Believe and take Jesus at his word

[Weedy]

Believe and take Jesus at his word

It took raw bold courage for a high ranking court official to travel
twenty miles in search of Jesus, the Galilean carpenter. He had to
swallow his pride and put up with some ridicule from his friends. And
when he found the healer carpenter, Jesus seemed to put him off with
the blunt statement that people would not believe unless they saw some
kind of miracle or sign from heaven. Jesus likely said this to test
the man to see if his faith was in earnest. If he turned away in
irritation or with discouragement, he would prove to be insincere.
Jesus, perceiving his faith, sent him home with the assurance that his
prayer had been heard. [John 4:43-54]

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25 March – Saint Dismas “The Good Thief”

The first Saint – crucified alongside Jesus Christ in 33. Patronages –
condemned prisoners, all prisoners, dying people, funeral directors,
penitents, penitent criminals, prison chaplains, prisoners, prisons,
reformed thieves, undertakers, Przemysl, Poland, Archdiocese of,
Merizo, Guam. Also known as The Penitent Thief, The Good Thief on the
Cross, Demas, Desmas, Dimas, Dysmas, Rach, Titus, Zoatham.

The Roman Martyrology, on the 25th of March, makes mention of the Good
Thief, who, according to tradition, is called Dismas, in the following
words:
“At Jerusalem, on this day, is the Feast of the Good Thief, who
acknowledged Christ on the Cross and from Him, deserved to hear the
words: ‘This day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.“

The sudden change and conversion, for Dismas from a sinner, became a
penitent and Saint, has been rightly attributed to the prayers of our
Blessed Lady. Mary, say the holy Fathers, who had obtained the soul of
the malefactor, as a recompense of her sorrows and the price of her
compassion.

Saint Peter Damien assures us that Mary prayed for the thief who was
on the right side of the Cross, on which side she also stood and
exhorted him, to hope in Jesus and to do penance.


Saint Anselm, in a treatise on the youth of Jesus, relates the
following incident about the early years of Saint Dismas, which he
says is a pious legend:

“Dismas was living in a forest on the confines of Egypt, when Mary
went thither with the Child Jesus, to escape the rage of Herod. He was
a highwayman and the son of the chief of a band of robbers.
One day, as he lay in ambush, he saw a man, a young woman and a little
Child approaching, from whom he rightly expected no opposition.
Therefore, he went towards them, with his comrades, with the intention
to ill-treat them.
But he was at once so charmed with the supernatural beauty and grace
which shone on the countenance of Jesus, that instead of doing them
harm, he gave them hospitality in the cave which he inhabited and made
ready for them, everything of which they stood in need.
Mary was grateful for the tenderness and care, which the robber
bestowed on her Beloved Son and warmly thanking him, she assured him
that he would be rewarded before his death.
This promise was fulfilled later, when Dismas was crucified with the
Saviour of the World and obtained the grace of repentance in his last
hour, openly confessing Jesus Christ’s Divinity.
When the Apostles had fled, he had the happiness of receiving the
first fruits of the Redeemer’s Sacrifice and soon after, entered the
Heavenly Kingdom with his Saviour.”

Dismas is considered the Patron of penitents and is especially invoked
for the conversion of hardened and obstinate criminals and sinners.
The Church has indeed sanctioned the veneration given to this Saint,
with a most beautiful Office, in his honour.

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/25/


Quote/s of the Day – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord,

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord;
let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

“And so, when God’s birth is proclaimed to you, keep silent.
Let Gabriel’s word be held in your mind
for nothing is impossible to this glorious Majesty,
who humbled Himself for us
and was born of our humanity.”

“In her, God spun a garment
with which to save us.”
--St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor

“He came from Him,
from whom He did not depart,
going forth from Him,
with whom He stayed,
so that without intermission,
He was wholly in eternity, wholly in time,
wholly was He found in the Father
when wholly in the Virgin,
wholly in His own majesty
and in His Father’s, at the time
when He was wholly in our humanity. ”

“Has anyone ever come away from Mary,
troubled or saddened or ignorant
of the heavenly Mysteries?
Who has not returned to everyday life
gladdened and joyful
because a request has been granted
by the Mother of God?”
--St Amadeus of Lausanne (1110-1159)


“The Father bending down to this beautiful creature,
who was so unaware of her own beauty,
willed that she be the Mother, in time,
of Him, Whose Father He is, in eternity.
Then the Spirit of love,
Who presides over all of God’s works,
came upon her; the Virgin said her fiat:
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord,
be it done to me according to thy word”
and the greatest of mysteries, was accomplished!”
--St Elizabeth of the Trinity OCD (1880-1906)