The Meditation. The Ninth Sunday After Trinity July 29 th, A.D A fresco of St. Paul (5 th 6 th cent.) The Grotto of St. Paul Ephesus, Turkey

Transcription

1 The Meditation The Ninth Sunday After Trinity July 29 th, A.D A fresco of St. Paul (5 th 6 th cent.) The Grotto of St. Paul Ephesus, Turkey 1

2 The Introit Prayer for the Ninth Sunday After Trinity Behold, God is my helper, the Lord is with them that uphold my soul... Hear my prayer, O God and hearken unto the words of my mouth. Save me O God, for thy Name s sake, O Lord my defender. (Psalm 54) Led by the Spirit St. Paul writes to the Corinthians: I would not have you ignorant, Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians; Chap. 12, Vss. 1-3). The Apostle desired to teach them that they could do absolutely nothing except through the power of the Holy Ghost. His own life was a clear example. Paul had hated and persecuted Christians with a zeal second to none before receiving the Holy Ghost, on his famous journey along the Damascus Road. He had, since his conversion, become the most fervent of Christ s apostles! Lord, we know that of ourselves we have no power to do anything. We ask you with heart and soul to give us your Spirit that it may live and act within us! What are we but weak and wretched creatures when left to ourselves? We are full of evil passions and inclinations, craving those things that are earthly, unable, except with great difficulty, to raise our hearts and minds up to what St. Paul calls spiritual gifts. [1] Even he had to admit: No principle of good dwells within me, that is, in my natural self; praiseworthy intentions are always ready at hand, but I cannot find my way to the performance of them; it is not the good my will prefers, but the evil my will disapproves, that I find myself doing. (Romans: Chap. 7; Vss. 18 & 19).[2] God gives us His Spirit, on one condition only; that we humbly acknowledge our dependence on Him, without Whom we can do only that which is evil. It may be well for us to pray at such a time: Give us your grace O Lord, enlighten our understanding, that we may see the good we should do, and make our will strong enough to do it. We received the Spirit of Christ when we were Baptized, with which we were grafted into the True Vine. Jesus Himself tells us: I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit. (For without me ye can do nothing.) (St. John; Chap. 15; Vs. 5). His grace works in us by the Sacrament, but we must do our part to make His task possible. The Holy Ghost works in us, but not without us. All receive the Holy Ghost, but not with the same result. The saints drew their sanctity from the Holy Ghost, but still had to strive hard for it; toiling and bearing the pain which they offered up and were loving always and everywhere. We too, just as they did, must let ourselves be led by the Spirit, making sure that we set no obstacles in the way, and seeking God, just as they did, bearing patiently whatever is sent to us. 2

3 Our love ought to show itself through prayer, recollection, and silence (both interior and exterior). Attending Mass and the reception of Holy Communion should be the great well from which we drink. If, despite our best efforts, we succumb to our human frailties, we must not become discouraged. We must always remember that we have to reckon, with both the power of the Spirit, as well as our own weaknesses. The path to sanctification is fraught with temptations and challenges. All we have to do is turn to God when we fail, as we all will from time to time, with our hearts full of sorrow, assuring Him of our love, renewing our resolutions, and then continue peacefully on our way. Worry and anxiety can easily bewilder us, and the devil is all too ready and happy to use this to delay us in our journey to perfection any way he can! And so, led by the Holy Spirit, our inner life will become an ever-closer union with the Father and the Son. If we keep the example of the saints always in mind, our thoughts, words, and actions will all culminate in the greater glory of Almighty God. The performance of corporal works of mercy[3] will also aid in the salvation of the souls of others, as well as for the expiation of our sins and purification of our souls. In the performance of assisting in the salvation of other souls, we become an integral part in the fulfilling of the Law of Christ. [4] O Holy Ghost, love of the Father and the Son, kindle within us the fire of your love! O Blessed Mary ever-virgin, safeguard that fire in our hearts and in the hearts of all your children! Meditation Notes: [1] Ref: I Corinthians; Chap. 12, Vs. 1. [2] Romans; Chap 7, Vss. 18 & 19: Quote taken from The Holy Bible Translated from the Latin Vulgate by Msgr. Ronald Knox, for better clarity. [3] Corporal Works of Mercy: Seven works of mercy that can affect humanity: (1) Feeding the hungry (2) Giving drink to the thirsty (3) Clothing the naked (4) Harboring the stranger (5) Visiting the sick (6) Ministering to prisoners (7) Burying the dead. Ref: Matt. Ch. 25, Vs. 35. [4] The Law of Christ: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments, hang all the law and the prophets. (St. Matthew; Chap. 22; Vss ). 3

4 Priory Kalendar For the week of: July 29 th to August 5 th - A.D In Trinity Season Sunday, July 29 th.... Ninth Sunday After Trinity Comm. St. Martha; V. - 1 st cent. Judea Monday, July 30 th... feria in Trinity Season Tuesday, July 31 st.. St. Ignatius of Loyola; C. & founder of Jesuit Order 15/16 th cent. Wednesday, August 1 st... St. Peter s Chains (Lammas Day) Comm. St. Ethelwold; Bp. of Winchester, O.S.B. 10 th cent. England Thursday, August 2 nd..st. Alphonsus Ligouri; Bp. Conf. & Doct. Founder of Redempterist Order 16 th /17 th cent. Italy & the World. Friday, August 3 rd St. Nicodemus; 1 st cent. Saturday, August 4 th..... St. Dominic; C. & founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) 13 th cent. Comm. Bl. Thomas Lombard; P. O.C.O. 17 th cent. England Sunday, August 5 th Tenth Sunday after Trinity Comm. St. Oswald of Northumbria; K. & Myr. 7 th cent. Britain July 31 st August 2 nd August 4 th St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Alponsus Ligouri St. Dominic 4

5 KALENDAR KEY: Abt. = Abbot, Abs. = Abbess, Abp = Archbishop, Anc. = Anchorite, Ancs. = Anchoress, Ap. = Apostle, Bl. = Blessed, Br. = Brother, Bp. = Bishop, Card. = Cardinal, C. or Conf. = Confessor, Comm. = Commemoration/Commemorate, Dcn. = Deacon, Doct. = Doctor of the Church, Ev. = Evangelist, H. = Hermit, LBr. = Lay Brother, LSr. = Lay Sister, K. = King, Mat. = Matron, M. = Monk, M.M. = Month s Mind ( Requiem for the recently departed on the 30 th day after death or burial). Myr. = Martyr, N. = Nun, Obl. = Oblate, P. = Priest, Po. = Pope, Pr. = Prior, Prs. = Prioress, R. = Recluse, RM = Requien Mortuorum, ( Mass and Offices for the departed once a month as designated on Kalendar). SDcn. = Sub Deacon, Q. = Queen, Ven. = Venerable, Vir.=Virgin, W. = Widow. FASTING KEY: A = Abstinence, F = Fast, F & A = Fast and Abstinence RELIGIOUS ORDER ABBREVIATIONS: C.O = Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians), C.P. = Congregation of the Passion (Passionists), C.S.J. = Congregation of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Er. Cam. = Camaldolese Hermits, F.P. O. = Franciscans of the Primitive Observance, O. Car. = Carmelite Order, O. Cart. Carthusian Order, O.C.D. = Order of Discalced Friars (Carmelites), O.F.A. = Augustinian Order, O.F.M = Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), O.F.M. Cap = Capuchin Order, O.P. = Order of Preachers (Dominicans also called Blackfriars ), O. Praem. = Order of Cannons Regular (Norbertines), O.S.B. = Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines), O.Ss. S. = Bridgettines, O.S.U = Ursulines, O.C.O. = Order of the Cistercian Observance (Trappists/Trappistines), O.C.S.O. = Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists/ Trappistines). Tert. = Tertiary (Third Order religious) About the Meditation and About Us The Meditation is an online apostolate of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Priory in Raymond, Maine, USA. We are an Anglican-Catholic Benedictine contemplative community that follows the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, the 5 th century Father of Western Monasticism. We are resident within the Diocese of the Northeast (DNE), of the Anglican Church in America (ACA), a member of the worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC). The Meditation is a weekly online offering that is sent out free of charge to anyone who desires to receive it. Subscribers may copy and pass along The Meditation to their families and friends, or send us their e-address (with their permission) to add to our subscription list so they may receive it directly from us. Each issue is sent out as a BCC (Blank Copy) in respect to subscriber privacy and online security. To subscribe, contact us at: klamarre@maine.rr.com To read past issues of the Meditation, please go to our website at: and you can find them in the section marked Meditations on the homepage. PLEASE NOTE: In respect to our contemplative vocation and the animals in our rescue and rehab center, we do not have guest or bathroom facilities and do not regularly receive visitors. Fr. Kevin is available to hear confessions and give spiritual direction by appointment only. Please contact via to make an appointment or to make us aware of your needs, concerns and intentions for our prayerful attention. It is our privilege to pray for you. PLEASE CONSIDER REMEMBERING US IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING Contact Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. for more information via our address. 5

6 The Lighter Side of our Br. Chip A photo essay by Br. Raymond Br. Chip had a very successful speaking tour at graduation-time in June, and upon his return to the Priory requested some time in his hermitage, which he was granted. He s spent his time as most hermits do in solitude, prayer, and sacred reading but once in awhile, he comes out for a bite to eat. Our local photo sleuth, Br.Raymond caught Br. Chip one afternoon as he performed a raid on the bird feeder... the photos, well, they speak for themselves! Br. Chip has emerged from his hermitage to raid the bird feeder on a July Afternoon. That s Oliver in the background paying no mind to Chip s shenanigans. When it comes to hitting the feeder, our little scholar throws all decorum to the wind! Food for thought is no substitute for the real thing Walt Kelly Cartoon artist, author of Pogo 6

7 Even a visit by one of the Barn Birds doesn t slow his pace! The bird looks a little amused! Ah Ha! We find he s got company... another munk from down the road. Later on, Br. Raymond couldn t resist showing Br. Chip his photos and the result is a rather mortified chip-monk! Photos by Br. Raymond A. Crowe, O.S.B. Br. Raymond is our very talented photographer and catches day to day life here at the Prior through his camera lens, giving our readers an inside (and often humorous) view of all sorts of happenings. 7

8 Animal News By Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. You don t love hatred and evil, of course. You have to practice and see the real gull, the good in every one of them, and to help them see it in themselves. That s what I mean by love. Jonathan Livingston Seagull 8

9 We are asked from time to time how do we do it? How do we not hate those people that abuse, torture or neglect animals. We may be disgusted and dismayed by what a human has done, but our focus is always one hundred percent on the animal and their need. We offer a prayer for the person, because there is most always a reason behind what has been done. Some are intentional, some learned behavior, some a reaction to abuse of themselves by another and so many more. None are excuses but each can be a contributing factor in a sad outcome. We say our prayer and move on to the work of repairing the damage, helping the animal learn that some humans can be trusted and love can be found again. Humans are slow learners compared to animals, but we do hope that somewhere in the abuser s life someone is able to find something good in them, and help them to see it in themselves so the cycle may eventually be broken..haters can never hope to accomplish a turn around only those who love On another note. We know it is July and a hot and humid one at that, but fall and winter will be here faster than you can say Jack Frost. Our coffers are nearly empty and we will have extra mouths to feed this winter so we are humbly asking for your help. We are privileged and happy to do all of the heavy lifting but we can not do any of it without your support. We are ever grateful for our small band of animal angels but we really also need some regular givers as well. Unlike the ASPCA, 100% of all of your money goes straight to the animals. We take no salary or other indulgence from your thoughtful gift, the animals get it all. Thank you for your prayers and your continuing support which is tax deductible! May our Blessed Lord reward your generosity a hundred-fold! Sr. Mary Francis Photo: A lone seagull performs aerobatics over Sebago Lake at Tassel Top Park in Raymond, Maine, where Sr. Mary Francis works as Head Park Ranger. Photo by Sr. Mary Francis, O.S.B. PAX 9

10 PAX 10

11 11