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Sunday, August 18, 2013 “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire,” said Saint Catherine of Sienna in her wisdom. But just who is it that God wants you to be? The process of seeking answers to that question is what the church calls the “process of discernment.” Each of us must take time out at various points in our lives to determine just where we are being called and what will light a fire within us and set the world ablaze. As you determine your fiery course, consider this exhortation from Pope Francis: “We Christians were not chosen by the Lord for little things; push onwards toward the highest principles. Stake your lives on noble ideals.” Monday, August 19 Memorial of St. John Eudes You often find depictions of Saint John Eudes with the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. His devotion and dedication to these hearts stem from one of the central themes of his writings: “Jesus as the source of holiness and Mary as the model of the Christian life.” Pope Benedict XVI said that Saint John Eudes “wanted to recall people, men and women . . . to the heart by showing them the priestly Heart of Christ and the motherly Heart of Mary.” Saint John Eudes’ heart led him to focus on the formation of diocesan clergy. Where is your heart—and those of Jesus and Mary— leading you this day? Tuesday, August 20 Memorial of St. Bernard None of us is immune from the spirit of the age we live in, and sometimes that spirit is not particularly holy. The era of the Crusades in 11th-century Europe was such a time, and even a saint as great as Bernard of Clairvaux was caught up in it. After being persuaded to whip up support for the Second Crusade, Bernard came to regret his involvement in this illconceived venture. Have you ever made a decision you later regretted? We’ve all been there at one time or another, which is one reason saints are so endearing: They were real people who became saints not because they were perfect but because they dealt with their shortcomings in a holy way. Wednesday, August 21 In biblical times olives were a very important commodity. Their oil was applied to skin as a medication—and as a good way to get rid of head
lice! It was part of perfumes and soap and kept lamps lit. Anointing someone with oil marked them for leadership in the faith community; the word messiah—translated into Greek as christos—comes from the Hebrew word for “anointing.” Today you can find oil in the form of chrism—oil mixed with scents—in the “sacraments of initiation,” Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders (Ordination), and in the dedication of altars and church buildings. Food, healing, light, and blessing: Much has come from the humble olive! Thursday, August 22 Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary For many it may be a long time since you crowned a statue of Mary with a wreath of flowers or called her sovereign over your heart, much less Queen of Heaven. Pope Pius XII inaugurated this feast in 1954 and it can sound rather antique these days. If you’re struggling to understand why heaven needs a queen, consider the Second Vatican Council’s description of Mary as the “exemplary realization” of the church. She demonstrates the best of what you’re capable: whole-souled responsiveness to God. When you arrive at that, it’s your day to wear the crown. Friday, August 23 Memorial of St. Rose of Lima When faced with a difficult task, you might hope for an easy answer. As an adult you know that new challenges can also become growing experiences. It is in those times where you see transformation take place in your heart and mind. The one thing you come to know as a Christian is that God wants your love unconditionally at each moment of every day. You can express it easily in times of joy. You realize it can be difficult when issues such as child-care concerns arise or bills cannot be paid on time. Tonight when you close your eyes, whisper to God, “I love you.” Saturday, August 24 Feast of St. Bartholomew The little we know of Bartholomew (a.k.a. Nathaniel) includes a fascinating story in which Jesus (whom he’d never met) pays him the compliment of being a man “without deceit.” Nathaniel was at a loss that Jesus not only knew him and his character but had already somehow seen him “under the fig tree”—an expression that may be a euphemism for being a seeker of peace, a seeker of the kingdom of God. If you feel alone facing what today has in store, pray confidently with the psalmist, “Lord, you probe me and you know me. . . . with all my ways you are familiar,” and, full of trust, encounter again the Lord who knows you. Reprinted with permission from Prepare the Word (©2013)