As we go deeper into Advent, we are called to open our hearts and welcome Jesus, our Saviour, into our lives more fully. It also is an invitation to know Him better. So, how well do we know Jesus? How well do we know the Father and the Holy Spirit? Do we know — or accept — that Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are one divine being? Michael Vorris from RealCatholicTV explains.
We cannot know everything about Him, but we can some things, even many things, about Him.
Here is a wonderful homily by Father Bonaventure of Ave Maria, who preaches on today’s Gospel that tells us of the need to love God above all else because he knows what we need and we can love all others through Him. Lent is a time of self sacrifice that focuses our love for the Holy Trinity and the great gift of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who humbled himself not only to live among us, but to die for us. It is a short homily, but Father Bonaventure packs every word and sentence with powerful theology about our life on earth, love of God and receiving His Grace on earth that will reward us with life in Heaven, where we are ultimately meant to be.
That Grace we receive from Him is not a natural virtue. It must be acquired through patience and prayer.
This prayer is a translation from the Arabic and is from LebaneseSaints.com.
O Heavenly Father, the source of all holiness, You are glorified in your saints. You have bestowed grace upon Mar Nimatullah, so He forsake the world to live for You and with You in the solitude of the monastery.
O Lord Jesus, the Holy One of all saints, You have called Mar Nimatullah and filled Him with Your grace and blessing. So He could follow You on the harrow path of perfection and holiness. He followed Your path carrying His cross with joy, the cross of communal life, by which He was sanctified.
O Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of saints, You have inspired our patron Nimatullah, so that He became a monk and lived with His brethren in the monastery, where He educated them and managed all things wisely and prudently. He was ideal and encourager to Saint Charbel His disciple and many others.
We beseech You, O Holy Trinity, through Mar Nimatullah to enlighten the path of salvation before us, for You are the first and last aim. Bring us back to You so that we may renew the image and the likeness that You have installed in us.
We thank You and glorify You with our mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, of whom Mar Nimatullah was a devout, and with Yous saints, You who live and reign in holiness for ever, Amen !
