How we must put our Whole Trust in God [III]

[Weedy]

How we must put our Whole Trust in God [III]

THE DISCIPLE.
Lord, for Your sake I will gladly bear whatever You shall send to me.
From Your hand I will accept gladly both good and ill, (Job 2:10)
sweet and bitter, joy and sorrow; and for all that may befall me, I
will thank You. Only keep me, O Lord, from all sin, and I shall fear
neither Death nor Hell. (Ps. 23:4) Do not, I pray, reject me forever,
(Ps. 77:7) nor blot out my name from the book of life; (Rev. 3:5 )
then, whatever trials beset me can do me no harm.
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 17

<<>><<>><<>>
July 26th - Bl. Titus Brandsma

A true hero, he was one whom Hitler put in the concentration camp for
his Catholic beliefs and opposition to the Third Reich. He was chosen
for the horrendous Nazi medical "experiments". When his body was
worn out and no longer useful for their horrific experiments, a doctor
gave him a shot of carbolic acid to end his life. One of the nurses
had fallen away from the church for quite a while but felt guilty
about the murdering of the priest. The priest's kindness and love
impressed her and she asked him if he would hear her confession which
he did. She returned to the Catholic church shortly after. Fr Titus
was a Carmelite priest.

Fr Titus walked the way of the Cross in the concentration camp but
still, was known for his courage and kindness:

“He has been beaten terribly in Dachau. His little jacket was covered
with blood but ‘it’s not worth troubling about.’ With a few words he
silenced any further comment. Then he would reflect for a few quiet
moments and offer some thoughts from Teresa of Avila to whoever would
listen to him.”
-- Brother Raphael Tijhuis, 1946, a Carmelite who was with Titus in
the concentration camp, which Brother Raphael survived.

“The ‘Kretiner aus Holland’ [the cretin from Holland] has in the short
time that he was with us often been severely beaten, so that his face
was covered over with blood. But he kept up his courage, and his
spirit could simply not be broken.”
-- H. A. C. Jansen

“His spirit could simply not be broken. Any thought of revenge was far
from him: thus he could say his Our Father in silence while in the
presence of his attackers.”
-- R. Höppener

It is difficult to speak God's message in the presence of those who
know what is right but don't want to hear it. Even if spoken with
kindness and respect, it will cause the messenger to be attacked in
some way. But Bl. Fr Titus sends us all, a message of consolation.
God is hidden from us but not well hidden if we search for Him. He
won the victory over evil and He is with us, right by our side!


Saint Quote:
"He who wants to win the world for Christ must have the courage to
come in conflict with it."
--Bl. Fr. Titus Brandsma.

Bible Quote:
For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners:
so also by the obedience of one,
many shall be made just. (Rom 5:19 DRB)


<><><><>
Fr Titus who was pronounced "Beata" in 1985 (first step to sainthood)
also wrote this:

A new awareness of Thy love
Encompasses my heart:
Sweet Jesus, I in Thee and Thou
In me shall never part.

No grief shall fall my way but I
Shall see Thy grief-filled eyes;
The lonely way that Thou once walked
Has made me sorrow-wise.

All trouble is a white-lit joy
That lights my darkest day;
Thy love has turned to brightest light
This night-like way.

If I have Thee alone,
The hours will bless
With still, cold hands of love
My utter loneliness.

Stay with me, Jesus, only stay;
I shall not fear
If, reaching out my hand,
I feel Thee near.