confession and respectful petitions, it is true
also that God is willing to listen to anything we want to tell him. David
expressed himself honestly, knowing that God would hear his voice. God will
always listen to us, and he will fully understand what we say.
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November 7th - St. Engelbert of Cologne, Bishop, Martyr
Born at Berg, Germany, c. 1187; died near Schwelm, 1225. Engelbert was the
son
of the count of Berg. While still a boy studying at the Cathedral school at
Cologne, he received several ecclesiastic benefices through family
influence.
The future saint was excommunicated either for threatening Emperor Otto IV
with
armed violence or for taking unlawful possession of benefices. After he
joined
the crusade against the Albigensians, the excommunication was lifted.
Shortly
thereafter he was appointed archbishop of Cologne in 1217 (about age 30).
Engelbert's life was chiefly taken up with secular affairs of state, and he
would hardly have received a saint's cultus had it not been for the
circumstances of his death. He did, however, rule his see well, restored
clerical discipline, brought Franciscans and Dominicans into the diocese,
held
regular synods, encouraged monastic life, and was generous to the poor.
As previously stated, he was also deeply involved in politics. He supported
Emperor Frederick II (who appointed him regent during the minority of
Henry's
son in 1220 when the Emperor went to Sicily), tutored the crown prince, was
chief minister of the empire, and crowned Henry King of the Romans in 1222.
Engelbert's crusade against the Albigensians did redeem him in the eyes of
the
church. Probably only a fighting bishop could have looked after the diocese
of
Cologne in those turbulent times. Although Engelbert did insist on
discipline
for the clergy and religious in his diocese, both groups knew they could
always
rely on his protection.
This led to the saint's murder. His cousin, Count Frederick of Isenberg, was
in
theory administrator and protector of the nuns of Essen. In practice he
stole
their lands and goods, and oppressed the vassals of the nuns. The archbishop
vigorously protested against the abuse and deprived his cousin of the
office.
The count and 50 retainers waylaid the archbishop at Gevelsberg, Germany, on
November 7, 1225, and left him dead with 47 wounds in his corpse. Thus, he
suffered martyrdom for defense of the liberty of the Church and the
authority of
the Church of Rome. The young King Henry had the culprits brought to
justice.
(Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Delaney, Encyclopedia, White).
Although he has never been formally canonized, he is referred to in the R.M.
as
Saint Engelbert, and is venerated in Cologne (Delaney).
In art, Engelbert is depicted in archiepiscopal vestments with a crozier in
one
hand and an upraised sword, piercing a crescent moon, in the other (White).
Saint Quote:
The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that
He
now presents to you as a gift from His all-knowing eyes, understood with His
Divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and
weighted
with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one
ounce
too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with
His
grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and
your
courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to
you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God.
--St Francis de Sales
Bible Quote
14 But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:
15
And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are
called
in one body: and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3:14-15)
Reflection: True zeal has its roots in the love of God. It can never be
idle; it
must labor, toil, be doing great things. It glows as fire; it is, like fire,
insatiable. Reflect whether this spirit exists in you!
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Psalm 94
O Lord, avenging God,
avenging God, appear!
Judge of the earth, arise,
give the proud what they deserve!
How long, O Lord, shall the wicked,
how long shall the wicked triumph?
They bluster with arrogant speech;
the evil-doers boast to each other.
They crush your people, Lord,
they afflict the ones you have chosen.
They kill the widow and the stranger
and murder the fatherless child.
And they say: "The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob pays no heed."
Mark this, most senseless of people;
fools, when will you understand?
Can he who made the ear, not hear?
Can he who formed the eye, not see?
Will he who corrects nations, not punish?
Will he who teaches men, not have knowledge?
The Lord knows the thoughts of men.
He knows they are no more than a breath.
Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord,
whom you train by means of your law:
to him you give peace in evil days
while the pit is being dug for the wicked.
The Lord will not abandon his people
nor forsake those who are his own;
for judgment shall again be just
and all true hearts shall uphold it.
Who will stand up for me against the wicked?
Who will defend me against those who do evil?
If the Lord were not to help me,
I would soon go down into the silence.
When I think: "I have lost my foothold,"
your mercy, Lord, holds me up.
When cares increase in my heart
your consolation calms my soul.
Can judges who do evil be your friends?
They do injustice under cover of law;
they attack the life of the just
and condemn innocent blood.
As for me, the Lord will be a stronghold;
my God will be the rock where I take refuge.
He will repay them for their wickedness,
destroy them for their evil deeds.
The Lord, our God, will destroy them.