Saturday 27 September 2014
GOD PERFORMS SIGNS THROUGH ANTHONY 5
The Lord always watches over and helps His faithful friends. Anthony once had to travel to go to Provence to attend a General Chapter. About midday Anthony together with two companions were passing through a small village. A poor, kind woman knowing that the three Friars were fasting and therefore hungry invited them to her house and offered them food. She left bread and wine on the table while she went to borrow a wine glass from her neighbour.
She went down to the cellar and filled the glass with wine, but in her haste the poor woman left the tap of the wine cask open and all the wine ran out on the floor. To add insult to injury one of the Friars accidentally broke the wine glass.
When she discovered the loss of her wine she went up crying and upset, and to her amazement she found the broken glass.
Anthony who had accepted charity from a poor woman folded his hands, bowed his head and prayed, recalling the verse in Corinthians: ‘I pray with the Spirit, but I pray with my mind too. (1Cor.14:15b) Open-mouthed the poor woman fixed her look on the praying Friar and felt inside her that something was about to happen. Suddenly the wine glass became whole, as good as new. She took it in her hands and saw that it was returned to its former state, just as she had borrowed it.
She knew that it was due to the prayer offered by the holy Friar. All excitement she hurried downstairs to the cellar and to her great surprise the wine was back in the cask without a single drop on the floor. God had rewarded the act of charity performed by the poor woman and was also a clear sign that He had heard the prayers of His faithful friend, Anthony. /6
Tuesday 23 September 2014
“NO MAN HAS EVER SPOKEN LIKE THIS” (SAINT ANTHONY) 4
As we said before he had a remarkable insight in interpreting the Holy Scriptures. Following his Ordination Speech his superior right away informed the Minister General of the Franciscans, who in turn appointed him to start preaching to the people, anywhere he deemed fit. We know that St.Francis chose him as the first theologian of the Order.
He started his Ordination Address by appealing to his brothers to live a life of simplicity, as is expected of all friars. But as his intelligence was enlightened by divine grace and as his memory served him as a huge library, his words and ideas were so lucid, so clear even that he managed to delve deep into the mysteries found in the Holy Scripture, and be understood by all.
Anthony’s eloquence was so abundant and convincing that one and all
realized the truth found in the words of Bin Sirak, 6:5, ‘The tongue
that speaks well and wise is always respected by many.’ All his hearers
were amazed and dazed with such wisdom, and they all exclaimed: ‘No one
has ever spoken like this man’ (John, 7:46).
Anthony sought knowledge not for his personal gain or intellectual enrichment, for this reason, quoting Proverbs 16:1, ‘The Lord guided his tongue’. For this reason the Minister General obliged Friar Anthony to go out, and entrusted him with the Ministry of the Word. As Anthony was happy performing his chores in the kitchen, God entrusted him with greater things, (Exod. 15:11)
When Anthony was the superior of the Community at Limoges, France, an extraordinary thing happened. It was Maundy Thursday, close to midnight, in the church of St. Peter called Quadruvio, Anthony was participating in the services in that church. After Matins Friar Anthony was addressing the congregation about the Passion of the Lord.
At that same time in another church other friars were singing praises to the Lord in a similar celebration, and Anthony was expected to sing one of the Lessons in that other church.
Anthony had forgotten completely about his other duty in the other church which was quite far from where he was. When the time came for the Lesson to be sung there appeared Friar Anthony who sang the Lesson. The Friars were all dumb-stricken knowing that Anthony was actually in the church of St.Peter.
Whilst he was singing the Lesson, Friar Anthony was in St.Peter church on the ambone with his head bowed down as if meditating. God had granted Anthony the gift of bilocution; being in two places at the same time. The Friar who used to wash pots and pans in the kitchen was elevated to a ‘Divine Office’ by the Lord. Anthony used to walk with his head bowed looking at the ground, but meditating on the words of his Master: ‘Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart. (Matt., 11:19) /5
Anthony sought knowledge not for his personal gain or intellectual enrichment, for this reason, quoting Proverbs 16:1, ‘The Lord guided his tongue’. For this reason the Minister General obliged Friar Anthony to go out, and entrusted him with the Ministry of the Word. As Anthony was happy performing his chores in the kitchen, God entrusted him with greater things, (Exod. 15:11)
When Anthony was the superior of the Community at Limoges, France, an extraordinary thing happened. It was Maundy Thursday, close to midnight, in the church of St. Peter called Quadruvio, Anthony was participating in the services in that church. After Matins Friar Anthony was addressing the congregation about the Passion of the Lord.
At that same time in another church other friars were singing praises to the Lord in a similar celebration, and Anthony was expected to sing one of the Lessons in that other church.
Anthony had forgotten completely about his other duty in the other church which was quite far from where he was. When the time came for the Lesson to be sung there appeared Friar Anthony who sang the Lesson. The Friars were all dumb-stricken knowing that Anthony was actually in the church of St.Peter.
Whilst he was singing the Lesson, Friar Anthony was in St.Peter church on the ambone with his head bowed down as if meditating. God had granted Anthony the gift of bilocution; being in two places at the same time. The Friar who used to wash pots and pans in the kitchen was elevated to a ‘Divine Office’ by the Lord. Anthony used to walk with his head bowed looking at the ground, but meditating on the words of his Master: ‘Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart. (Matt., 11:19) /5
Friday 19 September 2014
“I PREFER TO BE A DISCIPLE, BUT NOT A MASTER” 3
Seeing that his plan to die as a martyr in the land of the Saracenes was not fulfilled, Anthony went to Spain. On the way strong winds obliged him to land on Sicily. We can see the hidden hand of God leading Anthony to fulfill the Divine Plan. Then followed the Great Chapter mentioned in the first Posting, where we find Anthony choosing to be a kitchen-hand with the Community led by Father Graziano of Romagna.
Anthony pleaded with his superior, Graziano, to send him to a solitary place where he could live in peace and mortifications. Thereby Anthony was sent to the hermitage of Monte Paolo. There he lived as a hermit; a life of fasting, praying and meditation about the Word of God, to be well-prepared for when the occasion arises to spread the Good News.
Though endowed with the spirit of Wisdom he always hid the talents he was being enriched by the Lord. He made it a point to present himself as the weakest and most backward in culture and holiness, the reason why he made it a point to ask for the most menial jobs of the community … a kitchen-hand. To keep him going he kept in mind the fact that ‘Jesus, the master washed the feet of His apostles’ (John 13:4). So much so Anthony used to wash the feet of his brother friars, and after wiping them he used to kiss their feet. If this was not a sign of deep humility, what was?
When he was once chosen to be a superior he behaved as if he was the least of his brethren. We are here reminded of the words found in Bin Sirak, 32:1 ‘Are you at the head of the table? Do not pride yourself, behave as if you are one your brethren.’
Anthony always preferred to be subject to others than be in a position to give orders; better be a disciple than a master.
Following Anthony’s life we shall see that God’s Divine Plans for this holy soul were very different from Anthony’s programme of life. God wanted to work through Anthony by means of his teachings, sermons and miracles wrought through him,. Anthony emptied himself because of his great humility and Hod filled him with Divine Powers. /4
Friday 12 September 2014
MAN PROPOSES AND GOD DISPOSES 2
Ferdinand, the future Saint Anthony was born in a noble and wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal. His father was called Martin and his mother, Maria. According to documented records he had many friends and was very popular. But when he found himself passing through the stages of puberty, he felt that he had to resist certain urges not to offend God. For this reason he joined the Canons of St.Augustine.
But because of the frequent visits by his friends, whom he felt were wasting his time of meditation and prayers, he asked his superior to send him to a convent far away from where he was. As we can see Ferdinand was genuine and had good intentions.
It happened one day that a Franciscan friar came back from Morocco Mission carrying with him ‘relics’ of the martyred Franciscans. There and then Ferdinand decided that he wanted to become a missionary to work amongst the Saracens and to die a martyr. So he asked permission to leave the Community he was living with to join the Franciscans. Permission was granted, but not so easily, because Ferdinand had already impressed his Augustinian friends with his humility and simple life.
Before leaving, one of the Augustinian Canons told him: “Go Ferdinand, maybe you will become a saint.” This was a prophetic send-off.
Ferdinand joined the Franciscans and took the name of Antonius. It is interesting to note that he wanted to take upon a new name so that he would not be traced by his friends. He wanted to be an ‘unknown person’. Keeping in mind the fact that in Portugal, his birthplace, the name Fernando was a name given to royalties and people of noble descent. This was a sure sign of great humility.
As his Master, ‘Jesus was the Son of the living God’ (Matt.16:13), Fernando wanted to be ‘the son of man’ (Matt.8:20). He wanted to imitate Francis who used to declare that he was the son of Pietro Bernardone. He was loved and admired by all.
He even gave up his right to inheritance from his parents; he wanted to lead a simple life. He boarded the first boat going to Morocco to preach and convert the Saracens. But as it is well said: ‘Man proposes and God disposes’. His stay with the Saracenes was short-lived; he became ill, with high fever and had to go back.
Though physically frail and weak through the many penances and frequent fastings we can say that ‘he was crucified with Christ, lived for Christ and was dead for the world’ (Gal.2: 19, 20). His whole life was a martyrdom, according to his wish. /3
Ferdinand, the future Saint Anthony was born in a noble and wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal. His father was called Martin and his mother, Maria. According to documented records he had many friends and was very popular. But when he found himself passing through the stages of puberty, he felt that he had to resist certain urges not to offend God. For this reason he joined the Canons of St.Augustine.
But because of the frequent visits by his friends, whom he felt were wasting his time of meditation and prayers, he asked his superior to send him to a convent far away from where he was. As we can see Ferdinand was genuine and had good intentions.
It happened one day that a Franciscan friar came back from Morocco Mission carrying with him ‘relics’ of the martyred Franciscans. There and then Ferdinand decided that he wanted to become a missionary to work amongst the Saracens and to die a martyr. So he asked permission to leave the Community he was living with to join the Franciscans. Permission was granted, but not so easily, because Ferdinand had already impressed his Augustinian friends with his humility and simple life.
Before leaving, one of the Augustinian Canons told him: “Go Ferdinand, maybe you will become a saint.” This was a prophetic send-off.
Ferdinand joined the Franciscans and took the name of Antonius. It is interesting to note that he wanted to take upon a new name so that he would not be traced by his friends. He wanted to be an ‘unknown person’. Keeping in mind the fact that in Portugal, his birthplace, the name Fernando was a name given to royalties and people of noble descent. This was a sure sign of great humility.
As his Master, ‘Jesus was the Son of the living God’ (Matt.16:13), Fernando wanted to be ‘the son of man’ (Matt.8:20). He wanted to imitate Francis who used to declare that he was the son of Pietro Bernardone. He was loved and admired by all.
He even gave up his right to inheritance from his parents; he wanted to lead a simple life. He boarded the first boat going to Morocco to preach and convert the Saracens. But as it is well said: ‘Man proposes and God disposes’. His stay with the Saracenes was short-lived; he became ill, with high fever and had to go back.
Though physically frail and weak through the many penances and frequent fastings we can say that ‘he was crucified with Christ, lived for Christ and was dead for the world’ (Gal.2: 19, 20). His whole life was a martyrdom, according to his wish. /3
Tuesday 9 September 2014
GETTING TO KNOW HIM / HER 1
Many are those who have personal devotions towards a particular Saint; St.Rita, St Anthony, St.John Paul II, St.Dorothy, to mention just a few. This is good and commendable. After all we pray through the intercession of Saints, but we have to try and imitate that particular Saint in our life.
I have a more important message to pass over. It is good to pray to a Saint and perform daily devotions. But, how did this devotion sprout; is it something traditional, which you have inherited from your family; or is it because it was suggested to you by your priest, friend, relative? Whatever the answer, it is right and good.
What I want to suggest sheds more light, on my proposal. For example I always had a great devotion towards Saint Anthony of Padova (Padua). But digging deep and studying his ‘documented’ life has shed a huge beam on his life and the way he dedicated his whole life for God. Knowing the way he lived made me a great devotee of St.Anthony.
It is a great pity that many, right now are thinking: ‘Well, I can’t find my door-key, my wallet, my umbrella, I just pray to St.Anthony, he will surely find it for me.’ Well, nothing is wrong in that, but, and it is a BIG BUT, we are missing much and much.
How many people know that Ferdinand (baptismal name), had an extraordinary memory, today we call it, photographic memory. Actually it is called ‘encyclopaedic memory’. He had knowledge of any subject under the sun. How many know that Ferdinand was an expert interpreter of the Holy Scripture?
These are just two of the charismas, talents which Ferdinand was endowed with. Still he had something more precious than those; he was very humble. As a matter of fact when he became a Franciscan friar and took the name of Anthony, he was unknown to all. After the General Chapter he was the only Friar not chosen by any superior to form part of a Community, because he always kept “the light hidden under the bed”.
He himself asked a superior to be in the community to serve as a kitchen-hand, washing pots and pans. This went on until God, who appreciated Anthony’s humility more than his knowledge and memory permitted that “the light be put on top of a city” to illuminate others.
This came about during the Ordination Ceremony of some Dominicans and Franciscan Priests. The superior asked the Dominicans to deliver the homily for the occasion. Yet no one accepted , saying they were not prepared. The superior turned on his Franciscan brothers, yet without success. There was one option left … the kitchen-hand. At first, through modesty Anthony refused, but the superior told him that he has to do it as obedience to the superior.
Imagine the reaction of those who knew Friar Anthony, who smelled of pots and pans, going up to deliver the talk. BUT, God was with him, “do not bother what to say, the Spirit will put words on your lips.” What an exposition of the Scripture, nobody had ever heard such wisdom coming out of human lips. So much so, the news spread like wild fire.
We shall see next time more examples as to how God helps the humble and uses them as channels of His mercy and power. /2
Many are those who have personal devotions towards a particular Saint; St.Rita, St Anthony, St.John Paul II, St.Dorothy, to mention just a few. This is good and commendable. After all we pray through the intercession of Saints, but we have to try and imitate that particular Saint in our life.
I have a more important message to pass over. It is good to pray to a Saint and perform daily devotions. But, how did this devotion sprout; is it something traditional, which you have inherited from your family; or is it because it was suggested to you by your priest, friend, relative? Whatever the answer, it is right and good.
What I want to suggest sheds more light, on my proposal. For example I always had a great devotion towards Saint Anthony of Padova (Padua). But digging deep and studying his ‘documented’ life has shed a huge beam on his life and the way he dedicated his whole life for God. Knowing the way he lived made me a great devotee of St.Anthony.
It is a great pity that many, right now are thinking: ‘Well, I can’t find my door-key, my wallet, my umbrella, I just pray to St.Anthony, he will surely find it for me.’ Well, nothing is wrong in that, but, and it is a BIG BUT, we are missing much and much.
How many people know that Ferdinand (baptismal name), had an extraordinary memory, today we call it, photographic memory. Actually it is called ‘encyclopaedic memory’. He had knowledge of any subject under the sun. How many know that Ferdinand was an expert interpreter of the Holy Scripture?
These are just two of the charismas, talents which Ferdinand was endowed with. Still he had something more precious than those; he was very humble. As a matter of fact when he became a Franciscan friar and took the name of Anthony, he was unknown to all. After the General Chapter he was the only Friar not chosen by any superior to form part of a Community, because he always kept “the light hidden under the bed”.
He himself asked a superior to be in the community to serve as a kitchen-hand, washing pots and pans. This went on until God, who appreciated Anthony’s humility more than his knowledge and memory permitted that “the light be put on top of a city” to illuminate others.
This came about during the Ordination Ceremony of some Dominicans and Franciscan Priests. The superior asked the Dominicans to deliver the homily for the occasion. Yet no one accepted , saying they were not prepared. The superior turned on his Franciscan brothers, yet without success. There was one option left … the kitchen-hand. At first, through modesty Anthony refused, but the superior told him that he has to do it as obedience to the superior.
Imagine the reaction of those who knew Friar Anthony, who smelled of pots and pans, going up to deliver the talk. BUT, God was with him, “do not bother what to say, the Spirit will put words on your lips.” What an exposition of the Scripture, nobody had ever heard such wisdom coming out of human lips. So much so, the news spread like wild fire.
We shall see next time more examples as to how God helps the humble and uses them as channels of His mercy and power. /2
Tuesday 2 September 2014
WORDS OF WISDOM BY ST. THERESA OF AVILA … 3
I thought of the soul as resembling a castle, formed of a single diamond or a very transparent crystal, and containing many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions.
There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.
I thought of the soul as resembling a castle, formed of a single diamond or a very transparent crystal, and containing many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions.
There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.
Those who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner have
always a devotion to St. Joseph; for I know not how any man can think of
the Queen of the angels, during the time that she suffered so much with
the Infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the services
he rendered them then.
The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave - caring nothing whether the words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to mind from being learnt by rote by frequent repetition - cannot be called prayer: God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner.
To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.
I had many friends to help me to fall; but as to rising again, I was so much left to myself, that I wonder now I was not always on the ground. I praise God for His mercy; for it was He only Who stretched out His hand to me. May He be blessed for ever! Amen.
To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.
I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.
We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.
The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit. … / 4
The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave - caring nothing whether the words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to mind from being learnt by rote by frequent repetition - cannot be called prayer: God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner.
To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.
I had many friends to help me to fall; but as to rising again, I was so much left to myself, that I wonder now I was not always on the ground. I praise God for His mercy; for it was He only Who stretched out His hand to me. May He be blessed for ever! Amen.
To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.
I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.
We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.
The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit. … / 4
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