Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"
First Friday of the Month
Saint: Saint Ceallach (1080-1129)
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 50 Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling
Mass: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; Resp Ps 34; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,
PRAY FOR US.
Welcome to the First Friday of the Month on this first day of April. April showers bring May flowers, I was taught as a youngster. At the same time, many flowers are already busy around here, and as shown in today's photo, from my dear cousin in Windsor, CA.
I have been with a line from the first reading from today's Mass that comes from the Book of Wisdom. It is there that we hear about what the wicked are saying among themselves. They are talking about the one whose "life is not like others, and different are his ways" (Wis 2:15).
I think of an early Christian text, the author unknown, titled The Epistle to Diognetus. It is an early Christian apology. It is not long and various translations of the text can be found in PDF format on the web. The epistle is addressed to Diognetus who desires to learn more about the Christian religion. It addresses three "puzzles": First, what "sort of cult is Christianity to enable its adherents to spurn both pagan gods and the superstition of the Jews?"; Second, "What is the secret for their love for one another?"; Third, "Why did the new religion come into existence at so late a date in the history of the world?" (in Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation, No. 6, "The Epistle to Diognetus", p. 127). A commentator writes: "The writer's portrayal of Christian life in Chapters 5 and 6 is of great beauty. Christians are citizens and aliens at the same time. Unostentatious in their civic relations, they yet draw upon themselves the admiration of the whole world. 'In the world, yet not of the world' is their motto" (p. 128). We are reminded of Saint Benedict's tool for good works, namely, our way of acting should be different from the world's way (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:20). By way of two examples, here are some things we learn in Chapters 5 and 6, echoes as they are from today's reading from the Book of Wisdom. The author of the Epistle to Diognetus writes about Christians: "They love all men, but are persecuted by all. They are unknown, yet are condemned; they are put to death but it is life that they receive. They are poor, and enrich many; destitute of everything, they abound in everything. They are dishonored, and in their dishonor find their glory. They are calumniated, and are vindicated. They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted and render honor. Doing good, they are penalized as evildoers; when penalized, they rejoice because they are quickened into life" (Ch 5, 11-16). And, "Christians love those that hate them" (Ch. 6, 5). So it is was with Jesus, who many "were trying to kill" (Jn 7:1). May we follow Him, all the way. Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins, Salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.
How fine a thing it is to move from festival to festival, from prayer to prayer, from holy day to holy day. The time is now at hand when we enter on a new beginning; the proclamation of the blessed Passover, in which the Lord was sacrificed ...
This feast guides us through the trials that meet us in the world. God now gives us the joy of salvation that shines out from this feast, as He brings together to form one assembly, uniting us all in spirit in every place, allowing us to pray together and to offer common thanksgiving, as is our duty on this feast. Such is the wonder of His love; He gathers to this feast those who are far apart, and brings together in unity of faith those who may be physically separated from each other.
(From an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fourth Week of Lent, Friday)
We go forth, united in faith and prayer. They know we are Christians by our love.
SAINT CEALLACH,
PRAY FOR US.
© Gertrude Feick 2022
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