~STRENGTHENED WITH POWER~
"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit In the inner man" Eph 3:16
To the unregenerate soul, many of the declarations of the
Apostle Paul are unfathomable. Most notable among these is the statement
recorded in verse 10 of 2 Corinthians, chapter 12: "I take pleasure in
infirmities (weaknesses), in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,
in
distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
The saint of God, however, can heartily empathize with this pro-found
affirmation. He knows that the strength here referred to by the apostle is
drawn from the power of God in Christ. We who are redeemed in Jesus Christ
know full well that to struggle in our own strength is to tilt at
windmills.
Thus, Paul declares that "(his) strength is made perfect in weakness" (2
Corinthians 12:9) He is saying that he gains strength only as the power of
the indwelling Christ prevails. Hence the confident statement, "I can do
all
things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).
As members of His Body we are specifically instructed, exhorted and
admonished through His Word of truth. And He assures us of our ability to
comply with His requirements by HIS strength, which will enable us to
resist
and persist in accordance with the walk of faith. "God is faithful, who
will
not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" ( 1
Cor. 10: 13b).
And so Paul prays for us"
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November 20th - St. Bernward of Hildesheim, OSB B (RM)
(also known as Berward)
Born c. 960; died at Hildesheim, 1022; canonized 1193 by Pope Celestine
III.
The Saxon Saint Bernward was ordained a priest by Saint Willigis in Mainz,
and after serving as tutor and chaplain to Emperor Otto III was made
bishop
of Hildesheim in 993. His episcopate was disturbed by political and
ecclesiastical troubles, including a seven-year dispute with Saint
Willigis
about the convent at Gandersheim.
Bernward is one of the most attractive figures of medieval Germany-a
German
Saint Dunstan. He is primarily remembered as a patron of the arts. He
himself excelled as an architect, sculptor, decorator, painter and
metal-worker, and Hildesheim became famous for its 'school' of sacred art:
the Bernward bronze doors, cross, column, and candlesticks are still there
to testify to its achievements.
He was also responsible for building Saint Michael's abbey church at
Hildesheim, which has been said to 'represent religious architecture in
the
absolute.'
He died "after having assumed the habit of Saint Benedict"
(Butler-Thurston). In the crypt of this church Saint Bernward lies buried
(Attwater, Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Husenbeth).
In art Saint Bernward is a bishop making a chalice using a goldsmith's
hammer. Sometimes he also holds a short cross in his hand (Roeder). He is
the patron of architects, goldsmiths, painters, and sculptors (Roeder).
This Version taken from:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/ss-index.htm
Saint Quote:
And he says to him again after the resurrection, 'Feed my sheep.' It is on
him that he builds the Church, and to him that he entrusts the sheep to
feed. And although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he
founded a single Chair, thus establi****ng by his own authority the source
and hallmark of the (Church's) oneness. No doubt the others were all that
Peter was, but a primacy is given to Peter, and it is (thus) made clear
that
there is but one flock which is to be fed by all the apostles in common
accord.
-St. Cyprian (AD 228)
Bible Quote
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will
give
to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind
upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19)
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Canticle Apocalypse 4,5
The song of the redeemed
You are worthy, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and
power;
for you made all things, and it is by your will that they existed and were
created.
You are worthy, Lord, to receive the book and open its seals,
for you were killed, and with your blood you have ransomed people from
every
tribe and language and people and nation,
and made them rulers and priests for God; and they will rule over the
earth.
The Lamb is worthy, who was killed, to receive power and riches and
wisdom,
strength and honour, glory and blessing.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
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