 |
|
| Religion Forum Index » Religions - Miscellaneous » — John 8:31-36 —... |
|
Page 1 of 1 |
|
| Author |
Message |
| Weedy... |
 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:24 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
- John 8:31-36 -
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my
teaching, you
are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set
you free."
They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been
slaves of
anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to
sin. Now a
slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it
forever. So
if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
__________________________
Praise God - Jesus can set us free. The first step to liberty is
recognition of
our current captivity. Does sin have a powerful hold on you? Ask
Almighty God to
reveal wrong attitudes, actions and priorities. These are not always
obvious,
but he lovingly desires to show you and break you free.
<<>><<>><<>>
November 6th - Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira
Nuno Alvares Pereira was born in 1360 at Bom Jardim near Lisbon,
Portugal. He
married at age 17, and was named commander of Portugal's armies when
he was 23
by the Grand Master of the Knights of Aviz, who became King John I.
These
Portuguese knights took up arms to keep from falling under Spanish
domination.
Under Blessed Nuno's command, the tide was turned and Portugal
triumphed at the
Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, when the Castilian forces were defeated
by a
smaller but better-organized Portuguese army. After the death of his
wife, Nuno
became a Carmelite monk in a monastery he had founded in Lisbon.
Called the
Constable, he is one of the great heroes of Portugal.
The first military campaigns of Nuno Alvares Pereira were, according
to his own
words, simple skirmishes on the borders of Portugal. He was an
impetuous and
brave young man who soon showed himself to be an excellent leader.
On a certain occasion, for example, a great Castilian fleet had
appeared in
Lisbon to blockade its port and invade the city. One day Nuno Alvares
came upon
250 Castilians who were coming ashore from their boats. He gathered 60
men and
went to face them. He and a few knights charged them in an attack, but
the rest
of his company remained behind in fear.
His horse was wounded and fell on his leg, trapping him. When the
Castilians saw
the Portuguese commander in this position, they took courage and made
a strong
counter-attack. But when the rest of the Portuguese combatants saw
that Nuno had
continued to attack the enemy, even from the ground, they took courage
and began
to fight, entering the fray with great fury. Although the Portuguese
were
outnumbered four to one, under Nuno's command they put the Castilians
to flight
and killed almost all.
On August 15, 1243, Nuno was admitted into the Carmelite Order as a
simple monk
under the name of Nuno de Santa Maria [Nuno of St. Mary]. He became a
great
religious, just as he was a great soldier. With him in the monastery
was a
priest who, before his ordination, had been a soldier and served under
Nuno's
command. When he used to pass, the monk Nuno would kiss the mantle of
the priest
as a sign of respect for his dignity. In his turn, the priest used to
say that
one of the greatest honors of his life had been to serve as a page of
the
Constable.
During the last year of his life, Nuno was visited by King John I, who
embraced
him for the last time. The King wept, for he considered Nuno his
closest friend,
the one who had put him on the throne and established with him the
Royal House
of Bragança.
When Nuno realized his last hour had arrived, he asked that the
Passion of Our
Lord from the Gospel of St. John be read aloud. He expired as the
lector
pronounced Our Lord's words from the Cross: "Ecce Mater Tua." [Behold
Thy
Mother] Blessed Nuno was renowned for his devotion to Our Lady and did
much to
spread the devotions of the rosary and scapular in Portugal.
On his tomb one can read this epitaph:
"Here lies that famous Nuno, the Constable, founder of the House of
Bragança,
excellent general, blessed monk, who during his life on earth so
ardently
desired the Kingdom of Heaven that after his death, he merited the
eternal
company of the Saints. His worldly honors were countless, but he
turned his back
on them. He was a great Prince, but he made himself a humble monk. He
founded,
built and endowed this church in which his body rests."
Comments of the late Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira: (died 1995)
The episodes narrated in this selection are very significant.
First, in the monastery, there was the beautiful reciprocity of
respect between
the Constable - now a monk - and the priest - formerly a page. When
the priest
used to pass, Nuno would rise and go to pay homage to him as a priest.
The
latter was honored to have been a page of Dom Nuno Alvares Pereira
when they
were in the world. The Catholic spirit is one that rejoices in
recognizing the
superiority of others. In that time such joy was manifested in signs
and
addresses of mutual respect and admiration, which added great valor to
Christian
Civilization.
Second, you can see how Dom Nuno went to battle with the energy of his
whole
personality, communicating his courage to all the others. Dom Nuno
showed how
the true Catholic warrior should carry himself and fight with courage,
communicating strength to his companions.
Third, the adieu of the King to Blessed Nuno was also magnificent. At
that time
you can see that persons had no fear of death. It was frequent for a
man to have
a presentiment of his approaching end. If he were strong enough, he
would visit
his close friends and relatives to say farewell. Likewise, the persons
who knew
him would be advised so that they could come to visit and say a final
adieu.
Everyone took this naturally, because people had faith. The persons
who would
remain in this life used to ask favors of the one who was dying: "I
ask that you
recommend me to Our Lady." "When you will see my patroness, please
remind her
that I still need this and that."
It was a time of courtesy, and people even used to die politely and
elegantly.
If someone was leaving this earth, the polite thing to do was to visit
him and
say farewell. He would express his gratitude, give or receive some
good counsel,
show his esteem for the last time. This was why the King went to visit
Blessed
Nuno. Dom John wanted to manifest his friendship for Blessed Nuno
Alvares
Pereira. Seeing him, the King wept, they embraced, and then each one
went his
own way. Nuno Alvares died, and in Heaven prayed for the King, his
friend.
It was a time of graceful manners. You can see how such elegance and
virtue go
well together and bestow a mutual excellence, one to the other. This
excellence
comes from the tranquility that exudes from a society of souls that
lives with
its eyes directed to Heaven.
Let us ask Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira to give us his courage and his
piety to
fight for the cause of Our Lady and the Holy Church so threatened in
our days,
even when we must fight against great odds. Also let us ask Our Lady
to restore
Christendom and establish her Reign, so that those magnificent values
that
existed in the time of Blessed Nuno can once again shine in society.
See Images at:
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j045sdNuno11-6.htm
Saint Quote:
It is no small gain to know your own ignorance.
-St. Jerome
Bible Quote
He is come up that shall destroy before thy face, that shall keep the
siege:
watch the way, fortify thy loins, strengthen thy power exceedingly.
For the Lord
hath rendered the pride of Jacob, as the pride of Israel: because the
spoilers
have laid them waste, and have marred their vine branches. (Nahum
2:1-2)
<><><><>
RESIGNATION TO THE DIVINE WILL
O Lord my God, I now, at this moment, readily and willingly
accept at Your hands whatever kind of death it may please You
to send me, will all its pains, penalties and sorrows. Amen.
<><><><>
Prayer to St. Joseph for a special favor:
O Blessed St. Joseph, tender-hearted father, faithful guardian of
Jesus,
chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray and beseech thee, to offer
to
God the Father, His Divine Son, bathed in Blood on the Cross for
sinners,
and through the thrice holy name of Jesus obtain for me of the Eternal
Father the favor I implore......
Appease the Divine anger so justly inflamed by my crimes. Beg of Jesus
mercy for thy children. Amid the splendors of eternity, forget not the
sorrows of earth. Be mindful of those who suffer, those who pray,
those
who weep. Stay the Almighty arm which smites me, that by thy prayers
and
those of thy most holy spouse the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus may be
moved
to pity and to pardon. Amen. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:27 am
|
|