Virgo Potens

2 of 2 21.— The Mission of the Apostles 1. Our Lord had come not merely to bring peace to His apostles and to fill their hearts with lightness and with joy; this supernatural happiness was intended only as the prelude to the work He was going to entrust to them. First peace for themselves and after that they were to go forth as the messengers of peace to others. First a firm faith for themselves, and then they were to carry that faith to others. We shall never do much to benefit the souls of others until we have ourselves put into practice the counsels that we give to others. 2. In these words: "As My Father sent Me, I also send you," Jesus gave to His apostles their future mission and the powers necessary thereto. What are these powers? They are no other than those that the Eternal Father had bestowed upon His Divine Son. As He was invested in His Sacred Humanity with graces unlimited flowing into it from His Divine nature, so His apostles are to have graces and gifts innumerable. What a respect and reverence we ought to have for priests, since they are the vice regents of Jesus Christ Himself. 3. If priests thus receive graces corresponding to those bestowed on the Son of God, they have corresponding responsibilities. They must obey as Christ obeyed, they must be servants of all as Christ was, they must be willing to sacrifice themselves as Christ sacrificed Himself; and not priests only, but all who aspire to be apostles must remember that their model and type in dealing with those to whom they minister was He who was meek and humble of heart, who came not to do His own will, but the will of God. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 10th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 21.— The Mission of the Apostles Read St. John xx. 20-23 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. (continued)

2 of 2 20.— Jesus shows His Sacred Hands and Feet 1. When Our Lord appeared after the Resurrection His sacred hands and feet and side still bore the wounds made by the nails and spear. They were like no other wounds: they in no way disfigured His Sacred Body; on the contrary, they shone like jewels of dazzling brilliancy. So, too, the martyrs of Jesus will to all eternity be decorated with each wound they suffered on earth, as with an ornament; and all who have mortified their bodies for His sake will have an additional beauty in body and soul alike in heaven. 2. Our Lord was not ashamed of these marks of His humiliation, of His shame and outrage and degradation. He rejoiced in them. They were the scars in the battle by which He had won Heaven for His elect; the trophies of victory over sin and Satan. We cannot win the battle without humiliation, shame, and bearing His reproach. How we ought to rejoice when we are thought worthy to share in any way His sufferings, knowing that we shall thereby earn a share in His triumph ! 3. Our Lord points out to His apostles these proofs that it is He Himself, Jesus of Nazareth, in no way changed. He goes still further, and to convince them of His human nature He asks for some food, and eats before them. He shows a wonderful condescension for their weakness andtheirincredulity. He is determined to put them at their ease, and leaves no means untried to win their confidence and love. In much the same way He has treated me and won me in spite of myself. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 9th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 20.— Jesus shows His Sacred Hands and Feet Read St. John xx. 19, 20 Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. (continued)

2 of 2 19.—The Words of Jesus to His Apostles 1. Jesus does not like to see His friends in fear, and troubled at His presence, on the very day of His resurrection; and with cheering words He hastens to reassure them: "Peace be to you : it is I; fear not. Why are you troubled? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself." He seems almost pained at their inability to realize that it is He Himself. How He desires confidence from us! That we should recognize Him, trust Him, feel at home with Him. He does not like us to be afraid of Him: He likes to be treated by us with a sort of reverent familiarity as our dearest Friend, our Brother, the Lover of our souls. 2. How soothing His words are: "Peace be to you"! This is His first greeting to His apostles after He has fought the battle and conquered. He knew the necessity of peace as an element, or rather as the foundation, of holiness. The troubled soul cannot reflect the image of God. As long as there is strife within, we shall never overcome our enemies or do good service to the Captain of our salvation. Pray then for peace. Dona nobis pacem! Give us true peace. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. 3. What He especially desired to impress upon them was that He was the same Jesus who had been their companion during the three years of His ministry, and who had been scourged and crucified. They seemed to imagine He was a different Being, and that now He would lose all sympathy with them. Is not this often our danger? We scarcely believe that Jesus in heaven has the same compassionate, gentle heart as when He was on earth. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 8th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 19.—The Words of Jesus to His Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 38-45 And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet. But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat? And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. 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. (continued)

2 of 2 18.—The First Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. 1. It was late when Jesus appeared to the apostles. Not in the early morning as to St. Mary Magdalen, not in the midday as to St. Peter, but in the evening. Why was this? It was because the apostles had forsaken Him in the hour of need. They all fled in the Garden of Gethsemani. Only St. Peter and St. John had followed to the house of Caiphas; all the rest had been timorous and faint-hearted. They had forfeited the privilege that the faithful company of the holy women had secured of beholding their Master early in the day. Jesus treats us as we treat Him; love begets love. Every act of love done for Him earns a generous reward in this life, and also in the next. If we neglect Him, we must expect Him to neglect us. 2. Yet they had not forgotten Him. Their hearts were full of love to Him, and it was for Him that they were now suffering; it was on account of Him that they had been sad during this mournful triduum spent in the solitude of the guest-chamber. He therefore would not let the sun go down without coming to console them. He is so grateful for every thought of Him, and so ready to forget every unkindness. 3. At first they did not recognize Him. It could not be a human body which had thus passed through the closed doors. They supposed that they saw a spirit, or a phantom of their Master. Me will not believe in the wonders that the love of Jesus is ready to work for those who loveHim. He is ready to do for us far greater wonders than He wrought for His apostles. He is ready to break down all the barriers that sloth and idleness and sin have raised in our souls. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 7th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 18.—The First Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-39 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (continued)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 7th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 18.—The First Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-39 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (continued)

2 of 2 17.—The Appearance of Jesus to the Assembled Apostles 1. When the two disciples arrived at Jerusalem they found the doors of the house where the apostles were, barred and bolted for fear of the Jews. When they have gained admission they see a very different state of things from the sorrow and despondency of the morning. All are full of a trembling excitement: Christ has appeared, not merely to the women, but to Peter himself. Yet most of them scarcely dare to hope for such joy; and in spite of this confirmation by the new-comers, some are still incredulous. Some are naturally incredulous of some great happiness; and for this reason men of good will are naturally the slowest to believe untii some light from heaven enlightens them, or facts afford evidence that cannot be disputed. 2. While the assembled apostles are discussing the news, suddenly Jesus Himself appears in their midst. The doors are still fastened; but now He has broken the bonds of earth, and stands before them in the glorious beauty of His risen Body. So He comes suddenly and unexpectedly to those who love Him and long for Him: no obstacles can keep Him away; no intervening ties can separate Jesus from the souls that are dear to Him and He to them. 3. Jesus came to His apostles when the doors were shut. The cares, and troubles, and dangers of the world were shut out. This is the only means of drawing Christ to us. He does not make His voice heard amid the world's din. We must shut the doors of our senses if Christ is to come and be our Guest. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 6th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 17.—The Appearance of Jesus to the Assembled Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 33-36 And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. (continued)

✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 18.—The First Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-39 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. (continued)

2 of 2 16.—The Divine Guest 1. Jesus, unable to resist the importunity of these two faithful hearts, deigns to be their guest; after He has shared their meal He provides for them a heavenly banquet. For the second time He consecrates the Eucharistic Bread, and feeds His entertainers with the sacred food of His own Body and Blood. Then at length their eyes are opened, and in the reception of the Divine mysteries they recognize that He who worked the marvel is none else than the Lamb that had been slain; the Great Prophet whom they had loved, but had not known: Christ, their Lord, their Creator, and their King. 2. To open the eyes is one of the effects of a good Communion. When I receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ I should make use of the happy moment to ask His advice, to consult Him on my difficulties, to pray for more light, to beg that self-love and obstinacy of will and pertinacity of judgment may not blind my eyes. Why do I not make more of the brief time during which He is my guest, and is therefore bound to listen to me? 3. No sooner had the two disciples received holy Communion and made an act of faith in the Divinity of Jesus than He vanishes from their sight. How their hearts burn with joy,and peace, and gratitude, and love, and devotion! How could they have ever doubted! Oh, what happiness is theirs as they hasten back to Jerusalem to communicate the joyful news to those whom they had left in sorrow and distress! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 5th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 16.—The Divine Guest Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-35 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. (continued)

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2 of 2 15.—The Arrival at Emmaus 1. In the midst of the discourse, which had made them forget all else,they found themselves at their destination; and their Divine Companion made as though He would go farther. He let them think He was intending to leave them, in order to teach them, and through them to teach us, the necessity of persisting in prayer. Our Lord often lets us think that He is going to forsake us, or that He is unkind to us, or that He is not ready with help in time of need, in order to see whether we are in earnest in our desire to have Him for our companion and our friend, or whether we are ready to give Him up in the face of difficulties. 2. These two disciples will not hear of Jesus going farther. What do they not owe Him for that heavenly discourse that has turned their sorrow into joy! What would they not give to keep Him with them, and to listen to more of such words as His! They simply compel Him to remain with them, urging the motives that they regard as most likely to be effectual. This is what Jesus loves— that we should urge Him with constant importunity until we constrain Him to listen to our petitions. 3. We should each day invoke Our Lord with these words: Stay with us. Each morning when we wake, Stay with us through the day; in time of temptation or danger, Stay with us; in holy Communion, Stay with us with Thy Divine power; in the time of sickness and in the hour of death, Stay with us, O Lord Jesus! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 4th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 15.—The Arrival at Emmaus Read St. Luke xxiv. 28, 29 And they drew nigh to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. (continued)

2 of 2 14.—The Effects of the Discourse of Jesus 1. As Jesus speaks, the hearts of the two disciples burn within them. Never had they heard such a discourse as this; never had they understoodiiii the meaning of the Scriptures, till they listened to the inspired words of this Divine Expositor. How could they have been so blind before as not to have recognizedimi, in the sufferings and death of Jesus of Nazareth, the fulfilment of the prophecies? We, too, cannot understand Holy Scripture if we are left to yourselves; outside the Church, men read it, and find in it their own follies and fancies. It is only those who are taught of God who can ever read God's Word aright. 2. Why did the words of Jesus thus carry them out of themselves, so that the walk to Emmaus seemed all too short? It was because He who spoke was the Son of God; and there flowed into His words the grace of which His Sacred Heart was full. It is just the same with the servants of Christ, whether priests or ordinaiy Christians— their words move the hearts of others in proportion to their own holiness. How much more influence for good I should have if I were more holy! 3. There was another reason why Our Lord's words thus stirred the hearts of these two disciples. It was because they were men of good will. To such, the voice of God is sweet and attractive. "My sheep hear My voice," says Our Lord;" I know Mine, and Mine know Me." The enemies of God are repelled by His voice and the voice of His ministers and of His Church; they criticise, instead of listening in humility. What am I—a critic or a disciple? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

2 of 2 14.—The Effects of the Discourse of Jesus 1. As Jesus speaks, the hearts of the two disciples burn within them. Never had they heard such a discourse as this; never had they understoodiiii the meaning of the Scriptures, till they listened to the inspired words of this Divine Expositor. How could they have been so blind before as not to have recognizedimi, in the sufferings and death of Jesus of Nazareth, the fulfilment of the prophecies? We, too, cannot understand Holy Scripture if we are left to ourselves; outside the Church, men read it, and find in it their own follies and fancies. It is only those who are taught of God who can ever read God's Word aright. 2. Why did the words of Jesus thus carry them out of themselves, so that the walktoEmmaus seemedalltooshort? ItwasbecauseHewho spoke was the Son of God; and there flowed into His words the grace of which His Sacred Heart was full. It is just the same with the servants of Christ, whether priests or ordinaiy Christians— their words move the hearts of others in proportion to their own holiness. How much more influence for good I should have if I were more holy! 3. There was another reason why Our Lord's words thus stirred the hearts of these two disciples. It was because they were men of good will. To such, the voice of God is sweet and attractive. "My sheep hear My voice," says Our Lord;" I know Mine, and Mine know Me." The enemies of God are repelled by His voice and the voice of His ministers and of His Church; they criticise, instead of listening in humility. What am I—a critic or a disciple? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

2 of 2 14.—The Effects of the Discourse of Jesus 1. As Jesus speaks, the hearts of the two disciples burn within them. Never had they heard such a discourse as this; never had they understoodiiii the meaning of the Scriptures, till they listened to the inspired words of this Divine Expositor. How could they have been so blind before as not to have recognizedimi, in the sufferings and death of Jesus of Nazareth, the fulfilment of the prophecies? We, too, cannot understand Holy Scripture if we are left to ourselves; outside the Church, men read it, and find in it their own follies and fancies. It is only those who are taught of God who can ever read God's Word aright. 2. Why did the words of Jesus thus carry them out of themselves, so that the walktoEmmaus seemedalltooshort? ItwasbecauseHewho spoke was the Son of God; and there flowed into His words the grace of which His Sacred Heart was full. It is just the same with the servants of Christ, whether priests or ordinaiy Christians— their words move the hearts of others in proportion to their own holiness. How much more influence for good I should have if I were more holy! 3. There was another reason why Our Lord's words thus stirred the hearts of these two disciples. It was because they were men of good will. To such, the voice of God is sweet and attractive. "My sheep hear My voice," says Our Lord ;" I know Mine, and Mine know Me." The enemies of God are repelled by His voice and the voice of His ministers and of His Church; they criticise, instead of listening in humility. What am I—a critic or a disciple? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)