The value of life

[Rich]

The value of life

"Note the acceleration of images: just when the lilies are decked
out, he no longer calls them lilies but 'grass of the field' (Matthew
6:30 ). He then points further to their vulnerable condition by saying
'which are here today.' Then he does not merely say 'and not tomorrow'
but rather more callously 'cast into the oven.' These creatures are
not merely 'clothed but 'so clothed' in this way as to be later
brought to nothing. Do you see how Jesus everywhere abounds in
amplifications and intensifications? And he does so in order to press
his points home. So then he adds, 'Will he not much more clothe you?'
The force of the emphasis is on 'you' to indicate covertly how great
is the value set upon your personal existence and the concern God
shows for you in particular. It is as though he were saying, 'You, to
whom he gave a soul, for whom he fashioned a body, for whose sake he
made everything in creation, for whose sake he sent prophets, and gave
the law, and wrought those innumerable good works, and for whose sake
he gave up his only begotten Son.'"
by John Chrysostom, (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 22.1)

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May 7th - Blessed Albert of Bergamo, OP Tert. (AC)
(Also known as Albert d'Ogna or Albert the Farmer)

Born in Valle d'Ogna (near Bergamo), Italy, in 1214; died in Cremona,
Italy, May 7, 1279; cultus approved 1748; feast day formerly May 11.

Albert "the Farmer" was a peasant farmer who followed his pious and
industrious father's example. His father taught him many practices of
penance and piety that later fructified in a saintly life. At 7,
Albert was fasting 3 days a week, giving the foregone food to the
poor. Working at the heavy labor of the fields, Albert learned to see
God in all things, and to listen for His voice in all nature. The
beauty of the earth was to him a voice that spoke only of heaven. He
grew up pure of heart, discreet, and humble--to the edification of the
entire village.

Albert married while still quite young. At first his wife made no
objection to the generosity and self-denial for which he was known.
When his father died, however, she made haste to criticize his every
act and word, and made his home almost unbearable with her shrewish
scolding. "You give too much time to prayer and to the poor!" she
charged; Albert only replied that God will return all gifts made to
the poor.

In testimony to this, God miraculously restored the meal Albert had
given away over his wife's objections. Finally, softened by Albert's
prayers, she ceased her nagging and became his rival in piety and
charity. She died soon after her conversion, and Albert, being
childless, he left his father's farm to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem
and Rome.

Stopping at Cremona, Italy, at harvest time, Albert went to work in
the fields. He soon earned the name of "the diligent worker." His
guardian angel worked beside him in the fields, and, therefore, twice
the work was accomplished that might be expected of one man. Weighing
in his grain at the end of the day, Albert always received twice as
much in wages as the other workers did. Though he gave this to the
poor and kept nothing for himself, jealous companions determined to
annoy him. Planting pieces of iron in the field where Albert would be
working the next day, they watched to see him break or dull his
scythe. Miraculously, the scythe cut through iron as it did through
the grain, never suffering any harm. In Cremona Albert's poverty was
also a witness to a group of heretics there who boasted of their own
poverty.

In all, Albert visited Rome 9 times, Santiago de Compostela 8 times,
and Jerusalem once. He worked his way, giving to the poor every penny
he could spare. His pilgrimages were almost unbroken prayer; he walked
along singing hymns and chanting Psalms, or conversing on things of
God with the people he met along the way.

Appalled at the suffering of pilgrims who fell ill far from home and
the penniless, Albert determined to build a hospital for their use.
This he actually accomplished by his prayers and diligent work.

In 1256, he met the Dominicans. Attracted by the life of Saint
Dominic, Albert joined the Brothers of Penance, which later became the
Order of Penance of Saint Dominic, and continued his works of charity
in his new state. As a lay brother he was closely associated with the
religious but lived in the world so that he was able to continue his
pilgrimages. At home, he assisted the Dominican fathers in Cremona,
working happily in their garden, cultivating the medicinal herbs so
necessary at the time, and doing cheerfully all the work he could find
that was both heavy and humble.

Falling very ill, Albert sent a neighbor for the priest, but there was
a long delay, and a dove came bringing him Holy Viaticum. When he
died, the bells of Cremona rang of themselves, and people of all
classes hurried to view the precious remains. It was planned to bury
him in the common cemetery, outside the cloister, as he was a secular
tertiary, but no spade could be found to break the ground. An unused
tomb was discovered in the church of Saint Matthias, where he had so
often prayed, and he was buried there. Many miracles were attributed
to him after his death, and the farmer-saint became legendary for his
generosity to the poor (Benedictines, Bentley, Dominicans, Dorcy,
Gill).

In art, Saint Albert is a farm laborer cutting through a stone with a
scythe. He may shown be shown (1) when a dove brings him the viaticum,
or (2) with a dove, Host, and censer near him (Roeder). Albert is the
patron of bakers and day-laborers, and is venerated in Cremona,
Bergamo, and Ogna (Roeder).


Saint Quote:
Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how
everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it
to lean upon that which cannot give support?
--Saint Gerard Majella

Bible Quote
So also you now indeed have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice; and your joy no man shall take from you.
[John 16:22] DRV

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A Powerful Prayer Of St. Clare of Assisi

O Glorious St. Clare! God has given you the power of working
miracles continually, and the favor of answering the prayers
of those who invoke your assistance in misfortune, anxiety,
and distress. We beseech you, obtain from Jesus through
Mary His Blessed Mother, what we beg of you so fervently
and hopefully, (mention your petition in private) if it be for the
greater honor and glory of God and for the good of our souls.
Amen