Feast of ST CLAUDE DE LA COLOMBIERE, SJ.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9: 22 - 25).
Thursday February 15, 2024 Thursday after Ash Wednesday is the feast of St Claude de la Columbiere of the Society of Jesus. (1641 - 1682). French Jesuit priest.
Father Claude was a great preacher and writer. He is famous in history because he was the confessor of St Margaret Mary Alacoque, the visionary and mystic whom Jesus communicated the message of His Sacred Heart.
St Margaret Mary had great challenges in making these messages accepted either in her convent or outside. St Claude de la Columbiere, her confessor discerned the genuineness of the revelations and lent his support in spreading the word. St Claude de la Columbiere died in 1682 at the age of 41 and was beatified in 1929 and canonized in 1992.
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must take up his cross daily and follow Me.
“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 22)
At the beginning of Lent 2024, we hear Jesus speaking of the absolute necessity, the inevitability of His suffering. Why is the Spirit giving us this Scripture now?
Consider these reasons:
#1. Are you fully aware of the power of the cross and the necessity of your own suffering?
#2. No following of Christ without suffering. Rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ. (Pope Benedict XVI).
#3. The Son of Man must suffer before His glorification. (Luke 24: 26). What is a divine necessity for Jesus is true for us.
There are 37 Doctors of the Church, great men and women who clarified our doctrine of faith and showed us by example how to live the Christian life. They all suffered physical, emotional and spiritual pains. But each one of them accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.
Our Saint of today, Claude de la Columbiere was an accomplished speaker and writer. Claude suffered harsh imprisonment and succombed to death from illness at the age of 41.
Our suffering is blessing in disguise. No cross, no crown.
So at the beginning of Lent 2024, the mystery and contradiction of the cross is set before us to grapple with.
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
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