One Minute Reflection – 30 May – Monday within the Octave of Ascension – Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:14-20 and the Memorial of St Joan of Arc (1412-1431) “The Maid of Orléans” Holy Virgin
“He who believes and is baptised, shall be saved but he that believes not, shall be condemned.” – Mark 16:16
REFLECTION – “Let us work for the food which does not perish—our salvation! Let us work in the vineyard of the Lord ,to earn our daily wage in the Wisdom, which says: Those who work in me will not sin. Christ tells us: The field is the world. Let us work in it and dig up Wisdom, its hidden treasure, a treasure we all look for and want to obtain.
If you are looking for it, really look. Be converted and come. Converted from what? From your own willfulness. “But,” you may say, “if I do not find wisdom in my own will, where shall I find it? My soul eagerly desires it. And I will not be satisfied when I find it, if it is not a generous amount, a full measure, overflowing into my hands.” You are correct, for blessed is the man who finds Wisdom and is full of prudence.
Look for Wisdom while it can still be found. Call for it while it is near. Do you want to know how near it is? The Word and Wisdom is near you, in your heart and on your lips, provided that you seek it honestly. …
Happy is the man who has found Wisdom. Even more happy is the man who lives in Wisdom, for he perceives its abundance. There are three ways for Wisdom, or prudence to abound in you – if you confess your sins, if you give thanks and praise, and if your speech is edifying. Man believes with his heart and so, he is justified. He confesses with his lips and so, he is saved. In the beginning of his speech, the just man is his own accuser, next he gives glory to God and thirdly, if his wisdom extends that far, he edifies his neighbour.” – St Bernard (1090-1153) The “Last Father” and Mellifluous Doctor of the Church An excerpt from his Sermo de diversis
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe Thine Only-Begotten Son our Saviour, to have this day ascended into the Heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend and with Him continually dwell. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 