- Proverbs 15:15-16 -
All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better a little with the fear of the LORD
than great wealth with turmoil.
_________________________________________________________________________
Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose what
happens
to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to
a
cheerful heart is filling our mind with thoughts that are true, pure,
lovely;
with thoughts that dwell on the good things in life (Philippians 4:8).
Look at
your attitudes and then examine what you allow to enter your mind and what
you
choose to dwell on. You may need to make some changes.
<<>><<>><<>>
February 8th - St. Josephine Bakhita, Ex-Slave and nun
(1869-1947)
As the people of Darfur, Sudan, continue to suffer from their government's
policy of genocide against the African population, it is im****tant to know
of
St. Josephine Bakhita, born in Darfur, so that we may pray to her to
intercede.
St. Josephine Bakhita, born in 1869 in what is now Darfur, Sudan, spent
her
first six years in her native village, until she was kidnapped by slave
traders.
The experience of kidnapping was so traumatic that she forgot her own
name. The
kidnappers therefore gave her the name "Bakhita": "the fortunate one."
One of her purchasers, a general in the Turkish army, had her "branded"
like his
other slaves. A woman expert in the procedure inflicted 114 razor cuts on
the
breasts, arms and abdomen of the 13-year-old. Then she rubbed salt and
flour
into the wounds so that they healed into a permanent seal of owner****p.
Throughout her early life, Bakhita demonstrated an inborn goodness and
gentility
that protected her virtue. The last couple that owned her made no mistake
in
appointing her "nanny" to their little daughter. Having moved to Venice,
Italy,
they enrolled the daughter in a course of religious instruction conducted
by the
Canossian Sisters, a branch of the Sisters of Charity. Bakhita accompanied
the
child to each catechism class. At last the pagan slave from Sudan
encountered
Catholic doctrine and Catholic nuns, and found both deeply impressive.
After nine months, Bakhita's mistress announced that they were returning
to the
Sudan. Bakhita, who now understood that it was God's will that she be
free,
expressed her intention to remain. This was not easy, as the family had
always
treated her well and tried to order her to come with them. During her
period of
indecision the question of her legal status as a slave was also raised
before an
Italian tribunal. Having studied the case carefully, the judge reached the
decision that since Sudan had enacted a law forbidding slavery not long
before
her birth, the young black woman had actually never been a slave. "I am
sure the
Lord gave me strength at that moment," she later wrote, "because he wanted
me
for himself alone.
In 1893 she sought admission into the Canossian Sisters, and in 1896 she
took
final vows as a member of their community. During the next half century,
Sister
Bakhita proved herself a model religious, ever humble, ever grateful. She
was so
recognized for her holiness that, during World War I and World War II, in
her
town of Schio, she was invoked as a protection against falling bombs. She
had
assured the people that no bomb would damage the town, a promise that was
fulfillled.
Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Josephine in 1992. Only eight, years
later,
during the Great Jubilee, he canonized her. The space and beatification
and
canonization was unusually brief. In declaring her a saint the Pope was
doubtless influenced in part by the fact that in the year 2000 Sudan was
still a
land fraught with conflict and notorious for its disregard of civil
rights.
Let us pray to St. Bakhita that the genocide in Darfur comes to an end.
<><><><>
Whoever humbleth himself shall be exalted. -Lk. 14:11
"Humility is necessary not only for the acquisition of virtues but even
for
salvation. For the gate of Heaven, as Christ testifies, is so narrow that
it
admits only little ones"
-St. Bernard
The Pharisee was separated by his condition in life from the rest of
the
people, as this sect formed a kind of religious order, in which they
prayed,
fasted, and performed many other good works; but he was, notwithstanding,
reproved by God. Why, then, was this? For no other reason than that he was
wanting in humility; for he felt much satisfaction in his good works, and
gloried in them as if they were the result of his own virtue.
William, Bishop of Lyons, tells in his Chronicles, of a monk who
often
violated the prescribed silence, but upon being admonished spiritually by
his
Abbot he amended, and became So recollected and so devout that he was
worthy to
receive from God many revelations. Now, it happened that the Father Abbot
was
sent for by a hermit, who, having reached the close of a virtuous life,
desired
to receive from him the last Sacraments. The Abbot went, and took with him
the
silent monk. On the road, a robber, hearing the little bell, accompanied
the
Blessed Sacrament as far as the cell of the dying man; but he stopped
outside,
considering himself unworthy to enter the abode of a saint. After the
hermit had
confessed and received Communion with humility, the robber kept repeating
at the
door, "Oh, Father, if I were but like you, oh, how happy should I be!" The
hermit hearing this, said in his heart, with presumption and complacency,
"You
are right to desire this; who can doubt it?" and immediately expired. Then
the
good Religious began to weep, and withdrew from the Abbot. The robber
followed
them, with tears and hatred for his sins, and the full purpose of
confessing and
doing penance for them, as soon as they should arrive at the monastery.
But he
was not able to reach it, for on the way he fell unexpectedly to the
ground and
died. At this accident, the Religious became joyous again and laughed; and
when
the Abbot asked him why he had been sad at the death of the hermit, and
joyful
at that of the robber, he replied: "Because the former is lost, in
punishment
for his presumption, and the latter saved, on account of his strong
resolution
to do fitting penance for his sins; and the sorrow he felt for them was so
great
that it has canceled even all their penalty"
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". February - Humility)
Bible Quote:
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the
greater in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)
<><><><>
Jesus, Prince of all Heavenly truths,
Your Words are carved for eternity!
You have commanded the virtue of honesty,
It is the power against all deceptions.
Direct Your Spirit of honesty upon me,
That by soul may always remain stainless.
Guide my daily thoughts, words and actions,
To join those living by the Spirit of truth.
For honesty yields harmony and loyalty,
Enriching all human relation****ps.
By the power of Your Spirit that flourishes,
Honesty will prevail in this world!
|
