Under the term persecution are comprehended all kinds of injuries, afflictions and inconveniences, in relation to fortune, honor, or life. These are caused by the devil or his ministers, sometimes, also by mistake (God so permitting), by the just themselves. They are suffered for justice' sake, when they are borne with patience and accompanied with the exercise of virtue, and in compliance with our duty toward God and man. They ought not to be suffered with patience only, but with joy at the greatness of the reward . . .
Baxter, Meditations
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Blessed are the Peacemakers
We can exercise the office of peacemaker in two ways:
- By reconciling man with man. "Three things," says Holy Writ, "are approved before God and men: the concord of brethren, and the love of neighbors, and man and wife that agree well together." (Ecclesiasticus [Sirach] 25:1, 2.) In promoting harmony, therefore, among those about us we do God's work in the world: for it is His desire that His people should "sit in the beauty of peace". (Isaiah 22:18.)
- By reconciling man with God. "As I live," saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live." (Ezekiel 33: 2.) "There shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance." (Luke 15:10.) "He who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:20.)
-- Barraud, Meditations
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Blessed are the Clean of Heart
It is not easy to keep a clean heart in an unclean world; yet the foes without us are not so formidable as those within . . . We must be on our guard against bad company and bad reading; for if we think ourselves at liberty to go everywhere, to look at and read everything we shall not long remain innocent. And we must pray fervently and often; for only God can preserve us unscathed in the midst of this fiery furnace.
And ardent devotion to Our Lady and to our Guardian Angel is, of course, a mighty protection, as also the habit of praying for those whose purity is endangered; for such prayer cannot fail to bring a blessing on oneself.
-- Barraud, Meditations
And ardent devotion to Our Lady and to our Guardian Angel is, of course, a mighty protection, as also the habit of praying for those whose purity is endangered; for such prayer cannot fail to bring a blessing on oneself.
-- Barraud, Meditations
Monday, January 28, 2008
Blessed are the Merciful
Consider the reward attached to works of mercy. "They shall obtain mercy." This mercy will accompany them in this life, it will extend to both body and soul, and it will be their reward in the next life: "With the same measure that you shall measure, it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38).
Reflect how much you stand in need of God's mercy, and what your case would have been, had God dealt with you according to your deserts. Be merciful, therefore, to others, that you may obtain mercy. Meditate on the sentence of St. James: "Judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy." (James 2:13).
Baxter, Meditations
Reflect how much you stand in need of God's mercy, and what your case would have been, had God dealt with you according to your deserts. Be merciful, therefore, to others, that you may obtain mercy. Meditate on the sentence of St. James: "Judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy." (James 2:13).
Baxter, Meditations
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Blessed are they that Hunger and Thirst after Justice
Justice is holiness, and to hunger and thirst after it is the surest sign we can have that God is with us. We can never in this life be certain that all will end well, because we ourselves are so unreliable, but this is the nearest approach to certainty we can make; for it shows that God's grace is still flowing and that we are corresponding with it. Still, there are many degrees of hunger and thirst. Some, like holy David, pant for the living God as the hunted hart after the waterbrooks; others take it more quietly. So by the greater or less intensity of our desires we can measure our progress.
-- Barraud, Meditations
-- Barraud, Meditations
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Blessed are they that Mourn
We have three motives for mourning:
- First, we ought to indulge compunction for our sins according to the example of David and St. Peter.
- Secondly, we should mourn for the sins of others, and feel compassion for them.
- Thirdly, we have reason to grieve at our banishment in this world, and our separation from God . . .
Lament, therefore, your own and your neighbor's sins, for they who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
-- Baxter, Meditations
Friday, January 25, 2008
Blessed are the Meek
Christ promises the meek that "they shall possess the land". They will possess their own hearts, that is, they will be masters of their own passions. They will also possess the hearts of others, according to the author of the Ecclesiasticus: "My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men". Lastly, they will possess the land of promise, as their eternal inheritance . . . Adopt, then, this meekness in your conduct and conversation, in order that you may delight in the abundance of peace, as well in regard to God, as yourself and your neighbor!
-- Baxter, Meditations
-- Baxter, Meditations
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Beatitudes
Christ honored eight virtues which are contemptible in the eyes of the world, with the titles of beatitudes. He has made these so many steps by which we may ascend to heaven in order to enjoy our ultimate and everlasting happiness.
These are poverty of spirit, meekness, sorrow for sins, hunger and thirst after justice, mercy, purity of heart, the making of peace both with God and man, and the suffering of persecutions for Christ's sake . . .
First, he is poor in spirit, who in affection is ready to lose all rather than offend God. Secondly, he who actually leaves all for God's sake. Thirdly, he who never aspires to things above himself, and does not presume in himself, and does not court the praises of men. Fourthly, he who denies his own will and judgment, and submits himself to others. Fifthly, he who acknowledges that everything which he has comes from God, and who is intimately convinced of his own nothingness, acknowledging with the Prophet, "my substance is as nothing before Thee" (Ps 38:6). Though not bound to practise all, every Christian is bound to practise some of the above acts.
-- Baxter, Meditations
These are poverty of spirit, meekness, sorrow for sins, hunger and thirst after justice, mercy, purity of heart, the making of peace both with God and man, and the suffering of persecutions for Christ's sake . . .
First, he is poor in spirit, who in affection is ready to lose all rather than offend God. Secondly, he who actually leaves all for God's sake. Thirdly, he who never aspires to things above himself, and does not presume in himself, and does not court the praises of men. Fourthly, he who denies his own will and judgment, and submits himself to others. Fifthly, he who acknowledges that everything which he has comes from God, and who is intimately convinced of his own nothingness, acknowledging with the Prophet, "my substance is as nothing before Thee" (Ps 38:6). Though not bound to practise all, every Christian is bound to practise some of the above acts.
-- Baxter, Meditations
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Collection
We read the Gospel, the writings of the saints, certain ascetic works; let us faithfully note down the thoughts which make the most impression upon us, and even the personal reflections which these thoughts suggest to us. In a few years we shall possess a collection more precious than all our books of piety, and one which we may read again and again with great profit, especially in moments of ennui and sadness.
-- The Art of Being Happy
-- The Art of Being Happy
