Mary Magdalene meditating on the Crucifixion. (Pedro de Mena,1664) July 22 – Feast of St Mary Magdalen Jesus allowed her to wash His feet but knew well what those eyes had looked on. He allowed her lips to kiss His feet knowing what sinful words had fallen from them. He did not shrink from the touch of hands which had served Satan so long. He even welcomed the love …
Jesus
July 22, 2010
"He finds so few really generous souls". Agony in the Garden by Benvenuto di Giovanni c.1491 Life is only a day quickly passed and gone, but the merit of it, the glory given to God, will remain forever. Give Him all you can generously and lovingly, do not let one little sacrifice escape you, they are dear to Him because He finds so few really generous souls who think only …
July 20, 2010
A soldier helping a casualty at the Battle of the Somme From the Gospel of the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: As they were going along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, …
June 27, 2010
The Miraculous Catch of Fish by Gaspar de Crayer Do nothing without consulting Him in the Tabernacle. But then act fearlessly, if you see it is for His honour and glory, never minding what others may think or say. Above all, “cast your care upon the Lord and He shall sustain you”, (Psalm 54. 23). Peace and calm in your soul, prayer ever on your lips, and a big love …
June 25, 2010
"The hand of God is over us and sheltering us" “No evil shall come upon you”, (Jerem. 23. 17). It is a consoling thought that God watches over us with unceasing care; that no matter where we may be – alone in our humble cell or passing through the crowded streets of the feverish panting city – the hand of God is over us and sheltering us from a thousand …
June 20, 2010
Irish soldiers preparing for WWI. Christ expects His army to be "absolutely and lovingly devoted to Him" I have long had the feeling that, since the world is growing so rapidly worse and worse and God has lost His hold, as it were, upon the hearts of men, He is looking all the more earnestly and anxiously for big things from those who are faithful to Him still. He cannot, …
June 20, 2010
Icon of Christ as the Suffering Servant You need not fear whatever He may send you to bear, since His grace will come with it ; but you should always try to keep in mind your offering, living up to the spirit of it. Hence endeavour to see the hand of God in everything that happens to you now; e.g. if you rise in the morning with a headache, thank …
June 20, 2010
A great desire to know our Lord better, His attractive character, His personal love for me, the resolve to read the life of Christ and study the Gospels. I feel also a longing to love Jesus passionately, to try my very best to please Him, and to do all I think will please Him. I see nothing will be dearer to Him than my sanctification, chiefly attained by the …
June 18, 2010
Raphael's disputation of the Holy Sacrament, with the Church Triumphant (the Communion of Saints) above One thing I ask of you, dear child: Don’t be a saint by halves, but give Him all He asks and always.
June 15, 2010
Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David, 1801. I feel that I could go through fire and water to serve such a man as Napoleon, that no sacrifice he could ask would be too hard. What would the army think of me if Napoleon said, “I want you to do so and so”, and I replied “But, your Majesty, I am very sensitive to cold, I want to have a …
June 14, 2010