Kathryn Lopez
1. A little Pentecost pre-gaming in the Liturgy of the Hours from Lumen Gentium from the Second Vatican Council:
The Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful as in a temple. He prays in them and bears witness in them to their adoption as sons. He leads the Church into all truth and gives it unity in communion and in service. He endows it with different hierarchical and charismatic gifts, directs it by their means, and enriches it with his fruits.
2.
I want ‘em all!!! Come Holy Spirit! https://t.co/epkhAchV72
— Sister Anne (@nunblogger) May 20, 2015
3.
Today is the feast of St Bernardino of Siena, patron of advertisers, asthmatics, and gamblers!
https://t.co/BUoBQ4Jsrt
— Fr Lawrence Lew OP (@LawrenceOP) May 20, 2015
4. A young Dominican in Dominicana on saying the name of Jesus.
Saint of the Day: St. Bernardine of Siena He was the greatest preacher of his time, journeying across Italy,… http://t.co/cCWm8igQe1
— Archdio. of Boston (@bostoncatholic) May 20, 2015
5. More from the Liturgy of the Hours, from a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena:
The name of Jesus is the glory of preachers, because the shining splendor of that name causes his word to be proclaimed and heard. And how do you think such an immense, sudden and dazzling light of faith came into the world, if not because Jesus was preached? Was it not through the brilliance and sweet savor of this name that God called us into his marvelous light? When we have been enlightened, and in that same light behold the light of heaven, rightly may the apostle Paul say to us: Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.
So this name must be proclaimed, that it may shine out and never be suppressed. But it must not be preached by someone with sullied mind or unclean lips, but stored up and poured out from a chosen vessel.
That is why our Lord said of Saint Paul: He is a chosen instrument of mine, the vessel of my choice, to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. In this chosen vessel there was to be a drink more pleasing than earth ever knew, offered to all mankind for a price they could pay, so that they would be drawn to taste of it. Poured into other chosen vessels, it would grow and radiate splendor. For our Lord said: He is to carry my name.
When a fire is lit to clear a field, it burns off all the dry and useless weeds and thorns. When the sun rises and darkness is dispelled, robbers, night-prowlers and burglars hide away. So when Paul’s voice was raised to preach the Gospel to the nations, like a great clap of thunder in the sky, his preaching was a blazing fire carrying all before it. It was the sun rising in full glory. Infidelity was consumed by it, false beliefs fled away, and the truth appeared like a great candle lighting the whole world with its brilliant flame.
By word of mouth, by letters, by miracles and by the example of his own life, Saint Paul bore the name of Jesus wherever he went. He praised the name of Jesus at all times, but never more than when bearing witness to his faith.
Moreover, the Apostle did indeed carry this name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel as a light to enlighten all nations. And this was his cry wherever he journeyed: The night is passing away, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves honorably as in the day. Paul himself showed forth the burning and shining light set upon a candlestick, everywhere proclaiming Jesus, and him crucified.
And so the Church, the bride of Christ, strengthened by his testimony, rejoices with the psalmist, singing: O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. The psalmist exhorts her to do this, as he says: Sing to the Lord, and bless his name, proclaim his salvation day after day. And this salvation is Jesus, her savior.
6. Magnificat today has Bernadine of Siena too, with the title “To be Consecrated in the Truth”:
Four benefits spring up in a great sinner when he does return to God, having perceived his fault. The first good thing which does spring up in him who has been a sinner, either when he is in prosperity or in adversity, when he is hated or opposed, or despised, is prudence….
Have you returned to God? Yes. Never would you have known what sin is had you not had experience of it. In antiquis est prudential! In the aged is prudence, and do you know why? Because they have had experience, and have fallen many times and then walk more steadily, they take greater heed where they place their feet; and most of all when they find themselves in that age which is nearing death, they pray God for mercy, and thank God moreover that they did not die in their sins, and that they have had time to return to him….
The second gain is humility with obedience. The soul which has lived sinfully, and then does find itself in evil state, having transgressed and broken the commandments of God, and does then perceive that it has set at nothing his admonitions, commences to return into itself….
He does endeavor to ascend higher than the Church thinks also upon the counsel of holy men, and even surpasses both the commandment and the counsel of holy men….
The third benefit which does spring up in a sinner who returns to God, is compassion for those who as he sees, are leading evil lives….
Hearken how good that sin was, how much good came of it. And therefore I say that he who does not fall cannot have compassion for him who has fallen….
In the sinner converted to God there does spring up also great fervor…. Where sins abounded there does the grace of God more abound, when he does turn to repentance.
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7. Jesus’ Continual Prayer for Our Consecration in the Truth
8.
The early Church's greatest persecutor became the Church's greatest evangelist: St. Paul. So among our adversaries too are future saints.
— Chad Pecknold (@ccpecknold) May 20, 2015
Christian communities, on the other hand, “are called to offer support for the educational mission of families – and they do so above all with the light of the Word of God.” Pope Francis noted how the relations between parents and children, described by St Paul, are rooted in love, which is the gift of God. “Even in the best families there is need of support, and great patience,” he said.
Pope Francis said that the grace of Christ brings to completion what is written in human nature. The many examples of the wisdom of Christian parents show that good family education is the backbone of a healthy society. He prayed, “May the Lord grant to Christian families the faith, the liberty, and the courage necessary for their mission!”
10.
In this world, even the greatest saint is still a saint in the making.
— FrSteveGrunow (@FrSteveGrunow) May 20, 2015
The crucible of sanctity is most often the day to day, low key, sacrifices made in ordinary circumstances for the sake of love.
— FrSteveGrunow (@FrSteveGrunow) May 20, 2015
Extraordinary things may surely come, but do not await the extraordinary and as a result miss the presence of God in ordinary things.
— FrSteveGrunow (@FrSteveGrunow) May 20, 2015
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