Come Away By Yourselves

On September 8th we celebrate the Feast of The Nativity of Our Lady.  THis is an opportunity to contemplate her humility and her radical response to God.

St. Josemaria described the potential of lay holiness in an interesting way.  He said all Christians can and should be "contemplatives in the middle of the world."  Holy Scripture and Church teaching reaffirm this high ideal.  The Christian is intimately united, indeed identified, with Christ himself.

Sacred Scripture teaches us some clear lessons about Christ's suffering.  His passion was redemptive and meaningful.  It was freely chosen and accepted.  It was all an act of divine and human love for us and for the Father.  As Christians, Christ invites us to give the same meaning to our sufferings.  This invitation is a tremendous act of confidence in us and in our capacity to love as he did.

The Assumption of Mary is a very special Feast in the Church.  To gaze on Our Lady in Heaven is to contemplate something very beautiful and important.  The marvel of her glorification speaks to us of the surpassing beauty of goodness and holiness as such.  Our Mother's destiny in heaven and her eternal glorification is a revelation of our own future as Christians called to holiness and everlasting life.

Gratitude is a very important Christian disposition.  God appreciates gratitude, as we all do.  One of the four basic acts of prayer, gratitude should be a constant state of mind and heart.  In addition to pleasing God, it also brings the soul joy and peace.