sussidio 21 April 2019

   “THE MEANS TO REACH THE FRUITS OF GOODNESS AND HOLINESS”

From the WORD of GOD

47 When evening came, the boat was far out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 He could see that they were hard pressed in their rowing, for the wind was against them; and about the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea. He was going to pass them by, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50 for they had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke to them and said, ‘Courage! It’s me! Don’t be afraid.’
51 Then he got into the boat with them and the wind dropped.
(Mk 6: 47-51)

From the DOCUMENTS of the CHURCH
The first of these great signs [of holiness] is solid grounding in the God who loves and sustains us. This source of inner strength enables us to persevere amid life’s ups and downs, but also to endure hostility, betrayal and failings on the part of others. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31): this is the source of the peace found in the saints. Such inner strength makes it possible for us, in our fast-paced, noisy and aggressive world, to give a witness of holiness through patience and constancy in doing good. It is a sign of the fidelity born of love, for those who put their faith in God (pístis) can also be faithful to others (pistós). They do not desert others in bad times; they accompany them in their anxiety and distress, even though doing so may not bring immediate satisfaction. (112).
Holiness is also parrhesía: it is boldness, an impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this world. To allow us to do this, Jesus himself comes and tells us once more, serenely yet firmly: “Do not be afraid” (Mk 6:50). “I am with you always, to the end of the world” (Mt 28:20). These words enable us to go forth and serve with the same courage that the Holy Spirit stirred up in the Apostles, impelling them to proclaim Jesus Christ. Boldness, enthusiasm, the freedom to speak out, apostolic fervour, all these are included in the word parrhesía. The Bible also uses this word to describe the freedom of a life open to God and to others (cf. Acts 4:29, 9:28, 28:31; 2 Cor 3:12; Eph 3:12; Heb 3:6, 10:19) (129).
[…] The Lord calls us to put out into the deep and let down our nets (cf. Lk 5:4). He bids us spend our lives in his service. Clinging to him, we are inspired to put all our charisms at the service of others (130).
Parrhesía is a seal of the Spirit; it testifies to the authenticity of our preaching. It is a joyful assurance that leads us to glory in the Gospel we proclaim. It is an unshakeable trust in the faithful Witness who gives us the certainty that nothing can “separate us from the love of God” (Rom 8:39). (132)
[…] Let us allow the Lord to rouse us from our torpor, to free us from our inertia. Let us rethink our usual way of doing things; let us open our eyes and ears, and above all our hearts, so as not to be complacent about things as they are, but unsettled by the living and effective word of the risen Lord (137).
(Gaudete et Exultate, Apostolic Exhortation of the Holy Father Francis)

From the WRITINGS of Blessed A. ROSMINI

I hope you are more abandoned to divine Providence, and that you grow in trust of the God who never commands the impossible, and with his commands gives the power to carry them out. We must not fall prey to fear or dismay; rather we must develop a courage altogether superior to the strength we feel, for God chooses the weak. I tell you, then, in the name of Christ, be calm; may there be peace in your heart; and however God may dispose of you, never let this disturb you. (To Don G.B. Pagani at Ratcliffe College, Stresa, 9 December 1847; A.L. Vol.VI let. 39, pp.54-55)
The man who follows the gospel in humility and meekness is loyal and generous. He is not afraid to express all the truth, which is his sole good, and confess Christ. He is incapable of any compromise with the precepts and spirit of this world. Neither baseness, nor the deceptive hope of producing a good not wished by God, will draw him to make terms with the world. The Gospel is sufficient for itself; God is all; the just man has all his heart fixed on eternal good. (To Niccolò Tommaseo in Florence, Domodossola 17 October 1832; EC Vol. IV, let.1807, p. 422)
Make every effort to reach the point where love does everything in you and renders everything easy and joyful. You will certainly reach this state with divine grace but only on two conditions. First, you must realise how great is the charity towards your neighbour to which you have been called by divine goodness, which in its secure and living wisdom ensures that every work of charity has an infinite value. Secondly, our divine redeemer Jesus Christ is to be continuously present as the object of love in all our charity towards our neighbour. So if the love of Jesus Christ increases in our heart, the interior man will mature with it to become grown-up and strong.
(To Deacon Marco Beccaria at Domodossola, Stresa 3December 1850; EC. Vol. XI, let. 6699, pp.150-151)

LET US PRAY

I love you, Yahweh, my strength.
Yahweh is my rock and my fortress,
my deliverer is my God.
I take refuge in him, my rock,
my shield, my saving strength,
my stronghold, my place of refuge.
I called to Yahweh in my anguish,
I cried for help to my God;
from his Temple he heard my voice,
my cry came to his ears. (Ps 18)

PASTORAL YEAR 2018 – 2019
ON-GOING FORMATION
INSTITUTE OF CHARITY
ROSMINIAN SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE

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