Wanting No Share in Comfort (5)

[Weedy]

Wanting No Share in Comfort (5)

When, therefore, spiritual consolation is given by God, receive it
gratefully, but understand that it is His gift and not your meriting.
Do not exult, do not be overjoyed, do not be presumptuous, but be the
humbler for the gift, more careful and wary in all your actions, for
this hour will pass and temptation will come in its wake.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 9

<<>><<>><<>>
June 26th - St. Maxentius, Abbot

THE French town of Saint-Maixent, in the department of Deux Sèvres,
covers the place once occupied by the cell of St. Maxentius and the
adjacent monastery, which he ruled. The saint was born at Agde, on the
Gulf of Lyons, about the year 445, and received in baptism the name of
Adjutor. Under the watchful care of the abbot St. Severus, to whom his
parents entrusted him as a child, he grew up a model of Christian
virtue--extolled by most of his fellow religious, but regarded with
jealousy by a few. Praise was even more distasteful to him than
detraction, and to escape the prominence into which he was being
thrust, he quietly slipped away from Agde and remained in hiding for
two years. But when at the end of that time he came back to his home
he found himself in a position of far greater publicity. For his
return happened to coincide with a break in the weather after a
prolonged drought, and he was acclaimed as a saviour and a
wonder-worker. Obviously, he must sever all ties with the past if he
was to lead a life of obscurity. A second time he disappeared and this
time he abandoned his native Narbonnaise for good. He made his way as
far as Poitou, where he entered a community in the valley of Vauclair
presided over by Abbot Agapitus. More completely to efface the past,
he changed his name to that of Maxentius.

If he could thus conceal his identity, he could not long conceal his
sanctity. His austerity was such that he took no food but barley bread
and water, he prayed so constantly that his back became bent.
Moreover, he was credited with the gift of miracles. By the unanimous
vote of his brethren he was elected superior about the year 500.
During the war that raged a few years later between Clovis, King of
the Franks, and Alaric the Visigoth, the inhabitants of Poitou
suffered much from the violence of soldiers and marauders. One day a
band of armed men advanced threateningly upon the monastery of
Vauclair and struck terror into the hearts of the monks, who implored
St. Maxentius to save them. He reassured them and calmly sallied out
to meet the hostile party. One of the soldiers upraised his arm to
strike the abbot down with his sword. He found himself unable to lower
his arm; it remained as though paralysed until St. Maxentius restored
it through the application of blessed oil.

Following the example of his predecessor Agapitus, St. Maxentius laid
down his office at the approach of old age and shut himself up in a
cell at a little distance from the monastery and there he died at the
age of seventy, about the year 51.

Two texts or recensions of a medieval life of St. Maxentius are
preserved. The shorter was printed by Mabillon, in his Acta Sanctorum
O.S.B. the longer by the Bollandists in vol. vii for June. Neither
seems very reliable as an historical document. Some time ago, the
story of St. Maxentius was the subject of animated discussion in the
Revue des Questions Historiques see the years 1883 and 1888. There
have been several lives in French.


Saint Quote:
Bear the cross and do not make the cross bear you.
-- Saint Philip Neri

Bible Quote:
1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice
are the foundation of his throne.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you art exalted far above all gods. [Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,9]


<><><><>
Reflection:
Luke's gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter,
James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they
discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we
miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually?
There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of
God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from
thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life
of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or
disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to
something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block
until we can see past it to the glory of God. Are you spiritually
awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory
of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses
of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the
Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to
another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians
3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved
disciples. Do you seek his presence with faith and reverence?

Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word, your
action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see your glory."