Founding of Christendom: The Apologists -- post 17

The Apologists

After the martyrdom of Ignatius in Rome the Church both mourned and rejoiced for such a man. They waited to see if more persecution would come?

Trajan seemed more concerned with his legacy than with Christians. He continued his campaign in the Middle East, for another two years, after his success in Armenia. He conquered most of Mesopotamia all the way to Iran. But it was a series of costly and unstable victories. He may have caught some illness or suffered from heat exhaustion because he soon died on the voyage back to Rome.

Hadrian was the successor to Trajan. Hadrian (76-136 AD) was a cautious man and no general. He reigned for a pretty long 21 years and seemed to have died of natural causes. He lost the lands to the east recently acquired by Trajan.

Amazing World: A Millionaire Pretended to be Poor to Find a Wife

 This a story fairy tale story. It is also a parable. God wants us to love Him not for what He can give us but for who He is. Will we still love God when things go bad? It is difficult but this is the test that God uses to purify our love.

Deposit of the Faith: The Unity of the Church

 

faith formation: Trilogy of Spiritual Classics - Fr. Mark Goring, CC

 

In addition to the books endorsed by the good father, above, may we suggest Alphonsus de Liguori's  very short classic. This is especially good for those in challenging marriages, or other difficult circumstances:

from ccel.org

"Written in 1755, Uniformity with God's Will is a wonderful little treatise on the true love of God. Saint Alphonsus de Liguori writes to encourage believers to unify their wills with that of God's, so that they may love God perfectly: "the more one unites his will with the divine will, the greater will be his love of God."

To choose otherwise--i.e. to choose not to unify one's will with God's--is "a kind of idolatry." These seven short chapters, not simply prone to abstract speculation, explore concretely how to make one's own will uniform with God's through the hardships of this life.

Further, the book discusses the fruit of such a union with God's will: happiness.

De Liguori concludes by noting how, in all things, Christians must remain steadfast in their union with God's will. For in so doing, God will "press us to his heart." Challenging and encouraging, Uniformity with God's Will has the power to remind us of what true love of God really is. "
 by Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer

Link to the book online:  PDF or audio

faith formation: What is Love? It Does Not Envy -- post 3

We are continuing our meditation on St. Paul's definition of Love. We have covered patience, and tackled kindness . Now let us think about envy.

    1 Corinthians 13:4-74

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Envy consists of sadness or grief at another's success, and by their good name and esteem increasing.  Envy is related to the Ten Commandments, specifically, "Neither shall you covet ... anything that belongs to your neighbour"—this commandment belongs to greed but may be associated with envy. In this case, it is the esteemed reputation owned by another.

[cf. Envy-- Summa--Secunda Secundae Partis, Q. 36, https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3036.htm#article4 ]

Dante in his Divine Comedy writes one of the envious souls on the terrace says:

"My blood was so afire with envy that,
when I had seen a man becoming happy,
the lividness in me was plain to see"
[Purgatorio, Canto XIV, lines 82–84]

The envious man hates the happiness and success of others; it springs from the pride of vainglory.  (Galatians 5:26): "Let us not be made desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another."

faith formation: How to Have a Personal Relationship With Jesus?

Here is an excellent presentation on having a personal relationship with Christ.This is so key to the spiritual life. Many call themselves Catholic but have no relationship with God. They are neither hot nor cold. This you tube channel has a lot of good videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzV2YYCue4QaJNhm7uoYnZg

Christian Courage: All or Nothing: Sr. Clare Crockett

 The short and life of an amazing nun. Just her joy and affection for God is enough.