From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Appreciating God’s Grace (4)    
      
      Always take the lowest place and the highest will be given you, for   
   the highest cannot exist apart from the lowest. The saints who are   
   greatest before God are those who consider themselves the least, and   
   the more humble they are within themselves, so much the more glorious   
   they are. Since they do not desire vainglory, they are full of truth   
   and heavenly glory. Being established and strengthened in God, they   
   can by no means be proud. They attribute to God whatever good they   
   have received; they seek no glory from one another but only that which   
   comes from God alone. They desire above all things that He be praised   
   in themselves and in all His saints--this is their constant purpose.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 10   
      
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   May 18th - Saint Eric of Sweden   
    (also known as Eric the Lawgiver and Eric the Holy,)   
    d. 1160   
      
   Saint Eric IX of Sweden is remembered for his honesty, generosity   
   toward the Church, and conversion of his people at a time when   
   Christianity was not well received. King Saint Eric is a model of   
   courage and faith, at a time when such virtues often resulted in one’s   
   death. For that reason, Saint Eric, the patron saint of Sweden, is   
   celebrated as a holy martyr of the Church, having died while attending   
   Mass on the feast of the Ascension.   
      
   Born Eric Jedvardson, the son of an Upland lord, Eric assumed the   
   throne of Sweden in 1150, following the death of Sverker the Elder.   
   King Eric IX reigned for 10 years, during which time he governed with   
   fairness and equality, established law and order, and spread the faith   
   of Christianity within the country, as well as into the surrounding   
   pagan lands. Eric was the first to codify Swedish law, doing so based   
   upon the teachings of Christ in the Bible. He established fair laws   
   and impartial courts, and charitable programs for the poor and sick   
   (which were quite rare at that time). He built churches, including the   
   first cathedral in Sweden, and successfully defended his country from   
   invasion several times.   
      
   Due to his faith, Eric made many enemies, include the ruler of nearby   
   modern-day Denmark at the time. Following a defeat in battle, for   
   example, King Eric had sent Christian missionaries into Denmark to   
   convert the defeated soldiers. During a subsequent brief period of   
   peace, assassins were sent into Sweden to kill Eric. They found him at   
   Mass in the cathedral he had built at Uppsala, celebrating the   
   Ascension of the Lord. His soldiers, having scouted the enemy, warned   
   the king that a pagan Danish army was approaching to kill him. He   
   replied, "Let us at least finish the sacrifice (of the Mass). The rest   
   of the feast I shall keep elsewhere." As he was leaving the church, on   
   a hill known as “The Lords’ Hill,” the Danish army rushed upon him and   
   killed him by beheading. Holy legend tells us that where his blood   
   fell, a spring of fresh water sprang up, believed to have miraculous   
   healing power.   
      
   Saint Eric’s relics were placed in a shrine, used in processions, and   
   placed at rest in the cathedral in Uppsala. Numerous miracles have   
   been recorded at its side. While Eric has never been officially   
   canonized, he is recognized locally as a saint, and honored both as an   
   upholder of the Christian faith and as a national hero-- the ancestor   
   of a long line of Swedish kings. Within thirty years after his death   
   his name appeared on the Swedish Calendar, and he is accounted the   
   principal patron of Sweden, as (for example) Saint Patrick is the   
   patron of Ireland.   
      
   King Saint Eric of Sweden lived in difficult times. It was not unusual   
   for kings to be assassinated, deposed, or imprisoned for even the   
   slightest reason, if rivals could build enough support in the army or   
   the populace. Yet Eric was unafraid, introducing sweeping political,   
   judicial, social, and spiritual changes throughout not only Sweden,   
   but also the surrounding countries. His commitment to the improvement   
   and defense of Sweden, through adherence to the teachings of the   
   Gospel, eventually led to his death. Even in the moments prior to his   
   death, Eric recognized the importance of his faith, placing   
   celebration of Mass before his earthly kingdom. What might we say of   
   our own priorities? Where do the teachings of Christ rank in our daily   
   lives?   
   --by Jacob   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Consider seriously how quickly people change, and how little trust is   
   to be had in them; and hold fast to God, who does not change.   
   --St. Teresa of Avila   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not   
   depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father,   
   which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth. 5 For John indeed   
   baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost,   
   not many days hence.   (Acts 1:4-5)   
      
      
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   Psalm 24: The Lord’s Solemn Entry into Zion   
      
   1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,   
   the world, and all who live in it;   
   2 for he founded it upon the seas   
   and established it upon the waters.   
   3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?   
   Who may stand in his holy place?   
   4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,   
   who does not lift up his soul to an idol   
   or swear by what is false.   
   5 He will receive blessing from the LORD   
   and vindication from God his Savior.   
   6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,   
   who seek your face, O God of Jacob.   
   7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;   
   be lifted up, you ancient doors,   
   that the King of glory may come in.   
   8 Who is this King of glory?   
   The LORD strong and mighty,   
   the LORD mighty in battle.   
   9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;   
   lift them up, you ancient doors,   
   that the King of glory may come in.   
   10 Who is he, this King of glory?   
   The LORD Almighty--   
   he is the King of glory.  [Psalm 24:1-10]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)