June 1 St. Justin-The Heart of a Martyr. apostleshipofprayer May 31, 2010 (d. 165) Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various …More
June 1 St. Justin-The Heart of a Martyr.
apostleshipofprayer May 31, 2010 (d. 165)
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies.
Comment:
As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe.
Quote:
"Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3).
As a young man, he was principally …More
apostleshipofprayer May 31, 2010 (d. 165)
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies.
Comment:
As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe.
Quote:
"Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3).
As a young man, he was principally …More
JUNE 1, 2011
DAILY PRAYER WITH REGNUM CHRISTI
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
June 1, 2011
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Father John Doyle, LC
John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you
cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will
guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will
speak what he hears, and will declare to you the …More
JUNE 1, 2011
DAILY PRAYER WITH REGNUM CHRISTI
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
June 1, 2011
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Father John Doyle, LC
John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you
cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will
guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will
speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are
coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for
this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and
declare it to you."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, as I begin this prayer I offer you my
whole self: my thoughts, desires, decisions, actions, hopes, fears,
weaknesses, failures and petty successes. I open my entire being to
you, aware that you know everything already. I'm certain of your
mercy and of the purifying power of your penetrating, loving gaze.
Petition: Lord, allow me to be sincerely and truthfully yours.
1. My Truth Before God: Jesus tells his apostles he has many more
things to tell them, but it seems that they are not yet ready to
accept the truth. They were not ready, for one thing, to acknowledge
the fact that in a few short hours all of them would flee before the
prospect of the Cross, leaving Christ quite alone. I, too, may find
it hard to see, or to accept, a realistic picture of my relationship
with Christ or my state of soul. I may justify myself or my
indifference with any number of psychological consolations. I might
convince myself that I am not quite as bad off as so-and-so. Perhaps
I put up an excellent external show, living all the motions, but with
little true conviction and sincerity.
2. Cheap Deceptions: In our consumer-oriented world, first
impressions often seem to count more than the goodness or evil of a
thing. Opinion polls appear to set the standard for right and wrong,
and a false idea of tolerance is a highly held ideal. Truth can be
seen as bluntly offensive, and so it is repackaged in a more
appealing way. However, none of these attempts by the "spirit of the
world" can ever succeed in the end, just as no amount of darkness can
ever stop the smallest beam of light. The Holy Spirit is at work in
the world declaring the truth loud and clear in the depths of the
human soul. Only the truth -- which comes from Christ -- has the
power to bring true peace and joy to the human heart when all
illusions are shown up as such.
3. Living in the Truth: As Christians we must be on guard against
the spirit of insincerity. No one who lives outside the truth can
claim to be a disciple of Christ. Little falsehoods in our lives are
utterly destructive to the action of the "Spirit of Truth" in our
souls. Our Savior never spoke out so strongly against anything as he
did against the pretended righteousness of the leaders of his time.
How many things have I done recently just to be praised by others?
How many good things have I done which are known to God alone? Am I
capable of standing firm to my convictions in the face of
misunderstanding or ridicule?
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, the example of your life and death
is one of complete honesty. Empower me through the "Spirit of Truth"
to be sincere in all that I do before God and others.
Resolution: I will ask forgiveness in the sacrament of
reconciliation at the first available opportunity for any insincerity
in my life.
meditation.regnumchristi.org
DAILY PRAYER WITH REGNUM CHRISTI
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
June 1, 2011
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Father John Doyle, LC
John 16:12-15
Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you
cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will
guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will
speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are
coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for
this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and
declare it to you."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, as I begin this prayer I offer you my
whole self: my thoughts, desires, decisions, actions, hopes, fears,
weaknesses, failures and petty successes. I open my entire being to
you, aware that you know everything already. I'm certain of your
mercy and of the purifying power of your penetrating, loving gaze.
Petition: Lord, allow me to be sincerely and truthfully yours.
1. My Truth Before God: Jesus tells his apostles he has many more
things to tell them, but it seems that they are not yet ready to
accept the truth. They were not ready, for one thing, to acknowledge
the fact that in a few short hours all of them would flee before the
prospect of the Cross, leaving Christ quite alone. I, too, may find
it hard to see, or to accept, a realistic picture of my relationship
with Christ or my state of soul. I may justify myself or my
indifference with any number of psychological consolations. I might
convince myself that I am not quite as bad off as so-and-so. Perhaps
I put up an excellent external show, living all the motions, but with
little true conviction and sincerity.
2. Cheap Deceptions: In our consumer-oriented world, first
impressions often seem to count more than the goodness or evil of a
thing. Opinion polls appear to set the standard for right and wrong,
and a false idea of tolerance is a highly held ideal. Truth can be
seen as bluntly offensive, and so it is repackaged in a more
appealing way. However, none of these attempts by the "spirit of the
world" can ever succeed in the end, just as no amount of darkness can
ever stop the smallest beam of light. The Holy Spirit is at work in
the world declaring the truth loud and clear in the depths of the
human soul. Only the truth -- which comes from Christ -- has the
power to bring true peace and joy to the human heart when all
illusions are shown up as such.
3. Living in the Truth: As Christians we must be on guard against
the spirit of insincerity. No one who lives outside the truth can
claim to be a disciple of Christ. Little falsehoods in our lives are
utterly destructive to the action of the "Spirit of Truth" in our
souls. Our Savior never spoke out so strongly against anything as he
did against the pretended righteousness of the leaders of his time.
How many things have I done recently just to be praised by others?
How many good things have I done which are known to God alone? Am I
capable of standing firm to my convictions in the face of
misunderstanding or ridicule?
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, the example of your life and death
is one of complete honesty. Empower me through the "Spirit of Truth"
to be sincere in all that I do before God and others.
Resolution: I will ask forgiveness in the sacrament of
reconciliation at the first available opportunity for any insincerity
in my life.
meditation.regnumchristi.org
June 1 St. Justin Martyr
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies. As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers. Upon his conversion he continued to …More
June 1 St. Justin Martyr
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies. As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers. Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher's mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ. Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in Rome in 165. Comment: As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe. Quote: "Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3). www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies. As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers. Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher's mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ. Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in Rome in 165. Comment: As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe. Quote: "Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3). www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx