-- Philippians 4:10-13 --

[Weedy]

-- Philippians 4:10-13 --

Now I rejoice in the Lord exceedingly, that now at length your thought
for me hath flourished again, as you did also think; but you were
busied.
[11] I speak not as it were for want. For I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, to be content therewith. [12] I know both how
to be brought low, and I know how to abound: (everywhere, and in all
things I am instructed) both to be full, and to be hungry; both to
abound, and to suffer need. [13] I can do all these things in him who
strengtheneth me. [Philippians 4:10-13] DRV
====================
Most people who are banking on circumstantial contentment find
themselves in emotional bankruptcy sooner or later. They usually need
a change of heart more than a change of circumstances. Are you content
in your circumstances? The secret is drawing on Christ's power for
strength. Learn to rely on his power and his promises to help you
become content. God will supply all your needs in a way he knows is
best for you.

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September 4th - St. Boniface I

Memorial
4 September
formerly 25 October

418 - 422 AD
After the death of Pope Zosimus, the Archdeacon Eulalius at the head
of a mob of clerics and laymen seized the Lateran Basilica and
prevented the rest of the priests from entering and holding the
election of the pope according to custom. They then elected Eulalius
himself. Meanwhile the majority of the priests set the election for
the next day; and since they could not hold it in the Lateran, they
agreed to meet in the Church of Theodora. There they elected an old
priest, Boniface.

Boniface, a Roman of high character, was consecrated in the Church of
St. Marcellus, while Fulalius was consecrated in the Lateran. The
rebels succeeded in getting the traditional consecrator of the pope,
the bishop of Ostia, to perform the function.

Rome was in a bad way with two men claiming to be the true pope. Both
appealed to Emperor Honorius at Ravenna. Honorius, undecided, held a
gathering of Italian bishops to discuss the ticklish situation, but no
decision was reached. The Emperor then called for a larger council, to
which he invited the bishops of Gaul and Africa. The council decided
that neither claimant should celebrate Easter in Rome while the case
was being decided. Boniface obeyed, but Eulalius entered the city in
Passion Week, refused to obey the prefect's order to get out, and
finally with a gang of partisans seized the Lateran. The imperial
officials had to use force to get him out.

At last a letter from Honorius announced that the council had decided
that Boniface was the legitimate pope and that he should be received
as such. On April 10, St. Boniface solemnly entered the city amid the
cheers of the populace. Even so, a year later when Boniface became
sick, the partisans of Eulalius raised their heads; but they were
unable to upset the sick Pope.

Boniface continued the fight against the Pelagian heresy on two
fronts. While he asked St. Augustine to write a treatise refuting the
heretics, he obtained from Emperor Honorius a decree ordering all
bishops to subscribe to the condemnation of Pelagius and Caelestius.
He used his influence with Honorius also to preserve his jurisdiction
as patriarch over Illyricum. Theodosius II, now Emperor of the East,
had detached that area from the Western Patriarchate and placed it
under the patriarchal jurisdiction of Constantinople. Honorius
succeeded in persuading Theodosius to repeal the decree.

http://www.cfpeople.org/Books/Pope/POPEp42.htm


Saint Quote:
One single Mass gives more honor to God than all the penances of the
Saints, the labors of the Apostles, the sufferings of the martyrs, and
even the burning love of the Blessed Mother of God.
--St. Alphonsus Liguori

Bible Quote:
But Jesus called them to him, and said: You know that the princes of
the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that are the greater,
exercise power upon them.
[26] It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater
among you, let him be your minister: [27] And he that will be first
among you, shall be your servant. [28] Even as the Son of man is not
come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
redemption for many.
[Matthew 20:25-28] DRV

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The impact of belief

God gave human beings the ability to believe in him: it is natural for
them to do so. Indeed it is against nature for them not to believe in
God, for disbelief arose not through God's creation but through the
willful violation of his commandment. This deprived them of spiritual
health and clarity of vision, so that all they could do by their own
free will was increase their blindness and moral frailty: they could
not rid themselves of it. Our omnipotent Creator, however, can for the
glory of his name, give unbelievers such enlightenment and healing as
to enable them not only to believe but even, through the grace of
faith, to attain immortality and a life of incorruptibility. Then,
having received grace upon grace, they will be quite incapable of
sinning and will be able joyfully to see what they believed in. Hence
the words of faith that ring out in the psalm: I believe I shall see
the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Therefore,
although in creating human nature God did not intend it to be marred
by sin, he can still by his omnipotent goodness heal that marred
nature through grace. God heals and enlightens the human will, so that
it comes naturally to people to believe in him. Faith then is possible
for human beings, but only through the grace of God.
--Fulgentius of Ruspe