The Price Tag of Prayer … Tuesday, July 30

Prayer. It takes up very little space. But is there a TIME and place for it in our lives? If we’re to taxed for time to talk with God maybe we need to re-think our schedule.

A Rosary Meditation … The First Sorrowful Mystery, the Agony in the Garden. “Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.” — Saint Ephraem of Syria. Prayer sounds like hard work. If the example of Jesus in the garden is any indication, well, it IS hard work. But then it ought to be, if its work, a labor of love shouldn’t it? We go to great pains, lots of work, to keep in touch with friends and family because of our love for them and the close ties we share. We spend money on gas, long distance fees, delivery charges, air fare, postage, and more just to keep in touch. Keeping in touch is obviously a valuable commodity. And the effort expended proves this. How much effort do we put into an extra five minutes, now and then, to stay in touch with God? Is it to much hard work, does it cost to much, is it just to much trouble? Does our prayer life indicate our closeness to God, or our distance?

Today … St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Born at Imola, Italy in 406, St. Peter was baptized, educated, and ordained a deacon by Cornelius, Bishop of Imola. St. Peter merited being called “Chrysologus” (golden-worded) from his exceptional oratorical eloquence. In 433, Pope Sixtus III consecrated him bishop of Ravenna. He practiced many corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and ruled his flock with utmost diligence and care. He extirpated the last vestiges of paganism and other abuses that had sprouted among his people, cautioning them especially against indecent dancing. “Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil,” he remarked, “cannot rejoice with Christ.” He also counseled the heretic Eutyches (who had asked for his support) to avoid causing division but to learn from the other heretics who were crushed when they hurled themselves against the Rock of Peter. He died at Imola, Italy in 450 and in 1729 was made a Doctor of the Church, largely as a result of his simple, practical, and clear sermons which have come down to us, nearly all dealing with Gospel subjects. “Golden-worded.” Want to be like this saint? To have golden words upon your lips? It occurs to me that any word spoken in loving prayer to God meets this criteria.

Consider … “Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.” — St. John Chrysostom.

Queens and Saints and Mothers … Wednesday, July 10

The Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven.

A Rosary Meditation … The Third Glorious Mystery, the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:1)

“[The Queen] is always vigilant to intercede with the king whom she bore.” (Pope Sixtus IV)

“Be enthroned, Lady, for it is fitting that you should sit in an exalted place since you are a Queen and glorious above all kings.” (St. Germanus)

“Because the virgin Mary was raised to such a lofty dignity as to be the mother of the King of kings, it is deservedly and by every right that the Church has honored her with the title of ‘Queen’.” (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)

“Certainly she who performed the role of the Creator’s handmaid and Mother is truly and in perfect reality God’s Mother, and Lady and Queen over all creation.” (St. John Damascene, Doctor of the Church, c. 8th century A.D.)

“Mary in Hebrew signifies lady or sovereign: and truly the authority of her Son, who is the Lord of the world, constituted her Queen, both in fact and in name, from her very birth.” (St. Peter Chrysologus, Doctor of the Church)

Pray for us, oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Today …

St. Amalberga

St. Amalberga. Mother of saints, also called Amelia. A relative of Blessed Pepin of Landen, the Duke of Brabant, she was married to Witgar and was mother of Sts. Emembertus, Gudila, and Reinalda, and perhaps others as well. When Witgar agreed, Amalberga and he separated, becoming religious.As a mother of saints you can be sure she was and is close to Mary, the Mother of all saints. St. Amalberga might be a good prayer partner to help you in drawing nearer your own Mother Mary, and so become a saint yourself.

Think, Believe, Take to Heart … “No one has access to the Almighty as His mother has; none has merit such as hers. Her Son will deny her nothing that she asks; and herein lies her power. While she defends the Church, neither height nor depth, neither men nor evil spirits, neither great monarchs, nor craft of man, nor popular violence, can avail to harm us; for human life is short, but Mary reigns above, a Queen forever.” ~Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman~