From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Forsaking Creatures to Find the Creator: [II]   
      
   A soul needs much grace to be raised up and carried beyond itself.   
   Yet, unless a man's soul is raised, set free from all attachment to   
   earthly things, and wholly united to God, neither his knowledge nor   
   his possessions are of any value. So long as he esteems as precious   
   anything outside the One, Infinite, and Eternal Good, long shall he   
   remain little and earthbound in spirit. For whatever is not God is   
   nothing, and is to be accounted nothing. There is a great difference   
   between the wisdom of a devout man enlightened by God, and the   
   knowledge of a learned and studious scholar. More noble by far is the   
   learning infused from above by divine grace, than that painfully   
   acquired by the industry of man.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ, Bk 3, Ch 31   
      
      
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   March 31st - Saint Stephen of Mar Saba, Wonderworker   
   (725-794)   
      
    Stephen was a nephew of John of Damascus who spent a half-century as   
   a monk in the convent of Mar Saba overlooking the Kidron Valley in the   
   West Bank, east of Bethlehem. Entering the monastery to train with his   
   uncle when he was just 10 years old, Stephen was the youngest to do so   
   (as traditionally, men were not allowed into the monastery until they   
   were old enough to grow a beard.)   
      
   Saint Stephen trained under the tutelage of his uncle for nearly 15   
   years, after which, at age 24, Stephen was ordained. For 8 years, he   
   served his community as guestmaster and cantor. It is said that while   
   he was celebrating mass on one occasion, Stephen raised the Eucharist,   
   intoning the words, “Holy things to the holy.” Holy legend tells us   
   that his cell was bathed suddenly in glorious light, and that from   
   that moment on, whatever he prayed for during the Eucharist was   
   granted. He came to be known as the “Wonderworker” due to his   
   miraculous intercessions.   
      
   Despite the respect of his brothers, and those who sought him out,   
   Stephen felt drawn to the contemplative life, wishing to live in   
   complete isolation as a hermit. His request was denied by his   
   Superior, as he wished him to remain available for those seeking his   
   miraculous intercessions and council. Stephen agreed to a compromise,   
   living an isolated life during the week, and making himself available   
   for spiritual counseling on weekends. He hung a sign on the door of   
   his cell that read, “Forgive me, Fathers, in the name of the Lord, but   
   please do not disturb me, except on Saturdays and Sundays." Despite   
   his desire for isolation, Stephen’s gracious demeanor, humility, and   
   piety made him an excellent spiritual counselor to his brothers and   
   those who visited.   
      
   Stephen eventually left the monastery, living a life of solitude and   
   isolation in the desert around the Dead Sea. After 15 years, he   
   allowed others to visit him, many of which came for miraculous   
   healing. He loved all of God’s creatures, and is often depicted   
   surrounded by animals, with whom he was said to have special communion   
   with. So was his love, he gathered worms from the ground around his   
   dwelling, lest they be trampled by visitors.   
      
   His biographer and disciple Leontius wrote about Stephen: "Whatever   
   help, spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He   
   received and honored all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing   
   and lacked nothing. In total poverty he possessed all things."   
      
   Saint Stephen of Mar Saba was likely persecuted near the end of his   
   life, as the Islamic faith began spreading through the region. The   
   Saracens, spreading that faith, attacked many of his brethren, and   
   many monks of Mar Saba were slain. Despite this growing threat, his   
   heart remained strong in service to the Lord. While the details of his   
   death are unknown, Stephen left behind a life rich with faith and   
   miracles, a legacy of faith, and several hymns which demonstrate   
   endurance in times of sadness.   
    by Jacob   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to   
   abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His   
   grace to mold them accordingly.   
   --St. Ignatius Loyola   
      
   Bible Quote:   
    On that day there shall be neither cold nor frost.[c] 7 And there   
   shall be continuous day (it is known to the Lord), not day and not   
   night, for at evening time there shall be light. 8 On that day living   
   waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea   
   and half of them to the western sea; it shall continue in summer as in   
   winter. [Zechariah 14:6-8]   RSVCE   
      
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   Prayer   
   O God and Lord of the Powers, and Maker of all creation, Who, because   
   of Thy clemency and incomparable mercy, didst send Thine Only-Begotten   
   Son and our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind, and with   
   His venerable Cross didst tear asunder the record of our sins, and   
   thereby didst conquer the rulers and powers of darkness; receive from   
   us sinful people, O merciful Master, these prayers of gratitude and   
   supplication, and deliver us from every destructive and gloomy   
   transgression, and from all visible and invisible enemies who seek to   
   injure us. Nail down our flesh with fear of Thee, and let not our   
   hearts be inclined to words or thoughts of evil, but pierce our souls   
   with Thy love, that ever contemplating Thee, being enlightened by   
   Thee, and discerning Thee, the unapproachable and everlasting Light,   
   we may unceasingly render confession and gratitude to Thee: The   
   eternal Father, with Thine Only-Begotten Son, and with Thine All-Holy,   
   Gracious, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.   
   Amen.   
      
   -- Saint Basil the Great from a prayer by him   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)