Restraining the tongue
The tongue should be prudently restrained, but not completely tied up.
It is written: Whoever is wise will keep silence until the right moment.
In
other words, when it
is seen that speech would be opportune the censorship of silence is
relaxed,
and an effort
made to speak some appropriate word. Elsewhere it is written: There is a
time to keep silence
and a time to speak. Different circumstances should be prudently judged;
the
tongue should
not be unprofitably loosened in speech when it ought to be restrained; nor
should it indolently
withhold speech when it could speak with profit. Reflecting well upon
these
things, the psalmist
says: Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, and a door of discretion before
my
lips. He does
not ask for a wall to be set before his lips but a door, in other words,
something that can be
opened and closed. We must take care to learn, then, when we should
discreetly and at the
proper time open our mouths to speak, and when we should keep them closed
and preserve
a fitting silence.
-Gregory the Great
<<>><<>><<>>
April 6th - Blessed Zefirino Agostini (AC)
Born in Verona, Italy, September 24, 1813; died there on April 6, 1896;
beatified October 24, 1998.
Blessed Zefirino was the elder son of the physician Antonio Agostini and
his
wife Angela Frattini. Upon the death of the pious Antonio, the two boys
were
raised by their mother with a gentleness and wisdom that left its mark on
the souls of her children and led Zefirino to his priestly vocation.
Following his ordination on March 11, 1837, at the hands of Bishop Grasser
of Verona, Zefirino was assigned to the poor parish of Saint Nazarius,
where
he had been baptized on September 28, 1813. The first eight years he had
responsibility for teaching the catechism and running the recreational
program for boys.
In 1845, he was named pastor. Although the parish was large and poor,
Father
Agostini never allowed his fatherly heart to be overcome by its problems.
He
knew that his first priority was to develop his relationship with God
through personal prayer because God was the source of his joy and power to
do good.
God filled Father Agostini with apostolic zeal. He established an
after-school program for girls and catechetical instruction for their
mothers. To inspire women, he held up the ideal of Saint Angela Merici and
celebrated her feast. Three young women followed that inspiration and
devoted themselves to the neediest in the community.
Realizing that this was indeed God's will, Father Agostini founded the
Pious
Union of Sister Devoted to Saint Angela Merici, even though he lacked the
means to support them. Their rule was approved by Bishop Ricabona in 1856
and the first charitable school was opened in November. The first women
who
assisted him in this endeavor continued to live with their families until
after 1860 when Father Agostini wrote a rule that was approved for the
first
Ursuline community. On September 24, 1869, the first twelve Ursuline
Daughters of Mary Immaculate made their professions. They had the option
of
living in community or with their families.
Father Agostini's humility and trust in the providence of God was revealed
clearly in his 1874 statement to the sisters: "Do not be dismayed by toil
or
suffering, nor by the meager fruit of your labors. Remember that God
rewards
not according to results, but effort" (L'Observattore Romano).
<><><><>
Whoever taketh not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of
Me. -Matt. 10:38
"The way is narrow. Whoever expects to walk in it with ease must go
detached
from all things, leaning on the staff of the Cross; that is firmly
resolving
to be willing to suffer in all things for love of God"
-St. John of the Cross
Taulerus relates that he knew a great servant of God who had many visions
and revelations, and was acquainted with the interpretations of Scripture
and the secrets of hearts. But becoming afraid that gifts of one sort
might
prove a hindrance to favors of another kind, and so prevent him from being
loved by God, he earnestly besought the Lord to be pleased to take away
from
him every consolation; and he was heard. For five years in succession, he
never had the slightest spiritual joy nor any celestial inspiration or
illumination, but always led a life full of afflictions, temptations and
spiritual aridity. Finally, the Lord was moved with pity at so much
suffering, and one day sent two angels to console him a little. But he,
contented in his sorrows, refused this consolation, and turning his heart
to
God said: "0 Lord, I do not desire any pleasure in this world, nor do I
wish
that anyone should enter my heart save Thyself, 0 my Beloved! for it is
enough consolation for me if Thy holy will be done in me." This beautiful
act of detachment pleased God so much that the Eternal Father proclaimed
him
His beloved child.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote
6 Then Jesus said to them: My time is not yet come; but your time is
always
ready. (John 7:6)
<><><><>
Jesus began His ministry by being hungry,
Yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty,
Yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary,
Yet He is our rest.
Jesus paid tribute,
Yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon,
Yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept,
Yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver,
Yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter,
Yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died,
Yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.
*Written by Gregory of Nazasazus
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