Closed hearts - prejudiced minds

[Rich]

Closed hearts - prejudiced minds

The prophet Isaiah had warned that some would hear God's word, but not
believe, some would see God's actions and miracles, and remain
unconvinced. Ironically some of the greatest skeptics of Jesus'
teaching and miracles were the learned scribes and Pharisees who
prided themselves on their knowledge of Scripture, especially on the
law of Moses. They heard Jesus' parables and saw the great signs and
miracles which he performed, but they refused to accept both Jesus and
his message. How could they "hear and never understand" and "see but
never perceive"? They were spiritually blind and deaf because their
hearts were closed and their minds were blocked by pride and
prejudice. How could a man from Galilee, the supposed son of a
carpenter, know more about God and his word, than these experts who
devoted their lives to the study and teaching of the law of Moses?
Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

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August 11th - St. Susanna

Saint Susanna was a Roman Virgin, who, on the 11th day of August in
the year 290, was beheaded by order of her uncle the Emperor
Diocletian. She incurred his displeasure by refusing to break her vow
of chastity and marry his adopted son, Maximilian Galerius.

This is the simple story of a Christian martyr of the third century.
It is a story of love for Jesus Christ, repeated many times through
the centuries, a love so exalted and complete in its dedication that
there was no place in it for another. In her consecrated life of
virginity Saint Susanna had no thought of marriage. She would marry
no one, not even the adopted son of the Emperor.

If Diocletian knew that Susanna, a staunch believer in Jesus Christ,
had consecrated her virginity to Him by vow, he did not let it
influence his judgment. It was his order that she marry Galerius.
She had led many faltering pagans to the doors of the Church and to
the saving waters of Baptism. Now faced with the Emperor's command
she had to make a choice of life or death, not an unfamiliar one in
those days. To refuse the offer of marriage might well mean death,
but she who had been a source of courage and constancy to others must
not falter herself. It was with fury and disbelief that Diocletian
heard Susanna had refused to marry his choice, or for that matter
anyone's choice.

The Empress Serena, herself a Christian, interceded for her during the
next several months, every effort was made to persuade Susanna to
change her mind. After repeated failures, Diocletian gave the order
which made of his young cousin a martyr to the faith in the home of
her father. She died by beheading.

On the night of her death, August 11th, 290, the Empress Serena
visited the home of our martyred Saint and reverently carried the body
away. At her order the corpse was placed in a tomb next to that of
Saint Alexander in the catacombs of Saint Felicitas. Early next
morning Pope Saint Caius said a Mass in her place of martyrdom, the
present site of the Church of Santa Susanna.

Historians say that the Emperor was neither for nor against the
Christians personally. His adopted son and military aide, however,
was violently opposed to the new faith, nor did Diocletian stay his
hand. When Galerius felt that the tenets of this new religion had
denied him a most desirable bride, his anger was boundless. It may
well be that the refusal of Saint Susanna to marry the Emperor's
choice was the single incident that touched off the bloodiest
persecution the Christians had thus far known. It was to claim many
others of Susanna's immediate family including her father, Gabinius,
and her uncle, Pope Caius.

Through her death, and in the very place where her youthful blood
spilled on the earth, rises the church which today, and for many
centuries, has borne her name--the Church of Santa Susanna.


Reflection:
To honor the martyrs and duly celebrate their feasts, we must learn
their spirit and study to imitate them according to our state of life.
We must, like them, resist evil, subdue our passions, suffer
afflictions with patience, and bear with others without murmuring or
complaining. The cross is the ladder by which we must ascend to
heaven.

Quote:
Depression comes from not having faults but from refusal to face them.
There are tens of thousands of persons today suffering from fears
which in reality are nothing but the effects of hidden sin. The
examination of conscience will cure us of self-deception. It will also
cure us of depression!
--Bishop Fulton Sheen

Saint Quote:
We cannot be sure whether we are loving God, although we may have good
reason that we are. But we can know quite well whether we are loving
our neighbor.
-- Saint Teresa of Avila


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Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Sickness

Mother of Perpetual Help, you know how much I suffer because of my
sickness. Not only my body but my soul is also affected. I do not even have
the strength to pray as I should. Nothing gives me any relief. Even the
visits and compassion of my friends bring me no comfort. My courage is
beginning to fail; impatience and sadness are having their effect on me.
Most tender and loving Mother, in my feelings of distress, I put all my
trust in you. Your compassionate heart will surely have pity on me.
Merciful Mother, do not forget your devoted, afflicted child's (here
mention your sickness). Ask your Son, Jesus, to give me the courage and
strength to accept my sickness as the will of God and to bear it with
patience and resignation. If it is God's will, intercede for me in
recovering my former good health; but if it is God's will that I continue
to suffer, or, that this sickness should lead me to a better life, I am
perfectly resigned. Loving Mother, I am confident you will obtain the
grace to do whatever God asks for me. Amen.