- 1 Timothy 6:6-8 -
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing
into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and
clothing, we will be content with that.
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It is often helpful to distinguish between needs and wants. We may have
all
we need to live but let ourselves become anxious and discontented over
what
we merely want. Like Paul, we can choose to be content without having all
that we want. The only alternative is to be a slave to our desires.
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May 20th - St. Ethelbert
Date of birth unknown; d. 794; King of the East Angles, was, according to
the "Speculum Historiale" of Richard of Cirencester (d. about 1401), the
son
of King Ethelred and Leofrana, a lady of Mercia. Brought up in piety, he
was
a man of singular humility. Urged to marry, he declared his preference for
a
life of celibacy, but at length consented to woo Altrida (Alfrida),
daughter
of Offa, King of the Mercians. Leofrana foreboded evil and tried to
dissuade
Ethelbert; but in spite of an earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, and a
warning vision, he proceeded from Bury St. Edmunds to Villa Australis,
where
Offa resided. On his arrival Altrida expressed her admiration for
Ethelbert,
declaring that Offa ought to accept him as suzerain. Cynethryth, the
queen-mother, urged by hatred of Ethelbert, so poisoned Offa's mind
against
him, that he accepted the offer of a certain Grimbert to murder their
guest.
Ethelbert, having come for an interview with Offa, was bound and beheaded
by
Grimbert. The body was buried ignominiously, but, revealing itself by a
heavenly light, was translated to the cathedral at Hereford, where many
miracles attested Ethelbert's sanctity. The head was enshrined at
Westminster Abbey.
The "Chronicon" of John Brompton (fl. 1437) adds a few particulars: the
body
with the head was first buried on the banks of the Lugg. On the third
night
the saint commanded one Brithfrid, a nobleman, to convey his relics to
Stratus-way. During the journey the head fell out of the cart and healed a
man who had been blind for eleven years. Finally the body was entombed at
Fernley, the present Hereford. According to Brompton, Altrida became a
recluse at Croyland. Offa repented of his sin (Matthew of Paris represents
Offa as ignorant of the plot till after Ethelbert's murder), gave much
land
to the martyr, "which the church of Hereford holds to the present day",
founded St. Albans and other monasteries, and made his historic pilgrimage
to Rome.
St. Ethelbert figures largely in the Missal, Breviary, and Hymnal of the
Use
of Hereford. His feast is on 20 May. Thirteen English churches, besides
Hereford cathedral, are dedicated in honour of Ethelbert; and one of the
gateways of Norwich cathedral bears his name.
This Version taken from:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05553a.htm
Saint Quote:
Resist your impatience faithfully, practicing, not only with reason, but
even against reason, holy courtesy and sweetness to all, but especially to
those who weary you the most.
-St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote
14 Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria
had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 15 Who, when
they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
16
For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized
in
the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and
they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)
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VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS
Come Thou Holy Spirit, come,
And from Thy celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine.
Come, Thou Father of the poor,
Come, Thou source of all our store,
Come, within our bosoms shrine,
Thou of Comforters the best,
Thou the soul's delightful guest,
Sweet refreshment here below.
In our labor rest most sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
****ne within these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.
Where Thou art not, man hath nought,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew,
On our dryness pour Thy dew,
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Bend the stubborn heart and will,
Melt the frozen, warm the chill,
Guide the steps that go astray.
On Thy faithful who adore,
And confess Thee evermore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts descend.
Give them virtue's sure reward,
Give them Thy salvation, Lord,
Give them joys that never end.
Amen. Alleluia.
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