Today, June 13, is the memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua. Doctor of the Church. Fernando Martins de Bulhões was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. Their dream for Anthony was to become a rich nobleman. However, Anthony was so devoted to Christ that he wanted to imitate Him in poverty. …
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said,An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.When someone strikes you on your right cheek,turn the other one to him as well.If anyone wants to go to law with you …
“It is here that the Holy Ghost, as it were, brings His Bride to meet the Bridegroom, that they may embrace. In that clasp He slumbers in her. He is not there unknown to the soul itself, but he dwells there hidden from the devil who cannot penetrate the scene of this embrace, and from …
Jesus said to his disciples:“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,he will guide you to all truth.He will not speak on his own,but he will speak what he hears,and will declare to you the things that are coming.He will glorify me,because he …
“Towards the end of this commentary St. John approaches the image of the Incarnation in Our Lady to express the most close communion of God with the soul, when he explains the words spoken by the loving soul to God: “Where thou dwellest in secret.” By this the soul means, says St. John, that God …
Today June 11, is the memorial of Saint Barnabas. He was a Levite Jewish convert, coming to the faith soon after Pentecost, taking the name Barnabas. Though not of the chosen Twelve Apostles, Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, and is included among the prophets and doctors at Antioch, and is …
Jesus said to the Twelve:“As you go, make this proclamation:‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,or …
In his explanation of another metaphor, the Living Flame of Love, St. John draws Our Lady as closely as possible into the circle of his imagery. In speaking about the glittering and shining of the lamps of God in us, about our absorption of that divine light like the pane of glass, about our participation …
Today, June 10, is the memorial of Blessed Edward Poppe. A follower of St. Therese of Lisieux’s “The Little Way,” Edward was one of 11 children and born in Belgium. One brother became a priest, five sisters were nuns. He felt a call to the priesthood early in life. When his father died, Edward wanted …
Jesus said to his disciples:“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.But I say to you,everyone who looks at a woman with lusthas already committed adultery with her in his heart.If your right eye causes you to sin,tear it out and throw it away.It is better for you to lose one …