Lead Us Not into Temptation
Some persons think we receive no divine aid to avoid sins,
since free choice of the will has been granted to our nature. Hence,
according
to them, it is
not necessary to pray that we may not enter into temptation.
Their opinion is a harmful error, contrary and prejudicial to our
salvation,
which is in Christ.
-Augustine-- On Merit and Forgiveness 2
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May 4th - John Houghton, O Cart. M (RM)
Born in Es***, England, in 1487; died at Tyburn on May 4, 1535; beatified
in
1886; canonized by Pius VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England
and
Wales. Saint John served as a parish priest for four years after his
graduation
from Cambridge. Then he joined the Carthusians, where he was named prior
of
Beauvale Charterhouse in Northampton and, just a few months later, prior
of
London Charterhouse.
In 1534, he and his procurator, Blessed Humphrey Middlemore, were arrested
for
refusing to accept the Act of Succession, which proclaimed the legitimacy
of
Anne Boleyn's children by Henry VIII. They were soon released when they
accepted
the act with the proviso "as far as the law of God allows."
The following year Father Houghton was again arrested when he, Saint
Robert
Lawrence, and Saint Augustine Webster went to Thomas Cromwell to seek an
exemption from taking the oath required in the Act of Supremacy. He, as
the
first of hundreds to refuse to apostatize in favor of the crowned heads of
England, gave a magnificent example to his monks and the whole of Britain
of
fidelity to the Catholic faith.
As the sentence of drawing and quartering was read to Father Houghton, he
said,
"And what wilt thou do with my heart, O Christ?" The three were dragged
through
the streets of London, treated savagely, and then hanged, drawn, and
quartered
at Tyburn. After his death, John Houghton's body was chopped into pieces
and
hung in various parts of London (Attwater, Benedictines, Delaney).
John Houghton is depicted as a Carthusian with a rope around his neck,
holding
up his heart (Roeder).
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0504.shtml
Saint Quote:
"The Lord sends us tribulation and infirmities to give us the means of
paying
the immense debts we have contracted with Him. Therefore, those who have
good
sense receive them joyfully, for they think more of the good which they
may
derive from them than of the pain which they experience on account of
them" --St. Vincent Ferrer
This Saint unfolded this same sentiment more fully in a sermon which
contained
this pleasing parable: There was a king who had in prison two men who both
owed
him large sums of money. Seeing that they were unable to pay because they
possessed nothing, he threw down a purse full of money upon each of them
with so
much force that they both felt the pain. One, angry at the blow, showed
his
impatience without making any account of the purse; but the other, not
regarding
the pain, recognized the favor done him, and taking the purse, gave thanks
to
the king and paid his debt with the money. "Now, precisely the same thing
happens with us" added the Saint. "We all owe heavy debts to God for the
many
benefits we have received from Him, and for the many sins we have
committed
against Him, nor have we anything of our own to pay them. Therefore, moved
by
pity for us, He sends us the gold of patience in the purse of
tribulations,
that
we may use it to pay our debts. Whoever will not do this only increases
his
debts and renders himself, at the same time, more displeasing to God."
The example of the two thieves crucified with Christ confirms this truth.
By
his
patience, one paid his debts and gained Paradise; while the other, by his
impatience, made himself more than ever a debtor, and obtained for himself
eternal pains.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote: 7 And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the
Father,
the
Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one. (1 John 4:7)
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An Office of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
At that time, Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted
a
crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on him a purple
robe,
and said, "Hail, King of the Jews." And they smote Him with their hands.
And
they spat upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.
And the soldiers took Jesus, and He, bearing His Cross, went forth into a
place called the place of the skull, where they crucified Him, and two
others with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
After this, Jesus, knowing all things which should come to pass, said, "I
thirst." And they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop,
and
put it to His mouth.
And when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink, but said, "It is
finished." And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
And immediately the earth did quake, and the sun was darkened. And the
veil
of the Temple was rent, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened,
and
those who slept arose. Which things, when the centurion saw, he said,
"Truly, this was the Son of God."
At length one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith
came thereout blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and we know
that his record is true.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus Christ, who for us sinners didst place Thy hands and Thy feet
and
Thy whole body upon the wood of the Cross; and didst bear the crown of
thorns, set upon Thy head by the soldiers in dishonor of Thy most Holy
Body;
and hanging upon the Cross didst suffer five wounds for the sake of us
sinners, and hast redeemed us by Thy sacred Blood, grant us we beseech
Thee,
O Lord, this day, and every day, the practice of penitence, abstinence,
patience, humility, and chastity, and light, sense, understanding, and
knowledge of the truth, even unto the end. Through Thee, Jesus Christ,
Saviour of the world, King of glory, who, together with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, livest and reignest God, world without end. - Amen.
POPE JOHN XXII
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