Loving Jesus Above All Things (6)

[Rich]

Loving Jesus Above All Things (6)

You will quickly be deceived if you look only to the outward
appearance of men, and you will often be disappointed if you seek
comfort and gain in them. If, however, you seek Jesus in all things,
you will surely find Him. Likewise, if you seek yourself, you will
find yourself-to your own ruin. For the man who does not seek Jesus
does himself much greater harm than the whole world and all his
enemies could ever do.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 7

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August 25th - St. Genesius, a Comedian, Martyr

CHRIST who, to show the power of his grace, and the extent of his
mercy, called a publican to the apostleship, honoured with the glory
of martyrdom this saint, drawn from the stage, the most infamous
school of vice and the passions, and the just abhorrence of the holy
fathers of the church, of all zealous pastors, and all sincere lovers
of virtue. The Emperor Diocletian coming to Rome, was received with
great rejoicings. Among other entertainments prepared for him, those
of the stage were not neglected. In a comedy which was acted in his
presence, one of the players took it into his head to represent, in a
ludicrous manner, the ceremonies of the Christian baptism, which could
not fail to divert the assembly, who held this religion, and its
mysteries, in the utmost contempt and derision. This player,
therefore, whose name was Genesius, and who had learned some things
concerning the Christian rites from certain friends who zealously
professed that religion, laid himself down on the stage, feigning
himself sick, and said: “Ah! my friends, I find a great weight upon
me, and would gladly be eased.” The others answered: “What shall we do
to give thee ease? wouldst thou have us plane thee, to make thee
lighter?” “Ye senseless creatures,” said he, “I am resolved to die a
Christian, that God may receive me on this day of my death, as one who
seeks his salvation by flying from idolatry and superstition.”

Then a priest and exorcist were called, that is to say, two players,
who impersonated these characters. These sitting down by his bed-side,
said: “Well, my child, why did you send for us?” Here Genesius, being
suddenly converted by a divine inspiration, replied, not in jest, but
seriously: “Because I desire to receive the grace of Jesus Christ and
to be born again, that I may be delivered from my sins.” The other
players, proceeding mimically, went through the whole ceremony of
baptism with him; but he in earnest answered the usual
interrogatories, and on being baptized was clothed with a white
garment. After this, other players, habited like soldiers, to carry on
the jest, seized him, and presented him to the emperor, to be
examined, as the martyrs were wont to be. Genesius then declaring
himself openly, said aloud, standing upon the stage: “Hear, O emperor,
and all you who are here present, officers of the army, philosophers,
senators, and people, what I am going to say. I never yet so much as
heard the name of a Christian but I was struck with horror, and I
detested my very relations because they professed that religion. I
informed myself exactly concerning its rites and mysteries, only that
I might the more heartily despise it, and inspire you with the utmost
contempt for the same; but whilst I was washed with the water, and
examined, I had no sooner answered sincerely that I believed, than I
saw a company of bright angels over my head, who recited out of a book
all the sins I had committed from my childhood; and having afterwards
plunged the book into the water which had been poured upon me in your
presence, they showed me the book whiter than snow. Wherefore, I
advise you, O great and mighty emperor, and all ye people here
present, who have ridiculed these mysteries, to believe, with me, that
Jesus Christ is true Lord; that he is the light and the truth; and
that it is through him you may obtain the forgiveness of your sins.”
[1]

Diocletian, highly enraged at these words, ordered him to be most
inhumanly beaten with clubs, and afterwards to be put into the hands
of Plautian, the prefect of the prætorium, that he might compel him to
sacrifice. Plautian commanded him to be put upon the rack, where he
was torn with iron hooks for a considerable time, and then burnt with
torches. The martyr endured these torments with constancy, and
persisted crying out: “There is no other Lord of the universe besides
him whom I have seen. Him I adore and serve, and to him I will adhere,
though I should suffer a 1000 deaths for his sake. No torments shall
remove Jesus Christ from my heart or mouth. I regret exceedingly my
former errors, and that I once detested his holy name, and came so
late to his service.” At length his head was struck off.

His name occurs in the ancient Roman and African Calendars. Ruinart
[2] and Tillemont [3] refer his martyrdom to the year 286; for
Diocesan, having vanquished Carinus, (who was slain near Murga the
year before,) associated Maximian Herculeus in the empire at
Nicomedia, on the first of April, 286; after which he took a journey
in great state to Rome, where there seems to have been a hot
persecution about July, says Tillemont. Fleury places the death of St.
Genesius in 303; for Diocletian went again to Rome to celebrate the
20th year of the reign of Maximian Herculeus, which was begun in
November, 303. At the same time, both the emperors triumphed together
over the Persians; after some stay there, Diocletian returned into the
East.

See this martyr’s genuine acts in Ruinart, p. 283, and Orsi, t. 3, p. 467.

Note 1. The baptism which he received on the stage was no more than a
representation of that sacrament, for want of a serious intention of
performing the Christian rite; but St. Genesius was baptized in
desire, with true contrition, and also in his own blood.
Note 2. Act. Sincer. p. 283.
Note 3. Tillem. t. 4, p. 694.


Saint Quote:
My greatest happiness is to be before the Blessed Sacrament, where my
heart is, as it were, in Its center.
--St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Bible Quote:
If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed
away. Behold all things are made new. [2 Corinthians 5:17] DRB


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Ave Verum is a short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century.
During the Middle Ages it was sung at the elevation of the Host
during consecration. It also was used frequently during Benediction
of the Blessed Sacrament, and is thus excellent for recitation
at either service:

Hail, true Body, truly born
Of the Virgin Mary mild
Truly offered, wracked and torn,
On the Cross for all defiled,
From Whose love pierced, sacred side
Flowed Your true Blood's saving tide:
Be a foretaste sweet to me
In my death's great agony,
O my loving, Gentle One,
Sweetest Jesus,
Mary's Son. Amen.