Admonition 25

 

Admonition   25

Of True Love. Blessed is that brother who would love his brother as much when he is ill and not able to assist him as he loves him when he is well and able to assist him. Blessed is the brother who would love and fear his brother as much when he is far from him as he would when with him, and who would not say anything about him behind his back that he could not with charity say in his presence. (Robinson)

We might write about the virtue of constancy in loving, what I will ask is this: Is there any circumstance wherein love, or the highest positive regard for a brother or sister would cease, or be withdrawn (by us)?

 

Day 1 Admonition 1a

 

Of the Lord’s Body:   The Lord Jesus said to His disciples: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.   No man comes to the Father, but by Me. If you had known Me you would, without doubt, have known My Father also: and from now on you shall know Him, and you have seen Him.   Philip said to Him: Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him: Have I been so long a time with you and have you not known Me? Philip, they that see Me, see the Father also.   How can you say, Show us the Father?” The Father “lives in inaccessible light,” and “God is a spirit,” and “no human has seen God at any time.” Because God is a spirit, it is only by the spirit that He can be seen, for “it is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing.”

Returning again to the 1st of the month it is our pleasure to contemplate St Francis teachings to his brothers concerning the Eucharist.   When we receive the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ in the substance and form of bread and wine, we may not give a thought to what we are truly doing when we receive Jesus in our hands or on our tongue.   A most blessed thing that we do over and over again, such that there may always be someone in the Body somewhere in the world receiving Him who so loved us that he gave Himself for us.   St John the Evangelist teaches us that we cannot reach God unless we daily follow Jesus, reading his words keeping His commandments receiving him often in the Form of bread and wine.   When we receive the Eucharist we are present at the Altar of the Cross during that one and only sacrifice, we stand in the Spirit with the women at the foot of the cross, present with our Lord in the time of His death.   From where we receive Him unto eternal life. How grave a sin it is to deny anyone this opportunity.

 

St. Francis's Reflection on the Eucharist

 

Let every one be struck with fear,
let the whole world tremble,
and let the heavens exult
when Christ the Son of the Living God,
is present on the altar in the hands of a priest!
O wonderful loftiness and stupendous dignity!
O sublime humility!
O humble sublimity!
The Lord of the universe,
God and the Son of God,
so humbles Himself
that for our salvation
He hides Himself
under an ordinary piece of bread!
Brothers, look at the humility of God,
and pour out your hearts before him!
Humble yourselves
that you may be exalted by Him!
Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves,
that He who gives Himself totally to you
May receive you totally!

Amen.

 

Love of self is most important.

 

 

Love of self is most important.   26th May 2011,   Love of self is most important….   Jesus taught us to love our neighbour as our self.   The Greatest Commandment   34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (NIV)   As a child I was taught to put God first, others second and myself last, to do this requires enough love for ourselves, of ourselves so that we can return love to God and extend it to others.   When we are twisted with self-hate we have nothing to return to God but that hate and most assuredly no one would want to receive such a love from us.   Lord teach us to love ourselves that we might love God and humans rightly.

 

Day 26. Admonition 23.

 

Day 26. Admonition 23.   Of True Correction. ·        Blessed is the servant who bears discipline, accusation, and blame from others, as patiently as if they came from themselves.   ·        Blessed is the servant who, when reproved, mildly submits, modestly obeys, humbly confesses, and willingly satisfies.   ·        Blessed is the servant who, when they are without fault, is not prompted to excuse themselves, but who humbly bears the shame and reproof for the sin.

How many of us, today, do find ourselves in the position of bearing discipline, accusation and blame from others?   Is this something one might expect to face in everyday working life?   Might we still be accountable in our Parish lives?   Francis wrote for the benefit of his brothers in Religion.   As I read today’s Admonition questions present themselves to me, as though I am trying not to confront the situation wherein I am accountable to someone for something.   In all things we are accountable to God   To bear discipline, accusation and blame from others as patiently as I would bear them from myself begs patience from me, for me. If I am harsh with myself then I will not want to receive the same patience from another.   I am blessed when I have enough patience with myself that I do not cringe at receiving admonition from another. That I can be blessed in receiving correction.   Enough patience to cope with consequences.   And by all means carry this over into working and family life.

 

Day 31 Admonition 28

Day 31. Of hiding Good lest it be lost. Blessed is the servant who stores up in heaven the good things which the Lord shows them; and who does not wish to manifest the good things to people through the hope of reward.  For the Most High will Himself manifest his works to whomsoever He may please. Blessed is the servant who keeps the secrets of the Lord in their heart.

Day 30. Admonition 27

 

Day 30. Admonition 27

 

Of the Virtues putting Vices to flight.

 

1.    Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance

 

2.    Where there is patience and humility there is neither anger nor worry.

 

3.    Where there is poverty and joy there is neither cupidity nor avarice.

 

4.    Where there is quiet and meditation there is neither solicitude nor dissipation.

 

5.    Where there is the fear of the Lord to guard the house the enemy cannot find a way to enter.

 

6.    Where there is mercy and discretion there is neither excess nor hard-heartedness.