Welcome To My World!

SEPTEMBER 11
BLESSED LOUIS OF THURINGIA

This German prince lived during the last part of the twelfth and first part of the thirteenth centuries. He married St. Elizabeth of Hungary when he was twenty-one and she was just fourteen. The marriage had been arranged by their parents. This was the custom. But they both loved God, and he gave them great love for each other. So it was that they were very happy together. Their joy increased when God sent them their three children. The youngest was Blessed Gertrude.

Louis helped his wife in her many works of charity for the poor. He also joined her in devout prayer. Time after time, the people saw their handsome prince and his lovely wife helping the poor. It is said that once Elizabeth brought a leper into their castle and nursed him in their bed. For a moment, when Louis saw that, he was angry. Then, suddenly, instead of the leper, he saw our crucified Lord lying there. After that proof of how much Jesus appreciated Elizabeth's charity, Louis had a hospital for lepers built.

One long, bitter cold winter, Louis had to be away from his land. When he returned, Elizabeth was overjoyed. The next year Louis left on a Crusade to free the Holy Land from the Muslims. But on the way, he caught malaria, and soon was dying.

Because he had always lived in close union with Jesus, the brave ruler felt no fear of death. He received the Last Sacraments and died peacefully in 1227.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Monday (9/11): "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?"

Scripture: Luke 6:6-11

6 On another Sabbath, when he entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." And he rose and stood there. 9 And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" 10 And he looked around on them all, and said to him, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Meditation: What is God's intention for the commandment, keep holy the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8; Deut. 5:12)? The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law. In a few penetrating words Luke records that Jesus knew their thoughts. They were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God. Jesus shows their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy life.

Why do Christians celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day? Most importantly, we celebrate it to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection (2 Cor. 5:17). God's action is a model for us. If God "rested and was refreshed" on the seventh day, we, too, ought to "rest" and let others, especially the poor, "be refreshed" (see Exodus 31:17; 23:12). Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us. Such "rest" however does not exempt us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else, then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well. Augustine said: "The charity of truth seeks holy leisure; the necessity of charity accepts just work." How can we make Sunday a day holy to the Lord? First, by refraining from unnecessary work and from activities that hinder the worship we owe to God. We can also perform works of mercy, such as humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. And we ought to seek appropriate relaxation of mind and body as well. The joy of the Lord's Day is a great gift to refresh and strengthen us in our love of God and of neighbor (Nehemiah 8:10).

Once upon a time a little candle stood in a room filled with other candles, most of them much larger and much more beautiful than she was. Some were ornate and some were rather simple, like herself. Some were white, some were blue, some were pink, some were green. She had no idea why she was there, and the other candles made her feel rather small and insignificant.

When the sun went down and the room began to get dark, she noticed a large man walking toward her with a ball of fire on a stick. She suddenly realized that the man was going to set her on fire. "No, no!!" she cried, "Aaaaagghhh! Don't burn me, please!" But she knew that she could not be heard and prepared for the pain that would surely follow.

To her surprise, the room filled with light. She wondered where it came from since the man had extinguished his fire stick. To her delight, she realized that the light came from herself.

Then the man struck another fire stick and, one by one, lit the other candles in the room. Each one gave out the same light that she did.

During the next few hours, she noticed that, slowly, her wax began to flow. She became aware that she would soon die. With this realization came a sense of why she had been created. "Perhaps my purpose on earth is to give out light until I die," she mused. And that's exactly what she did.

God created you and I to produce light in a dark world. Like that little candle, we all can produce the same amount of light, no matter how small we are or what color we might be. But we can't produce light until we receive it from an outside source. That source is Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Long ago, in the land of Heart, lived a fair maiden who dared to dream dreams. As a young child, she recalled how her father would set her on his strong knee and tell her many wondrous stories about far away and exciting places; lands she somehow knew she would one day come to also travel upon. Of the many tales her father would tell, there was one particular story that always held special meaning, even carrying her into adulthood. It was the presumed true tale of a certain species of butterfly, one that was seen by very few. What made the butterfly highly sought after was its emerald green wings which housed two small heart shapes, one on each wing, thus its coined name, "the elusive butterfly of love." It was said that the person who finds the elusive butterfly would live happily ever after, thus, it is no wonder the maiden searched ardently for the rare insect.

As a child, the fair maiden would prance about the woods with a butterfly net; laughing, smiling, and dancing about in glee, certain she would soon catch the elusive butterfly, but, to no avail. Weeks turned into months, and months into years, and the fair maiden grew older and wiser, wondering if perhaps the elusive butterfly of love was just a silly tale that old fishermen pass on as they sip their bottles of whiskey at sea.

One day, tired of searching, the maiden set down her net, and placing her face in her hands she began to cry. Upon the drying of her salty tears, the fair maiden decided to go on with living, no longer would the search for the elusive butterfly be part of her life.

Life, indeed, did go on, and one day, when the fair maiden was going about her daily errands, an odd-looking shape fluttered about her head. The maiden waved her arms to shoo the insect away, but no matter what she did, it would keep flying about.

The next day, the maiden was surprised to see the odd-looking shape back again. Closer inspection revealed it was some sort of moth or butterfly. In no way did it look like the elusive butterfly of love, in fact, this butterfly's markings and colors were quite different. And so, the fair maiden would go about her errands, and the odd-looking butterfly would follow her, returning each day to flutter about her head. It was not long before the fair maiden and the butterfly formed a unique relationship. For some odd reason, the butterfly seemed to enjoy the maiden's company, and the fair maiden felt a sense of peace and comfort, knowing her winged companion would never leave her side.

Many years passed, and one day, for some strange reason, the fair maiden recalled how she used to search for the elusive butterfly of love. In fact, the more she looked at her faithful winged companion, the more she wondered about the validity of the story of the elusive butterfly. Curiosity soon began to turn into discontentment with the butterfly she had devoted so much of her life to. "Look at you," she whispered to her faithful companion as he sat upon her finger, "You are not beautiful emerald green. Now, especially after so many years, your wings are dull and frayed. Do not worry though, my little friend, you are not the elusive butterfly of love, but you have been faithful, good, and true. I will keep you by my side always."

The maiden set down her winged companion and went outside to the rose garden to get a breath of fresh air, and what did she see? Green as a sparkling cut emerald fluttering about, a pink heart on each wing; the elusive butterfly of love! Like a young school girl, the maiden pranced with glee, scarcely able to believe her eyes! Suddenly, it dawned on the maiden that now she must decide what to do; should she run for a net, or just watch the elusive butterfly as it flutters about her garden, soon to fly away and most likely never be seen again. Joy turned to sadness as the maiden knew what she must do. The maiden gave the elusive butterfly one final look, acknowledging his existence, and turning away, walked out of the garden to return to her faithful winged companion who had befriended her so many years ago.

Inside the house, the maiden was shocked to see her dear friend looking strangely ill. His wings beat weakly, and he could not even manage to fly. The maiden gently picked up her companion and caressed him in the palm of her hand, clearly evident he was at the end of his life. Upon the butterfly's final breath, the maiden shed many tears, tears which flowed over her loving companions frail body. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a glimmer of light came from out of her hand. "What is this?" the maiden thought. The ragged wings of her beloved companion seemed to reveal under them something more lovely. Carefully, and tenderly, the maiden peeled away the tattered, old shell which encased her winged friends body, to reveal beautiful wings of emerald green, a small pink heart on each side. Both tears and joy filled the maiden's heart, and her story was thus passed down by the old fishermen sitting down by the sea.

Real life application:

Aren't we all guilty to some degree of searching for or desiring something that, in most cases, is right under our very noses? Thankfully, unlike the above fictional story, love is not elusive at all, and in fact, it is all around us, if we would only fearlessly trust, not only God, but the power of love.

A man had a little daughter -- an only and much-beloved child. He lived for her -- she was his life. So when she became ill and her illness resisted the efforts of the best obtainable physicians, he became like a man possessed, moving heaven and earth to bring about her restoration to health.

His best efforts proved unavailing and the child died. The father was totally irreconcilable. He became a bitter recluse, shutting himself away from his many friends and refusing every activity that might restore his poise and bring him back to his normal self. But one night he had a dream.

He was in Heaven, and was witnessing a grand pageant of all the little child angels. They were marching in an apparently endless line past the Great White Throne. Every white-robed angelic child carried a candle. He noticed that one child's candle was not lighted. Then he saw that the child with the dark candle was his own little girl. Rushing to her, while the pageant faltered, he seized her in his arms, caressed her tenderly, and then asked: "How is it, darling that your candle alone is unlighted?" "Father, they often relight it, but your tears always put it out."

Just then he awoke from his dream. The lesson was crystal clear, and its effects were immediate. From that hour on he was not a recluse, but mingled freely and cheerfully with his former friends and associates. No longer would his darling's candle be extinguished by his useless tears.

A tiny drop of water washed away the land and buildings fell, floating away with other people's dreams.

Roadways planned and formed by huge machines and men who sweat and hammer the world into shape, were pushed away with little effort.

People ran and cars clogged highways in an effort to stay ahead of the possible destruction that tiny drop of water could cause.

"Wait!" you say. "It was much more than a tiny drop of water. The streams overflowed and the rivers broke through their banks causing a wall of water to destroy those things."

Yes, but it was made up of tiny drops of water. Raindrops which together wore a path right through my yard with little effort. One drop, then two then thousands, millions and all together they changed the world, our world.

Can't you see the significance in that?

I want to change the world. I am tired, worn out from weeping at the sight of still another death not just on the field of battle laid out by warriors, but in the streets of every city, in the fields of the impoverished, desolate reaches of the world. They are dying in my country and yours by bullet, by starvation, disease, arrogance, stupidity and pride.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

I am but one drop in the sea of humanity, but like the rain I can join together with others and wash away the hatred and pain I anguish over. One drop, then two, then thousands, millions and all together we can change the world. our world.

I want to change my life. I am tired of being in debt. I am worn out from trying to keep pace with the world. I have tried my very best to get ahead and find myself falling behind each step of the way.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

It fell upon the hillside just behind my house. One single drop of water joined with others forming a stream.

Like trying one more time. Like doing one more thing. Like pushing one more inch to reach the goal, the dream I long to touch and make reality. All my little efforts make big changes.

The little stream that ran down my driveway, never having been there before, began as one single drop, until one drop after another, trying again and again, washed the soil away and moved the tiny pebble and eventually the rock.

I cannot push away the fear nor change my life overnight, but if I dedicate myself to one single effort each and every day, I will see the power of changing little things to make a big difference.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

I am just one drop in the sea of humanity. But I have the power to change my life and the sacred obligation to move the world in the right direction.

How?

One drop, then two, then thousands, millions and all together we change the world, our world.

A tiny drop of water gave me hope.

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.

All men who have achieved great things
have been great dreamers.

- Orison Swett Marden -

SEPTEMBER 10
ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO

Nicholas was born in 1245 in Ancona, Italy. His parents had waited long and anxiously for a child. Nicholas was the answer to prayer and a pilgrimage the couple had made to the shrine of St. Nicholas of Bari. The couple was so grateful to the saint that they named their baby after him. When the boy grew up, he talked about becoming a priest. He was prayerful and wanted to live close to God. Friends of his family wanted him to be a priest in a wealthy parish where Nicholas would be promoted. Nicholas didn't say much, but he quietly searched and prayed. One day he slipped into a church. A fervent Augustinian priest was preaching a sermon. He said: "Don't love the world or the things of this world because this world is passing away." Nicholas thought about this. He went away with the words dancing in his head. He realized how God had used that preacher to touch his own life. He became convinced of the importance of preaching God's Word. He made up his mind to ask to join the same order to which that priest belonged.

The order was the Augustinian Friars and the priest was Father Reginald who became his novice master. Friar Nicholas professed his vows when he was eighteen. Then he began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained around 1270. Father Nicholas performed his preaching ministry with love in various parishes. Then while praying in church one day, he seemed to hear a voice saying: "To Tolentino, to Tolentino. Stay there." Shortly afterward, he was assigned to the town of Tolentino. He spent the remaining thirty years of his life there. There was great political unrest in those times. Many people did not come to church to hear the Word and to worship the Lord. The friars of St. Augustine decided that street-preaching was necessary. St. Nicholas was chosen to be part of this initiative. He preached outside and in gathering places willingly. People listened and many repented of their sins and lack of caring. They led better lives. Father Nicholas spent hours in the slum areas of Tolentino. He visited the lonely. He brought the sacraments to the sick and dying. He took care of the needs of children and visited prisoners. Miracles were reported while St. Nicholas was still alive. He touched a diseased child and said, "May the good God make you well," and the child was cured.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino was sick for about a year before he died on September 10, 1305. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Eugene IV in 1446.

Daily Reading & Meditation

Sunday (9/10): "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak"

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. 33 And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; 34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."

Meditation: Do you expect the Lord to treat you well? Whatever Jesus did, he did well. He demonstrated both the beauty and goodness of God in his actions. When Jesus heals a man who is both deaf and a stutterer he shows his considerateness for this man's predicament. Jesus takes him aside privately, not doubt to remove him from embarrassment with a noisy crowd of gawkers. He puts his fingers into his ears and he touches his tongue with his own spittle to physically identify with this man's infirmity and to awaken faith in him. With a word of command the poor man's ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. What is the significance of Jesus putting his fingers in the man’s ears? Gregory the Great from the 6th century writes: “The Spirit is called the finger of God. When the Lord puts his fingers into the ears of the deaf mute, he was opening the soul of man to faith through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” The people's response to this miracle testifies to Jesus' great care for others: He has done all things well. No problem or burden was too much for Jesus' careful consideration. The Lord treats each of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves.