Christ is the prize and the crown
Traudel
Christ himself is the prize and the
crown which those who run the race are to receive. Surely, then, we must
keep
our eyes fixed
on him, examine his teaching and actions carefully, and try to learn as well
as
possible how to
conduct ourselves in the struggle. For the labors of athletes are
proportionate
to the prizes:
looking forward to the honor they endure the hardships, exerting that
measure of
persevering
effort which they know to be warranted in the beauty of the prize.
--Nicolas Cabasilas
Meditation for troubled times:
Our Higher Power can guide us to the right decisions if we pray
about them. We can believe that many details of our lives are planned by God
and
planned with a
wealth of forgiving love for the mistakes we have made. We can pray today to
be
shown the right
way. We can choose the good, and when we choose it, we can feel that the
whole
power of the
universe is behind us. We can achieve a real harmony with God's purpose for
our
lives.
--From Twenty-Four Hours a Day
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December 19th - St. Anastasius I, Pope
Although the pontificate of St. Anastasius was brief, he had time to show
that
watchful care for the preservation of pure doctrine which distinguishes the
holders of the Roman See. A Roman, the son of Maximus, Anastasius was
elected to
succeed Siricius in 399.
One of his first problems was an appeal which had been made to Pope
Siricius. At
this time (and many other times too) the writings of Origen enjoyed a great
vogue. This brilliant but erratic third-century writer exercised a charm
over
men's minds which, in view of his sometimes less than orthodox opinions,
could
be dangerous. St. Jerome himself, grim watchdog of orthodoxy that he was,
had
issued an expurgated edition of Origen's Homilies. But heretics were now
appealing to the authority of Origen and it was imprudent of St. Jerome's
old
friend Rufinus to choose this moment for a translation of Origen's
philosophical
study, Peri Archon. He explained, however, that since a greater name had
already
translated Origen's Homilies he felt justified. Jerome was furious. Not at
all
mollified by the reference to one greater, he attacked his old friend with
bitterness. Then Rufinus became angry and told his reading public quite
bluntly
that Jerome was a defamer. The East rang with the shock of this battle of
words,
and an appeal was made to the Pope. Siricius, probably in view of the
personalities involved, had been slow to act, but now St. Anastasius felt
that
the time had come to speak out. He condemned Origen and deprecated the
translation of Rufinus. Shortly after the Pope spoke, the imperial
government
banned the works of Origen.
St. Anastasius also wrote to the bishops of Africa urging them to keep up
the
good fight against the Donatist heretics. This heresy developed during
persecutions by the Roman emperor, Diocletian. According to the Donatists,
any
clergy who had handed over sacred scriptures to the Roman officials during
these
persecutions were traitors and could no longer administer the sacraments.
St.
Augustine in his refutations pointed out that Christ is the true minister of
the
sacraments, therefore the efficacy of the sacrament was in no way affected
by
the unworthiness of the human minister. But again, like so many popes, he
was
merciful to repentant heretics.
Evidently there was some trouble about unauthorized priests drifting in to
Rome,
for Anastasius ordered that no priest from across the sea should be received
unless he had a letter signed by five bishops. He also decreed that priests
should stand with heads bowed while the gospel was being read. He built a
basilica called the Crescentian.
St. Anastasius was a friend of the great Fathers of the Church, St.
Augustine,
St. Jerome, and St. Paulinus. St. Paulinus had a pleasant visit with the
Pope.
St. Anastasius died in December 401 with the empire on the brink of
disaster.
St. Jerome says that he was a man of apostolic zeal and great poverty, and
that
Rome did not deserve to possess him long lest the world's head be cut off
while
ruled by such a bishop.
This Version taken from:
http://www.cfpeople.org/Books/Pope/POPEp39.htm
Saint Quote:
He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the
fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose
conscience
is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if
you
are found fault with. What you are, that you are; neither by word can you be
made greater than what you are in the sight of God.
-St. Thomas � Kempis
Bible Quote:
Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the
day
long: (Proverbs 23:17)
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A Prayer for Peace
"Almighty and eternal God, may Your grace enkindle
in all of us a love for the many unfortunate people
whom poverty and misery reduce to a condition of
life unworthy of human beings. Arouse in the hearts
of those who call You Father a hunger and thirst for
social justice and for fraternal charity in deeds
and in truth. Grant, O Lord, peace in our days,
peace to souls, peace to families, peace to our
country, and peace among nations. Amen."
-Pope Pius XII
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"Away With the Manger"
Away with the manger--no crib--baby's dead.
A cold, metal forceps has crushed his sweet head.
His body in pieces, no crying he makes;
While millions of dollars his killers do make.
Where are You, Lord Jesus, when Your babies die?
"In the dark, bloody bucket My Body doth lie.
Whatever you did to the least one of these-
Remember, oh man...You did it to Me."