- 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 -
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him
Jabez,
saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of
Israel,
"Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be
with
me,
and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted
his
request.
_____________________________________________________________________
Jabez is remembered for a prayer request rather than a heroic act. In his
prayer, he asked God to (1) bless him, (2) help him in his work ("enlarge
my
territory"), (3) be with him in all he did, and (4) keep him from evil and
harm.
Jabez acknowledged God as the true center of his work. When we pray for
God's
blessing, we should also pray that he will take his rightful position as
Lord
over our work, our family time, and our recreation. Obeying him in daily
responsibilities is heroic living.
<<>><<>><<>>
January 17th - St. Sulpicius, Bishop
(also known as Sulpice or Sulpicius Le Debonnaire)
Born in Berry; died 647. The very celebrated seminary of Saint-Sulpice in
Paris
is named after this beloved bishop of Bourges, Aquitaine (France) from 624
to
647. Sulpice was born into a wealthy family. In his youth, he renounced
marriage, gave his patrimony to the Church, and devoted himself to Christ.
After
his ordination, he served King Clotaire II as almoner and chaplain for his
armies. He once restored the dangerously ill king to health through his
prayers
and fasting.
In 624, Sulpicius succeeded Saint Austregesilus as the second bishop of
Bourges.
He gained popular admiration for his generosity, solicitude, and defense
of
his
people against the tyranny of the Merovingian kings, particularly an
official of
King Dagobert. His charity seemed inexhaustible and evinced itself in
miraculous
powers. It is related that he converted all the Jews in his diocese and
employed
all his time in prayer and episcopal work.
In 627, Sulpice attended the council of Clichy. Late in life, he resigned
his
position in order to spend more time in solitude. His death and funeral
were
attended by extraordinary demonstrations of popular mourning. The enormous
crowds made it almost impossible for the officiating clergy to conduct the
burial service.
The collection of letters of Saint Desiderius of Cahors contain a set
entitled
"To the holy patriarch, Sulpicius and several of our saint to him." The
famous
monastery of Saint-Sulpice at Bourges is said to have been founded by him
under
the invocation of the Blessed Virgin; it now belongs to the congregation
of
Saint Maur, and is enriched with part of his relics, and some of the blood
of
Saint Stephen, titular saint of the stately cathedral. A bone of one of
the
arms
of Sulpicius is kept in the famous parochial church in Paris (Attwater,
Attwater2, Benedictines, Coulson, Farmer, Husenbeth).
In art Saint Sulpicius is portrayed visiting the sick (Roeder).
Saint Quote:
"Although in entering religion and taking care not to offend God, we may
appear
to have done everything, ah! how often certain worms remain, which do not
allow
themselves to be perceived until they have gnawed away our virtues! Such
worms
are self-love, self-esteem, harsh judgments of others, though in trifles,
and a
great want of charity towards our neighbor. But if, indeed, by dragging
on,
we
satisfy our obligations, we do not do it with that perfection which God
would
expect of us."
-St. Teresa
Bible Quote:
When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king
Herod,
behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is
he
that
is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are
come to
adore him. (Matthew 2:1-2)
<><><><>
Litany in Honor of the Holy Cross; drawn from the Imitation of Christ by
Thomas A Kempis, 1380-1471.
The word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who
are
being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:18)
Antiphon: God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus
Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
(Gal. 6:14)
Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in heaven, but few who bear His Cross.
He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds
many
to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him,
but
few are willing to suffer for His sake. -- Ant.
Why do you fear to take up the Cross, which is the road to the Kingdom? In
the Cross is salvation and life, protection against our enemies, infusion
of
heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind, joy of spirit,
excellence of virtue, perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of
soul,
nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross. -- Ant.
Take up the Cross, therefore, and follow Jesus, and go forward into
eternal
life. Christ has gone before you, bearing His Cross; He died for you on
the
Cross, that you also may bear your cross, and desire to die on the Cross
with Him. For if you die with Him, you will also live with Him. And if you
share his sufferings, you will also share His glory. -- Ant.
See how in the Cross all things consist, and in dying on it all things
depend. There is no other way to life and to true inner peace, than the
way
of the Cross. Go where you will, seek what you will; you will find no
higher way above nor safer way below than the road of the Holy Cross. --
Ant.
The Cross always stands ready, and everywhere awaits you. You cannot
escape
it, wherever you flee; for wherever you go, you bear yourself, and always
find yourself. Look up or down, without you or within, and everywhere you
will find the Cross. And everywhere you must have patience, if you wish to
attain inner peace, and win an eternal crown. -- Ant.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us to follow Thee not only to the Breaking
of
Thy Body, but also to the drinking of the Blood of Thy Passion. Help us to
love Thee, for Thine own sake, and not for the sake of comfort for
ourselves. Make us worthy to suffer for Thy name, Jesus, our Crucified and
risen Lord and Saviour, now and forever. Amen.
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