Two Kinds of People
Essentially, there are two kinds of people, because there are two kinds
of love. One is holy the other is selfish. One is subject to God; the
other
endeavors to equal him.
One is friendly; the other is envious. One wishes for the neighbor what it
would wish for itself;
the other wishes to subject the neighbor to itself. One guides the
neighbor
in the interests of the
neighbor's good; the other guides the neighbor for its own interests.
- The Literal Meaning of Genesis 11, 15
Prayer. Lord, you are delightful food for the pure of heart.
- Confessions 13, 21 St.Augustine
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April 3rd - St. Richard of Chichester, Bishop
(1197-1253)
Saint Richard of Chichester was born in 1197 in a little town a few miles
from Worcester, England. He and his elder brother were left orphans while
still young, and his brother was imprisoned as a result of their
property's
unpaid debts. Richard gave up the studies which he loved, to farm his
brother's impoverished estate. His brother, in gratitude for Richard's
successful labors, proposed to turn over to him all his lands; but he
refused both the estates and the offer of a brilliant marriage, to study
for
the priesthood at Oxford.
In 1235 Saint Richard was appointed, for his learning and piety,
chancellor
of that University and afterwards chancellor of his diocese by Saint
Edmund,
Archbishop of Canterbury. The new Chancellor stood by the Saint in his
long
contest with the king, and then accompanied him into exile in France, in
the
Abbey of Pontigny. After Saint Edmund's death there, he studied theology
in
Orleans before returning to England to toil as a simple parish priest. He
was, however, soon elected by the Canons of Chichester, when their see
became vacant, for their Bishop. This election greatly displeased the
king,
who had nominated another candidate whom the Canons judged unworthy.
The king in revenge refused to recognize the election, and seized the
revenues of the see. Thus Saint Richard found himself fighting the same
battle in which Saint Edmund had died. He went to Lyons, where he was
consecrated bishop by Innocent IV in 1245, and returning to England he
exercised fully his episcopal rights despite his poverty and the king's
hostility, and thoroughly reformed his see. Young and old loved Saint
Richard, and after two years his revenues were restored. To feed the poor
and heal the sick, he gave all he had and worked miracles; and when the
rights or the sanctity of the Church were concerned, he was inexorable.
A priest of noble blood polluted his office by sin; Richard deprived him
of
his benefice, and refused the king's petition in his favor. On the other
hand, when a knight violently imprisoned a priest, Richard compelled the
knight to walk around the priest's church with the same log of wood on his
neck to which he had chained him. And when the burgesses of Lewes tore a
criminal from the church and hanged him, Richard made them dig up the body
from its unconsecrated grave, and bear it back to the sanctuary they had
violated. Richard died in 1253 while preaching, at the Pope's command, a
crusade against the Saracens.
Reflection. As a loyal brother, as Chancellor and as Bishop, Saint Richard
faithfully performed each duty of his state without a thought for any
personal interest. He who is faithful in little things, will also be
faithful in the great ones, declared Our Lord; and the contrary is also an
invariable law.
Saint Quote:
"Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits Thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults
Which Thou has borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly,
Day by day. Amen."
-Saint Richard of Chichester.
Bible Quote:
8 Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not
gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. 9 Who is he,
and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
(Ecclesiasticus 31:8-9)
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O Holy Spitit
O Holy Spirit, sweet Guest of my soul, remain with me
and see that I ever remain with Thee.
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle
in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created;
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let Us Pray
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Ghost didst instruct the
hearts of the faithful, grant us by the same Spirit to relish
what is right and ever to rejoice in His consolation.
Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
O Holy Spirit, Creator, be propitious to the Catholic Church;
and by Thy heavenly power make it strong and secure
against the attacks of its enemies; and renew in Thy charity
and grace the spirit of Thy servants, whom Thou hast
anointed, that in Thee they may glorify the Father and His
only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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