Thought for the Day – 7 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
7th Day – The Models for Imitation
They are before the throne of God
and they serve Him, day and night in His temple.
(Apoc vii:15)
Example is better than precept and, we shall often learn more from watching those, who perfectly achieve, that which we are attempting to acquire, than by any set of rules.
Let us watch the Saints in Heaven in order that we may learn from them.
+1. Their continual occupation is the praise of God, the tranquil delight of basking in the Light of God. This satisfies every longing of their hearts, this fills them with perfect and unfading joy. This is the highest praise they can render to God.
How can I imitate them? By a continual remembrance of God, by visiting the Blessed Sacrament, by a frequent raising of my heart to Heaven.
+2. The Saints find a constant joy too, in showing reverence to God, in falling down in prostrate homage before the throne, in recognising their dependence upon Him and their indebtedness to Him, for all their joy.
This , too, I can copy by great reverence, both of body and soul; reverence before the Altar, reverence in my prayers, reverence and resignation to the Will of God in my thoughts.
+3. The Saints and Angels serve God too, by doing His bidding, whether by their homage in Heaven, or by carrying His graces and messages to men. Their joy is to do the Will of God and finish His work.
I, too, in my feeble way, can serve God I can really be of service to Him by every act of love and especially, by every act of kindness to others.
Pray that your life may prepare you for the company of the Saints in Heaven .
AnaStpaul 