Touchiness

[Weedy]

Touchiness

It is not enough to stop at our natural affections. We must not spare
our sensitiveness, that excessive touchiness which reduces us to tears
at the slightest word or the least contradiction, at the mere
appearance, I do not say of contempt but of inattention or
indifference or coolness on the part of others. There are very few
Christians who have brought their sensitiveness completely under
control, who in the course of their ordinary day ask for nothing, take
exception to nothing and are indifferent to praise or blame. Alas!
people complain, and not without reason, that pious folk are actually
more sensitive, more difficult to get on with, take umbrage more
quickly, than others. Do not give cause for this reproach, both for
your own sake and for the honour of religion. Extreme sensitiveness is
an unfailing source of distress. Our peace of mind is destroyed, we
become suspicious of our neighbours, we look upon everything with a
jaundiced eye, charity is lessened, and we run the risk of giving a
fatal form to our feeling of resentment.

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June 17th – St. Moling of Wexford (of Ferns) B
(Also known as Molling, Mullins, Myllin, Molignus, Dairchilla)

Born in Wexford; died 697. Saint Moling is said to have been a monk at
Glendalough. Later he was founder and abbot of Aghacainid (Teghmolin,
Saint Mullins) in County Carlow beside the Barrow River on which he is
reputed to have established the ferry service which continues to
today. For a time he lived in a nearby hermitage. Afterwards he
succeeded Saint Aidan as bishop of Ferns, which included the entirety
of Leinster.

Moling was a singular benefactor to his country. In 693, he persuaded
King Finacta to release the people of Leinster from the heavy tribute
of oxen which had been imposed by king Tuathal Techmar. He resigned
his see some years before his death. In addition to his eminent
sanctity, manifested by the gifts of prophecy and miracles, this saint
is celebrated in Ireland for the abundant Gaelic poetry he wrote—more
than any other saint except Columba. At his death Moling was interred
in his own monastery of Teghmoling.

The Book of Mulling is a 9th-century Book of the Gospels, which was
probably copied from Moling's autograph as its colophon suggests. It
was described by Gerald of Wales (c. 1200) and survives in a splendid
jewelled shrine in Trinity College library in Dublin. It is especially
noted because of its plan for Moling's monastery; some crosses on the
plan probably indicate places of sanctuary. The cultus of Moling was
early and widespread (Benedictines, Farmer, Husenbeth, Montague).

Below is a sample from the many legends that arose around Moling's pet fox.

"The blessed bishop Moling used to keep animals both wild and tame
about him, in honor of their Maker, and they would eat out of his
hand. And among these was a fox. Now one day the fox stole a hen that
belonged to the brethren and ate it. The brethren brought their
complaint, and the man of God scolded the fox and accused him of being
perfidious above other animals.

"The fox, however, seeing his master wroth with him, gazed upon him
with solicitude, and made off to a convent of nuns that were under
Saint Moling's care, captured a hen by guile, and bringing her to his
lord, presented her safe and sound. And the Saint, smiling, said to
him: 'Thou hast offered rapine to atone for theft. Take back this hen
to her ladies, and deliver her to them unharmed; and hereafter do thou
live without stealing, like the rest of the animals.' Hearing this,
the fox took the hen between his teeth and deposited her unharmed in
her ladies' cloister. And those who saw so great a marvel wrought in
either place, made merry over it and blessed God.

"Another time another fox stole a book from the brethren, and carried
it off to hide it in one of his dens, intending to come back shortly
and gnaw on it there. But on his return to the monastery, he was found
stealing and eating a honeycomb. Whereupon the brethren laid hold on
him and brought him to Saint Moling, and accused him of stealing the
book.

"And the holy man bade the brethren to let him go free. And when he
was released, the Saint said to him, 'O wise and crafty one, be off,
and bring me back that book unharmed, and quickly.' At that, off went
the fox, and hastened to bring the book from his cave, and set it down
dry and unharmed before the holy bishop.

"And then he lay upon the ground before the man of God, as if seeking
forgiveness. And the Saint said, 'Get up, you wretch, and fear naught;
but never touch a book again.' And the fox got up rejoicing, and
fulfilled in marvelous wise the Saint's behest; for not only did he
never touch books again, but if any one would show him a book in jest,
he took to flight" (Plummer).


Saint Quote:
Take pains to refrain from sharp words. Pardon one another so that
later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an
injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sins and
hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It
puts all virtue to flight.
--Saint Francis of Paola

Bible Quote:
But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his
glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. [14]
If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for
that which is of the honour, glory, and power of God, and that which
is his Spirit, resteth upon you.
[1 Peter 4:13-14] DRB

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Prayer to Saint Anthony the Wonder-Worker

Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from
God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I
may find {mention your petition} which has been lost.
As least restore to me peace and tranquillity of mind, the loss
of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.
To this favor I ask another of you: that I may always remain
in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose
all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never
suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God.
Amen.