Shallow and rootless minds

[rich]

Shallow and rootless minds

"Let us look, as from a broader perspective, at what it means to be
on the road. In a way, every road is hardened and foolish on account
of the fact that it lies beneath everyone's feet. No kind of seed
finds there enough depth of soil for a covering. Instead, it lies on
the surface and is ready to be snatched up by the birds that come by.
Therefore those who have in themselves a mind hardened and, as it
were, packed tight do not receive the divine seed but become a
well-trodden way for the unclean spirits. These are what is here meant
by 'the birds of the heaven.' But 'heaven' we understand to mean this
air, in which the spirits of wickedness move about, by whom, again,
the good seed is snatched up and destroyed. Then what are those upon
the rock? They are those people who do not take much care of the faith
they have in themselves. They have not set their minds to understand
the touchstone of the mystery [of communion with Christ]. The
reverence these people have toward God is shallow and rootless. It is
in times of ease and fair weather that they practice Christianity,
when it involves none of the painful trials of winter. They will not
preserve their faith in this way, if in times of tumultuous
persecution their soul is not prepared for the struggle."
by Cyril of Alexandria (Excerpt from FRAGMENT 168)

<<>><<>><<>>
1 August – Blessed Giovanni Bufalari OSA

(c 1318-c 1350)
Friar of the Order of the Hermits of St Augustine, Porter at his
Monastery, Apostle of the poor and sick. Born at Castel Porziano near
Rome, Italy as Giovanni Bufalari and died in c 1350 of natural causes
aged 32 Brother of Blessed Lucia Bufalari. Also known as – John
Bufalari of Rieti. Beatified in 1832 by Pope Gregory XVI.

We know nothing about his parentage and early life. His story starts
when he entered the Augustinian Order as a teenager.

He was noted for his innocence, simplicity and love for his
Augustinian community. He considered himself to be the servant of all,
and showed great fraternal love in caring for the sick and welcoming
guests to the Monastery. He spent much time in prayer.

There is a story told about John crying after having spent some time
in the Monastery garden. Asked what was wrong, he answered that while
the plants, trees and birds were obedient to God, men and women, to
whom eternal life is promised, are disobedient to their Creator.

John died in Rieti around the year 1350. He was 32 years old.
His remains are preserved at Saint Augustine Church in Rieti. Pope
Gregory XVI proclaimed him Blessed in 1832.

https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/01/


The Awareness of the Presence of God

“If we remind ourselves, constantly, of the Presence of God, we shall
always be closely united to Him.
Union with God should be the result of our love for Him, for it is an
unfailing rule of love that it increases with the nearness of the
beloved.
If we live in the Presence of God and contemplate Him as the
Perfection of Beauty, Truth and Goodness, we shall be moved to love
Him more and more.
Our love, moreover, will generate, in us, the ardent desire of an even
closer intimacy with Him.
This sacred union will bring us great peace and tranquility in all the
vicissitudes of life, a serenity which will be reflected in our
personality and in our conduct, for the edification of our fellowmen.”
by Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-awareness-of-the-presence-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/02/thought-for-the-day-2-august-the-awareness-of-the-presence-of-god/


“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:19

REFLECTION – “Peter did not say “Thou are a Christ” or “a son of God”
but “the Christ, the Son of God.” For there are many christs by grace,
who have attained the rank of adoption [as sons] but [there is] only
One Who is by nature the Son of God. Thus, using the definite article,
he said, THE Christ, THE Son of God. And in calling Him, Son of the
LIVING God, Peter indicates that Christ Himself is Life and that death
has no authority over Him. And even if the flesh, for a short while,
was weak and died, nevertheless, it rose again, since the Word, Who
dwelled in it, could not be held under the bonds of death.” – St Cyril
of Alexandria (376-444) Known as “The Pillar of Faith” Archbishop of
Alexandria, Father and Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the
Incarnation) (Fragment 190).

PRAYER – O God, Who didst loose the blessed Apostle, Peter, from his
chains and didst make him go forth unharmed, loose, we pray, the
chains of our sins and in Thy Merc, ward off from us every evil.
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with
Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen
(Collect).


<><><><>
Angels by your side

May you walk the path before you
With angels by your side,
And may the peace and love of God
Within your heart abide.
--Clay Harrison