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- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 -
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving,
slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with
them.
__________________________________________________________
Paul's reference to the "last days" reveals his sense of urgency. The last
days began after Jesus' resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon
believers at Pentecost. The "last days" will continue until Christ's second
coming. This means that we are living in the last days. Paul's descriptive
list of behavior in the last days describes our society - even,
unfortunately, the behavior of many Christians. Check your life against
Paul's list. Don't give in to society's pressures. Don't settle for comfort
without commitment. Stand up against evil by living as God would have his
people live. Christ will return. Are you ready?
<<>><<>><<>>
April 15th - Saint Paternus, Bishop of Avranches
(ca. 482-565)
Saint Paternus was born at Poitiers, of illustrious Christian parents, about
the year 482. His father, Patranus, with the consent of his wife went to
Ireland to end his days as a hermit in holy solitude. Paternus, fired by his
father's example, embraced monastic life in the Abbey of Marnes, France.
After some time, desiring to attain the perfection of Christian virtue by a
life of penance in solitude, he retired with a companion monk of the Abbey,
Saint Scubilion, and in the forests of the diocese of Coutances near the
sea, embraced an austere anchorite's life resembling that of Angels more
than of men. An abbot of that region who knew of him recommended Paternus to
the bishop of Coutances, who ordained him a deacon and then a priest in 512.
He and Saint Scubilion then evangelized the western coasts and established
several monasteries, of which he was the abbot general. Many miracles
honored his apostolate among the pagan populations.
In his old age he was consecrated bishop of Avranches while his former
companion, Saint Scubilion, had become abbot of a monastery founded by the
two missionaries. When Saint Paternus fell ill he felt his end was near, and
he sent to his dear friend to come and assist him in his last illness. But
the same fate had befallen Scubilion, who for his part had sent a messenger
to Paternus. The two hermit-missionaries, each of whom had become the
spiritual father of many, departed this life on the same day, April 16, 565,
the thirteenth year of the pontificate of Saint Paternus. They were
afterwards buried on the same day in the church of the monastery of Scicy, a
region they had evangelized together.
Reflection. God richly blesses the friendships of those who love and fear
Him, for He Himself is its source and the bond which unites.
Saint Quote:
"If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs
for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint. And if you wish
to become a great saint, entreat Him yourself to give you much opportunity
for suffering; for there is no wood better to kindle the fire of holy love
than the wood of the cross, which Christ used for His own great sacrifice of
boundless charity"
-St. Ignatius Loyola
Joseph suffered great afflictions and trials from his brethren, and these
formed precisely the way by which the Lord led him to his great exaltation.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote
If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also
ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that
as I have done to you, so you do also. (John 13:14)
<><><><>
Canticle 1 Chronicles 29
To God alone be honour and glory
Blessed are you, Lord, God of our father Israel, through all the ages.
All power and greatness are yours, O God; glory, splendour, and majesty.
All things are yours, in the heavens and on the earth; you rule over them,
Lord, you are high above them all.
All riches and glory come from you, you rule over all things.
In your hand lie strength and power, your hand raises all things and sets
them firm.
So now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving,
slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with
them.
__________________________________________________________
Paul's reference to the "last days" reveals his sense of urgency. The last
days began after Jesus' resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon
believers at Pentecost. The "last days" will continue until Christ's second
coming. This means that we are living in the last days. Paul's descriptive
list of behavior in the last days describes our society - even,
unfortunately, the behavior of many Christians. Check your life against
Paul's list. Don't give in to society's pressures. Don't settle for comfort
without commitment. Stand up against evil by living as God would have his
people live. Christ will return. Are you ready?
<<>><<>><<>>
April 15th - Saint Paternus, Bishop of Avranches
(ca. 482-565)
Saint Paternus was born at Poitiers, of illustrious Christian parents, about
the year 482. His father, Patranus, with the consent of his wife went to
Ireland to end his days as a hermit in holy solitude. Paternus, fired by his
father's example, embraced monastic life in the Abbey of Marnes, France.
After some time, desiring to attain the perfection of Christian virtue by a
life of penance in solitude, he retired with a companion monk of the Abbey,
Saint Scubilion, and in the forests of the diocese of Coutances near the
sea, embraced an austere anchorite's life resembling that of Angels more
than of men. An abbot of that region who knew of him recommended Paternus to
the bishop of Coutances, who ordained him a deacon and then a priest in 512.
He and Saint Scubilion then evangelized the western coasts and established
several monasteries, of which he was the abbot general. Many miracles
honored his apostolate among the pagan populations.
In his old age he was consecrated bishop of Avranches while his former
companion, Saint Scubilion, had become abbot of a monastery founded by the
two missionaries. When Saint Paternus fell ill he felt his end was near, and
he sent to his dear friend to come and assist him in his last illness. But
the same fate had befallen Scubilion, who for his part had sent a messenger
to Paternus. The two hermit-missionaries, each of whom had become the
spiritual father of many, departed this life on the same day, April 16, 565,
the thirteenth year of the pontificate of Saint Paternus. They were
afterwards buried on the same day in the church of the monastery of Scicy, a
region they had evangelized together.
Reflection. God richly blesses the friendships of those who love and fear
Him, for He Himself is its source and the bond which unites.
Saint Quote:
"If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs
for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint. And if you wish
to become a great saint, entreat Him yourself to give you much opportunity
for suffering; for there is no wood better to kindle the fire of holy love
than the wood of the cross, which Christ used for His own great sacrifice of
boundless charity"
-St. Ignatius Loyola
Joseph suffered great afflictions and trials from his brethren, and these
formed precisely the way by which the Lord led him to his great exaltation.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)
Bible Quote
If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also
ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that
as I have done to you, so you do also. (John 13:14)
<><><><>
Canticle 1 Chronicles 29
To God alone be honour and glory
Blessed are you, Lord, God of our father Israel, through all the ages.
All power and greatness are yours, O God; glory, splendour, and majesty.
All things are yours, in the heavens and on the earth; you rule over them,
Lord, you are high above them all.
All riches and glory come from you, you rule over all things.
In your hand lie strength and power, your hand raises all things and sets
them firm.
So now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
