Recognize the giver of the gifts
You who have wealth, recognize who has given you the gifts
you have received. Consider yourself, who you are, what has been committed
to your charge,
from whom you have received it, why you have been preferred to most other
people. You are the
servant of the good God, a steward on behalf of your fellow servants. Do
not
imagine that
everything has been provided for your own stomach. Make decisions
regarding
your property
as though it belonged to another. Possessions give you pleasure for a
short
time, but then they will
slip through your fingers and be gone, and you will be required to give an
exact account of them.
What am I to do? It would have been so easy to say: "I will feed the
hungry,
I will open my
barns and call in all the poor. I will imitate Joseph in proclaiming my
good
will toward everyone.
I will issue the generous invitation: 'Let anyone who lacks bread come to
me. You shall share,
each according to need, in the good things God has given me, just as
though
you were drawing
from a common well.'"
-Basil the Great
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February 9th - Blessed Marianus Scotus, OSB Abbot (AC)
(also known as Muirdach MacRobartaigh or Muiredach MacGroarty)
Born in Donegal, Ireland; died 1088. The noble MacRobartaigh family is
related to the O'Donnels, who were the hereditary keepers of the Cathach
(Battle Book of Colmcille). In 1067, Muirdach set out with some companions
on a pilgrimage to Rome. En route he was induced to become a Benedictine
at
Michelsberg Abbey (near Bamberg), Germany. The pilgrims stopped to rest at
a
hostel maintained by the local convent. Its abbess, Emma, learned that
Muirdach was extraordinarily gifted at producing manuscripts. Using the
seemingly irresistible powers of persuasion that all nuns seem to have, he
took up her suggestion and migrated to Upper Minster at Regensburg to
create
the literary treasures of Saint Peter's Church in Regensburg. The most
famous of these are the Pauline Epistles that now reside in the Imperial
Library at Vienna, Austria. The quality and quantity of his artful
productions, which appear inspired by the Holy Spirit gained for him a
reputation for sanctity.
In 1078, he founded and became the abbot of the abbey of Saint Peter in
Regensburg. Having successfully taken charge of the church and abbey
attached to it for the task of copying manuscripts, other Irish monks were
attracted to the mission. The abbey expanded to the point that, within 10
years, plans were made for another such monastery. In this way, Muirdach
originated the congregation of 12 "Scottish," that is, Irish monasteries
in
southern Germany. (The reason for the term "Scottish" is that it was used
from the time of the Romans for the Irish. Even 200 years after the
establishment of the Scottish monarchy, the term was commonly used for
things Irish. Although Scottish monks pressured Pope Leo XIII, who did
permit them in 1515 to take possession of Saint James in Regensburg and
the
abbeys at Constanz and Erfurt. In Germany, the 12 are still known as the
Schottenklöster. )
Saint James Abbey, like the ones to follow, was established with funds
sent
from Ireland. They retained the character and enjoyed privileges normally
granted to Irish monasteries. In the 12th century, the emperor granted to
the abbot of Saint James, considered the motherhouse, the privilege of
using
the half-eagle on his coat of arms, the right to the title of prince, and
the status of independent statehood for the entire congregation of
monasteries, which included the two at Regensburg, two in Vienna, and
foundations at Würzburg, Nuremberg, Constanz, Memmingen, Erfurt, Kelheim,
Oels, and Schottenburg (Silesia) (Benedictines, Montague).
Saint Quote:
"The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he
does
not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend
himself
from it"
-St. Vincent de Paul
Bible Quote
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
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When Macarius was returning one day to his cell, he met the devil,
who, with a scythe in his hand, tried to cut him in pieces. But he could
not
do it, because as soon as he came near, he lost his strength. Then, full
of
rage, he said, "Great misery do I suffer from thee, O Macanus; for, though
I
wish so much to hurt thee, I am not able. It is strange! I do all that
thou
doest, and even more; thou dost fast sometimes, and I never eat; thou
sleepest little, and I never close my eyes; thou art chaste, and so am I.
In
one thing only thou surp*****t me." "And what is that one thing?" inquired
Macarius. "It is thy great humility" replied the demon. Saying this, he
disappeared, and was seen no more.
The devil once appeared to a monk in the form of the Archangel
Gabriel,
and said that he was sent to him by God. The monk replied, "See that thou
be
not sent by another!" And the devil immediately disappeared.
When an old priest was exorcising a possessed person, the demon said
that he would never come out, if he did not first tell him what the goats
and what the lambs were like. The good priest quickly answered: "The goats
are all those who are like me. What the lambs may resemble, God knows."
At
these words, the devil cried out: "Through your humility I can no longer
remain here" and immediately departed.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February - Humility)
<><><><>
Prayer Commending Ourselves to God
O Lord, into your most merciful hands I commend my body and soul, thoughts
and acts, desires and intentions. I commend the needs of my body and soul,
future and past, my faith and hope, the end of my life, the day and hour
of
my death, the burial and resurrection of my body. O most merciful God,
whose
clemency the sins of the world can never transcend, take me, a sinner,
under
the wings of our protection and deliver me from every evil. Cleanse my
iniquities, grant me a reformation of my life, and protect me against
future
transgressions, that I may in no manner ever anger You. Shelter my
weakness
from passions and evil persons, guard me against my visible and invisible
enemies, lead me on the road of salvation and to Yourself, the safe harbor
and haven of my desires. Grant me a happy, peaceful, Christian death, and
protect me from evil spirits. Be merciful to me, your servant, at the
great
judgment, and number me among the blessed flock who stand on your right,
that, together with them, I may forever glorify You, my Creator. Amen.
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