Relation****ps Cease, the Lord Remains
Scripture: II Timothy 4:16-17 "No man stood with me, but all men forsook
me ... But the Lord stood with me, and strengthen me."
Earlier in this chapter, Paul says that he fought a good fight, he
finished
his course, and he kept the faith. He had a determination not to let
anything or anyone deter him from preaching the gospel and fulfilling
God's
plan for his life. Paul goes on to explain that Demas deserted him and
that
a coppersmith by the name of Alexander did much evil towards him. Not
only
that, Paul faced other disappointments. When he had his court hearing, no
one defended him. Paul found himself standing alone, but took comfort in
his situation, for he knew that the Lord was with him and would strengthen
him.
There are seasons in life when relation****ps become strained or cease to
be.
Those who were with you suddenly turn and leave with no decent
explanations.
And those who have conflicting opinions stir up confusion and fight
against
you. For one reason or another, you are abandoned by those that you loved
and trusted and those that you thought loved you. And like Paul, there
seems to be no help even though you are endeavoring to serve the Lord. In
your darkest hour, you are left alone in the arena of life to manage your
disappointments and your discouragement.
However, you can always take comfort in knowing that God will always be
there for you. Even though others desert you, He will never leave you or
forsake you. Each new door will present the op****tunity to fail or
succeed,
to win or lose, to continue or to quit. The actions and opinions of
others
do not fit into this equation. It remains your choice to fulfill God's
will
and purposes for your own life. With Paul, he fought a good fight, he
finished his course, and he kept the faith. Regardless of his hard****ps
and
the disappointments of his relation****ps, he did not quit and his battle
scars won him a crown of righteousness. God also has a crown for you.
Trust in Him when all others forsake you. He will give you strength to
endure the present and empower you for the task that is set before you.
+++
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March 26th - St. Macartin of Clogher B (AC)
(also known as Macartan, MacCartan, Maccarthen)
Died c. 505; feast day formerly March 24. Saint Macartin (in Irish is Aedh
mac
Carthin) was an early disciple and companion of Saint Patrick during the
latter's missions into pagan territory. He is said to have been
consecrated
bishop of Clogher in Tyrone by Patrick in 454. It is said that Saint
Brigid,
Macartin's niece, was present at the founding of the see.
Macartin is also one of the earliest Irish saints to be known as a
miracle-worker. His holiness is revealed not so much by any vita, which
are
non-existent, but by the high veneration in which he is held. Saint Bede
records
that the earth was taken from his grave as holy relics. His Office is the
only
one to survive from an Irish source.
A reliquary, called the Great Shrine of Saint Mac Cairthinn, which was
designed
to contain relics of the True Cross as well as his bones, has been altered
over
the centuries but still survives as the "Domnach Airgid" in the National
Museum.
It's inner yew box was given to Macartin by Patrick together with the
latter's
episcopal staff and Bible.
The Cloch-Oir (Golden Stone), from which this ancient diocese takes its
name,
was a sacred ceremonial stone to the druids, It was given to Macartin by
an
old
pagan noble, who had harassed Macartin in every possible way until the
saint's
patient love won the local ruler to the faith. The stone is still
preserved
and
the noble's son, Tighernach of Clones, succeed Macartin as bishop
(Benedictines,
D'Arcy, Farmer, Healy, Kenney, Montague, Muirhead, Needham).
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"Thou oughtest not to let a day pass in which thou hast not trampled upon
thy
will; and if such a thing should happen, consider that on that day thou
hast
not
been a religious"
-St. John Climacus
St Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi was extremely fond of not doing her own will,
and
made a study of it, so that she regarded that day as utterly lost in which
she
had not in some manner broken and denied it.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". March - Mortification)
Bible Quote:
1 And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth: 2 And his
disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents,
that
he
should be born blind? 3 Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor
his
parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I
must
work
the works of him that sent me, whilst it is day: the night cometh, when no
man
can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
(John
9:1-5)
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Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, That never was it known that any
one
who
fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession
was
left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of
Virgins,
my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O
Mother
of
the Word Incarnate despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and
answer
me. Amen.
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