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The Following of Christ
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weedy
May 20, 2013, 1:19:52 PM5/20/13
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The Following of Christ
"Come, follow me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, he has flown on ahead. Look and see where.
O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow him there? Through trials, insults, the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you."
--St. Augustine--Sermon 345, 6
Prayer: O Lord my God, you alone do I love. You alone do I follow. You alone do I seek. You alone am I prepared to serve, for you alone justly rule, and under your authority I long to be.
--St. Augustine--Soliloquies 1, 15
<<>><<>><<>>
May 20th - St. Bernardin of Siena
1380-1444
St. Antoninus, archbishop of Florence, begins the biography of Bernardin with the words, "The grace of God, Our Saviour, has appeared in His servant Bernardin, who shone like a bright star in a dark night, and with the heavenly brilliance of his virtue and doctrine frightened away the darkness."
The great saint descended from the old knightly family of the Albizeschi of Siena, and was born on September 8, 1380, in the town of Massa, a dependency of Siena, where his father was governor. When Bernardin was only 7 years old, he had lost both his parents, but he was reared in the fear of God by devout relatives. He evinced a great love for the poor, with whom, as a little boy, he gladly shared his food. He attended divine services with the most edifying devotion, and listened to sermons with such attention that he could repeat them to his companions.
He loved purity above all the virtues. While he attended the secondary school in Siena, he could not hear an unbecoming word without blushing for shame, so that those who spoken it themselves blushed. When any indecent conversation was going on among his companions, they stopped as soon as they saw him coming. "Be still," they said, "Bernardin is coming."
While the holy youth was otherwise very meek, he was friendly to all, he could nevertheless grow extremely angry if decency was violated. A prominent citizen once purposely told him something indecent in the open market place. Bernardin gave him a resounding slap in the face, and amid the laughter of the bystanders the disgraced citizen had to withdraw.
With his great love for purity, Bernardin united a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin, whom he used to call his beloved. Out of devotion to her he daily visited an image of Mary just outside the town of Siena; he prayed there especially to learn his vocation. The Mother of Grace, who had protected him in the world, now led him to the sanctuary of the convent. In the quiet little convent of St. Mary Colombaio, which St. Francis himself had founded. Bernardin received the holy habit on the feast of the Nativity of Mary in the year 1402. On the same feast in the following year, he made his profession, and after he was ordained and appointed to preach, he also gave his first sermon on the feast of Mary's nativity.
Since, however, Bernardin's voice was very weak and hoarse, he seemed ill-fitted for the office of a preacher. Yet here, too, his beloved Mother helped him. AT her intercession his voice suddenly became so powerful and melodious that he became one of the most distinguished missionaries.
Now he journeyed all over Italy in order to announce to the people the virtues and vices, and the reward of the former and punishment of the latter. In many places such depravity existed that he found it necessary to preach sermons which he himself called sermons for heathens. The effects, however, were so astounding that Pope Pius II compared him with the Apostle of the Gentiles and called him a second Paul. After he had shaken their truths, he poured into them the soothing oil of the sweet name of Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer, and preached on Mary, the Mother of Mercy.
His blessed ministry induced many towns to seek him as their bishop. This Siena, Ferrara, and Urbino petitioned in turn for this privilege, and the pope offered Bernardin the episcopal dignity. But with unchanging humility, he declined every time. He remained among his religious brethren whom he encouraged in religious perfection.
Rich in merits and virtue he died at Aquila on May 20, 1944, Pope Nicholas V canonized him 6 years later, whereupon the citizens of Aquila built to his honor a beautiful church with a magnificent marble tomb.
ON INDECENT CONVERSATION
1. "Blessed are the clean of heart" (Matt 5:8). This praise was merited by Bernardin in his youth and throughout his life. That is why indecent conversation displeased him so very much. Such talk comes from an unclean heart and filthy mind, because "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks." How detestable it is for a Christian to indulge in shameless and double-meaning speech or lewd songs, since all his bodily members have been sanctified in baptism and have, as it were, become the members of Christ, who is our head. Added to this is the fact that a Christian's mouth receives the most holy Body of Christ in holy Communion. Therefore the Apostle says: "Uncleanness, let it not so much as be named among you, or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility" (Eph 5:4). If such matters do not impress you as abominable, then fear lest your heart be not clean.
2. Consider how harmful indecent conversation is to those who listen. The Holy Spirit warns: "Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor 15:33). The smouldering embers of indecent desire lie in the heart of every man since the time of original sin. He who fears it least is most dangerously exposed to the unclean fire. St. Chrysostom, speaking of conversation and jests that offend against decency, says that nothing so readily destroys chastity as the flame that is enkindled through them. That is why Bernardin dealt so vigorously with the citizen who told them a filthy story. The young man would rather have let himself be struck in the face than be addressed with such speech. -- How do you conduct yourself in such instances? In their rule, Tertiaries are especially warned to flee filthy and loose conversation.
3. Consider how there was bound up with this great love for chastity on the part of St. Bernardin, a tender love for Mary. For us, too, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will be a special means of preserving the love of chastity and of being protected against all dangers. To this end honor the Blessed Virgin, the Queen of Virgins, particularly during the month of May.
If no other refuge remains for you in time of danger, then say over and over again the holy names of Jesus and Mary. Recommend yourself, also, to St. Bernardin, that you may remain faithful to God.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O Lord Jesus, who didst grant to St. Bernardin, Thy confessor, a very special love for Thy most holy name, pour forth in us, we beseech Thee, through his merits and intercession, the spirit of Thy love, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
Saint Quote:
Resist your impatience faithfully, practicing, not only with reason, but even against reason, holy courtesy and sweetness to all, but especially to those who weary you the most.
--St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote
14 Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 15 Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 16 For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
"Come, follow me, says the Lord. Do you love? He has hastened on, he has flown on ahead. Look and see where.
O Christian, don't you know where your Lord has gone? I ask you: Don't you wish to follow him there? Through trials, insults, the cross, and death. Why do you hesitate? Look, the way has been shown you."
--St. Augustine--Sermon 345, 6
Prayer: O Lord my God, you alone do I love. You alone do I follow. You alone do I seek. You alone am I prepared to serve, for you alone justly rule, and under your authority I long to be.
--St. Augustine--Soliloquies 1, 15
<<>><<>><<>>
May 20th - St. Bernardin of Siena
1380-1444
St. Antoninus, archbishop of Florence, begins the biography of Bernardin with the words, "The grace of God, Our Saviour, has appeared in His servant Bernardin, who shone like a bright star in a dark night, and with the heavenly brilliance of his virtue and doctrine frightened away the darkness."
The great saint descended from the old knightly family of the Albizeschi of Siena, and was born on September 8, 1380, in the town of Massa, a dependency of Siena, where his father was governor. When Bernardin was only 7 years old, he had lost both his parents, but he was reared in the fear of God by devout relatives. He evinced a great love for the poor, with whom, as a little boy, he gladly shared his food. He attended divine services with the most edifying devotion, and listened to sermons with such attention that he could repeat them to his companions.
He loved purity above all the virtues. While he attended the secondary school in Siena, he could not hear an unbecoming word without blushing for shame, so that those who spoken it themselves blushed. When any indecent conversation was going on among his companions, they stopped as soon as they saw him coming. "Be still," they said, "Bernardin is coming."
While the holy youth was otherwise very meek, he was friendly to all, he could nevertheless grow extremely angry if decency was violated. A prominent citizen once purposely told him something indecent in the open market place. Bernardin gave him a resounding slap in the face, and amid the laughter of the bystanders the disgraced citizen had to withdraw.
With his great love for purity, Bernardin united a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin, whom he used to call his beloved. Out of devotion to her he daily visited an image of Mary just outside the town of Siena; he prayed there especially to learn his vocation. The Mother of Grace, who had protected him in the world, now led him to the sanctuary of the convent. In the quiet little convent of St. Mary Colombaio, which St. Francis himself had founded. Bernardin received the holy habit on the feast of the Nativity of Mary in the year 1402. On the same feast in the following year, he made his profession, and after he was ordained and appointed to preach, he also gave his first sermon on the feast of Mary's nativity.
Since, however, Bernardin's voice was very weak and hoarse, he seemed ill-fitted for the office of a preacher. Yet here, too, his beloved Mother helped him. AT her intercession his voice suddenly became so powerful and melodious that he became one of the most distinguished missionaries.
Now he journeyed all over Italy in order to announce to the people the virtues and vices, and the reward of the former and punishment of the latter. In many places such depravity existed that he found it necessary to preach sermons which he himself called sermons for heathens. The effects, however, were so astounding that Pope Pius II compared him with the Apostle of the Gentiles and called him a second Paul. After he had shaken their truths, he poured into them the soothing oil of the sweet name of Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer, and preached on Mary, the Mother of Mercy.
His blessed ministry induced many towns to seek him as their bishop. This Siena, Ferrara, and Urbino petitioned in turn for this privilege, and the pope offered Bernardin the episcopal dignity. But with unchanging humility, he declined every time. He remained among his religious brethren whom he encouraged in religious perfection.
Rich in merits and virtue he died at Aquila on May 20, 1944, Pope Nicholas V canonized him 6 years later, whereupon the citizens of Aquila built to his honor a beautiful church with a magnificent marble tomb.
ON INDECENT CONVERSATION
1. "Blessed are the clean of heart" (Matt 5:8). This praise was merited by Bernardin in his youth and throughout his life. That is why indecent conversation displeased him so very much. Such talk comes from an unclean heart and filthy mind, because "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks." How detestable it is for a Christian to indulge in shameless and double-meaning speech or lewd songs, since all his bodily members have been sanctified in baptism and have, as it were, become the members of Christ, who is our head. Added to this is the fact that a Christian's mouth receives the most holy Body of Christ in holy Communion. Therefore the Apostle says: "Uncleanness, let it not so much as be named among you, or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility" (Eph 5:4). If such matters do not impress you as abominable, then fear lest your heart be not clean.
2. Consider how harmful indecent conversation is to those who listen. The Holy Spirit warns: "Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor 15:33). The smouldering embers of indecent desire lie in the heart of every man since the time of original sin. He who fears it least is most dangerously exposed to the unclean fire. St. Chrysostom, speaking of conversation and jests that offend against decency, says that nothing so readily destroys chastity as the flame that is enkindled through them. That is why Bernardin dealt so vigorously with the citizen who told them a filthy story. The young man would rather have let himself be struck in the face than be addressed with such speech. -- How do you conduct yourself in such instances? In their rule, Tertiaries are especially warned to flee filthy and loose conversation.
3. Consider how there was bound up with this great love for chastity on the part of St. Bernardin, a tender love for Mary. For us, too, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will be a special means of preserving the love of chastity and of being protected against all dangers. To this end honor the Blessed Virgin, the Queen of Virgins, particularly during the month of May.
If no other refuge remains for you in time of danger, then say over and over again the holy names of Jesus and Mary. Recommend yourself, also, to St. Bernardin, that you may remain faithful to God.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
O Lord Jesus, who didst grant to St. Bernardin, Thy confessor, a very special love for Thy most holy name, pour forth in us, we beseech Thee, through his merits and intercession, the spirit of Thy love, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
Saint Quote:
Resist your impatience faithfully, practicing, not only with reason, but even against reason, holy courtesy and sweetness to all, but especially to those who weary you the most.
--St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote
14 Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 15 Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 16 For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
Graham Cooper
Jun 15, 2013, 5:32:49 PM6/15/13
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This is my Sky Pixie... if you think he is imaginary you can find
your own!
http://www.chatzombie.com/Dragon.jpg
.....
ADAM
KINGS BEACH
QUEENSLAND
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