The practice of true humility
Traudel
How easy it is, when we are approved of, esteemed and praised by others, to
say we are unworthy of such honor, and deserve only contempt. To know
whether we speak the truth, let us see if we should say the same under
contempt. Upon this point I am resolved to accept, as from the hands of God,
all the evil that may be said or done against me, as my due; and, far from
murmuring, I will bless the Lord for permitting others to do me justice,
that He may show me mercy; esteeming it too great a happiness to die, and to
be extinguished in the minds of men, that I may live only in the mind of God
by the love of contempt, and the practice of true humility.
Prayer: Thou knowest, O God, how sensible I am to contradictions, calumnies,
and contempt. Everything revolts within me when I have occasion to suffer
them. But I know also that what is impossible to me is easy to Thee, and
that, supported and fortified by the help of Thy grace, I can patiently
endure humiliations, which of myself; I should receive with murmurs and
vexation. Grant then, 0 my Savior, that, imbued with Thy maxims, and
animated with Thy spirit, I may regard with horror the glory, esteem, and
praise which so often render me contemptible in Thy sight; and, on the
contrary, receive injuries and affronts with submission and gratitude, that
so I may hope to become the object of Thy love and the possessor of eternal
glory. Amen.
--Thomas � Kempis, From the Imitation of Christ
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December 29th - St. Trophimus of Arles B (RM)
Died c. 280. Trophimus, the first bishop of Arles whose cathedral of St.
Trophime now honors his memory, is often confused with the Trophimus
mentioned by St. Paul. The bishop Trophimus was sent from Rome to Gaul about
240-260. Saint Gregory of Tours (died 594) testifies that Trophimus was one
of several bishops associated with Saint Sernin of Toulouse, who founded the
famous sees of France and with St. Denis.
The cultus of Trophimus is ancient. Writing to the bishops of Gaul in 417,
Pope Zozimus mentioned him as being sent by the papacy to preach and found
the church of Arles. His church contains a 3rd century crypt, which was
discovered in 1835.
Paul's disciple was a gentile convert from Ephesus who accompanied the
Apostle on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4) and to Jerusalem, where
his presence (as a gentile) in the Temple provoked violent protests against
Paul that almost resulted in his death (Acts 21:26-36). Paul mentions him
again in 2 Timothy 4:20, saying he "left Trophimus ill at Miletus."
Since the Synod of Arles in 452, the church of Provence has identified their
first bishop with St. Paul's disciple, but this is clearly an impossibility.
In essence, both are honored today because of the confusion (Benedictines,
Delaney, Encyclopedia, Farmer).
In art, St. Trophimus is a bishop carrying his eyes. The picture may show
(1) his eyes being put out, (2) him with lions, or (3) surrounded by the
Apostles. (He was identified with the Trophimus who was a disciple of St.
Paul.) He is the patron of children and invoked against drought
(Roeder).Canonized Pre-Congregation
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1229.shtml
Also Today:
At Canterbury in England, the birthday of St. Thomas Becket, bishop and
martyr. For his defence of justice and ecclesiastical immunity, he was put
to the sword in his basilica by a band of evil men, and thus went to Christ
as a martyr.
Saint Quote:
True devotion hinders no one, but rather it perfects everything, and
whenever it is out of keeping with any person's legitimate vocation, it must
be spurious.
--St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote:
And he said to them: You are they who justify yourselves before men, but God
knoweth your hearts; for that which is high to men, is an abomination before
God. (Luke 16:15)
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Reflection
To honor the martyrs and duty celebrate their festivals, we must learn
their spirit, and study to imitate them according to the circumstances of
our state. We must, like them, resist evil unto blood, must subdue our
passions, suffer afflictions with patience, and bear with others without
murmuring or complaining. Many practice voluntary austerities ties
cheerfully, only because they are of their own choice. But true patience
requires, in the first place, that we bear all afflictions and
contradictions from whatever quarter they come; and in this consists true
virtue. Though we pray for heaven, our prayers will not avail, unless we
make use of the means which God sends to bring us thither. The cross is the
ladder by which we must ascend.
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The desire of Paradise:
O my God, when shall I behold Thine infinite beauty; when
shall I behold Thee face to face? In paradise I shall love
Thee, and Thou wilt love me in all eternity, my God and my All!
My Jesus, when shall I behold Thee and kiss thine wounds
which were inflicted on Thee for my sake?
O Mary, when shall I find myself at the feet of the Mother who
has loved and aided me so tenderly?
My sweet Protectress, turn thou on me thine eyes of mercy.
Take me from this land of exile, and show me the blessed
fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Amen.