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John 12:27-28

Suffering Transformed by Glory

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”

Reflection:

Our Lord’s human soul was “troubled.” Other translations state that His soul was in agony. After expressing His interior suffering, Jesus identified the human temptation caused by this suffering: to flee from His “hour.” Of course Jesus dismisses this temptation as a way of teaching us a lesson from His human experience.

As God, Jesus had perfect strength and always remained faithful to the mission He received from the Father. But as a human, Jesus permitted Himself to experience temptation and human suffering for many reasons. One reason was so that He could relate to us in every way.

That includes being able to relate to interior human suffering. In doing so, Jesus also made it possible for us to imitate Him and to share in the strength and determination He had as He perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father. Jesus allowed Himself to endure the agony caused by foreseen suffering because we will endure similar temptations through life.

What is it that causes you fear and anxiety as you look into the future? If there is something that immediately comes to mind, try to look at that within the light of Jesus’ own experience above. The first thing Jesus does is identify the temptation to fear. He does this by identifying the interior suffering He experiences and then by looking at the cause: His coming “hour.”

The “hour” of Jesus in the Gospel of John is a reference to His crucifixion and death. This was the reason He came to us. He came to suffer the consequences of our sins and to destroy death itself. But this mission of His was the cause of true human suffering and was also a temptation toward fear. But it was a fear that He perfectly overcame.

As you look at anything that tempts you to give into fear and anxiety, first ask yourself whether it is the will of God that you fulfill that action. If we are fearful of something that is not the will of the Father, then we should reject it. But very often the plan God has for our lives will include acting with courage in the face of some pending cross and suffering. Experiencing fear is normal, but fear will not turn into anxiety if we imitate our Lord and choose the will of God no matter the cost.

Jesus also embraced His Cross by looking at it through the lens of glory. He understood that His suffering and death would glorify the Father in Heaven. Therefore, He allowed Himself to see the Cross as a glorification of the Father. The same must happen in our lives. No matter what we face in life, no matter the cross we are given, if it is the will of God that we embrace it, then we must see it not only as a suffering we must endure but primarily as an act by which God will be glorified in our lives. This truer perspective will bring with it hope, joy and strength which will free us from anxiety caused by fear.

Reflect, today, upon the ways in which God is calling you to the cross. As you do, don’t allow fear to deter you. Instead, look at every pending suffering as an opportunity to glorify God in your life. See your crosses with gratitude and joy, and allow this new perspective to give you the strength you need to fulfill the mission given to you by the Father in Heaven.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2024/03/16/suffering-transformed-by-glory/

John 12:27-28 Read More »

Saint Dentlin of Soignies

Daily Saints

Profile

Dentlin was the son of Saint Vincent Madelgarus and Saint Waldetrudis; he was the brother of Saint Landric, Saint Madalbarta and Saint Aldetrudis, and the Nephew of Saint Aldegund. Dentlin was an extraordinarily pious child, he is considered a confessor of the faith. A church in Cleves, Germany, was named for him.

Died

at age 7 in 7th century of natural causes
buried in Soignies, Belgium
relics transferred to the abbey church in Rees, Germany in the 1040’s
miracles reported at his tomb

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Patronage

in Belgium
– Hainault
– Mons
in Germany
– Kleve
– Rees

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dentlin-of-soignies/

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John 7:46-49

Daily Reflections, Verse

Attacks from the evil one

“The guards answered, ‘Never before has anyone spoken like this man.’ So the Pharisees answered them, ‘Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.’”

Reflection:

Hopefully the Pharisees mentioned above went through a deep interior conversion before they died. If they did not, then their day of particular judgment would have been shocking and frightening to them.

The greatest act of love ever known was God becoming one of us, being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, growing up in the household of Saint Joseph, and eventually beginning His public ministry by which the saving truth of the Gospel was proclaimed so that all may come to know God and be saved. And it was of this act of perfect love given to us by God that the Pharisees attacked and called those who believed in it “deceived” and “accursed.”

Though the Pharisees do not offer us much by way of inspiration, they do provide us with many lessons. In the passage above, the Pharisees model for us one of the most common tactics of the evil one. In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola explains that when a person is moving from a life of sin to a life of holiness, the evil one will attack in various ways.

He will try to unsettle you and cause an undue anxiety about serving God, he will try to sadden you with an unexplained sorrow, put obstacles in your way of virtue causing you to feel overwhelmed and think you are too weak to live a good Christian life of virtue, and he will tempt you to lose your peace of heart by doubting God’s love or His action in your life. It seems clear that this attack by the Pharisees also has these goals.

Again, though this may not appear “inspiring,” it is very useful to understand. The Pharisees were vicious in their attacks, not only to Jesus but also upon anyone who began to believe in Jesus. They said to the guards who were impressed by Jesus, “Have you also been deceived?” This was clearly the evil one at work through them trying to intimidate the guards and anyone who dared believe in Jesus.

But understanding the tactics of the evil one and his messengers is of great value, because it helps us reject the lies and deceptions spewed out at us. Sometimes these lies come from individuals and are directed directly at us, and sometimes the lies are more universal, coming through the media, the culture and even the government, at times.

Reflect, today, upon the distasteful and bitter words of these Pharisees. But do so to help yourself understand the tactics the evil one often takes as you seek greater holiness in life. Be assured that the closer you get to God, the more you will be attacked. But do not be afraid. Identify any personal, social, cultural or even governmental attack for what it is. Have confidence and do not be deterred as you seek to follow Christ more completely every day.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2024/03/15/attacks-from-the-evil-one-2/

John 7:46-49 Read More »

Saint Artemide Zatti

Daily Saints

Profile

Artemide was one of three sons born to Albino Vecchi and Luigi Zatti. His was a poor family, and the boy had to drop out of school at age nine to work for a wealthy neighbor. The family eventually immigrated to Bahia Blanca, Argentina to find work, arriving in Buenos Aires on 9 February 1897. There Artemide worked in a tile factory, and attended a local parochial school run by the Salesians. He felt drawn to the Salesians, and at age 20 entered their seminary, Casa di Bernal.

Artemide contracted tuberculosis while caring for a young Salesian priest with the disease, a man who died from it in 1902. He was sent to San Josè Hospital for what little treatment there was in that day, but with little hope. With his friend and unofficial doctor, Father Evarisio Garrone, Artemide prayed for the intervention of Our Lady, Help of Christians, offering to dedicate his life to the care of the sick; the young Salesian was miraculously and completely healed.

He kept his promise. He worked in the San Jose pharmacy, and learned about hospital management from Father Garrone. Upon his mentor’s death, Artemide took charge of the hospital, and what time he could spare from his administrative duty was spent caring for patients. Today the hospital is named in his honour.

Born

12 October 1880 at Boretto, Reggio Emilia, in northern Italy

Died

15 March 1951 of cancer at Bahia Blanca, Argentina
relics interred in the Salesian chapel at Viedma, Argentina

Venerated

7 July 1997 by Pope John Paul II (decree of heroic virtue)

Beatified

14 April 2002 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized
9 October 2022 by Pope Francis
the canonization miracle involved the 24 August 2016 healing of a man in Tanauan Batangas, Lipa, Philippines who had suffered a “right cerebellar ischemic stroke, complicated by massive hemorrhagic lesion”, and was in such bad shape that medical authorities sent him home so he could die with family

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-artemide-zatti/

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John 7:1-2;10

Daily Reflections, Verse

The New Moses

“Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.”

Reflection:

The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great feasts during which the people made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem to commemorate God’s saving action in their lives. This particular feast was to commemorate the 40 years that the Israelites traveled through the desert and dwelt in tents, or booths, as they wandered and were led by Moses. Therefore, the feast is also referred to as the “Feast of Booths.” During the seven days of this feast, people would set up tents (booths) around the Temple area and live in them to commemorate the journey of their ancestors.

In the Gospel passage quoted above, we read that Jesus went up to the feast secretly. Saint Augustine explains that this means that though Jesus was present, the full revelation of His divine identity was hidden from many. He was physically there, but many did not know Who He was.

That particular year, when the feast was half over, Jesus appeared in the Temple area and began to teach. Many were amazed at His words, and others thought He was possessed. After teaching the people, there was much disagreement among them about our Lord’s identity. Jesus said to them, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”

In that statement, Jesus essentially was saying that among those listening to Him, some had come to faith in Him and discovered His true identity as the Messiah, while others lacked the gift of faith and remained blind to Him. To them, His divine essence remained a secret.

In a symbolic way, Jesus’ presence at the Feast of Tabernacles reveals Him as the new Moses. It was Moses who led the people through the desert for 40 years toward the promised land while they dwelt in tents. Our Lord now took on that role of leading the people who were commemorating this 40-year journey by appearing in the Temple and pointing the people to Heaven, the true Promised Land.

Today, our Lord continues to lead His people through the journey of life by coming to each of us to teach us and to reveal His divine presence. Some listen and believe and continue on the journey. To them, the secrets of our Lord are revealed. Others do not believe and, as a result of their lack of faith, fail to discover the hidden presence of our Lord all around them.

Reflect, today, upon the image of Jesus coming to you during your long journey through the desert of this life. He initially comes to you in secret, veiled in His true essence. As He teaches you, He desires to lift that veil and reveal to You His true glory. He desires that you dwell with Him through prayer and remain attentive to His Word.

As you gaze upon our Lord, reflect upon the question of how clearly you hear Him speak each day. He is here, with you always. But are you with Him? Do you hear Him, believe in Him, follow Him and serve Him? Do you allow Him to lead you every day toward His promises of new life? Allow our Lord to pitch His tent next to yours so that You will daily be attentive to His teaching and be led by Him to the glories of Heaven.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2024/03/14/the-new-moses-2/

John 7:1-2;10 Read More »

Saint Matilda of Saxony

Daily Saints

Profile

Matilda was the daughter of Count Dietrich of Westphalia and Reinhild of Denmark; she was raised by her grandmother, abbess of the Eufurt. In 913, Matilda left the abbey, and married King Henry the Fowler of Saxony (Henry I), who had received an annulment from a previous marriage.

Matilda became the Queen of Germany. She was the mother of Otto, Holy Roman Emperor; Henry the Quarrelsome, Duke of Bavaria; Saint Bruno the Great, Archbishop of Cologne, Germany; Gerberga, wife of King Louis IV of France; Hedwig, mother of Hugh Capet.

Matilda founded several Benedictine abbeys. She was well known throughout the realm for her generosity. She taught the ignorant, comforted the sick, and visited prisoners.

Matilda was betrayed by Otto after Henry’s death when he falsely accused her of financial mismanagement.

Born

c.895 at Engern, Westphalia, Germany

Died

14 March 968 at Quedlinburg, Germany of natural causes
buried in the monastery at Quedlinburg

Patronage

death of children
disappointing children
falsely accused people
large families
people ridiculed for their piety
queens
second marriages
widows

Representation

alms
bag of money
crown
orb
sceptre
purse, indicative of her generosity
queen with a whip
queen holding a church

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-matilda-of-saxony/

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John 5:44

Daily Reflections, Verse

Human or Divine Praise

“How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?”

Reflection:

It’s quite normal and healthy for a parent to praise a young child for the good that they do. This healthy positive reinforcement is a way of teaching them the importance of doing good and avoiding what’s wrong. But human praise is not an infallible guide of what is right and wrong. In fact, when human praise is not based in the truth of God, it does great damage.

This short Scripture quote above comes from a lengthy teaching from Jesus about the difference between human praise and “the praise that comes only from God.” Jesus makes it clear that the only thing that has value is the praise that comes from God alone. In fact, earlier in this Gospel, Jesus says clearly, “I do not accept human praise…” Why is that?

Turning back to the example of a parent praising a child for the good they do, when the praise they offer is truly a praise of their goodness, then this is much more than human praise. It is praise from God given through a parent. A parent’s duty must be to teach right from wrong in accord with the will of God.

As for the “human praise” of which Jesus speaks, this is clearly praise of another that is void of the truthfulness of God. In other words, Jesus is saying that if someone were to praise Him for something that did not originate from the Father in Heaven, He would reject it. For example, if someone were to say of Jesus, “I think He would be a great governor of our nation because he could lead a revolt against the current leadership.” Obviously such “praise” would be rejected.

The bottom line is that we must praise one another, but our praise must only be that which originates from God. Our words must be spoken only in accord with the Truth. Our admiration must only be of that which is the presence of God alive in others. Otherwise, if we praise others based on worldly or self-centered values, we only encourage them in sin.

Reflect, today, upon the praise you give and receive. Do you allow misguided praise of others to misdirect you in life? And when you compliment and praise another, is that praise based on the Truth of God and directed to His glory? Seek to give and receive praise only when it is grounded in the Truth of God and directs all to His glory.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2024/03/13/human-or-divine-praise-3/

John 5:44 Read More »

Saint Ansovinus of Camerino

Daily Saints

Profile

Ansovinus was a priest and a hermit at Castel Raimondo near Torcello, Italy. He became the bishop of Camerino, Italy, and was consecrated by Pope Leo IV; he accepted the vocation on the condition that his parishioners did not have to recruit soldiers, an obligation imposed on most bishops of the time.

Ansovinus was a confessor to Emperor Louis the Pious. He attended the Council of Rome called by Pope Saint Nicholas I in 861. He was a miracle worker. His association with crops come from his work of feeding the poor. Once when the granary was empty, but there were still poor people to feed, he prayed for help; the granary was found to be full, and everyone ate their fill.

Born

at Camerino, Italy

Died

868 at Camerino, Italy from a fever contracted at Rome, Italy
relics enshrined in a 14th century sarcophagus in the crypt of the cathedral in Camerino, Italy

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Patronage

gardeners
protection of crops
Camerino, Italy, city of
Camerino-San Severino
Marche, Diocese of Italy

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-ansovinus-of-camerino/

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John 5:19-20

Daily Reflections, Verse

Amazement and Awe

“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.”

Reflection:

The most central and most glorious mystery of our faith is that of the Most Holy Trinity. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God yet three distinct Persons. As divine “Persons,” each one is distinct; but as one God, each Person acts in perfect union with the others.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus clearly identifies the Father in Heaven as His Father and clearly states that He and His Father are one. For this reason, there were those who wanted to kill Jesus because He “called God his own father, making himself equal to God.”

The sad reality is that the greatest and most glorious truth of God’s inner life, the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, was one of the primary reasons that some chose to hate Jesus and sought His life. Clearly, it was their ignorance of this glorious truth that drove them to this hatred.

We call the Holy Trinity a “mystery,” not because they cannot be known but because our knowledge of Who They are can never be fully understood. For eternity, we will enter deeper and deeper into our knowledge of the Trinity and be “amazed” on a continually deepening level.

One additional aspect of the mystery of the Trinity is that each one of us is called to share in Their very life. We will forever remain distinct from God; but, as many of the early Church Fathers liked to say, we must become “divinized,” meaning, we must share in God’s divine life through our union of body and soul with Christ Jesus. That union also unites us with the Father and the Spirit. This truth should also leave us “amazed,” as we read in the passage above.

As we continue to read this week from the Gospel of John and continue to ponder the mysterious and profound teaching of Jesus on His relationship with the Father in Heaven, it is essential that we not simply gloss over the mysterious language Jesus uses. Rather, we must prayerfully enter the mystery and allow our penetration of this mystery to leave us truly amazed.

Amazement and transforming edification is the only good response. We will never fully understand the Trinity, but we must allow the truth of our Triune God to take hold of us and enrichen us, at very least, in a way that knows how much we do not know—and that knowledge leaves us in awe.

Reflect, today, upon the sacred mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Pray that God reveals Himself more fully to your mind and more completely consume your will. Pray that you will be able to share deeply in the life of the Trinity so that you will be filled with a holy amazement and awe.

Source: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2024/03/12/amazement-and-awe-3/

John 5:19-20 Read More »

Saint Luigi Orione

Daily Saints

Profile

Luigi joined the Franciscans at Voghera, Italy as a young man, but developed severe health problems and returned to his family. He studied under Saint John Bosco at Turin, Italy, was present at Saint John‘s death, and was cured of his illness during Saint John‘s funeral.

Luigi studied at the seminary in Tortona, Italy. While still a layman and student, he opened San Luigi House at San Bernardino in 1893, a home for the poor, homeless and abandoned. He was ordained on 13 April 1895.

Luigi founded the Hermits of Divine Providence congregation, the Ladies of Divine Providence, and an orphanage in Rome, Italy in 1899. Under the patronage of Pope Saint Pius X, he founded the Little Missionaries of Charity.

Luigi constructed the Marian shrine at Tortona, a site that became a rallying point for people during times of political unrest. To administer the houses of his congregations, Luigi travelled the world, visiting houses in Wales, Brazil, the United States, and throughout Italy.

Born

23 June 1872 at Pontecurone, Allessandria, Italy

Died

12 March 1940 at San Remo, Imperia, Italy from heart disease
body found intact when exhumed in 1965
interred at the shrine of Our Lady of Safe Keeping, Tortona, Italy

Venerated

5 February 1978 by Pope Paul VI (decree of heroic virtues)

Beatified

26 October 1980 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized

16 May 2004 by Pope John Paul II

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-luigi-orione/

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Author name: Sani

John 12:27-28

Suffering Transformed by Glory

Saint Dentlin of Soignies

John 7:46-49

Attacks from the evil one

Saint Artemide Zatti

John 7:1-2;10

The New Moses

Saint Matilda of Saxony

John 5:44

Human or Divine Praise

Saint Ansovinus of Camerino

John 5:19-20

Amazement and Awe

Saint Luigi Orione

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