Tuesday, December 1, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

At the School of Christ

"Glory to God on high and peace on earth to men of good will." Peace among men and in men will be realized as soon as mankind will come to the school of Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life. The Divine Master began this school at Bethlehem and continues it in the tabernacle. The same school is held visibly in the Church, which teaches faith, morals and prayer. Those who faithfully follow it will find themselves on the way of peace and eternal happiness.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Advent! I love Advent. A time for new beginnings. A time to renew my pledge to pray more, learn my faith better, share my faith more, and basically, "come to the school of Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life."

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, November 30, 2009

Artwork: Duccio di Buoninsegna,

The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew, 1308-11,

Tempera on wood panel, National Gallery of Art, Washington.

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Andrew

Apostle

"Elder brother of St. Peter, and like him, a fisherman of Galilee, St. Andrew immediately left his nets, when he was called by Christ to become a 'fisher of men.' He went to preach the Gospel of peace in Palestine, then in Scythia, Epirus and Thrace. At Patras he gave his life, in imitation of the Master, by being crucified. The relic of his head is venerated in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. St. Andrew is the patron of Scotland.

St. Andrew is the Apostle of the Cross. Following his example, let us bravely face the crosses that come our way for as long as we live."

What Strikes Me Most Today

I am struck by the phrase "the Gospel of peace." The messages of the incarnation, life and death of Jesus really are joy, peace and triumph over death. Yet even after Jesus accomplished all this for us, St. Andrew still had to suffer and die. We all have crosses to bear, but St. Andrew literally bore the cross of Christ and was crucified for Christ. Why should I expect perfect children, a stress-free job and no financial worries? Like St. Andrew and all the Saints, I need to say, "Jesus, I Trust in You!"

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, November 29, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day

by Blessed James Alberione

Towards Heaven

Let us recite often, to the point of making a habit of it, expressions of thanksgiving: "Thanks be to God!" Glory be to the Father; Magnificat; Glory to God in the highest; Blessed be God; and so forth. "Be holy because I am holy," says the Lord. What great joy and gratitude to God there should be every morning when a new day begins. "Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God." We shall gather many merits for eternal life. Comforting are these words of St. Paul: "Strengthened by grace through the mercy of God, let us never lose heart." Let us go forward with faith, always more fervent as we approach heaven.

What Strikes Me Most Today

"Strengthened by grace through the mercy of God, let us never lose heart." I have to admit there are times I start to lose heart. When a child acts really badly or just plain stupidly, when nothing seems to go right, when finances cause worry and strain. But these are exactly the times we need to rely on God most - and in His mercy for the times I feel angry at God or upset with life or just plain stressed and tired. All I can do is remember St. Paul's words: "Strengthened by grace through the mercy of God, let us never lose heart."

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, November 28, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

The Modern Media at the Service of the Master

Everywhere we feel the need to elevate preaching, to make progress in catechetical teaching, to emphasize Christian values. Today the means of conveying human thought are many and rapid, such as the press, films, radio, television. To put these instruments of progress at the service of the truth, of goodness, of the Gospel, of the Divine Master, is a very urgent and serious duty.

What strikes me most today

I look at the picture of Blessed Alberione looking over the printing equipment in this photograph, and I know he is thinking two things: 1. all for God - he will spend every penny he has (or doesn't have!) to make Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life known to the world and 2. communication technology is going to explode soon, so we need to start being a part of it now, growing as the means to evangelize more quickly and to greater numbers grows. Knowing him, he probably even knew that someday some amateur blogger in America in the 21st century would be displaying this picture trying to tell people what he was thinking! He wouldn't mind as long as he knew "all for Jesus!"

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, November 27, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day

by Blessed James Alberione

The Value of Time

We live in the fleeting present moment, between a past which has vanished and a future wrapped in obscurity. Man must look backward and forward. The experiences, lessons, and warnings of the past, which can prove most useful, and the anxious thought of the future, joined to a healthy optimism, must draw us ever upward. So it is that we have memory to gather up the treasures of the past and imagination to prepare the future and make things become almost tangible and real now. The torch of imagination lights up the road, but you will have to walk down it, resolutely and steadily.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Just having celebrated Thanksgiving, spending time with relatives and seeing how much my own children are growing up, it's a good time to reflect on "time." I think of fond memories of holidays when my dad was alive, and hope my children will have equally good childhood memories when they have families of their own. Passing on the torch of love of God and love of family is so important, and imagination does play a role in demonstrating the importance of these to the next generation.

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Feast of Blessed James Alberione

Founder of the Pauline Family

Thanksgiving Day, 2009

38th Anniversary of Blessed Alberione's Death

Blessed James Alberione, called an Apostle for our times on account of the extent and significance of his many works, was born at San Lorenzo di Fossano in the Italian province of Cuneo on April 4, 1884. When he died in Rome on November 26, 1971, comforted by the visit of Pope Paul VI, he had founded six religious congregations and three secular institutes [one more came into being after his death but had been on the drawing boards even earlier], all of which make up the Pauline Family, one of the most modern means for the propagation of the faith in all the world. Sixty some years ago, when the means of “social communications” were still at best in embryonic form, he had a sense that the press, radio, motion pictures, television, and even more advanced and immediate future communication (I truly think he was the first person to foresee the internet, even early in the early 1900's) would have a profound impact on the cultural and religious life of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. And from that time, he foresaw concretely the vast possibilities for employing them in the service of evangelization and became the world's great pioneer in the religious use of the mass media.

What Strikes Me Most Today

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family and friends and, in a special way, for Blessed James Alberione. Through the apostolate of the Pauline Family he founded, my friends and family and I are growing ever closer to Jesus, the Divine Master, Way, Truth, and Life, under the gaze of His Mother Mary, Queen of Apostles, and through the intercession of St. Paul and the communion of all the Pauline Saints and all the Saintly Paulines! What a gift! Thank you to the entire Pauline Family!

Blessed James Alberione, Pray For Us!

What Strikes You Most Today?

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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

God's Forgiveness in Christ



Every pardon gives glory to God and peace to men. Therefore, what beautiful glory our Lord Jesus Christ has in heaven! "There is more rejoicing over one repentant sinner than over a thousand who remained always faithful." When Jesus Christ forgives us, He fulfills the purpose of His Incarnation: "You will call him Jesus, which means Savior, for he shall save his people from their sins."



What Strikes Me Most Today



I have had so many episodes of sinning, trying to progress, backsliding, and starting all over again - despite true repentance each time I've fallen and started to get back up - that I think I've given all of heaven cause for numerous parties. Still, I need to do my best to avoid sin in the future (though I'm sure there will be more parties for my future failings and repentings!)



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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,
by Blessed James Alberione
The First Love

The human person derives his nobility especially from his intelligence. Because of it, he is the image and likeness of God. The main homage to offer to God is submission of the mind - "genuflecting with the mind" - and the wise use of it to know Him and all that is concerned with His service.

What Strikes Me Most Today

I often find myself at odds between really thinking and planning out every detail of life and putting all in God's hands. I think today's writing summarizes the way we should be using our intellect - "genuflecting with the mind." What that says to me is that we first must pray - talk to God, know God, spend time in prayer with God. And then we should align our intellect (which is a gift of God) to serve God, serve others, and even in making daily decisions. This will help us to achieve our goal of knowing God and serving Him and spending eternity in Heaven with God.

What strikes you most today?
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Monday, November 23, 2009

Pope St. Clement Adoring the Trinity

by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

(notice the tiara and crosier, symbols of his power,

have been laid aside and placed in the keeping of an angel).

From Saint and Thought For Every Day
by Blessed James Alberione
St. Clement
Pope and Martyr

St. Clement was the third successor to St. Peter. He is the author of a precious letter written to the Corinthians. Clement was martyred during the reign of Trajan, around the year 100. It is believed that the ancient basilica of St. Clement in Rome is built on the site of Clement's home.
Let us learn from St. Clement to bear witness to the Faith we believe by the way we live.

What Strikes Me Most Today

It's the art again today. Imagine actually seeing the Blessed Trinity! What a great detail Tiepolo adds by having Pope St. Clement, in all his humility, remove the symbols of his earthly power. If Pope St. Clement can be that humble, how much more humble should I be (especially when we are truly before God in the Blessed Sacrament!)

What strikes you most today?
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,
by Blessed James Alberione
St. Cecilia
Virgin and Martyr

"A basilica in honor of St. Cecilia was built in Rome in the fifth century. Little is known about this saint, yet devotion to her has grown because of a dramatic and popular story of her heroic sufferings and death. St. Cecilia is called the Patroness of Music because the popular narrative says that she 'sang in her heart while the musical intruments sounded for her wedding.'
Let us ask St. Cecilia for the grace of a peaceful conscience which is the most precious of all gifts."

What Strikes Me Most Today

I like the idea of asking St. Cecilia to intervene for us before the throne of God for us to experience "the grace of a peaceful conscience." I never thought of it in those terms, but what an awesome grace to ask for!

What strikes you most today?
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November 21, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,
by Blessed James Alberione
Presentation of Mary

"According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary was presented in the Temple of Jerusalem when three years old. This feast was first celebrated in the East. It was intorduced in the West by Gregory XI, in 1372.
Parents should remember that their children's innocence is best preserved in the shadow of the Church and by the frequent reception of the sacraments, as well as by consecrating their children to the Blessed Virgin Mary."

What Strikes Me Most Today

I always like pictures of Saints when they were young, and I especially love this depiction of Mary as a young girl. She preserved her innocence throughout her life - how I wish that for my own children! Not easy in today's world, but worth fighting for!

What strikes you most today?
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Friday, November 20, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,
by Blessed James Alberione
Mentality

An ideal is a guideline to follow, a program that makes life yield the greatest possible results now and in eternity. The mind conceives this ideal and the heart loves it passionately. Unlike one bored with life, who is always distracted, the man with an ideal goes through life with enthusiasm, patience, good humor and genius. Really be, don't just pretend! A living, active ideal gradually becomes a mentality, and then we have a power-idea because it is strengthened by many elements.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Blessed Alberione forces me to look at my life, my goals, my actions - and then stresses "really be, don't just pretend." WOW!
The ideal I want to follow in my life: To bring Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life to everyone (family, friends, patients, co-workers, everyone I can). I truly believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life --> so I want to share that with the world so we all can spend eternity in Heaven.
Verbalizing this ideal helps me make it a living, active ideal, which becomes a mentality, a way of thinking and living - but that's just it - I must live it, not just say it, but truly live it. Then the ideal gains strength and becomes a "power-ideal," strengthened by many elements - in my life - my wife, children, other family and friends, and ESPECIALLY the Pauline Family!

What strikes you most today?
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Thursday, November 19, 2009

From A Year With Blessed James Alberione,

Compiled by J. Maurus

Purgatory

"Purgatory is the place or the state in which are found righteous persons who passed into eternity with venial sins or with the debt of temporal punishment. They will suffer till they have paid in full the debt to divine justice.

It is also called the place of weeping and tears, of purifying, a prison. The Council of Trent says: 'The Church instructed by the Holy Spirit, according to the Scripture and the Tradition, teaches that purgatory exists and that the souls held there can be helped by the faithful, especially with the sacrifice of the Mass.'"

What Strikes Me Most Today

It seems strange that descriptions of purgatory use words like "suffer, weeping, tears, prison," and yet I hope to God I make it there! If I make it to purgatory, I know I will be in Heaven for eternity! The suffering, weeping, and tears in this prison of purgatory would be preparation for Eternity with the Holy Trinity, Mary and all the Saints, and hopefully all my family and friends. Hell would no longer be a possibility for me - how awesome that reality would be! I need to focus on that and avoid mortal sin and even venial sin - the consequences are THAT important!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,
by Blessed James Alberione
The Dedicaton ot the Churches of St. Peter and Paul, Apostles

The Basilicas of St. Peter and of St. Paul were erected by Constantine. That of St. Peter was built on the Vatican Hill over the tomb of the Prince fo the Apostles. That of St. Paul was built over the tomb of the Apostle of the Gentiles. Both Basilicas were consecrated by Pope St. Syleverster I. St. Peter's Basilica was rebuilt in the sixteenth century; that of St. Paul was rebuilt in 1823, after it had been completely destroyed by fire. Pope Pius IX instituted today's feast.
Let us beg the protection of the great Saints Peter and Paul upon the Church they loved so much and served so well.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Someday I have to make it to Rome! How awesome it would be to be as close to St. Paul's tomb as the nuns in today's picture! I have to go someday to visit all the places Christ's Church started and all the places the Pauline Family started, so close to the Basilica of St. Paul!

What strikes you most today?
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day
by Blessed James Alberione
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Religious

St. Elizabeth was born in 1207. While still very young, she married Louis IV of Thuringia. Her saintly husband permitted her to exercise all the practices of piety and charity she wished. The young couple tried to follow the ideals of Francis of Assisi, then living. After her husband's death, Elizabeth was deprived of everything, and she, together with her children, was expelled from her home by her brother-in-law. Elizabeth became a Franciscan tertiary and founded a hospital where she continued to serve the poor.
Our charity towards others will obtain a beautiful paradise for us.

What strikes me most today

First, the fact that Elizabeth and her husband wanted to follow Francis of Assisi - who was still alive! That little fact impresses me even more about St. Francis and St. Elizabeth.
Second, my beautiful daughters. Elizabeth was named after St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and then 6 years later Anne Marie was born on November 17, the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary!
Happy Feast Day, Elizabeth!
Happy Birthday, Anne Marie!

What strikes you most today?
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Monday, November 16, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Margaret of Scotland

St. Margaret was the daughter of an English king. As queen of Scotland, she brought her husband, King Malcolm III, to lead a better life, reared her eight children to lead holy Christian lives, and distinguished herself for her great charity toward the poor and the orphans. She died in 1093.

Let us imitate St. Margaret's charity and thoughtfulness with everyone we meet!

What Strikes Me Most Today

I try to imagine what life was like for others, and how they made the most of that life to glorify God. I can't even imagine what life was like in the 11th century. I also can't imagine what life was like as royalty. But St. Margaret did not dwell on her title or position, she was concerned with eternal life, not the short life we are each given on earth. So no matter what position or what time you are born into, you end up in one of two places for eternity. I need to remember that and focus on where I want to spend eternity!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Albert the Great

Bishop and Doctor

St. Albert, a Bavarian, entered the Dominican Order and became one of the most renowned professors of the University of Paris. One of his pupils was St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Albert held many distinguished posts; he became Provincial of his Order and then Bishop of Ratisbon for two years. He was greatly devoted to the Blessed Virgin and died a holy death in 1280.

Let us ask St. Albert to teach us the secret of combining human wisdom with divine faith.

What Strikes Me Most Today

The relationship between St. Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas makes me think about the impact we have on one another's lives. Would St. Thomas have been any different in his life if he had not been influenced by St. Albert? I would have to think it made a difference. It makes me think about the influence parents have on children. If I can avoid sin more and try to imitate the Saints more, maybe my children will be more likely to avoid sin and imitate the Saints better.

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, November 14, 2009

From A Year With Blessed James Alberione,

Compiled by J. Maurus

The one purpose of life

To know, love and serve God is the unique end of my life, the one for which I am created. All the rest is subordinated to it.

On earth we have to work, eat, rest and recreate, but everything is to be done in view of eternal salvation.

My whole mind, heart, will and my entire life should be engaged in it.

It should be my supreme thought, the object of all my desires, the reason for all the words I speak. It will be my resolution, which subsumes all the other resolutions. It will be the guide for all my actions, the aim in choosing this rather than the other path in my life. It will be the criterion for judging all my social relations, the choice of friends, the book I read, in each and every manifestation of my private as well as public life.

What Strikes Me Most Today

I love the basics! Back to the Baltimore Catechism. Truths don't change; I love that! We are created to know, love and serve God and be happy with Him forever in Heaven. This is everything! And what is the way we must go to get there? How do we know the truth? How do we find the way to joy in this life and in eternity? We have the answer - Jesus, the Divine Master - He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, November 13, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Virgin

The last of 13 children, the beloved American-citizen saint, Frances Xavier Cabrini, was born in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano, Italy, on July 15, 1850. Once considered too sickly to join the local religious order, she founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880. Mother Cabrini and her sisters cared for orphans and the suffering Italian immigrants. For them she founded schools and hospitals in the United states and other countries. Mother Cabrini had an unbounded confidence in Christ. She combined her active zeal for souls with her rare intensity of interior life. Before her life was ended, Mother Cabrini crossed the Atlantic Ocean 30 times and established 67 religious houses with more than 1500 daughters. She died in Chicago on December 22, 1917, at the age of 67 and was canonized on July 7, 1946. Her body now reposes in a glass urn in the Chapel of Mother Cabrini High School in New York City.

Let us try to imitate Mother Cabrini's constant union with God in all our daily activities.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Mother Cabrini sounds to me like a male version of Blessed Alberione. At first both were thought to be too sickly and weak to even enter religious life, much less found a religious family with great numbers of houses. It shows how God works through the weakest among us to reveal His glory! And both saintly founders were alive in the 20th century - that is awesome!

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Josaphat

Bishop and Martyr

St. Josaphat was born in Poland in 1580. As Archbishop, Josaphat labored zealously for Christian unity. He had to combat a group of schismatics who tried to lure him from his allegiance to the Holy See. Faithful to Christ and faithful to his episcopal consecration to the end, he was assassinated by enemies in 1623.

Let us never be afraid to "stand up and be counted" for Christ and His Church.

What Strikes Me Most Today

There are some more details of this story that make it even more remarkable. I took the following from Catholic Online (Catholic.org):

"Josaphat came out in the courtyard to see the mob beating and trampling his friends and servants. He cried out, 'My children what are you doing with my servants? If you have anything against me, here I am, but leave them alone!' With shouts of 'Kill the papist' Josaphat was hit with a stick, then an axe, and finally shot through the head. His bloody body was dragged to the river and thrown in, along with the body of a dog who had tried to protect him.

The unsung heroes of this horrible terrorism were the Jewish people of Vitebsk. Some of the Jewish people risked their own lives to rush into the courtyard and rescue Josaphat's friends and servants from the bloodthirsty mobs. Through their courage, lives were saved. These same Jewish people were the only ones to publicly accuse the killers and mourn the death of Josaphat while the Catholics of the city hid in fear of their lives."

(Sometimes I don't fully appreciate all that these martyrs went through without reading detailed descriptions. This one was so impressive I had to copy, paste and share).

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Martin of Tours

Bishop

St. Martin was a Hungarian who was raised in Italy. While yet a catechumen, he encountered a poor man who asked for alms in the name of Christ. St. Martin gave him part of his cloak. It is said that during the night Jesus appeared to him covered with the cloak St. Martin had given Him. Martin became a monk, founded monasteries, converted the pagan French countryside, and was made Bishop of Tours. He died in 397.

Let us imitate St. Martin's generosity.

What Strikes Me Most Today

I have a friend who never turns down anyone asking for money. He was told by a high school teacher that any one of these people asking him for assistance could be Jesus in disguise. He never wants to risk saying no to Jesus. St. Martin's story reminds me of my friend's practice of always sharing what he can.

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Leo the Great

Pope and Doctor

Called the "Great" because of his wisdom and tremendous courage, St. Leo became Pope in 440 and successfully guided the Church for 21 years. It was he who stopped Attila the Hun from invading Rome in 452; and it was he also who opposed the heretic Eutyches, who denied the two natures in Christ, and Nestorius, who insisted that there are two persons in Christ. Faithful to Christ and to Peter the Rock, St. Leo died in 461.

Let us develop in ourselves and spread to those around us a great love for the Holy Father and loyalty to his teachings.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Thinking of my grandfather, Joseph Leo Mathews. He and my grandmother Helen Clare Buckley Mathews are in the picture above (holding me at my Baptism). Joseph Leo died in 1969, but he and my grandmother passed on their love for Christ and His Church, loyalty to the Holy Father and the Magisterium, and devotion to the Blessed Mother to their children and grandchildren. He was a great man, so I think it is appropriate that his middle name was after someone as great as Pope St. Leo the Great! (My grandmother was an awesome member of the Blue Army, but more about her another day!)

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, November 9, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

Dedication of St. John Lateran

This Basilica was once the palace of the Lateran on the Coelian Hill belonging to Fausta, the wife of Constantine. After the conversion of the emperor, it was given to the Holy Father. In 324 it was consecrated by Pope St. Sylvester as the Basilica of the Most Holy Savior. Later on it was called St. John Lateran by which name it is known in our times. In 1726, the church, which had been destroyed, was rebuilt and was again consecrated by Pope Benedict XIII.

Let us often recall that just as every Catholic church is dedicated and consecrated to God, so we too are "consecrated" to God through our Baptism.

What Strikes Me Most Today

I love the thought of a beautiful building such as this constructed as a palace, but eventually becoming such a holy Basilica - transforming it from a building for the pleasure of people to a Basilica for the Glory of God - the Basilica of the Most Holy Savior. And I didn't know it had been destroyed and rebuilt, but I'm certainly glad it was, as yet another reminder of the importance of giving all glory to God!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

Work, the Beginning of Human Rehabilitation

Taking pity of fallen humanity, our heavenly Father willed to restore all things in Christ. He began with the family and work. The mystery of Christ the Worker seems to us to be more profound than the mystery of the passion and death. So many years at the carpenter's bench! "Is not this the carpenter's son?" "Is not this the carpenter?" The sweat of His brow at Nazareth was no less redemptive than His bloody sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Today, it has to be "the sweat of His brow at Nazareth was no less redemptive than His bloody sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane." I certainly never would have thought that on my own. However, it does stress to me the importance of the work I do as a husband, father, friend, neighbor, and physician. We are all called to different vocations and different states in life - how important it must be to live out the life God has given us as He wants us to live it out!

What strikes you most today? Click on "COMMENTS" below to share your thoughts.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

Work As Part of the First Commandment

Work brings us close to God, who is pure, infinite and eternal act. The more a man passes from potency to act, the more he imitates God. The more powers he puts into activity in the right way, the better he corresponds to the wishes of God, who gave them to him, the better he serves God. Love the Lord with your whole mind, strength and heart. Physical strength is also included here. Work, therefore, is part of the first and principal commandment.

What Strikes Me Most Today

"The more powers he puts into activity in the right way, the better he corresponds to the wishes of God." This is a good reminder to me that we have lots of decisions to make every day. We can decide to work hard or not - and if we work hard, is it for good purposes or not (our actions can be good, neutral, or bad - I realize this, though I often try to ignore that fact.)

Today's reading makes me think how short this life is, and how long eternity is - I need to persevere in working hard for the good I can do in this life corresponding to the wishes of God. I know how, I just need to be like the Nike commercial and "Just Do It!"

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, November 6, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,
by Blessed James Alberione
Work As Adoration

In performing our various daily labors, let us have these intentions: To render the homage of adoration, by placing all our being at God's service, for we were created to serve Him. To work in this spirit is adoration. Thus, in this service we fulfill the precept "in the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread," as Jesus Christ did. To unite ourselves to Jesus Christ the Worker, with the intention that our work should be - as His was - redemptive for all living men and for all the suffering souls in purgatory.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Today was the perfect day for this one - it's after 11 pm, I'm on call, and I still have several patients to see tonight, and will likely get more patients before morning comes and I have to start another full day of scheduled patients. I have a very bad habit of feeling sorry for myself when I have to work all night, but that is the profession I chose, and people can't plan when they are going to get sick. So I like the last suggestion, "to unite ourselves to Jesus Christ the Worker, with the intention that our work should be - as His was - redemptive for all living men and for all the suffering souls in purgatory." It'll help me get through tonight, and hopefully I'll remember it next time I'm having a busy night and tempted to feel sorry for myself.
By the way, the picture is one of my favorites of Jesus, the Divine Physician, supporting the surgeon and guiding his hand.

What strikes you most today?
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Thursday, November 5, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

Wasted Talents

Some people know thousands of news items, a thousand and one anecdotes and jokes, a thousand gossip items and faults of others. They have thousands of pieces of advice and corrections to give to everyone in sight: to mothers, to youth, to those who govern, to the clergy, to the Pope and... Almost to God Himself! They have seen so much, heard so much, and read so many scraps of news here and there! These are people who often do not know themselves or God. They are always distracted when it comes to their duties; they stumble into every ditch because they are too busy looking to see if somebody else is falling in. Of such souls our Lord could complain thus: the son knows his father, the ox knows his stable, the dog knows his master's voice, but these people do not know the voice of their heavenly Father. While they are praying, studying or listening to a sermon, their mind is far, far away... Sometimes such people are very intelligent, but they waste their minds in trifles, extremely busy doing nothing. It makes you think of trees with foliage and flowers in abundance but no fruit; or of broken tanks that can hold no pure, healthy water.

What Strikes Me Most Today

OK, when Blessed Alberione described the know-it-all-busy-body always trying to "catch" their neighbor doing something wrong, I thought of Gladys Kravitz! That made me wonder if Blessed Alberione knew Gladys Kravitz. Consider the fact that "Bewitched" aired from 1964 to 1972. Blessed Alberione died in 1971. Perhaps he was thinking of Gladys Kravitz when he wrote the above. For me, it is another reminder of just how contemporary Blessed James Alberione is; what a tremendous modern day example of sanctity for all of us (and I still wonder if he ever saw an episode of Bewitched!)

And, for the record, "Wasted Talents" does not refer to the actress who played Gladys Kravitz - she did a great job of portraying the know-it-all-busy-body-neighbor (actually, there may have been 2 different Gladyses over the years, I'm not sure).

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Handmade oil painting reproduction of St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84)

Administering the Sacrament to Plague Victims in 1576 (detail),

a painting by Sigismondo Caula.

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Charles Borromeo

Bishop

St. Charles, of the wealthy Borromeo family, was born in northern Italy in 1538. At the age of 22, he was summoned to Rome by his uncle, Pius IV, was made a Cardinal and, soon after, Archbishop of Milan. Cardinal Borromeo was a good shepherd of his flock and is known for his liberality, courage, zeal and charity. One of his greatest accomplishments was his founding of diocesan seminaries. He died in 1584 at the age of 46 and was canonized a saint in 1610.

Let us spend our life in the practice of Christian virtue and Christian "concern" as did St. Charles.

What Strikes Me Most Today

St. Charles' story starts off sounding like nepotism, with the Pope picking his 22 year old nephew to be a Cardinal. Then I look at the painting of him out in the streets administering the sacraments to plague victims. St. Charles deserved to be a Cardinal, an Archbishop, and a Saint!

St. Charles Borromeo, Ora Pro Nobis!

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

St. Martin de Porres

Religious

"Son of a Spanish nobleman and an African-South American dancer, the quiet and kindly Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579. His compassion for the suffering led him to help and care for the sick and the poor. Martin entered the Dominican Order as a brother, and in the spirit of his founder, St. Dominic, led a life of prayer and penance. His humility inspired everyone. Martin died in 1639 and was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962. Loved and acclaimed by all, Martin is especially considered the patron saint of African Americans.

Let us ask St. Martin for the gift of humility which leads to eternal glory."

What Strikes Me Most Today

I like this depiction of St. Martin in the photograph above. I love icons and paintings and statues, but a photograph really captures more emotion and humanity than other works of art. Obviously since no cameras were available in the 16th and 17th Century, a photograph of a recreated scene is the next best thing. I like this one because it is a reminder that St. Martin was an ordinary man who chose to lead an extraordinary life. It reminds me that we can choose to do likewise.

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, November 2, 2009

From Saint and Thought For Every Day,

by Blessed James Alberione

All Souls

The celebration of today's feast originated with the Abbot St. Odilo and the monks of Cluny in 998. Between yesterday's feast, where the Church praised the saints in glory, and today's, wherein she turns to her suffering children and sends her prayers to God for their relief and release, we see the perfect action of the dogma of the communion of saints. On All Souls' Day, priests are permitted to celebrate three Masses for the dead. We join our own prayers, sufferings and sacrifices to those of the faithful for all our beloved deceased.

With love and diligence let us pray for the suffering souls in purgatory often.

What Strikes Me Most Today

Since my Dad died, I think a lot more about Purgatory and Heaven (I'm sure he's in one of the two, hopefully Heaven by now, but just in case, I'm still praying for him and all the souls in Purgatory.)

I also remember hearing that any soul that benefits from your prayers in Purgatory will pray for you in Heaven - and if Dad's not still there, others will benefit from them.

(And just my opinion - Dad probably went straight to Heaven, so lots of people can benefit from these prayers!)

What strikes you most today?

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