On Control of the Heart (I)

[Weedy]

On Control of the Heart (I)

CHRIST. My son, you have still many things to learn.
THE DISCIPLE. What are these, Lord?

CHRIST. How you must frame your desires in accordance with My good pleasure, (Matt. 6:10) and be not a lover of self, but an earnest follower of My will. Desires often inflame you and drive you violently onwards; but consider whether it is My honor or self-interest that moves you most. If I Myself be the cause, you will be content with whatever I shall determine; but if self-interest is your hidden motive, this will be a hindrance and burden to you.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ, Bk 3 Ch 11


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January 3rd - Saint Fulgentius

(468-533)

Born in Africa of illustrious and Catholic parents, Fulgentius was an
excellent student of languages and of various other practical disciplines.
His father had died while still young, and Fulgentius soon became the
support of his mother and younger brother. He was appointed at an early age
procurator of his province at Carthage; but this elevation in the world's
esteem was distasteful to him, and he was enlightened by the Spirit of God
to see the vanity of the world.

At the age of twenty-two, having read Saint Augustine's treatise on the
Psalms, he resolved to embrace monastic life, and began to prepare for it by
mental prayer, fasting, and other penances practiced in secret. When he was
accepted into a monastery by a holy bishop named Faustus, his mother hoped
to change his mind; but when she arrived he remained firm and did not
consent to see her. Such are the austerities of the Saints, called to
accomplish much for God. He later renounced all his goods on behalf of his
mother and younger brother.

After six years of peace, his monastery was attacked by Arian heretics, and
Faustus, Fulgentius and the other monks were driven out, destitute, into the
desert. Fulgentius entered another monastery on his Superior's advice, and
there he shared the duties of the Superior, to the latter's great
consolation, until that house was attacked by barbarians. In the refuge to
which he then repaired he was persecuted, held captive, and tortured by an
Arian priest, but sought no vengeance when authorities offered him support
if he would enter a complaint. Fulgentius and his Superior, who was with
him, decided to build another monastery in the province they had abandoned.

For a time Fulgentius remained there, but he desired solitude and set out on
a journey to the holy places of Rome. There the imperial splendors he beheld
spoke to him of the greater glory of the heavenly Jerusalem, his final goal.
And at the first lull in the persecution, he returned to his African cell in
the year 500.

Elected bishop of Ruspe in 508, he was summoned to face new dangers, and was
shortly afterwards banished by the Arian king, with some sixty other
Catholic prelates, to Sardinia. Though the youngest of the exiles, he became
the spokesman of his brethren and the support of their orphaned flocks. By
his books and letters, which are still extant, he confounded both Pelagian
and Arian heresiarchs, and strengthened the Catholics in Africa and Gaul. He
prayed for all his compatriots in exile: "You know, Lord, what is most
expedient for the salvation of our souls; assist us in our corporal
necessities, that we may not lose the spiritual goods." On the death of the
Arian king, the bishops returned to their flocks. Saint Fulgentius was
welcomed amid the greatest joy, after eighteen years of exile. He labored
with his fellow bishops in the synods as their chosen leader, and
re-established discipline. When he felt his end was near, he retired to an
island monastery, where after a year's preparation he called for his clergy
and religious, and with their aid distributed all his goods to the poor. He
died in peace in the year 533.

Reflection. Each year may bring us new changes and trials; let us learn from
Saint Fulgentius to receive all that happens as appointed for our salvation,
and from the hand of God.

Sources: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul Guérin
(Bloud et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 1; Little Pictorial Lives of the
Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other
sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).

Also see longer version found at:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06316a.htm


Saint Quote:
"There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made
and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of
God; first possible and then impossible, even Jesus Christ our Lord."
-Ignatius, To the Ephesians,7(A.D.110)

Bible Quote:
And the Lord came and stood: and he called, as he had called the other
times: Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel said: Speak, Lord, for thy servant
heareth. (1 Kings 3:9)


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Prayer against Covetousness

O Lord Jesus Christ, who though Thou wast rich yet for our sakes didst
become poor, grant that all over-eagerness and covetousness of earthly goods
may die in us, and the desire of heavenly things may live and grow in us;
keep us from all idle and vain expenditures, that we may always have to give
to him that needeth, and that giving not grudgingly nor of necessity, but
cheerfully, we may be loved of Thee, and be made through Thy merits
partakers of the riches of Thy heavenly treasure. Amen.

Taken from: Manual of Prayers (pg. 312)
Compiled by: Third Plenary Council of Baltimore
Imprimatur: James Cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop of Baltimore