From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   God's unfolding plan of redemption   
      
   We see the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy and the unfolding of God's   
   plan of redemption in the events leading up to the Incarnation, the   
   birth of the Messiah King. The new era of salvation begins with the   
   miraculous conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. This child to be   
   born is conceived by the gracious action of the Holy Spirit upon Mary,   
   who finds favor with God (Luke 1:28). As Eve was the mother of all   
   humanity doomed to sin, now Mary becomes the mother of the new Adam   
   who will father a new humanity by his grace (Romans 5:12-21). This   
   child to be conceived in her womb is the fulfillment of all God's   
   promises. He will be "great" and "Son of the Most High" and "King" and   
   his name shall be called "Jesus" (Luke 1:31-32), which means "the Lord   
   saves." "He will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The   
   angel repeats to Mary, the daughter of the house of David, the promise   
   made to King David: "The Lord God will give to him the throne of his   
   father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and   
   of his kingdom there will be no end" (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:6-7,   
   Luke 1:32-33).   
      
      
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   April 9th - Saint Casilda of Toledo   
   (approximately 950-1050)   
      
   \ While little is known about Saint Casilda, what we do know is   
   inspirational--especially at a time when both inter and intra-religion   
   conflicts continue to exist. The life of Saint Casilda reminds us that   
   the Lord calls us to love and acceptance of all people, and challenges   
   us to open our hearts to those we disagree with or do not understand.   
      
   Saint Casilda was born the daughter of a Muslim king in Toledo, Spain.   
   Raised Muslim, she embraced her faith and felt a strong desire to help   
   others--including the many Christian prisoners detained in Spanish   
   prisons. In her kindness, against the orders of her father, Casilda   
   often visited the prisoners, smuggling in food and bread for them in   
   the folds of her dress. As holy legend recounts, on one occasion   
   Casilda was stopped by prison guards who demanded she disclose what   
   she was hiding in her clothing. Upon revealing the folds of her skirt,   
   the bread she carried miraculously transformed into roses. Saint   
   Casilda is oftentimes depicted in religious art carrying a basket or   
   bunch of roses of this reason.   
      
   As a young woman, Saint Casilda fell ill, likely from a hemorrhagic   
   fever common at the time, for which there was no cure. She refused the   
   assistance of the best Muslim physicians, and instead, traveled down   
   the Iberian Peninsula to the Shrine of San Vicente, known for it’s   
   healing waters and miraculous cures. There, through her faith and   
   holiness, she was cured of her illness, and later baptized into   
   Christianity.   
      
   Saint Casilda lived the remainder of her life as an anchoress (until   
   she reached the age of 100!) in quiet penance and solitude,   
   contemplating the wonder of God, and praying for those on earth. She   
   died peacefully, having served her creator well while practicing two   
   faiths on earth.   
      
   Saint Casilda reminds us of the divides that exist between religions   
   today (as well as within our own Church), and models for us the simple   
   love and acceptance of others that the Lord calls us to. Rather than   
   judge the imprisoned Christians, she brought them food. Rather than   
   return to her family and argue with them about their faith, she chose   
   to avoid the conflict, praying for them from afar. How often do we   
   seek our arguments? How often do we judge members of our own and other   
   faith communities? How might we better serve the Lord and draw others   
   to Him through the practice of love, charity, and acceptance?   
      
      
   Bible Quote:   
    If it is possible, as far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men.   
   (Rom. 12:18)   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any   
   way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits   
   of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my   
   quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.   
   -- Saint Ignatius of Antioch   
      
      
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   The festival of victory   
      
       The festival we celebrate is one of victory -- the victory of the   
   Son of God, king of the whole universe. On this day the devil is   
   defeated by the crucified one; our race is filled with joy by the   
   risen one. In honor of my resurrection in Christ this day cries out:   
   "In my journey I beheld a new wonder--an open tomb, a man risen from   
   the dead, bones exulting, souls rejoicing, men and women refashioned,   
   the heavens opened, and powers crying out: Lift up your gates, you   
   princes; be lifted up, you everlasting doors, that the king of glory   
   may come in. On this day I saw the king of heaven, robed in light,   
   ascend above the lightning and the rays of the sun, above the sun and   
   the sources of water, above the dwelling place of the angelic powers   
   and the city of eternal life."   
       Hidden first in a womb of flesh, he sanctified human birth by his   
   own birth; hidden afterward in the womb of the earth, he gave life to   
   the dead by his resurrection. Suffering, pain, and sighs have now fled   
   away. For who has known the mind of God, or who has been his counselor   
   if not the Word made flesh, who was nailed to the cross, who rose from   
   the dead, and who was taken up into heaven?   
    --Hesychius of Jerusalem   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)