ST.ANTHONY OF PADOVA

Thy Sins Are Forgiven Thee!

ANTHONY the priest spent long hours in the confessional. There he was brought face to face with strange and sorrowful problems of all kinds. One penitent in particular found that, when he knelt at the feet of this young Franciscan priest, he was unable to confess his sins. The sorrow which filled his heart was so great that he simply could not speak. Anthony read that heart and and knew that it was sincerely penitent. so he said to the man, "Go home, write your sins on a piece of paper, then bring the paper back to me."

The man did so. Anthony bade him read the list. Obediently the penitent started with the first. To his astonishment he saw that, as soon as he had told it, the name of each sin disappeared from the paper. So it went on. When the last sin had been confessed, the paper was perfectly blank.

In Defense of His Own Father!

WHILE St. Anthony was at Padua, a man was killed in Lisbon and the corpse buried in the garden of Anthony's father. Try as he might to prove his innocence, the grisly evidence found in the family garden was enough to convict the poor man of the murder. Just when things were at their worst, God revealed to Anthony the plight of his father.

Immediately, the Saint obtained permission to go to Lisbon. Padua was days away from Lisbon but Anthony was there in a matter of hours. In the court room he asked that the body of the murdered man be produced. Anthony approached the corpse and, in a firm voice, bade the man speak and tell who had killed him. To the amazement of all, the corpse sat up and clearly attested the innocence of the accused. Anthony's father was freed and the next day the Saint was back in Padua. After all, he had asked permission to be away only over night.

ST. ANTHONY OF PADOVA

A Franciscan Vocation Saved! 

The Provincial Chapter of September 1226 appointed Anthony as Custos of the Province of Limoges. Shortly after taking over his new duties in the Order, it was brought to the attention of Anthony that one of the novices was thinking of leaving the community. God revealed the temptation of the young friar so that Anthony might help him in his hour of need.

The novice was called into the presence of his superior. Anthony first embraced the youth with all the tender affection of a father. Then he revealed all that had been troubling the young Franciscan. When he had finished, Anthony breathed on the novice and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" In a moment the troublesome temptation to return to the world had vanished completely. The novice Peter took his vows and persevered in the religious vocation that had been saved for him through the help of St. Anthony.

Anthony Dines With Enemies!

CERTAIN heretics of Rimini decided to end the meddlesome interference of Anthony in their sinful lives. His sermons had turned the attention of the people to their sinful excesses and the only solution was to get rid of the friar. Poison was the easiest way. So they invited the Saint to dinner, planning to poison his food. But God revealed their plans to their intended victim.

Anthony still came to dine. Before he sat down at table he told his enemies of their plot. But they only laughed at him, reminding Anthony of Christ's promise to His disciples, "And if they drink of any poisonous drink, it shall not harm them." If he would eat the poisonous food without harm, they would return to the Faith. Anthony blessed the food and ate it without harm. The heretics confessed their sins and made good their promise.

THE GALILEANS

The following is a quotation taken from the History of the Jewish Nation written by the Historian Josephus Flavius: “They (the Galileans) were very fond of innovations and by nature disposed to changes, and delighted in seditions. They were ever ready to follow a leader who would begin an insurrection. They were quick in temper and given to quarelling. The Galileans have never been destitute of courage. They were ever more anxious for honour than for gain.”

This is the land, these are the people, where, and amongst whom Jesus began His mission. It was His own land; and it would give Him, at least at the beginning, an audience who would listen and kindle at His message.

He began in the synagogue. The Synagogue was the real centre of religious life in Palestine. There was only one Temple, but the Law said that wherever there were ten Jewish families there must be a Synagogue, and so in every town and village it was in the Synagogue that the people met to study the Word of God (the Torah), and to worship.

There were no sacrifices in the synagogue, it was a place reserved for teaching. But, how come that a carpenter from Nazareth, completely unknown and outside the intellectual circle of the learned Scribes and Pharisees, permitted to go up in the Synagogue and address the faithful gathered there? A question we have to answer.

REFLECTION:
Reading about the character of the Galileans, we have to say: “No wonder Peter, a Galilean, was so rash, so quick on the draw, so hyper, in modern jargon, always ready to open up his mouth, ready to take up arms. Yes, he was a perfect product of Galilee. But that was Peter, the Apostle, but what about me, you; John, Mary, Dick and Harry ? Are we any better off than Peter.

How often in life have we taken rash decisions, bullied others with our arguments, were in favour of certain innovations, just for the sake of being original, without studying the consequences thereof, how many times have we imagined ourselves in an honourable position, or in a position of power. How often have we been classified by Jesus in the same class of Peter, the fisherman.

Yet, whatever the case, we know what change came over Simon and what was the result when he let the Master take over, and like the master potter shattered him into small pieces and remoulded him into a new work of art by using the self-same original shreds which one day made up Simon Bar-Jonah, the fisherman. He was transformed into a new being, into Peter, the rock, on whom Christ could rely.

“Lord, take over my whole being and cause that same change, transformation, cause my Transfiguration to fit Your Divine Plan, Amen.”

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

In Martha we are shown the imbalance of a life whose one urge is work and more work; a life that honours energy and perseverence but which neglects the inner world with its need to revivity, the inmost depth of the soul, its care for spiritual beauty and freshness; of keeping one’s intention pure and alert.

There is something one-sided here: Martha, also should have sat down in the Master’s presence, and let somethimg enter her soul. Time to work will be forthcoming afterwards. The main values are not what we produce by OUR drive, talent, or hard work. But the motive behind all this – whether in our deepest self we are true to our supernatural principles, and strive to live up to them.

When the obsession with work becomes imbalanced, it can make a person irritable, nervous, complaining, unjust to others. Work becomes a crushing yoke, a burden instead of being a vocation gladly followed. Nowadays work is indeed a burden which weighs terribly upon humanity. Do not let us allow our soul to become embittered and deformed by work. Let us put our heart into our work which serves to lead us to God.

ST.ANTHONY OF PADOVA
Even Without Her Asking!

A CERTAIN woman of Limoges had planned to hear St. Anthony preach. In her rush to finish the housework she failed to notice what time it was. A neighbor passed by and told her to hurry. Quite foolishly, the woman rushed out of the house, leaving her infant son playing on the floor near the fireplace on which stood a pot of boiling water.
When the sermon was over and the mother had come home, she stopped at the door in utter horror.

Her little one was inside the steaming caldron. Her terror turned to joy when she came closer. The baby was standing in the water, laughing and having a grand time. He was not the least bit harmed. Then the careless mother knew that the safety of her child had been assured through the intercession of St. Anthony. The mother's desire to hear the word of God had saved her from being punished as she might have deserved.

The Devil’s work

SOME of the best known miracles of St. Anthony took place in France. At St. Junien in Limoges Anthony was once preaching on an improvised platform in the town square. But before he began his sermon, Anthony paused for a moment to warn his audience, "Whilst I am speaking to you, the devil will cause this platform to collapse. But no one will be injured."

The sermon had hardly begun when Anthony's prediction was fulfilled. With a splintering crash the platform collapsed. Undaunted by his rather embarrassing tumble, Anthony picked himself up, brushed the dirt off his habit, and went on with his sermon. Satan would have to do a great deal more than this to prevent a zealous Franciscan like Anthony of Padua from preaching the word of God.

ST. ANTHONY OF PADOVA     The Miser's Funeral Sermon!

DURING 1228 Anthony was busy in the Province of Venice. It was at this time that a distinguished Florentine gentleman died and his relatives planned an elaborate funeral for the deceased. Anthony was in the neighborhood and was asked to preach the funeral sermon. Little did the mourners know what Anthony's sermon really would be.

As his text Anthony chose, "Where thy treasure is, there is thy heart, also." In the midst of his sermon, he came to an abrupt pause. Then in solemn tones, he went on, "This man is dead, and his soul is buried in hell! Go! Open his coffers, and you will find his heart!" The astonished relatives did as Anthony bade them. The treasure chest was opened. There, in the midst of all the gold pieces, was the heart of the man who, although rich in earthly treasures, had died poor in the things of heaven.

The Infant Claims His Father!

A NOBLEMAN of Ferrara was so jealous of his wife that he refused to recognize his first born child as his own. The foolish husband had no reason to doubt his wife's fidelity but he would still have nothing to do with his infant son.

In her desperation the wife and mother came to St. Anthony for help. The Saint talked to the nobleman for hours and finally succeeded in making him see the unreasonableness of his jealousy. Just then a nurse brought in the infant. In an instant, his old frame of mind returned.

Then Anthony turned to the child and said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, speak and tell who your father is!" The infant pointed to the nobleman and, in a voice of a child years older, he said, "There is my father!" With that the father broke down and took the child in his arms. Anthony had helped to save a family and a marriage.

St. Anthony, Hair Restorer!

BECAUSE his wife was kind to the friars, a jealous husband ordered her to stop giving them alms. The woman knew her husband's orders were unreasonable, so she ignored them. The next time he found she had been giving things to the friars he became quite furious.

He laid hands on his wife and beat her unmercifully. He even dragged the poor woman around by the hair so that a good part of it was pulled out by the roots. When the woman saw this, she went to St. Anthony for help.

Anthony asked the rest of the friars to pray with him. By the time their prayers had come to an end, the woman's hair had been restored, even more lovely than before. When the husband saw the miracle worked through St. Anthony, he was throughly ashamed. He begged his wife's forgiveness and never more interfered in her works of charity towards the Franciscan friars.

Thy Sins Are Forgiven Thee!

ANTHONY the priest spent long hours in the confessional. There he was brought face to face with strange and sorrowful problems of all kinds. One penitent in particular found that, when he knelt at the feet of this young Franciscan priest, he was unable to confess his sins.

The sorrow which filled his heart was so great that he simply could not speak. Anthony read that heart and and knew that it was sincerely penitent. so he said to the man, "Go home, write your sins on a piece of paper, then bring the paper back to me."

The man did so. Anthony bade him read the list. Obediently the penitent started with the first. To his astonishment he saw that, as soon as he had told it, the name of each sin disappeared from the paper. So it went on. When the last sin had been confessed, the paper was perfectly blank.

THE YEAR OF FAITH … WHAT IS FAITH ?

Faith is not a ‘wish’ to believe, or a ‘will’ to believe something contrary to reason. Faith is not living as if something were true. Faith is the acceptance of a truth based on the authority of God’s Revelation, as manifested in the Church and in the Scripture.

God alone causes, gives Faith… and Faith is not the acceptance of ‘abstract ideas’. It is often said: ‘Oh, by Faith you have to accept a number of Dogmas.’ The answer to such a statement is: ‘Absolutely NO. Faith is participation in the life of God.’

Faith is a meeting between two persons; God and I. Our affirmation of Faith does not come because we see a truth very clearly. BUT, it comes from the vision of HIM who reveals that truth … and we know that He cannot deceive nor be deceived. Our behavior should be similar to a child who has complete, blind trust in his dad when he tosses him high up in the air.

The child feels, senses, is sure that his dad will be there ready with open arms to welcome the child back close to his bosom.

THE YEAR WITH FULTON SHEEN

NOT TO HAVE BUT TO BE HAD

Divine love is sacrificial love. Love does not mean to have and to own, and to possess. It means to be had, to be owned and to be possessed. It is not a circle circumscribed by itself, it is , arms outstretched to embrace all humanity within its grasp. No other love is ever going to be a satisfying love.

All that we ever get in this world anyway is just a fragment, a fraction of love. We can catch a spark, it is caught from the great white flame of love which is God. That’s all we ever get. And if, to remind us of another love, the spark is so bright, then what must be the flame ?

It’s the cross, it’s self-denial, it’s victimhood, for this is the Gospel of Christ … and we cannot soften Him. He is the One who gave His life, and that’s the way He measures His love. Greater love than this no man has. When we stay close to that love, day after day, hour after hour, others will begin to feel that love.

THROUGH THE YEAR WITH FULTON SHEEN

INSPIRING    QUOTATIONS – GEMS  OF  WISDOM

Jesus said: ‘Love one another’. He did not tell us to love the whole world.                          Mother Theresa

If a man is able to forgive, then no one can make him unhappy.                                                       John Dunne

Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed, but with what it is possible for you to do.                                                                                                             Bl.John XXIII

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back………………………….           May the sun shine warm on your face……………………………………………………………………………   The rain fall soft upon your fields……………………………………………………………………………………     And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand………………………………            Irish Blessing

Count not in Years                                                                                                                      When we start counting flowers, we cease counting weeds.                                              When start counting blessings, we cease counting needs.                                                  When we start counting laughter, we cease counting tears.                                               When we count happy memories, we cease counting years.                                                             Barbara Kunz Loots

Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life. For yesterday is already a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision.                                                                                                But today well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow, a vision of great hope.                                                                                                                                        Sanskrit

I can be destroyed but not defeated.                                                                                            Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea)

Youth is happy, because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty, never grows old.                                                                                                                        Frans Kafka

What seems to be God’s foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom.  And what seems to be God’s weakness is stronger than man’s strength.                    1Cor.1:25                                                                      

When I heard the church bells ring, I thought I heard the voice of God.                        Albert Schweitzer

I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God eluded me. I sought my brother, and I found all three.                                                 William Blake

Be at peace with God – whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your aspirations in the noisy confusions of life, keep peace with your soul.

I do not believe in God, for that implies an effort of the will – I see God everywhere.                                                                                                                Jean Faure

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, but do not distress yourself with imaginings.   Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

Go placidly among the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself to others – you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.