Barefoot Christians
.. . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15
Soldiers in antiquity sometimes faced a frightening prospect. Their
enemies
would set spikes into the ground, which, if stepped on, would slice open
the
foot like a razor. Roman forces, therefore, wore sturdy greaves, or boots,
which
were less likely to be punctured.
It won't do to be a barefoot Christian. We must be shod with the
preparation of
the Gospel of peace. Our feet, in the Scripture, are symbols of going.
Both
Isaiah and Paul speak of the beautiful feet of those bearing Good Tidings.
Jesus
told us to go into all the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.
There is a certain safety when we're shod with evangelistic zeal. When
we're
determined to share Christ, our feet are, as it were, protected from many
of the
spikes the devil plants in our pathway. Every problem becomes a pulpit,
and
every sorrow becomes a sermon. Whatever the devil throws at us becomes an
occasion to witness for Christ. Paul told the Philippians, "The things
which
happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel"
(1:12).
Don't go barefoot into battle. Fit your feet with the Gospel of peace.
Turning Point
The Gospel of peace . . . brings the joyful tidings of peace betwixt God
and man
by the blood of Jesus; and this is so welcome to the trembling conscience.
from The Christian Armor
<<>><<>><<>>
February 27th - Saint Auguste Chapdelaine
(Also known as: Father Ma; Papa Chapdelaine; Augustus Chapdelaine)
Born: 6 January 1814 at La Rochelle-Normande, France.
Youngest of nine children born to Nicolas Chapdelaine and Madeleine
Dodeman.
Following grammar school, Auguste dropped out to work on the family farm.
He
early felt a call to the priesthood, but his family opposed it, needing
his help
on the farm. However, the sudden death of two of his brothers caused them
to
re-think forcing him to ignore his life's vocation, and they finally
approved.
He entered the minor seminary at Mortain on 1 October 1834, studying with
boys
half his age. It led to his being nicknamed Papa Chapdelaine, which stuck
with
him the rest of his life.
Ordained on 10 June 1843 at age 29. Associate pastor in Bouncy for seven
years
beginning on 23 February 1844. In 1851 he finally obtained permission from
his
bishop to enter the foreign missions, and was accepted by French Foreign
Missions; he was two years past their age limit, but his zeal for the
missions
made them approve him anyway. He stayed long enough to say a final Mass,
bury
his sister, and say good-bye to his family, warning them that he would
never see
them again. Left Paris for the Chinese missions on 30 April 1852, landing
in
Singapore on 5 September 1852.
Due to being robbed on the road by bandits, Auguste lost everything he
had, and
had to fall back and regroup before making his way to his missionary
assignment.
He reached Kwang-si province in 1854, and was arrested in Su-Lik-Hien ten
days
later. He spent two to three weeks in prison, but was released, and
ministered
to the locals for two years, converting hundreds. Arrested on 26 February
1856
during a government crackdown, he was returned to Su-Lik-Hien and
sentenced to
death for his work. Tortured with and died with Saint Lawrence Pe-Man and
Saint
Agnes Tsau Kouy. One of the Martyrs of China
Died: beheaded on 29 February 1856 in Su-Lik-Hien, Kwang-Si province,
China
Beatified: 27 May 1900 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized: 1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Quote:
It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous
life.
-Saint John Chrysostom
Bible Quote:
11 For thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and
will
visit them. 12 As the shepherd visiteth his hock in the day when he shall
be in
the midst of his sheep that were scattered, so will I visit my sheep, and
will
deliver them out of all the places where they have been scattered in the
cloudy
and dark day. (Ezechiel 34:11-12)
<><><><>
"THE SINNER'S BANQUET"
BY ST. AMBROSE (340-397)
Archbishop of Milan & Father of the Church
Lord Jesus, you have invited me to your banquet table, though I deserve to
be thrown into the dungeon. So I accept your invitation in fear and
trembling, encouraged only by your mercy and goodness.
My soul and body are defiled by so many sinful deeds. My tongue and my
heart
have run wild without restraint, causing misery to others and shame to
myself. My soul bleeds with the wounds of wrongdoing, and my body is like
a
temple of Satan. If I were to come before you as my judge, you could only
condemn me to eternal torment, for that is what I deserve.
Yet I come before you, not as a judge, but as a savior. I depend not on
your
justice, but on your mercy. As you look upon the wretched creature that I
am, I ask that your eyes be filled with compassion and forgiveness. And as
I
sit at your table, I beg you to renew within me a spirit of holiness, that
I
may be worthy to share your supper.'
|
