Virgo Potens

2 of 2 ~ 15.— Thursday after Pentecost 2. The first miracle performed by the apostles was the healing of the lame man at the gate of the Temple. He who had been a helpless cripple came walking, and leaping, and praising God. The fact of the miracle was undeniable. "It is manifest," said the council of the Jews, and we cannot deny it." They were more honest than modern sceptics, who explain away miracles for which the evidence is just as strong. Pray that you may have none of the sceptical spirit that is so hateful to God. 3. This miracle was worked in the name of Jesus by the operation of the Holy Spirit, in fulfilment of Our Lord's promise, "He shall glorify Me." All true miracles are wrought by the authority and in the name of Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. We shall do wonderful things for God if all we do is done in Jesus' name and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We fail because we act in our own name and under our own guidance. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 12th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 15.— Thursday after Pentecost The Effects of Pentecost : the Power of Healing 1. Our Lord had promised that the works that He had done on earth, those who believed in Him should do also (St. John xiv. 12). Among these works was the power to raise the dead and to heal the sick. Those on whom the Spirit of God descended performed miracles which even their adversaries could not deny. These miracles still continue; they are the exclusive property of the Catholic Church; they are one of the proofs of the continual presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for this, and make an act of faith in the wonder-working power of the Church. (continued)

2 of 2 The Dignity of the Sacred Heart 2. The Sacred Heart is also bound up in the closest union with the Divine nature of Jesus Christ. It is endowed with divine qualities which flow into it from the Godhead. It has authority without limit over the hearts of men. They are all its subjects whom it has the right to command. It has in itself the power of working miracles. It loves God as only those can love Him who see Him face to face. 3. In the Sacred Heart of Jesus are centred all the supernatural powers which the nature of man is capable of possessing. The Sacred Heart of Jesus shares the Divine prerogative of unbounded mercy. As from the sun flow light and heat, so from the Heart of Jesus flow all possible supernatural graces. What glory, then, of saint or angel can be compared to one ray of glory from the Sacred Heart? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 11th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Dignity of the Sacred Heart 1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, though it is a true human heart, yet it is not the heart of any human person. His human nature subsists in His Divine personality. Hence His Sacred Heart has the dignity which belongs, in virtue of His Divine nature, to the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. It is, so to speak, absorbed in the glory of the Divinity, though without losing its character of a true human heart, just as a piece of iron does not cease to be iron because it glows with the heat of the fire into which it is plunged. Rejoice in the glory of the Sacred Heart, and adore the Divinity which dwells there. (continued)

2 of 2 ~ 14.— Wednesday after Pentecost 2. These fruits are the graces of the Holy Spirit, some of them gifts given by God according to His good pleasure, apart from individual merits; others requiring man's co-operation, and imparting a new beauty to the individual soul. The Catholic Church is this tree, sprung from the blood of Jesus, planted by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, to take firm root, and never to be rooted up, in spite of all the hatred of the wicked and the malice of Satan. How many graces I have received through the Catholic Church! 3. The first of the graces of Pentecost was the power bestowed on the disciples of speaking so that all men, of every nation and tribe, understood them. They thus anticipated the universal language of heaven. Each one heard his own tongue. To each, therefore, as it seemed, the words of the apostles were specially directed. "We all hear them speak in our own tongues." The gift of speaking words suitable to all alike is a great grace. God gives to His faithful servants the power of speaking to the hearts of all, so that all can say, "This is meant for me." ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 11th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 14.— Wednesday after Pentecost The Effects of Pentecost : the Gift of Languages 1. As Our Lord, when He became incarnate, brought down heaven to earth in His own sacred Person, so, after He returned to heaven, the Holy Ghost came to plant on earth a tree, the fruits of which were not only designed for the healing of the nations, but were to be a sort of commencement of the glory of the saints in paradise. Jesus Christ had fought the battle and won the victory, and now He sent the Holy Spirit to make the kingdoms of this world the kingdom of God. (continued)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 11th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 14.— Wednesday after Pentecost The Effects of Pentecost : the Gift of Languages 1. As Our Lord, when He became incarnate, brought down heaven to earth in His own sacred Person, so, after He returned to heaven, the Holy Ghost came to plant on earth a tree, the fruits of which were not only designed for the healing of the nations, but were to be a sort of commencement of the glory of the saints in paradise. Jesus Christ had fought the battle and won the victory, and now He sent the Holy Spirit to make the kingdoms of this world the kingdom of God. (continued)

2 of 2 The Sacred Heart of Jesus among His Apostles 2. We observe, too, Our Lord's exceeding patience with the apostles. They were selfish, narrow, perverse, incredulous. Yet, how He forbore with them! With what unspeakable gentleness He put up with all their faults! Never a harsh word or angry look. I must try to copy the Sacred Heart in this when others try my temper by their perverseness or their dulness. I must be gentle with them for Jesus' sake. 3. The apostles enjoyed the inestimable privilege of being for three years the constant companions of Jesus. Yet at the Last Supper He speaks as if He were indebted to them for their society. "You are they who have continued with Me in My temptations, and I dispose to you, as My Father hath disposed to Me, a kingdom." So Christ Our Lord will one day thank us for our poor services, and treat us as if He were indebted to us. Christ my debtor fo rHis love to me! Yet it is a fact of the Divine love. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 10th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Sacred Heart of Jesus among His Apostles 1. If Our Blessed Lord poured forth the treasures of His Sacred Heart upon all among whom He dwelt, His twelve apostles received a share corresponding to the place of privilege that they occupied. In the prayer He offered to His Eternal Father before His Passion they occupy a special place. "Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, whom Thou hast given Me; that they may be one, as We also are." The Sacred Heart yearned over them. I, too, am bound to Christ by the wonderful graces He has given me. He means me, too, in my sphere to be an apostle of His Sacred Heart. What a happiness for me, and what a claim on His love. (continued)

2 of 2 ~ 13.— Whit-tuesday 2. This new fire was a purifying fire, driving out all sin, cleansing the soul of its dross. The fire of divine love has a power to consume the gnawing rust of selfishness, and indolence, and jealousy of the success of others. When its work is done, it leaves nothing of spiteful words and hard thoughts and unkind actions; nothing but the love of God remains behind. Purify me, O God, by the fire of Thy love. 3. This fire was also exceedingly bright. It was to communicate its attractive brilliancy to those on whom it descended, both collectively and individually. It is this bright fire of Pentecost that illuminates the Church, and makes it draw men of good will into it. How thankful should I be in that I dwell where the fire of Pentecost ever brightly burns! Around the priest there is a halo belonging to his sacred office; around each individual Catholic there is a light of faith which burns not outside the fold. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 10th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 13.— Whit-tuesday The Tongues of Fire The tongues which came down from heaven and rested upon the disciples were tongues of fire. The fire had its own meaning. 1. It was a fulfilment of Our Lord's words, "I am come to send fire upon earth," a fire of charity such as had never been kindled before. He brought to man and taught to man a charity without bounds, ready to sacrifice itself even to the death; a charity which loved the sinner and the fallen because they were sinners and fallen; a charity which esteemed it a joy to suffer for others for Christ's sake. Is my charity of this kind? Is it a self-denying charity? Is it a charity which extends even to those whom I dislike? (continued)

2 of 2 The Sacred Heart during Our Lord's Public Life 2. What was the secret of this attractiveness? It was not His Divine beauty, or His eloquence, or His majesty of mien. It was His overflowing, unbounded love, manifesting itself in every word. All who listened to Him could not help saying, "He loves me fondly, tenderly, and the one desire of His Heart is to lead me to better things, to save me from my miseries. It is just the same now. His Sacred Heart still yearns over me, and desires to raise me to better things. 3. Yet He was not attractive to all. Some He repelled; they were ill at ease in His presence and longed to get rid of Him. They had a positive aversion for Him and were afraid of Him. Who were these ? They were the men of bad will. The self-sufficient, the self-willed, the lovers of sin. There is nothing that so destroys the attractiveness of Jesus as any sin loved and indulged. Is there any such in me? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 9th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Sacred Heart during Our Lord's Public Life 1. In the public ministry of Our Lord the wonderful attractiveness of the Sacred Heart cannot fail to strike even the surface reader of the Gospels. He drew all men to Him and made them forget all else. A crowd of seven thousand followed Him into the desert, and preferred to faint with hunger rather than leave Him. A woman, who was a sinner, braved the taunts and jeers of the guests at a banquet to throw herself at His feet. For those who have good-will Jesus has the same attractiveness now. I may test my good-will by seeing whether I am drawn to Him. (continued)

2 of 2 ~ 12.— Whit-monday 2. The tongues indicated that the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, either by His holy inspirations or by the voice of those who have authority to teach us. If I wish to speak and act prudently, I must take Him for my guide. Do I listen attentively to His voice, and obey most faithfully its holy utterances ? 3. The tongues were also to remind us that it is our words which will obtain for us justification or condemnation at the day of judgment. Our Lord warns us that "by our words we shall be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned." He does not say by our actions or our good intentions, but by our words. How often I forget this when I let loose my tongue in foolish and uncharitable words! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 9th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 12.— Whit-monday The Parted Tongues At the same time that the sound of the mighty wind filled the whole house, there appeared something more wondrous still. Parted tongues of fire appeared, and descended on the head of each of the disciples who were present. Why did the Holy Spirit's presence manifest itself under the form of tongues ? 1. Because they signified that to each would be given the office of speaking of the things of God, of communicating to others the truth that they had themselves learned. This was the sacred duty to which their whole lives were to be given. So now, on all priests, the same obligation rests, and, in their own degree, on all parents, teachers, all in authority, nay, on every one of the faithful. I, too, in Baptism, and still more in Confirmation, have received this obligation of communicating to those around me the sacred truths of the Gospel. (continued)

2 of 2 The Sacred Heart at Nazareth 2. Look at the humble workshop attached to the cottage at Nazareth, and see Jesus in His early youth, working under Joseph's direction. He is just at the age when boys begin to assert their liberty and independence, and who had more right to libertyand independence than the King of heaven and earth? Yet Jesus is subject to Joseph with blind obedience. His Heart is in love with subjection; it is a joy to the Creator to obey one of His creatures. Shall we not love subjection after such an example? 3. Look once again at Jesus amid the children of His own age. Sometimes He is talking to them, and they listen, spell-bound, to the words of the carpenter's Son. Sometimes He is taking the lead in their innocent games. But most often He is consoling them in trouble, encouraging the down-hearted. How unselfish even in childhood! how kind, how thoughtful! Oh that I were more like Him in this! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 8th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Sacred Heart at Nazareth 1. Look into the little cottage at Nazareth, andd behold the fairest of all the children of men nestling on His holy Mother's breast. How those two hearts beat in perfect unison! Mary's Immaculate Heart receiving from the Heart of Jesus a stream of grace that flowed on continually without let or obstacle. Jesus, in turn, rejoicing with unspeakable joy at the only heart that satisfied His longings and fulfilled His hopes. Oh that my heart were, in this, more like Mary's! (continued)

2 of 2 ~ 11.— Whit-sunday 2. The Holy Spirit came like a mighty wind, but yet perceived by each and all. Unsearchable like the wind in no one being able to trace whence He comes and whither He goes, sweeping away all the miasmas of earth, purifying, refreshing, invigorating. Has He produced these effects in my soul? Have I asked Him to make me more pure and courageous and strong? Have I co-operated with His grace, or have I hindered His holy influences? 3. The Holy Spirit in coming filled the whole house where they had met together. So His presence extends to the whole Church. He speaks first through the Vicar of Christ, then through bishops and priests, and in subordination to their authority, to the individual soul. It is this universal gift that makes the Church of Christ no mere collection of individuals, but the living body of Christ, her divine Spouse. Thank God for the happiness of being a member of it. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 8th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 11.— Whit-sunday The Descent of the Holy Ghost 1. At length the retreat of the apostles was over, and they all assembled together to receive the gift that Our Lord had promised to send them after His departure from them. He had promised to ask the Eternal Father to send the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, in His name, to remain with them forever. The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity was to come in His seven fold power, to dwell in the Church of God, and in the hearts of all its faithful members. What a wondrous gift! What a proof of the love of Jesus! He gave the best gift that heaven itself had to bestow. He gave them the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. (continued)

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost : Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of God. Blessed Feast of Pentecost! May the Holy Ghost shower you with His gifts and may He dwell eternally in your soul. ~ Virgo Potens, Defende nos in prœlio, Chantbird’s Garden of Song, One Holy Catholic, Christus Regnat, Catholic Universe and Glory to God