From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The "lifting up" of the Son of Man   
      
   Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the "Son of Man" must be "lifted up"   
   to bring the power and authority of God's kingdom to bear on the   
   earth. The title, "Son of Man," came from the prophet Daniel who   
   describes a vision he received of the Anointed Messiah King who was   
   sent from heaven to rule over the earth (Daniel 7:13-14).   
   Traditionally when kings began to reign they were literally "lifted   
   up" and enthroned above the people. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that   
   he will be recognized as the Anointed King when he is "lifted up" on   
   the cross at Calvary. Jesus died for his claim to be the only begotten   
   Son sent by the Father in heaven to redeem, heal, and reconcile his   
   people with God.  (John 3:14-21)   
      
      
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   March 24th - Blessed Didacus of Cadiz   
   (1743-1801)   
      
   Blessed Didacus Joseph of Cadiz “the Apostle of the Holy Trinity” was   
   Born in Cadiz, Spain, to devout Catholic parents and demonstrated   
   piety and virtue from an early age. Having learned to serve Mass quite   
   young, he was often the first to arrive at the local Capuchin Church   
   every morning, eagerly awaiting the doors to be unlocked. One of the   
   Capuchin friars presented him with a book on the saints, which we read   
   repeatedly, despite poor academic skills.   
      
   Nicknamed the “dunce of Cadiz” by his classmates, Didacus struggled   
   throughout school with his education. Upon achieving the age required   
   for entry into the religious life, he asked to gain admittance to the   
   Capuchin Order, but was denied due to his poor education. Only through   
   persistence and hard work did Joseph become Brother Didacus, and   
   entered the Capuchin monastery in Seville.   
      
   Didacus continued to struggle with academic tasks, but was immediately   
   discovered to possess a gift of preaching. He loved preaching to the   
   people, and traveled throughout Spain, attracting crowds so large that   
   his homilies were oftentimes held outside by necessity, churches   
   unable to accommodate his listeners. His simple and humble preaching   
   style was accessible to all, his love for God apparent, his words   
   clear and kind. He brought many to Christ, especially through is   
   preaching of the Holy Trinity, which was his favorite subject. Once,   
   while preaching, a young boy cried out, "Mother, mother, see the dove   
   resting on the shoulder of Father Didacus! I could preach like that   
   too if a dove told me all that I should say!" It is further reported   
   that at times, when speaking about the love of Christ for His people,   
   Father Didacus would rise above the crowds, oftentimes so high that he   
   would require assistance to resume the pulpit. The crowds who   
   surrounded him were often so moved they would attempt to rip pieces of   
   his cloak, which they could hold onto as relics.   
      
   Blessed Didacus heard confessions every day, bringing those who had   
   strayed back to the Lord and converting new faithful. His kind and   
   gentle words were comfort and inspiration to those he served. He found   
   time to visit those in prisons and hospitals while traveling the   
   country. Didacus frequently engaged in personal acts of penance, both   
   prior to preaching and hearing confessions, including scourging   
   himself until he drew blood. When reprimanded by his superiors,   
   Didacus replied, “Ah, Father, my sins and the sins of the people   
   compel me to do it. Those who have been charged with the conversion of   
   sinners must remember that the Lord has imposed upon them the sins of   
   all their clients. By means of our penances we should atone for the   
   sins of our fellowmen and thus preserve ourselves and them from   
   eternal death. It would hardly be too much if we shed the last drop of   
   our blood for their conversion."   
      
   Blessed Didacus had a simple love for the Lord, a willingness to   
   suffer for the sins of others, and a heart on fire with faith. His   
   kindness and humility brought many to the faith, which he never sought   
   praise or thanks for while on earth. All glory was directed by Didacus   
   back to the Lord. In thinking of his life, we are struck by the fact   
   that he wanted to serve, but was initially refused. Only through his   
   dedication and perseverance did Didacus come to discover his true   
   abilities, given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit. We are   
   challenged to look to the life of Blessed Didacus when obstacles arise   
   in our lives, certain that love of the Lord and perseverance in our   
   efforts to serve Him, will lead us to great things. As Saint Paul   
   wrote to the Romans:   
      
    More than that, we[a] rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that   
   suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and   
   character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because   
   God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who   
   has been given to us.  [Romans 5:3-5]  (RSVCE)   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   It is most important to always seek to preserve the presence of God,   
   for it excites in us a tender love for His Divine Majesty, and gives   
   us great purity of conscience.   
   --St. Teresa   
      
      
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   Prayer To Love God Above All Things   
      
   God, my Father,   
   may I love You in all things and above all things.   
   May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven.   
   Nothing is good that is against Your Will,   
   and all that is good comes from Your Hand.   
   Place in my heart a desire to please You   
   and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love,   
   so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)