Beware of false prophets

[rich]

Beware of false prophets

"Jesus reminded them of what happened to their ancestors who were
attracted to false prophets. The same dangers are now faced as those
that occurred in earlier days. He reminded them of the experience of
their ancestors so that they would not despair at the multitude of
troubles that would mount up on this way that is narrow and
constricted. He reminded them that it is necessary to walk in a way
that goes contrary to the common opinion. One must guard oneself not
only against pigs and dogs but those other, more elusive creatures:
the wolves. They were going to face inward anxieties as well as
outward difficulties, but they are not to despair. 'Therefore do not
be thrown into confusion,' Jesus says in effect, 'for nothing will
happen that is new or strange. Remember that the ancient adversary is
forever introducing deception as if true.'"
by John Chrysostom (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 23.6)

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July 3rd - Saint Heliodorus, Bishop of Altino
(d. 390)

Saint Heliodorus was born at Dalmatia, a Roman Province northeast of
the Adriatic Sea, which was also the native land of Saint Jerome. He
soon sought out that great Doctor, not only to follow his advice in
matters relating to Christian perfection, but also to profit by his
deep learning. The life of a recluse held great attractions for him,
but to enter a monastery it would have been necessary to leave his
spiritual master and director, a sacrifice he was not prepared to
make. He therefore remained in the world, though not part of it, and
following the example of the holy anchorites, passed his time in
prayer and devout reading. He accompanied Saint Jerome on his voyage
to the Holy Land, visiting the various churches of the Orient, and
remained with him for a time, but a desire to revisit his native land
and to see his parents once more drew him back to Dalmatia. Saint
Jerome tried to persuade him to remain with him, and Heliodorus was
intending to return, as soon as he had fulfilled the duties he owed
his parents.

Finding his absence had grown prolonged, and fearing that love for his
family and attachment to worldly things might lure him from his
vocation, Saint Jerome wrote him an earnest letter. He exhorted his
good disciple to break entirely with the world and to consecrate
himself to the service of God. But the Lord, who disposes all things,
had a mission of activity reserved for His servant. After the death of
his mother, Heliodorus went to Italy and soon was remarked for his
eminent piety. He was made Bishop of Altino, and became one of the
most distinguished prelates of an age fruitful in great men. He
sustained the Catholic faith against the Arian heresy, assisting at
the Council of Aquilea in northeastern Italy, called for that purpose
in 381. Saint Jerome never forgot his former student, and in one of
his letters testifies that he was a bishop who lived in his episcopal
dignity with as much fervor and regularity as in a monastery. Saint
Heliodorus died about the year 390.

Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on
Butler’s Lives of the Saints, and other sources by John Gilmary Shea
(Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).


Saint Quote:
He who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps.
--Pope St. Gregory the Great

Bible Quote:
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you shall receive it, and
it shall come to you. (Mark 11:24)


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Thomas, the apostle

How admirable the insight of the man! He touches a man and calls
him God. One thing he touched; another he believed. If he had written
a thousand books, he would not have given as much help to the Church.
How openly, how faithfully, how clearly he calls Christ God! Most
useful and most necessary to the Church of God indeed to utter that
word. A word by which many and most powerful heresies were extirpated
from the Church. Peter had been praised because he had said: You are
the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Thomas exclaimed more
explicitly: My Lord and my God. He thereby professed both natures in
Christ.
You became a believer because you saw me. Blest are they who have
not seen and have believed. Those words are a great consolation for us
every time we say, every time we proclaim: O blessed eyes! O blessed
times! O blessed ages, which deserved to witness and examine such
great mysteries! This is true, for the Lord said: Blest are the eyes
that see what you see, but he also said: Blest are they who have not
seen and have believed. The first gave more consolation; the latter
was more meritorious. Seeing increases gladness, but faith without
seeing gives greater glorification.
--Thomas of Villanova, O.S.A.: