"GOD IS LOVE AND ALL HIS OPERATIONS PROCEED FROM LOVE..." (ST LAWRENCE BRINDISI, OFM.) That is, ALL HIS OPERATIONS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE AFFECTING EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE WORLD.
"The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
"You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them.
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13: 10 - 17).
Thursday July 21st 2022 is the Feast of St Lawrence Brindisi, OFM. (1559 - 1613). Priest and Doctor of the Church. Italian. He belonged to the Capuchin Order of the Franciscan family. Lawrence is an extraordinary man who used well the lavish gifts God bestowed on him. The Church remembers him for his profound knowledge and love for Sacred Scripture, the Holy Spirit, Prayer and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A propos Sacred Scriptures, Lawrence says:
“The Word of the Lord is a light for the mind and a fire for the will, so that man may know and love God.… It is a weapon against a heart stubbornly entrenched in vice. It is a sword against the flesh, the world, and the devil, to destroy every sin.”
In our Gospel for today, Jesus says: “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich."
Lawrence became an authority in the sacred Word and was recognized all over Europe during his time and became a Doctor of the Church.
What is the knowledge of the Kingdom of God that Jesus speaks of? It is not book knowledge. If it is book knowledge, the Blessed Virgin Mary would not have been Mother and Teacher in the Church. Saints Anthony of Padua, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of the Child Jesus and so many other doctors of the Church would never have been doctors of the Church. The Doctors of the Church were taught by the Holy Spirit.
One of the greatest mysteries of the Kingdom of God is the mystery of God's unfathomable mercy.
"Lord, your mercy reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds."
"How precious is your mercy, O God!" (Psalm 36: 6, 8).
The Blessed Virgin Mary has a profound knowledge of this mystery. She is childlike and a little one.
"And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior....
“And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him." (Luke 1: 46 - 50).
Other Little Ones who have knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God are: Saints Catherine of Siena, Therese of the Child Jesus, Lawrence Brindisi, Maria Faustina, Teresa of Avila, Mother St Teresa of Kolkata, etc.
7. 21. "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." (Divine Mercy Rosary).
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