From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Excerpt from commentary on Mt. 25:35   
      
      Hear St. Basil (Conc. 4, de Eleemosyn.), “That bread, which thou   
   holdest back, belongs to the hungry; the naked claims that garment   
   which thou art keeping in thy chest. That shoe which is mouldering   
   away at home is his who is shoeless. Thus thou art wronging just as   
   many as thou dost not help with thy goods whilst thou mayest.”   
   “Blessed,” says David, “is the man that is merciful and lendeth; he   
   guideth his words with discretion” (Ps. cxii. 5)   
      
   St. Chrysostom reads, “he renders his accounts.” As much as to say,   
   “He will render a most excellent account of his life; he will plead   
   successfully his cause before the Supreme Judge.” “And indeed,” says   
   the same St. Chrysostom, “it must needs be that the soul which is rich   
   in mercy can never be overwhelmed with heavy troubles of the mind.”   
   And again, “Uselessly will sins accuse him whom the poor man excuses.   
   And he cannot be excused whom the poor man’s hunger accuses. He will   
   witness a terrible day who shall enter into the judgment without the   
   intercession of the poor. He who lends to a poor man makes the Judge   
   Himself his debtor”   
   --(St. Peter Chrysolog. Serm. 40). Excerpt from commentary on Mt. 25:35   
      
      
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   January 23rd - St. Maimbod, Martyr   
      
   died. c.880 in Kaltenbrunn, Alsace, Gaul (modern France)   
      
    Saint Maimbod was a martyr who went to Alsace from Ireland as a   
   missionary. Maimbod was a pilgrim to the tombs of many saints, as he   
   wandered he spread the faith throughout northern Italy and Gaul. In   
   Burgundy a nobleman gave him hospitality and unsuccessfully pressed   
   him to settle there. Upon Maimbod's departure, the nobleman gave   
   Maimbod a pair of gloves as a reminder to pray for him. He was praying   
   at the church of Domnipetra near Katlenbrunn eight miles from   
   Besançon, when he was set upon by some robbers who believed he had   
   money because he was wearing gloves.   
      
    When miracles began to occur at his tomb in Domnipetra, Count Aszo of   
   Monteliard asked the blind Bishop Berengarius for a gift of the   
   saint's relics. Berengarius delegated the translation ceremony to his   
   coadjutor, Bishop Stephen. During the rite, Berengarius miraculously   
   received his sight and instituted a feast in honor of the saint.   
   Although Maimbod's relics were destroyed in the 16th century, his   
   feast his commemorated in the diocese of Besançon (Attwater2,   
   Benedictines, Coulson, D'Arcy, Encyclopedia, Fitzpatrick, O'Hanlon,   
   O'Kelly).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   We put pride into everything like salt. We like to see that our good   
   works are known. If our virtues are seen, we are pleased; if our   
   faults are perceived, we are sad. I remark that in a great many   
   people; if one says anything to them, it disturbs them, it annoys   
   them. The saints were not like that--they were vexed if their virtues   
   were known, and pleased that their imperfections should be seen.   
   --St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God   
   who gives the increase."  (1 Corinthians 3:7)   
      
   <><><><>   
   Before Jesus Crucified (Sweet Jesus, please, abide with me!)   
   By Blessed Titus Brandsma OCD (1881-1942) Martyr   
      
   Dear Lord, when looking up at Thee,   
   I see Thy loving eyes on me,   
   Love overflows my humble heart,   
   Knowing what a faithful friend Thou are.   
   A cup of sorrow I foresee,   
   Which I accept for love of Thee,   
   Thy painful way I wish to go,   
   The only way to God I know.   
   My soul is full of peace and light,   
   Although in pain, this light shines bright.   
   For here, Thou keepest to Thy breast.   
   My longing heart to find there rest.   
   Leave me here freely all alone,   
   In cell where never sunlight shone.   
   Should no-one ever speak to me,   
   This golden silence makes me free!   
   For though alone, I have no fear,   
   Never were Thou, O Lord, so near.   
   Sweet Jesus, please, abide with me!   
   My deepest peace I find in Thee.   
   Amen    
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)