LOVE GOD AND DO WHATEVER YOU PLEASE - ST AUGUSTINE

    St. Augustine once said "Love God and do whatever you please". This statement seems to be confusing because one will wonder, can one be justified if one loves God and still live a life not worthy of a child of God? Can we say that all that is needed to be holy is simply to love God? Yet this seems to be what St. Augustine is implying. Does it mean that if I love God, then I can fornicate, lie, steal, kill, commit abortion and I am safe? To better understand this confusing statement, I think its better to understand what it means to Love God. 

St. Mary Magdalene - On my bed at night I sought the man whom my heart loves: I sought but could not find him!

    "Draw me in your footsteps, let us run. The king has brought me into his room; you will be our joy and our gladness. We shall praise your love more than wine; how right it is to love you." (Sgs. 1:4). Yes, how right it is to love you with an everlasting love, love the strongest force in the world. Anyone who does not yet understand love may be surprised at the actions carried out when possessed by its force. One will only need to pass through the road of true love to be able to understand what is inside. True love of which the author of Song of songs cried out "Love no flood can quench, no torrent drown. Were a man to offer all his family wealth to buy love, contempt is all that he would gain" (Sgs. 8:7) and in another place "Beloved set me as a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as death. (Sgs. 8:6). It was this love that captured the heart of the repentant sinner: St. Mary Magdalene.

ST LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI - There is a spiritual life that we share with the angels in heaven.

    "Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity" (Daniel 12:3). It is the case most times, however unfortunate, that intelligence and much acquisition of knowledge leads to unnecessary pride and  a feeling of contempt for others. This wasn't the case with the Holy doctor St. Lawrence of Brindisi, who was exceptionally intelligent, proficient in about seven languages yet so humble and down to earth.

Joyful Self-abasement - The truthfulness of Humility

 

  When I shared my blog post on Friday, which I wrote on St. Crispin of Viterbo. I noticed that in the introductory paragraph, I had in mind to write "The life of a true Christian" but ended up writing "The life of a through Christian." This, however, was made known to me by one of my brother. I was really disturbed because I had already shared the post to many social media platforms. Even though i corrected it in the various platforms, I was still disturbed because of the persons that would have read it. Thus, I shared my plight with my brothers, some of whom sympathized with me but one made a comment that got me thinking. He said, "You are disturbed because you think you are beyond mistakes but you are not God." This statement sent me to meditation and I began to think about myself.

ST. CRISPIN - "One doesn't get to heaven on a taxi"

“The life of a true Christian is a perpetual strive against self”, said St. Maria Faustina, and so it is. Every good Christian knows that he ought to continually strive against his natural inclinations, in other to be that which God wills for him. This fact was not unknown to St. Crispin Fioretti of Viterbo. Despite his weak constitution, he made every possible effort to live a life of total dedication to God and he succeeded unto eternal life.

Born at Viterbo, Italy on the 13^th of November, 1668. He was named Peter. His Father, Ubald died when he was still very young and left his upbringing, with that of his step-sister, in the hands of the poor mother, Marsha. His mother dedicated him to Mary when he was still small and told him “this is your mother too. I have made you a gift to her”, Crispin never forgot those words. Because of their poor condition, his uncle provided for his schooling. He, also, worked as a cobbler for his uncle. At the age of 25, he applied to the Capuchins, after the example of St. Felix of Cantalice. He was accepted but met with oppositions, both from the family and from the novice master himself. To the glory of God, he overcame the oppositions. In the Order, he took the name Crispin after the example of St. Crispin, patron of Cobblers. However, he never served the Order as a cobbler. After his vows on the 22^nd of July, 1694, he worked as a cook, orchard keeper, infirmarian and finally, questor for 38years. 

St. Bonaventure - Second founder of the Franciscan Order

St. Francis de Sales in the third Chapter of his Introduction to Devout life, teaches that devotion is for everyone, in any state whatsoever. Even though the approach may differ. For a married shouldn't endeavor to be poor like a Capuchin, or a business man be in the Church all day like a Monk and vice-versa. But each one should endeavor to find the devotion suitable for his state. This was very practical in the life of St. Bonaventure. As a young man, a young friar, a professor in the University, the General Minister of the Order of Friars Minor, and a Cardinal Archbishop, he found a way to practice virtue and devotion in all these different states.

ST CAMILLUS DE LELLIS- Founder of Red Cross

 

       "If there were no poor people in the world, we should have to go below the earth to look for them and rescue them, to show them compassion and do them good!" These words of St. Camillus de Lellis, summarized his person and spirituality. He dedicated his life to the works of Charity and to bringing joy to weary souls.

        Born on the 25th of May, 1550 at Chieti in the Abruzzi, part of Naples. His mother Camilla was nearly fifty when she gave birth to him, and his Father was an officer of both the Neapolitan and French Royal armies and was seldom home. Thus, Camillus grew up not being well directed in the ways of the Lord. He entered the military, however, and after some years in the army, his regiment was disbanded in 1575. After wasting all his possession, he took work as a laborer in a Capuchin friary. It was to the words and encouragements of the Guardian (Superior) of the community that he owes his conversion. He entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Order but because of a leg ailment which seemed incurable, he was denied admission to the Order. Then, he began his life of Charity and asceticism. He felt that he needed a religious Order that will be dedicated to this works of Charity and thus, he sought to become a priest. Through the help of a donor, he was able to pass through the seminary training and was ordained on the Pentecost of 1584.

THIRD APPARITION OF FATIMA

        The message of Fatima is that of Prayer, Penance and Sacrifice. Our Lady, appearing to the Children, made known to them the need for the world to embark on prayers, penances and sacrifices because of the numerous sin which offend the divine Majesty.

          The apparition on the 13^th of July, 1917 was particularly peculiar because of the several events that took place. Firstly, before the day, Lucia was reluctant to go to the scene of the apparition because of the words of the Pastor, that the devil might be responsible for the apparitions. Nevertheless, her doubts were cleared prior to the day. Also, the apparition was particularly important because of the three secrets of the apparition, which the Children guarded zealously. The first two was revealed by Lucia in her Third Memoir and the later was communicated only to the Bishop, who sent it unread to Pope Pius XII.

Key to Happiness.

The end for which we are all toiling, struggling and doing everything we do in this life is a search for fulfillment, in other words, a search for happiness. Everyone wants to be happy. We may have chains of desires and aspirations but the whole purpose of it all is to have a fulfilled and happy life at last. We go to school to study, to get good jobs and get money and thus, live a good and happy life. We want to marry someone we love because we will be happier with them. We enter the religious life because we believe our aspirations to give ourselves entirely to God will give us happiness.

Nevertheless, many have a wrong understanding of happiness. Some have a hedonistic view of happiness, where it is all about pleasure. To Some others, it is all about things going our own way. To many more, it is a life of no worries, no stress and freedom from any manual engagements. A deep look into all this will reveal the flaws in them. A happy life cannot be a search for pleasure because when pleasure is sought for its own sake, we end up becoming slaves to it and thus, loose our freedom. Even though, good pleasure would come along with a happy life. Nor are we to predicate happiness to things going our own way. If all of us wants things to be done our own individual ways, then, there would be chaos and no peace. More so, if we ascribe happiness to a life of rest and no labor, then happiness will be only for the rich and lazy.

O DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING?

            The apostle asks, “O death where is thy victory, O death where is thy sting” (1Cor. 15: 55). Every day we continue to experience the sting and many victories of death around us. The sorrows, the pains, the nights of weeping and the painful thoughts that assail us daily, as we remember our loved ones, whom we cannot see or touch. We remember the happy memories, and even the bitter memories leave us with desire to see them again. Sometimes, we laugh and form to be strong outside but in the loneliness of our rooms we shed tears of hopelessness. How, then, can the apostle ask O death where is thy sting or thy victory? Is it not obvious in the immense pains and sorrows death causes us daily? Look at the little orphans that go through hell on earth because of death. Look at the widows maltreated daily because of death. Look at the youth who have to go through many troubles in catering for their families because of death. Can we not obviously see the stings of death all around us?

ST. BENEDICT OF NURSIA.

 

       The scriptures are always there for our nourishment and sanctification. However, very few pay attention to its dictates or try to obey it without compromise. Just as Jesus mentioned in the scriptures, that the road that leads to damnation is large and many follow it but that which leads to life is narrow and only few finds it. To the glory of God, the great father of western monasticism, St. Benedict, who we celebrate today, was not just among those who found that rugged path but he taught many thousands of souls after him to follow that path, and he continues, even till today, to teach it to many.

ST. VERONICA GIULLANI

St Veronica Giullani was born on the 27 December 1660, originally named Ursula. It is told that at the age of three years Giuliani had already began to show immense compassion for the poor. She would set apart a portion of her food for the poor, and even part with her clothes when she met a poor child scantily clad. In 1677, at the age of 17, Giuliani was received into the monastery of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Citta di Castello in Umbria, Italy, taking the name of Veronica in memory of the Passion. 

St. Veronica Giullani. The Holocaust of the Will

        "I have found Love; Love has let himself be seen! This is the cause of my suffering. Tell everyone about it, tell everyone!" These were the last words of the Capuchin Poor Clare Nun, St. Veronica Giullani. Her life was that of a total dedication to God, especially to the passion of Christ. We have a grasp of her spirituality from her 22,000 pages’ diary. The diary does not contain a well ordered and articulated writing for publication. She only wrote freely about her experience in religious life and her encounters with her divine spouse according to the advice of the Bishop.

Her life, simply put, was a life offered to God as a holocaust. It was spent in love of God, in dedication to the passion of her divine spouse, in love for the blessed Virgin, in love and obedience to the Church despite the seemingly harsh treatment and in an outburst of love for her neighbour.

Her love for her neighbour is visible in the many ways she acted with immense charity towards those around her. One day, Christ appeared to her with a pair of Golden shoes, to thank her for the gifts of shoes she gave to a beggar. But her love was more visible in how much she prayed for the conversion of sinners. In an outburst of her love for sinners and desire to see them saved, she cries out "O sinners... all men and all women, come to Jesus' heart; come to be cleansed by his most precious blood.... He awaits you with open arms to embrace you".  She spent a great part of her life praying for sinners; she would say "We cannot go about the world preaching to convert souls but are bound to pray ceaselessly for all those souls who are offending God... particularly with our sufferings, that is, with a principle of crucified life"

ST. NICHOLAS PICK AND COMPANIONS - GIFT OF FAITH

The book of Hebrew teaches us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen. The catechism is not mistaken when it teaches that “Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by him” (C.C.C. 153). We can only begin to understand the reality of faith as a gift from God, when we begin to consider things that people have done because of their faith. The early Christian community sold what they had and submitted the money; what holy stupidity. The martyrs of old rejoiced at the face of martyrdom because of faith in the resurrection; what unreasonable way of acting. Vibrant men and pretty women abandon their wealth and normal life to embrace the strictness and austerity religious life; all because of faith. It is the same faith, a gift of God, that made the holy martyrs of God, who we celebrate today, to give up their lives for the sake of the future resurrection.

SAYINGS OF ST. THERESA OF THE CHILD JESUS

St Theresa of the Child Jesus, though she lived but only 24 years in this earth has, through her life of simplicity and holiness, gained a lot of admiration and love from many. Many delight in saying that the Little Flower lived her life doing little things with great love, and this gained her sanctity. Nevertheless, persistence in doing all for the love of God is not something easy. It takes a lot of sacrifice and strength of will to arrive at that level of self-denial and obedience.

One of the things that so much popularized the little saint was her autobiography, which she wrote out of Obedience. The book titled ‘Story of a Soul’, has been a source of light and inspiration to many. Thus, she merited the title of Doctor of the Church because of that simple but glorious writing.

Here are some of the extracts from the book and some other of her writings that shows the spirit and life of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, who Pope St. Pius X described as the greatest saint of Modern time.

1.       “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”

-St. Theresa of the Child Jesus.

WHY SAY THE ROSARY?

          

             The prayer we know as the Rosary today, originally was called the Psalter of Mary because of the 150 hail Marys that corresponds to the number of psalms in the Bible. However, it gained its title of the Rosary due to a vision by a Monk, who saw our Lady collecting roses from his mouth to weave a garland or crown for herself. Thus, the title 'Rosary' from Latin Rosarium, etymologically means the Crown or Garland of Roses. The Rosary, however, through the centuries, has gained popularity as one of the surest ways of attracting God’s Mercy through our Lady.

St. Maria Goretti. My Chastity, My Glory.

“If the God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, Your Majesty, He will save us; and even if He does not, then you must know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18. NJB). This was the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to King Nebuchadnezzar. Such, also, was the reply of the pure virgin Maria Goretti to her murderer. The only difference is that, while God saved the three men of old from the fiery furnace, He saved Maria Goretti from the pains and worries of this life unto a life of endless peace and joy.

                Maria Goretti was Born on the 16^th October, 1890 in Corinaldo, in the Ancona Province in Italy. She was the third of the seven children of her parents. Her Father, a farmer, died when she was still nine. Consequently, the mother and some of Maria’s other siblings had to work harder in the farm, to sustain the family. Maria, in turn, would have to take care of the household chores which included cooking, sewing, taking care of her baby sister, Teresa and so on. The family, also, had to share a house with another family which included Giovanni Serenelli and his son, Alessandro. At a very tender age, Maria showed so much sense of devotion and virtue that her life was exemplary.

THIS IS TRUE FRIENDSHIP

           “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hands, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with friendship.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

            Nothing but heaven itself”, says Plautus, “is better than a friend who is really a friend”. Friendship, even though not counted among the basic needs of man is almost an indispensable part of our existence. We all need and desire to love, be loved and relate with others. As Aristotle puts it “no one would choose the whole world on condition of being alone, since man is a political creature one whose nature is to live with others.” Friendship is nothing but a mutually recognized feeling of goodwill between two persons; if only one person has a feeling of goodwill then it is not friendship and even if the two have feelings of goodwill towards each other but it is left hidden in the heart and not expressed, it is also not friendship. Friendship implies intimacy and deep sharing. Thus, when Jesus tried to show how intimate He wants us to be with him, He said, “I no longer call you servants, … but friends.” True friends are considered gifts from the Most high.

Friendship, however, needful and common it is, is a controversial issue especially as regards what true friendship is. Following Aristotle’s line of thought, there are three types of friendship. Friendship of Utility, Friendship of Pleasure and Friendship of Virtue.

MARY. LOVE EXEMPLIFIED.

        

            Man, by nature, desires to share and to live together with others. Even God affirmed this in the book of Genesis, when He said that it is not good for a man to be alone. Aristotle adds that man is a political being, whose nature it is to live with others and also, that no one would choose the whole world on the condition of being alone. All this owes to the fact that inherent in us is the desire to love and to be loved, the desire to share intimately with others and to be shared with. In other words we desire to live in communion. It is, also, the case that the virtue which most effectively, makes this our tendency to communion most enjoyable and livable is Love. Love, the most used four-letters word. This word means different things to different people. To some, it is taking advantage of others for our own usefulness, however unconscious this maybe. To others it is to be treated the way we want. To some still, it is all about a pleasure-seeking venture but to those who truly understand, it entails sacrificing our comfort and pleasures, in other to do all for the good of the other. Little wonder He who totally gave himself  for us commanded us to love others as he loved us.

St. Thomas, the Apostle. A HEALING DISBELIEF

   

Some persons are of the opinion, perhaps through experience, that those who repented from a terrible and sinful way of life, love God more than those who have been pure all through their lives, and those who once doubted a particular idea or truth, believes with greater strength, once they are convinced. This, as history has proven, is not always the case. We have the lives of such figures like St. Theresa of the child Jesus and St. Catherine of Siena as prove against the idea. However, this seems to be the case with the Holy Apostle, St. Thomas.

   

St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio

We, creatures of God, are all children of the same Father. There is always a necessary connection between all children of the same father. It is only our sins that causes a kind of distancing between us and our other brethren in nature. St. Francis, the perfect imitator of Christ, through his life of holiness, traced back his roots with his brethren to a great extent. His life of Holiness and deep sense of the universal brotherhood, both with men and other creatures, gained him a filial relationship with all creatures of God. So, it was the case that he could communicate with animals and they would understand and obey his words.

     Thus, around the year 1220, in the town of Gubbio. There was a fierce wolf that began to devour the lives of both humans and livestock. The presence of the wolf began to spread much fear among the populace. It always stationed outside the town gates waiting for anyone that would dare to venture alone to devour him. All those who tried to kill it, received the same fate as those who ventured outside the city gates alone. 

I AM SPECIAL: SO ARE YOU! SO, WHY THE JEALOUSY? (Cf. Psalm 139:14)

God created everything in his love and at the end of all his creation, He admired it and saw that it was good.

Human beings were the last thing God created to take care of all other creatures. In God's great love, he made us in his image and likeness. What a great handiwork of God we are! What other creature of God was created in his image? None but we humans!

Psalm 139 described our uniqueness, giftedness and our preciousness in the eyes of god. As we are uniquely created, so we are diversely gifted (Cf. 1 Cor. 12:4-11). But our various gifts are to be used to achieve a common goal which is to praise and glorify god, and to build up the community. It is not for us to become competitive, jealous or envious of one another (Cf. Rom. 12:4-8;1 Cor. 12:12-31).