From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The star of Bethlehem:   
      
   John Chrysostom (347-407 AD), in his homily on this passage from   
   Matthew 2, explains the significance of the star of Bethlehem:   
      
       "Note how fitting was the order of events: the wise men saw the   
   star, were received by the Jews and their king; they heard prophecy to   
   explain what had appeared; the angel instructed them; and then they   
   journeyed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem by the guidance of the star.   
   From all this we learn that this was not an ordinary star, for no   
   other star has this capacity to guide, not merely to move but to   
   beckon, to “go before them,” drawing and guiding them along their way.   
   The star remained after bringing them to the place, in order that the   
   child might also be seen. For there is nothing conspicuous about the   
   place. The inn was ordinary. The mother was not celebrated or notable.   
   The star was needed to manifest and illumine the lowly place, until   
   they had reached their destination at the manger."   
    [The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 7:3]   
      
      
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   January 8th - Saint Thorfinn of Hamar   
    d. 1285   
      
   Thorfinn was a Norwegian monk, priest, and Bishop of Hamar, who lived   
   a quiet and dedicated life to the Lord. It wasn’t until after the   
   death of this holy man--50 years after his death to be precise--that   
   his sanctity and sainthood were first recognized! During construction   
   and renovation of the church in which he was buried, it became clear   
   that the Lord held Saint Thorfinn in high esteem--his body exuded the   
   scent of holiness.   
      
   The current abbot felt drawn to discover more about Saint Thorfinn, of   
   which there was little recorded in the monastery’s records. Speaking   
   with the oldest remaining monk, Father Walter de Muda, the abbot   
   learned that Thorfinn had been an exceptionally devoted brother--good,   
   patient, generous, and firm in his confrontation of evil. In fact,   
   Father Walter had written a poem about the fallen abbot--written on   
   fragile parchment--which had been placed in the tomb with Thorfinn.   
      
   The abbot searched for the poem, finding it in pristine condition in   
   the tomb, not having suffered the ravages of time. Taking this as a   
   sign that the Lord wished Thorfinn to be remembered and honored,   
   Father Walter was asked to record all he could remember about the holy   
   man who had lived his life quietly. The monks--and soon others who   
   heard of this discovery--began praying at Thorfinn’s tomb, and   
   numerous miracles began occurring at his intercession!   
      
   The details that Father Walter remembered were few, but comprise what   
   we know about Saint Thorfinn today. Thorfinn had been born in Norway,   
   and had become a Cistercian monk at the abbey of Taurtra. Ordained a   
   priest, records indicate that he served in the cathedral in that city   
   for some time. During this time, Thorfinn was confronted with the   
   choice that many had to make--allegiance to the king of Norway (King   
   Eric) or to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Years before, Thorfinn   
   had been witness to the important Norwegian Agreement of Tonsberg, in   
   which King Magnus VI freed the Church from governmental control.   
   However, upon ascending to the throne, King Eric of Norway rescinded   
   the agreement, and exiled those who supported it. Thorfinn, now Bishop   
   of Hamar, was among those who remained loyal to the Church, rather   
   than the king.   
      
   Exiled, Saint Thorfinn traveled to Belgium, surviving a difficult   
   journey and shipwreck. There, he went to live at the Cistercian abbey   
   of Ter Doest in Flanders, where he later died and his body was   
   discovered. While at the abbey, he impressed the monks with his inner   
   fortitude and good character. Prior to his death, he divided his   
   possessions among charitable groups. Saint Thorfinn died as quietly as   
   he had lived, going in peace to rest with the Lord.   
      
   In our world today, we focus our attention on accomplishments and   
   status--those who have money, power, and fame are generally the   
   individuals that we emulate or admire. Saint Thorfinn reminds us that   
   the Lord does not judge us by our accomplishments, but rather by our   
   character and our hearts. Saint Thorfinn may have lived a quiet life,   
   but it was one rich in love for the Lord, and service to his fellow   
   man. While he did not attract much attention on earth, he did in   
   Heaven, earning him the title of saint!   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   As, when the sun is eclipsed, the whole earth is dark, so, if there is   
   a want of humility, all our works are blighted, and are nothing but   
   blemish and corruption.   
   --St. John Climacus   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.   (I Pet 5:7)   RSVCE   
      
      
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   Awake, my harp, your songs in praise of the Virgin Mary! Lift up your   
   voice and sing the wonderful history of the Virgin, the daughter of   
   David, who gave birth to the life of the Word." [stanza 1,1] "This   
   Virgin became a Mother while preserving her virginity; and though   
   still a Virgin she carried a Child in her womb; and the handmaid and   
   work of His Wisdom became the Mother of God. [Stanza 1, 20].   
   St. Ephraim ca AD 306-373: Hymns on the Blessed Mary   
      
   Thus, the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of   
   Mary. What the virgin Eve had bound in unbelief, the virgin Mary   
   loosed through faith.   
   St. Ireaneus, Against Heresies 3,22,4 AD 180   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)