- Romans 8:14-17 -
...because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For
you
did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you
received
the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit
himself
testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are
children,
then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we
share in
his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
______________________________________________________________________
We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves to fear and burdens of this
life;
instead we are the Master's children. What a privledge! Because we are
God's
children, we share in great treasures as co-heirs. God has already given
us
his
best gifts; his Son, forgiveness and eternal life; and he encourages us to
ask
him for whatever we need.
<<>><<>><<>>
January 11th - Blessed William Carter
(d. 1584)
Born in London, William Carter entered the printing business at an early
age.
For many years he served as apprentice to well-known Catholic printers,
one
of
whom served a prison sentence for persisting in the Catholic faith.
William
himself served time in prison following his arrest for "printing lewd
[i.e.,
Catholic] pamphlets" as well as possessing books upholding Catholicism.
But even more, he offended public officials by publishing works that aimed
to
keep Catholics firm in their faith. Officials who searched his house found
various vestments and suspect books, and even managed to extract
information
from William's distraught wife. Over the next 18 months William remained
in
prison, suffering torture and learning of his wife's death.
He was eventually charged with printing and publishing the Treatise of
Schisme,
which allegedly incited violence by Catholics and which was said to have
been
written by a traitor and addressed to traitors. While William calmly
placed
his
trust in God, the jury met for only 15 minutes before reaching a verdict
of
"guilty." William, who made his final confession to a priest who was being
tried
alongside him, was hanged, drawn and quartered the following day: January
11,
1584.
He was beatified in 1987.
Comment:
It didn't pay to be Catholic in Elizabeth I's realm. In an age when
religious
diversity did not yet seem possible, it was high treason, and practicing
the
faith was dangerous. William gave his life for his efforts to encourage
his
brothers and sisters to keep up the struggle. These days, our brothers and
sisters also need encouragement-not because their lives are at risk, but
because
many other factors besiege their faith. They look to us.
Saint Quote:
"Those who go off to heretics, and all who leave the [Catholic Roman]
Church
for
heresy, abandon the name of Christ. Those who call these men 'Christians'
are in
grievous error, since they neither understand Scripture at all nor the
faith
which it contains."
-St. Athanasius (Doctor, 296-373) - "Discourse Against the Arians,"
Bible Quote:
Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory
of
the
Lord is risen upon thee.
For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the
Lord
shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaias
60:1-2)
<<>>
ACT OF UNION WITH CHRIST AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN
O most merciful Father, who hast so loved me as to give me Thine
Only-begotten Son for my food and drink, and with Him all things,
look upon the Face of Thine Anointed, in whom Thou art well
pleased. This Thy Beloved Son, and with Him my heart, I offer and
present to Thee for all the blessings Thou hast this day given me.
Mayest Thou, O Father, be now well pleased in Him, and through
Him turn away Thine indignation from me.
Behold the One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ
Jesus, my Advocate and High-Priest, who intercedes for me. Him
do I offer and plead before Thee, who committed no sin, but bore
the sins of the world, and by whose stripes we are healed. Accept,
therefore, O Holy Father, this Unspotted Victim, to the honor and
glory of Thy name, in thanksgiving for all the blessings Thou hast
ever bestowed upon me, for the remission also of my sins, and for
the extinction of all my defects and shortcomings.
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my God and Saviour, present my
petitions to thy Son. O all ye Angels and Saints, citizens of
heaven, join also your prayers with mine. Ye stand always before
the Throne, and see Him face to face, whom I here receive under
veils. Be ever mindful of me, and obtain from Him and through Him
that with you I may bless Him and love Him for ever. Amen.
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