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The Unsearchable Judgments of God
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Weedy
Dec 25, 2012, 1:46:59 PM12/25/12
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The Unsearchable Judgments of God
CHRIST. My son, avoid controversy over high things and the judgements of God. Do not argue why this person is so forsaken while another is endowed with great graces; or why one person is so grievously afflicted, while another is so richly rewarded. These things are above human understanding, and neither reasoning nor argument is competent to explain the judgements of God. Therefore, when the enemy suggests these things to your mind, or when inquisitive people ask about them, answer with the prophet, `You are just, 0 Lord, and Your judgements are right. ( Ps. 119:137) My judgements are to be respected, not discussed, for they are beyond the comprehension of the human mind. (Rom.11:33)
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 58
<<>><<>><<>>
December 25th - Solemnity of Christmas Day
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the most beloved and the most popular of the Christian feasts
Noel! Noel! This was the cry of our fathers when the Faith prevailed, ardent and lively in the bosom of families, institutions, and all of society. That cry has grown very weak in our day, for the naivete of simple faith has tended to disappear. Nevertheless, of all the Christian feasts, Christmas is perhaps the most beloved and the most popular.
Jesus is born in Bethlehem. He looks like an innocent helpless and humble baby. But He is God!... with the arms raised for help... He loves you and me, He needs our love... God can't talk, nor walk... he needs to be fed and cleaned... and He is God!, the One who made heaven and earth... a glorious mystery of mysteries described in Luke 2:
The Birth of Jesus:
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels:
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
God used the most apparently indifferent events to reach His ends. Mary lived in Nazareth, and the prophets predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). But an edict of Caesar Augustus ordered all the inhabitants of Judea to go at a certain time to enroll in their native city. Bethlehem was the birthplace of Joseph, so that is where the holy spouses went; and that is where, in conformity to the predictions of the prophets, Jesus was to come into the world.
What a birth for a God! Joseph looked for an inn, but there was none for such poor people; rejected and scorned, they were obliged to seek refuge in an isolated stable. No hospital, nor doctor, nor nurse, not even a bed or a .... just a stable, that is where, in the middle of the night, Mary miraculously gave birth to Jesus; that is where the most meek Savior received the first adorations, where He received the first kisses and caresses, where He shed His first tears! Mary took the Infant in Her arms, covered Him with poor swaddling clothes and laid Him softly in a cold manger. O first moments which Mary and Joseph spent at the feet of Jesus, how precious you were for them, how full of charm! We will taste a little of this joy and these charms on going to our church to pay a visit to the manger scene that represents such a great mystery. Earthly joys are deceitful, but the joy of God’s service are lasting and true.
Jesus was born, and behold, the heavens rang out in hymns of joy as the Angels sang the canticle of triumph, “Glory to God in the highest!” and the canticle of peace, “Peace on earth to men of good will!” Jesus was born, and at once the poor shepherds, informed by the Angels, came to adore the Redeemer of Israel in that little Infant. Jesus was born, and soon the princes of the East, led by a Star, laid their homages at His feet. Let us hail Christmas, the dawn of peace and salvation.
Source: Abbé L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l’année, Mame: Tours, 1950
Saint Quote:
I have never seen a compassionate and charitable man die a bad death.
--St. Augustine
Bible Quote:
Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit. (Proverbs 29:23)
<><><><>
A prayer to the Infant Jesus, suitable for the Masses of the
Nativity of Our Lord:
Most dear Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made a Child for
us, didst will to be born in a cave to free us from the
darkness of sin, to draw us unto Thee, and to set us on fire
with Thy holy love; we adore Thee as our Creator and
Redeemer, we acknowledge and for tribute we offer Thee
all the affection of our poor hearts. Dear Jesus, our Lord
and God, graciously accept this offering, and that it may be
worthy of Thine acceptance, forgive us our sins, enlighten
us, and inflame us with that sacred fire which Thou camest
to bring upon the earth and to enkindle in our hearts. May
our souls thus become an altar, on which we may offer
Thee the sacrifice of our mortifications; grant that we may
ever seek Thy greater glory here on earth, so that one day
we may come to enjoy Thine infinite loveliness in heaven.
Amen.
Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman [30 May, 1951]
CHRIST. My son, avoid controversy over high things and the judgements of God. Do not argue why this person is so forsaken while another is endowed with great graces; or why one person is so grievously afflicted, while another is so richly rewarded. These things are above human understanding, and neither reasoning nor argument is competent to explain the judgements of God. Therefore, when the enemy suggests these things to your mind, or when inquisitive people ask about them, answer with the prophet, `You are just, 0 Lord, and Your judgements are right. ( Ps. 119:137) My judgements are to be respected, not discussed, for they are beyond the comprehension of the human mind. (Rom.11:33)
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 58
<<>><<>><<>>
December 25th - Solemnity of Christmas Day
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the most beloved and the most popular of the Christian feasts
Noel! Noel! This was the cry of our fathers when the Faith prevailed, ardent and lively in the bosom of families, institutions, and all of society. That cry has grown very weak in our day, for the naivete of simple faith has tended to disappear. Nevertheless, of all the Christian feasts, Christmas is perhaps the most beloved and the most popular.
Jesus is born in Bethlehem. He looks like an innocent helpless and humble baby. But He is God!... with the arms raised for help... He loves you and me, He needs our love... God can't talk, nor walk... he needs to be fed and cleaned... and He is God!, the One who made heaven and earth... a glorious mystery of mysteries described in Luke 2:
The Birth of Jesus:
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels:
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
God used the most apparently indifferent events to reach His ends. Mary lived in Nazareth, and the prophets predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). But an edict of Caesar Augustus ordered all the inhabitants of Judea to go at a certain time to enroll in their native city. Bethlehem was the birthplace of Joseph, so that is where the holy spouses went; and that is where, in conformity to the predictions of the prophets, Jesus was to come into the world.
What a birth for a God! Joseph looked for an inn, but there was none for such poor people; rejected and scorned, they were obliged to seek refuge in an isolated stable. No hospital, nor doctor, nor nurse, not even a bed or a .... just a stable, that is where, in the middle of the night, Mary miraculously gave birth to Jesus; that is where the most meek Savior received the first adorations, where He received the first kisses and caresses, where He shed His first tears! Mary took the Infant in Her arms, covered Him with poor swaddling clothes and laid Him softly in a cold manger. O first moments which Mary and Joseph spent at the feet of Jesus, how precious you were for them, how full of charm! We will taste a little of this joy and these charms on going to our church to pay a visit to the manger scene that represents such a great mystery. Earthly joys are deceitful, but the joy of God’s service are lasting and true.
Jesus was born, and behold, the heavens rang out in hymns of joy as the Angels sang the canticle of triumph, “Glory to God in the highest!” and the canticle of peace, “Peace on earth to men of good will!” Jesus was born, and at once the poor shepherds, informed by the Angels, came to adore the Redeemer of Israel in that little Infant. Jesus was born, and soon the princes of the East, led by a Star, laid their homages at His feet. Let us hail Christmas, the dawn of peace and salvation.
Source: Abbé L. Jaud, Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de l’année, Mame: Tours, 1950
Saint Quote:
I have never seen a compassionate and charitable man die a bad death.
--St. Augustine
Bible Quote:
Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit. (Proverbs 29:23)
<><><><>
A prayer to the Infant Jesus, suitable for the Masses of the
Nativity of Our Lord:
Most dear Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made a Child for
us, didst will to be born in a cave to free us from the
darkness of sin, to draw us unto Thee, and to set us on fire
with Thy holy love; we adore Thee as our Creator and
Redeemer, we acknowledge and for tribute we offer Thee
all the affection of our poor hearts. Dear Jesus, our Lord
and God, graciously accept this offering, and that it may be
worthy of Thine acceptance, forgive us our sins, enlighten
us, and inflame us with that sacred fire which Thou camest
to bring upon the earth and to enkindle in our hearts. May
our souls thus become an altar, on which we may offer
Thee the sacrifice of our mortifications; grant that we may
ever seek Thy greater glory here on earth, so that one day
we may come to enjoy Thine infinite loveliness in heaven.
Amen.
Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman [30 May, 1951]
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