Virgo Potens

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 27th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 38.— The Final Visit Read St. Luke xxiv. 48-50 And you are witnesses of these things. And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. (continued)

2 of 2 37.— The Parting Advice 1. Our Lord, before His Passion, had promised His apostles they should not be left desolate, but that He would send the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, to lead them into all truth. Now that He leaves them, He renews His promise. They had not understood it when it was first made; but now it begins to dawn upon them that some wondrous power was to descend from heaven, and to fil them with strength, wisdom, prudence, and authority to carry out the task in trusted to them. God never calls men to a work without giving them all the gifts necessary to carry it out. This should be my consolation if I am inclined to despond at my own weakness. 2. But, for this gift they were to wait— "Stay in the city till you be endued with power from on high." This was to be their first lesson— to wait. It is not an easy lesson. We are so impatient and impulsive! We do not like waiting; we want to go to work at once, to see results without delay. But we must learn the lesson Christ taught the apostles, and wait. 3. To wait is the secret of success in spiritual things. Those who are willing to wait, always get what they want. We have always to wait for God's best gifts. All the saints had to wait. Our Lady and St. Joseph, above all, had to wait. Why should we be downcast if we appear to fail? It is only that God is keeping us waiting. "Oh, wait on the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart." ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 26th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 37.— The Parting Advice Read Acts i. 1-5 The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth. For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence. (continued)

2 of 2 36.— The Foundations of the Church 1. During the forty days that elapsed between the Resurrection and the Ascension, Our Lord visited the apostles from time to time, and sketched out the foundations of the future Church, or, as St. Luke says (Acts i. 3), spoke to them of the Kingdom of God. How much there must have been for them to learn— the Doctrine of Infallibility, the whole Sacramental system, the Doctrine of the Blessed Trinity and the Incarnation, the position of Our Lady in the Church, of the grace of God, and the mysteries of the future resurrection, etc. How happy to have suchaTeacher! He is still ready to teach every faithful soul, and to dispel its darkness respecting the mysteries of the Faith. 2. We also read that He opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. Before this, they had read the prophecies, the psalms, all that told of the Christ to come; but the words had made no impression. Even to the last, they had not recognized in His life and death the fulfilment of what had been predicted of the Messias. Yet they were good men, docile, believing in Him. How earnestly, then, we should beg for light when we read the Word of God! How strange are the delusions of the Bible-readers outside of the Church, who fancy that they understand what they read! 3. The eleven apostles were to be the foundations of the Church; they are represented as such in the Apocalypse. They were all founded in Christ, and the Church was founded in Him; they were the witnesses to the whole world, of the truth of Christianity. With what confidence we can rest upon the solid foundation which Christ Himself laid before He ascended to heaven! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 25th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 36.— The Foundations of the Church Read St. Luke xxiv. 44-46 And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day. (continued)

2 of 2 35.— The Promise to the Apostles 1. When Our Lord sent out His apostles to convert the world, their hearts might well quail at the difficulties of the task. They, poor, ignorant, unlearned men, how would they hope to achieve a work so apparently impossible? So their Master makes tliem a promise, which is one to fill their hearts with confidence and with sure expectation of success. He promises that He will always be with them; that whatever they undertake in His Name shall have His Omnipotence to supply for all their weakness. "Iam with you always." To us, Christ says just the same. In all that you do for Me I am always with you. What confidence this ought to give us! 2. These words meant more than this: they conferred upon the Church that He founded the promise that He would guide it to all truth; that He, through the Holy Spirit, would always be present to it, to preserve it from the least jot or tittle of error. Other religions wander off into every kind of error, and inconsistency, and contradictions; but the Church founded on the apostles has the Divine Teacher always present to it. How happy we should be to live under its roof, and to have it for our guide and teacher ! 3. This promise is made to all the successors of the apostles, to the consummation of the world; popes, and bishops, and priests, each in their own degree, speak with the authority of Christ. "He that hears you, hears Me." How reverently, then, we ought to listen to their words when they teach us truth ! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 24th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 35.— The Promise to the Apostles Read St. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. (continued)

2 of 2 34.— The Work Intrusted to the Apostles St. Luke xxiv. 46-48 And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Our Lord sums up the tasks intrusted to the apostles mainly under three heads: 1. They were to be witnesses all over the world of the reality of the life, and death, and resurrection of Christ. "You are witnesses," He says, "of these things." Before Jews and Gentiles, among those who had never heard the name of Christ, before kings and rulers, they were to be witnesses for Christ; never flinching before reproach, outrage, imprisonment, torture, death; everywhere confessing Christ crucified. Am I such a witness for Christ, even where I have to suffer for my loyalty? 2. They were to administer, in Christ's name, the Sacraments of the Church, especially Baptism in the name of the Blessed Trinity, and Penance for the remission of sins. These were to be the channels of the grace of God, the means of applying to the souls of all who should receive them the merits of Christ. We cannot overrate the dignity and importance of the Sacraments through which the treasures of God's love flow into our souls. 3. They were to teach those whom they converted, to observe all things that Jesus had commanded them. He who keeps every precept of the law except one virtually disobeys the whole of it. He who accepts all the dogmas of the Church with one exception is a heretic and an unbeliever. Do I keep all God's law? or do I mar my obedience by some one wilful act of disobedience ? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 23rd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 34.— The Work Intrusted to the Apostles Read St. Matt, [x]xviii. 15-20 So they taking the money, did as they were taught: and this word was spread abroad among the Jews even unto this day. And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. (continued)

2 of 2 33.— The Apostolic Commission 1. Our Lord's all-embracing power was not given to Him for Himself alone, or merely that He might crush His enemies under His feet. As He had taken human flesh for our sakes, for our sakes had been crucified and risen again, so for our sakes all power was given to Him in heaven and in earth. It is that he might through His apostles and their successors reap the fruits of the redemption that He wrought for us. Thus even in His triumph Christ appears as our minister, as serving us. He cannot shake off the character which He expressed in saying that the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister. Even in heaven He tells us that He will serve those who served Him faithfully on earth (St. Luke xiv. 15). 2. "Going, therefore, teach all nations." In these words Christ again communicates His power to His apostles, confirming His former words,"As my Father sent Me,so I send you." It is the greatest mark of love, to desire to communicate to others the best gift given to us. So the Lord of heaven and earth gives, as far as He can to sinful man, the wondrous power that was given to Him, that they may go and carry out His work and earn a share in His reward. 3. The apostles are sent to make disciples of all nations. All are to be subject to Christ; the Christian Church is to be Catholic. There is no distinction with Him of race or blood or nationality. Take care that you imitate His universal charity, and beware of the narrow spirit that despises other countries and races. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 22nd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 33.— The Apostolic Commission Read St. Matt, xxviii. 19, 20 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. (continued)

2 of 2 32.— The Scene upon the Mount in Galilee 1. Let us picture the scene on the mountain in Galilee—Thabor it may be, or some other mountain not far from the Lake of Tiberias; a number of persons are making their way thither over the hills around, in groups of two and three, until they arrive at the summit of the mount. There they gather in a circle and wait, as if expecting some one to come and take His place in their midst. There we notice St. Peter taking the lead as their appointed head, St. John rapt in silent contemplation, St. James kneeling in prayer by his side, St. Thomas making acts of faith, Nathaniel with his guileless soul full of joyful expectancy. All at once in the centre of the group another figure is seen— one like to the Son of man, in the beauty and majesty of His glorified Humanity, but with the glory still subdued, lest mortal eyes should be dazzled by its brilliancy. 2. At once they all fall upon their faces and adore Him, paying Him supreme homage as their Lord and God. Whatnoverflowingnhappinessmfills their hearts! It is heaven begun. Jesus our Master! Jesus our Lord! Jesus our Saviour! Jesus our God! How their hearts go out to Him. Then He bids them rise, and looks round with sweet looks of love on each and all. 3. Then He speaks to them. No music ever so sweet as the sound of His voice. To listen toJesus is supreme happiness for them. Each word thrills through their souls; they treasure them up as jewels. So come and speak to us, O Lord, thy unworthy disciples, who desire to have Thee always with us, and hear Thy voice. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 21st ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 32.— The Scene upon the Mount in Galilee Read St. Matt, xxviii. 16 And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (continued)

2 of 2 31.— The Appearance of Jesus in Galilee 1. Jesus had summoned the apostles by the mouth of the holy women to repair to Galilee, and had promised to meet them there; and in accordance with His promise He appeared to them in the place and at the time that He had appointed. Why did He make them travel to the mountains far away, when He might just as easily have appeared to them at Jerusalem? It was to teach them obedience, and to teach us the same. Our Lord seems to impose arbitrary commands on us, to lead us by strange paths; because it is important before all else that we should be trained in blind obedience and in the renunciation of our own will and judgment, which are so sure to lead us astray. 2. Some had doubted before when He first appeared, but now one and all believed. They had learned their lesson at last. Even the sceptic Thomas was now fully convinced, he had made his act of faith and submission when he cried, "My Lord and my God!" Now as soon as Christ appeared they all adored Him. Now it was a real joy to them to fall prostrate at His feet and offer Him supreme homage. So now when the bell rings and He is present on the altar it should be the source of joy to us. 3. Jesus confirms and rewards their faith by a declaration of His Omnipotence. To Him as man is given universal dominion. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He, our Lord and our God, has all power in heaven and earth. Why then should we fear?— why do we not trust Him as we ought? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 20th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 31.— The Appearance of Jesus in Galilee Read St. Matt. xxviii. 16-18 And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. (continued)

2 of 2 30.— The Charge to St. Peter 1. A second and a third time Jesus puts the same question to St.Peter: "Lovest thou Me?" How anxious He is for our love! This is one of the mysteries of the love of Jesus, that He actually longs that I should love Him, and is athirst for my love. What wonderful condescension for the King of kings to be eager for the affection of a poor worm like me! Yet so it is. I must take Him at His word, and give Him all the love of my heart to satisfy His Divine love for me. 2. Each time in answer to Peter's reply Jesus again confirms his appointment made long before, to be the first Pastor of the flock of Christ. Note that He says each time, "Feed My lambs, feed My sheep." They are not Peter's, but Christ's. So we must remember that if we are in any authority, our subjects are not ours, but Christ's; our children, servants, pupils, are His, and to Him we shall have to give account for our treatment of them. 3. The third time that St. Peter was asked the question he was grieved. The triple question reminded him of his triple denial of Jesus, and besides it seemed as if Jesus doubted his love. But it was not so. Jesus saw into his heart and knew the love that burned there: He desired to elicit from St. Peter a fresh declaration of his love. Christ is pleased to hear us repeat again and again the protestations of our love: "Lord, Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that I love Thee." ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

2 of 2 30.— The Charge to St. Peter 1. A second and a third time Jesus puts the same question to St.Peter: "Lovest thou Me?" How anxious He is for our love! This is one of the mysteries of the love of Jesus, that He actually longs that I should love Him, and is athirst for my love. What wonderful condescension for the King of kings to be eager for the affection of a poor worm like me! Yet so it is. I must take Him at His word, and give Him all the love of my heart to satisfy His Divine love for me. 2. Each time in answer to Peter's reply Jesus again confirms his appointment made long before, to be the first Pastor of the flock of Christ. Note that He says each time, "Feed My lambs, feed My sheep." They are not Peter's, but Christ's. So we must remember that if we are in any authority, our subjects are not ours, but Christ's; our children, servants, pupils, are His, and to Him we shall have to give account for our treatment of them. 3. The third time that St. Peter was asked the question he was grieved. The triple question reminded him of his triple denial of Jesus, and besides it seemed as if Jesus doubted his love. But it was not so. Jesus saw into his heart and knew the love that burned there: He desired to elicit from St. Peter a fresh declaration of his love. Christ is pleased to hear us repeat again and again the protestations of our love: "Lord, Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that I love Thee." ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 19th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 30.— The Charge to St. Peter Read St. John xxi. 17 He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep. (continued)

2 of 2 29.— The Questioning of St. Peter 1. After they had dined, Our Lord addressed to St. Peter a question which was to introduce the conferring upon him of that power which is the central doctrine ot Catholic Christianity. He asked him, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me more than these?" This was the necessary question to put to one who was to be the Vicar of Christ. As his station was to be the most lofty in the Christian Church, so Christ expected of him a love beyond all the rest. How important it is for us to remember that every sort of authority requires a higher personal standard on our part. Priests, parents, masters, employers, each in his or her degree, ought, to love more, in order to be fit for the position in which God has placed them. 2. Peter did not venture to say that he loved more than the rest, but modestly answered, "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." These words came from the bottom of his heart; he had always loved Our Lord fondly and faithfully; even in his denial he still loved Him in his heart. I, too, who have so often fallen, yet will say to Jesus, over and over again, with repeated earnestness, "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." Especially, asI kneel before theBlessed Sacrament, I will address Him, corporeally present there, and protest constantly, "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." 3. In return for his love, and as the best means of proving it, Jesus bids His apostle, "Feed My lambs," or, more literally, "Be shepherd of My lambs." This is the greatest privilege Christ can bestow— to intrust to any, in whatever capacity, the care of the souls of others. How have I fulfilled His trust? Have I fed His lambs with tender care ? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

2 of 2 29.— The Questioning of St. Peter 1. After they had dined, Our Lord addressed to St. Peter a question which was to introduce the conferring upon him of that power which is the central doctrine ot Catholic Christianity. He asked him, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me more than these?" This was the necessary question to put to one who was to be the Vicar of Christ. As his station was to be the most lofty in the Christian Church, so Christ expected of him a love beyond all the rest. How important it is for us to remember that every sort of authority requires a higher personal standard on our part. Priests, parents, masters, employers, each in his or her degree, ought, to love more, in order to be fit for the position in which God has placed them. 2. Peter did not venture to say that he loved more than the rest, but modestly answered, "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." These words came from the bottom of his heart; he had always loved Our Lord fondly and faithfully; even in his denial he still loved Him in his heart. I, too, who have so often fallen, yet will say to Jesus, over and over again, with repeated earnestness, "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." Especially, asI kneel before theBlessed Sacrament, I will address Him, corporeally present there, and protest constantly, "Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee." 3. In return for his love, and as the best means of proving it, Jesus bids His apostle, " Feed My lambs," or, more literally, "Be shepherd of My lambs." This is the greatest privilege Christ can bestow— to intrust to any, in whatever capacity, the care of the souls of others. How have I fulfilled His trust? Have I fed His lambs with tender care ? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)