 |
|
| Religion Forum Index » Religions - Miscellaneous » — 1 Timothy 6:6-8 —... |
|
Page 1 of 1 |
|
| Author |
Message |
| Weedy... |
 Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:04 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
- 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.
__________________________
Contentment is a stranger to most of us. Like octopi, we spend
ourselves
gathering goods, scrambling after promotions, and juggling to include
one more
handful. Eventually, we will collapse with full hands and empty
hearts. The
wealthiest man, King Solomon, wrote, "Better one handful with
tranquility than
two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind" (Eccelsiates 4:6).
Perhaps we
would do well to listen. What could you do with one free hand? A
content heart
keeps a free hand.
<><><><><>
October 30th - St. Marcellus, The Centurion and His Children, Martyrs
(d. 298)
It is believed that Saint Marcellus was born in Arzas of Galicia. A
brave pagan,
he entered upon the career of arms, hoping to gain a large fortune. He
married a
young lady named Nona and they were blessed with twelve children.
Saint
Marcellus was a valorous solider and was promoted to the charge of
centurion; he
had no thought for any advancement except the sort pertaining to his
military
life, when he heard the fervent preaching of a holy bishop of the
church of
Leon. He was converted with his entire family to the Christian
religion. All of
them except his wife would soon give their blood in honor of their
Faith.
The birthday of the Emperor Maximian Herculeus was celebrated in the
year 298
with extraordinary feasting and solemn rites. Marcellus, as a
centurion of the
army, a captain in the legion of Trajan then posted in Mauritania or
Spain, in
order not to defile himself in these impious sacrifices, left his
company,
throwing down his cincture and his arms and declaring aloud that he
was a
soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal King. He was at once committed to
prison.
When the festival was over, he was brought before a judge, and having
reiterated
his faith, was sent under a strong guard to a prefect, Aurelian
Agricolaus. This
Roman officer passed upon him a sentence of death by the sword.
Marcellus was
immediately led to execution and beheaded on the 30th of October of
the year
298. Cassian, the secretary or notary of the court, refused to record
the
sentence pronounced against the martyr, because of its injustice. He
was
immediately hurried to prison, and was beheaded in his turn on the 3rd
of
December.
The children of Saint Marcellus imitated his constancy, and all lost
their lives
for the defense of the Gospel; three of the boys were hanged and then
decapitated at Leon. Their pious mother bought back their bodies for
money and
buried them secretly; they were later transferred to a church built in
their
honor in the city of Leon.
Reflection: "We are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of
God!"
exclaimed one of the Maccabees. This sentiment must ever be that of a
Christian
in the throes of temptation.
Sources: Les Petits Bollandistes: Vies des Saints, by Msgr. Paul
Guérin (Bloud
et Barral: Paris, 1882), Vol. 13; Little Pictorial Lives of the
Saints, a
compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by
John
Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).
Saint Quote:
Remember that Jesus Christ, referring to the humility of the publican,
said that
his prayer was heard. If this was said of a man whose life was evil,
what may we
not hope for if we are really humble?
--St. Vincent de Paul
Bible Quote:
I have suffered the loss of all things, and I count them as dung, that
I may
gain Christ. (Phil. 3:8)
<><><><>
From The Friends Of the Cross,
by Saint Louis de Montfort
Therefore, if anyone wants to come after Me, annihilated and
crucified, he must
glory as I did only in the poverty, humiliation and suffering of My
Cross: "let
him deny himself" (Matt. 16, 24).
Far be from the Company of the Friends of the Cross those who pride
themselves
in suffering, the worldly-wise, elated geniuses and self-conceited
individuals
who are stubborn and puffed-up with their lights and talents. Far be
they from
us, those endless talkers who make plenty of noise but bring forth no
other
fruit than vain glory. Far from us those high-browed devotees
everywhere
displaying the self-sufficient pride of Lucifer: "I am not like the
rest!" (Luke
18, 11). Far be from us those who must always justify themselves when
blamed
resist when attacked and exalt themselves when humbled.
Be careful not to admit into your fellowship those frail, sensitive
persons who
are afraid of the slightest pin-prick, who sob and sigh when faced
with the
lightest suffering, who have never experienced a hair-shirt, a
discipline or any
other penitential instrument, and who with their fashionable
devotions, mingle
the most artful delicacy and the most refined lack of mortification.
<><><><>
Novena - Prayer to St. Philomena
Illustrious Virgin and Martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me
prostrate at the foot of the throne, where it is has pleased the
Most Holy Trinity to place you. Full of confidence in your
protection. I beseech you to intercede for me with God. Ah!
From the height of your heavenly throne, deign to look upon
your humble servant. Spouse of Jesus Christ, in my trouble
console me: strengthen me in temptations; protect me from the
dangers that surround me on all sides: obtain for me...
(make request)
and especially and above all, assist me at the hour of my
death. Amen.
Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us, so that through
your powerful intercession we may obtain that purity of mind
and heart which leads to the perfect love of God. Amen. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:19 am
|
|