Saint Thomas Aquinas

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The Cross exemplifies every virtue
From a conference by Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest
-Divine Office

Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act.

It is a remedy, for, in the face of all the evils which we incur on account of our sins, we have found relief through the passion of Christ. Yet, it is no less an example, for the passion of Christ completely suffices to fashion our lives. Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.

If you seek the example of love: Greater love than this no man has, than to lay down his life for his friends. Such a man was Christ on the cross. And if he gave his life for us, then it should not be difficult to bear whatever hardships arise for his sake.

If you seek patience, you will find no better example than the cross. Great patience occurs in two ways: either when one patiently suffers much, or when one suffers things which one is able to avoid and yet does not avoid. Christ endured much on the cross, and did so patiently, because when he suffered he did not threaten; he was led like a sheep to the slaughter and he did not open his mouth. Therefore Christ’s patience on the cross was great. In patience let us run for the prize set before us, looking upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, bore his cross and despised the shame.

If you seek an example of humility, look upon the crucified one, for God wished to be judged by Pontius Pilate and to die.

If you seek an example of obedience, follow him who became obedient to the Father even unto death. For just as by the disobedience of one man, namely, Adam, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man, many were made righteous.

If you seek an example of despising earthly things, follow him who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Upon the cross he was stripped, mocked, spat upon, struck, crowned with thorns, and given only vinegar and gall to drink.

Do not be attached, therefore, to clothing and riches, because they divided my garments among themselves. Nor to honours, for he experienced harsh words and scourgings. Nor to greatness of rank, for weaving a crown of thorns they placed it on my head. Nor to anything delightful, for in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Little Flower Novena

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Prayers to be said each day:

Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of divine love.

V. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.

R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

 

Let us pray: O God, who have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love: O my God! I believe in Thee: strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee daily more and more.

 

The Act of Contrition: O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance , and to amend my life. Amen.

 

Concluding Prayer Prayed Each Day:

O Lord, You have said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg You, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the Virgin blessed Thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. Amen.

Special Prayers for Each Day:

For a printer friendly copy of this novena, click here

Resource obtained from:  http://www.ewtn.com/

When it’s So Difficult to Pray

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I often hear newly bereaved parents say, “I just can’t seem to pray at the moment.” Yes, I remember feeling the same way in those early weeks after our baby Thomas died. When we need prayers most, why is it so difficult to concentrate and pray?

I tried to pray the Rosary. I’d sit with my beads and begin, but my thoughts would wander away after the first few words. Eventually I’d realise I wasn’t praying at all. I was thinking about Thomas.

I confided my problem to my close friend, Sarah and she kindly said, “But Sue, we will pray for you. That’s what we’re here for. Don’t worry.” This brought me a lot of comfort. I am so grateful for the people who prayed for me. But still I was concerned. Why couldn’t I pray? I needed God. I had to pray.

A long time later, I realised I was actually praying during those traumatic and difficult days. I was praying non-stop. I was just praying in an unaccustomed way.

For weeks, all I could think about was my son. Thomas consumed every thought. I thought about him all day. I went to bed thinking about him. I woke up thinking about him. Nothing else was important. And what I was thinking about most of all was, “Why?” Why did God allow my baby to die when I wanted him so much? Why didn’t God answer my prayers?  Was I unworthy? I was suffering like I’d never suffered before and I was trying to make sense of it all.

Then I realised my thoughts of Thomas were bound up completely with God. I was trying to make sense of my suffering, but no answer was possible without Him. I was having an unending conversation with God.

Living continually in God’s presence? That’s something we all try to do. I think that’s exactly what I was doing during those early weeks of sorrow. Despite thinking it was so difficult for me to pray, I was actually praying constantly. I was praying like I’d never prayed before.

And though I felt far, far away from God, I am sure He was there holding me so very close. He was right there beside me, listening to my prayers… the prayers I was unaware I was even praying.

 

Please feel welcome to visit my blog, Sue Elvis Writes, to share more of my grief posts.

Special Prayer Request

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Prayer Request: For Ethan, a little boy with Down Syndrome who is critically ill with Pneumonia. His Mom writes:

Our entire house was in the middle of going through a round of the stomach bug, including Ethan. And his turned bad…fast. He became completely lethargic with labored breathing. When he got to the ER he declined quick. He was put on 100% oxygen and was still desatting. By the time they got him admitted and into a room, it was clear he would need to be ventilated. They did a chest x-ray and found pneumonia in his lungs. His stomach was filled with blood. Initial labs came back normal, so further cultures were taken. There was a point where it was so critical they did not know if he would make it through the night.

We are waiting for results to get some idea as to what is going on internally. Ethan remains on the ventilator, where he is sedated.

One would think that after having a child hospitalized for 2 years, we would be strong. We were not. It was probably the most broken moment I have felt in these 2 years. I did not realize how quickly we had put the memories of the hospital behind us. And I did not know how easily the feelings would come rushing back.

O Mary, be with this family, send all of your angels to guide them to healing and comfort them in this fearful time.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you ♥

My YES to God the Father

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This evening is a holy day of obligation for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Our Lady’s conception in the womb of St. Anne was also a great miracle as she was conceived without original sin.  Something to really meditate upon, she is a reflection of what we need to be throughout our Christian walk which is truly a very short journey indeed.

I want to share this poster image of what we are all called to be as we live the challenge of our Christian Faith, we are also Catholic Christians which means we are not alone as this is a Universal teaching that spreads to all the corners of the earth.  My prayers are with anyone who will meet this challenge and possibly go further in the walk to bring teaching to others. We are called to be apostles of Christ so that those called to spread this teaching will hear the call and not wait. Ask yourself are you being called to learn more about “Theology of the Body”?

This is truly a great GIFT given to us from our creator GOD the FATHER.  “Enjoy this creation, “The Pyramid of Intimacy” by our instructor Bill Donaghy.” (Quoted from – http://www.facebook.com/TOBInstitute)

Please see “Opening Hearts and Minds” for further information.

 

 

 

 

To Whom Shall I Go?

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The day after Thomas’ funeral I visited Father F.

“I feel so angry with God,” I confessed. “All the doctors told me that there was little possibility that Thomas would live after birth, but I refused to accept that. I told them that there was a greater Power than them. I insisted God could heal our baby.”

I had on many occasions voiced my faith in God. The doctors had looked at me with pity. Why wouldn’t I just accept their prognosis? Why did I keep burying my head in the sand, unable to accept reality? They didn’t think God would help me. I hoped so much He would.

But the doctors had been right and I’d been wrong. God hadn’t come to my rescue.

“God just doesn’t care about me,” I said to Father. “He doesn’t love me. Why did He allow such suffering when I was willing to profess my faith in Him? It wasn’t easy going out on a limb telling those doctors I had full confidence in God. Maybe they thought I was crazy.”

And then I said, “I’ve decided I’m never going to Mass again.”

Father told me a story. When he was a seminarian in Vietnam, he was imprisoned with other seminarians and priests. All he’d wanted to do was give his life to God and God had allowed Father F to be imprisoned. It didn’t seem fair. He wanted to do good work for God and there he was shut up in a cell. He had survived by eating rats. He had suffered. And he felt that God had abandoned him. “I thought that God didn’t care about me at all,” he finished.

Then Father gave me a hug, a hug from one sufferer to another. Tears flowed down my face and my body shook and Father held me. He understood.

A few minutes later, I dried my eyes and attempted a smile. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at Mass on Sunday after all,” I said.

Father smiled. Yes, he understood.

I think about the apostles when Jesus said they must eat His flesh and drink His blood if they wanted eternal life.

After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

“To whom shall we go?” The apostles didn’t understand but they knew Jesus alone had the words of eternal life. He was the Son of God and they believed.

I also didn’t understand. Why did God allow Thomas to die? I had tried so hard to stand up and proclaim my Faith in Him. Why was I suffering? I had no idea but I knew I had to trust Him.

So I turned to God. There was nowhere else for me to go. For who else could bring me through the pain? I knew I couldn’t survive on my own. I needed God.

And He didn’t let me down. I survived.

One day, I am sure, just like the apostles, I will understand why God allowed Thomas to die. Even now, I catch glimpses of the meaning of God’s plan. But to understand fully is no longer important. “You have the words of eternal life and we have believed.” I believe. That is all that really matters.

If you would like to share more of my grief stories, please visit my blog Sue Elvis Writes