{"id":5494,"date":"2024-12-18T00:24:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T00:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/?page_id=5494"},"modified":"2026-01-11T15:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:46:25","slug":"daily-meditations-third-week-of-advent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/daily-meditations-third-week-of-advent\/","title":{"rendered":"MEDITA\u00c7\u00d5ES DI\u00c1RIAS: TERCEIRA SEMANA DO ADVENTO"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVOLUME ONE - PART I, pp. 110-168<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0 A ALEGRIA DA VINDA DE JESUS<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Regozijai-vos sempre no Senhor; outra vez digo, regozijai-vos! O Senhor est\u00e1 pr\u00f3ximo.<\/em> - (Ep\u00edstola de Domingo, Philip. iv., 4, 7).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Consolai-vos, consolai-vos, \u00f3 homens, diz o Senhor, pela boca de Isa\u00edas:\u00a0Consolai-vos; consolai-vos, povo meu, diz o vosso Deus. Falai ao cora\u00e7\u00e3o de Jerusal\u00e9m e clamai a ela, porque o seu mal chegou ao fim; a sua iniquidade est\u00e1 perdoada.<\/em>. - (Is. xl. 1). Deus descobriu uma maneira de salvar o homem e, ao mesmo tempo, Sua justi\u00e7a e Sua miseric\u00f3rdia ser\u00e3o satisfeitas.\u00a0 Justi\u00e7a e paz se beijaram<\/em>. - (Sl. lxxxiv., 11).<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:<\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Falando sobre a vinda do Redentor, Isa\u00edas fez esta previs\u00e3o:\u00a0A terra que estava desolada e intransit\u00e1vel se alegrar\u00e1, e o deserto se regozijar\u00e1 e florescer\u00e1 como o l\u00edrio.<\/em> \u2014 (Is. xxxv., 1).\u00a0 The Prophet had been speaking of the pagans (among whom were our own unfortunate ancestors) who were living in heathendom, as in a desert land void of a single man that knew or worshipped the true God, but peopled only with those who were slaves of the devil \u2013 a land desolado e intransit\u00e1vel<\/em>Ele previu que o mundo, embora t\u00e3o miser\u00e1vel naquela \u00e9poca, ainda se regozijaria com a vinda do Messias e se veria cheio de seguidores do verdadeiro Deus, fortalecidos por Sua gra\u00e7a contra todos os inimigos de sua salva\u00e7\u00e3o. Ele previu que o mundo, embora t\u00e3o miser\u00e1vel naquela \u00e9poca, ainda se regozijaria com a vinda do Messias e se veria repleto de seguidores do verdadeiro Deus, fortalecidos por Sua gra\u00e7a contra todos os inimigos de sua salva\u00e7\u00e3o; e que toda a terra floresceria como o l\u00edrio pela pureza da moral e pelo doce odor de todas as virtudes. Por isso Isaias prossegue dizendo: Diga aos fracos de cora\u00e7\u00e3o: Tenham coragem e n\u00e3o temam! O pr\u00f3prio Deus vir\u00e1 e os salvar\u00e1!<\/em> - (Ibid. 4).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Esse mesmo evento, predito por Isa\u00edas, j\u00e1 aconteceu. Deixem-me, ent\u00e3o, aclamar com alegria: Sigam em frente com alegria, \u00f3 filhos de Ad\u00e3o! Sigam em frente com alegria! N\u00e3o desanimem mais! Mesmo que voc\u00eas se sintam fracos e incapazes de enfrentar tantos inimigos, Fear not!\u00a0 God Himself will come and save you!<\/em>\u00a0 O pr\u00f3prio Deus veio \u00e0 Terra e nos redimiu, dando-nos for\u00e7a suficiente para combater e vencer todos os inimigos de nossa salva\u00e7\u00e3o.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Oh, feliz de mim, se de hoje em diante eu puder sempre dizer com o Sagrado Esposo:\u00a0Meu amado para mim e eu para ele!<\/em> \u2014 (Cant. ii., 16).\u00a0 My God, my Beloved has given Himself all to me.\u00a0 It is but reasonable for me to give myself all to my God, and to say: O que tenho no c\u00e9u e, al\u00e9m de voc\u00ea, o que desejo na terra?<\/em> - (Sl. lxxii., 25). Oh, meu amado Infante, meu querido Redentor, j\u00e1 que desceste do C\u00e9u para te entregares a mim, que outra coisa poderei querer ou procurar no C\u00e9u ou na Terra al\u00e9m de Ti, que \u00e9s meu Soberano Bem, meu \u00fanico Tesouro, o Para\u00edso das almas! Seja, ent\u00e3o, o \u00fanico Senhor de meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o e o possua inteiramente. Que meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o obede\u00e7a somente a Ti! Que minha alma ame somente a Ti e que somente Tu sejas a sua por\u00e7\u00e3o! Am\u00e9m.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You have no grounds for being sad any more, says St. Leo, on account of the sentence of death fulminated against you, now that Life itself is born for you; \u201cnor is there any lawful room for sadness when it is the Birthday of Life.\u201d \u00a0And St. Augustine exclaims: \u201cO sweet day for penitents! \u00a0To-day sin is taken away and shall the sinner despair!\u201d \u00a0Speed on then with gladness, O ye souls that love God and hope in God, speed on your way with gladness! \u00a0What if Adam\u2019s sin and still more our own sins, have wrought sad ruin on us? \u00a0Let us understand that Jesus Christ, by the Redemption, has infinitely more than repaired our ruin. \u00a0Where sin abounded, grace did more abound. \u2014 <\/em>(Rom. v., 20).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Lord said: I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. \u2014 <\/em>(John x., 10). \u00a0I am come to give life to men and a more abundant measure than that which they had lost by sin. \u00a0Not as the offence, so also the gift. \u2014 <\/em>(Rom. v., 15). \u00a0Great has been man\u2019s sin; but greater, says the Apostle, has been the gift of Redemption. \u00a0And with him plentiful redemption. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. cxxix.; 7). \u00a0For this reason the Church styles the fault of Adam a happy fault<\/em>: \u201cO happy fault which deserved to have such and so great a Redeemer!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, how much more are we bound to thank God for having brought us into life after the coming of the Messias! \u00a0How did the Prophets and the Patriarchs of the Old Testament long to see the Redeemer born! \u00a0But they saw Him not! \u00a0Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just! <\/em>\u2014 (Is. xlv., 8), was their incessant exclamation. \u00a0Send forth, O Lord, the Lamb, the Ruler of the earth!<\/em> \u00a0Such were the longing exclamations of the Saints! \u00a0But for all that, during the space of four thousand years they had not the happy lot to see the Messias born. \u00a0We, however, have had this happiness! \u00a0But what are we doing? \u00a0Do we know how to love this amiable Redeemer? \u00a0Very great would be your ingratitude to your God, O Christian soul, if you were not to love Him, after He has been pleased to be bound in swaddling-clothes that you may be released from the chains of hell; after He has become poor that you may be made partaker of His riches; after He has made Himself weak to give you strength against your enemies; after He has chosen to suffer and weep, that by His tears your sins may be washed away.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O sweet Infant, give me Thy love and then do with me what Thou wilt. \u00a0I was once a slave of hell, but now that I am free from those unhappy chains, I consecrate myself entirely to Thee. \u00a0I give Thee my body, my goods, my life, my soul, my will and my liberty. \u00a0I desire no longer to belong to myself, but only to Thee, my only Good! \u00a0Ah, bind my heart to Thy feet, that it may no more stray from Thee! \u00a0O most holy Mary, obtain for me the grace of living united to thy Son by the blessed chains of love. \u00a0He grants all that thou askest.\u00a0 Pray to Him! \u00a0Pray to Him for me! \u00a0This is my hope.\u00a0 Amen.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0 \"O CAMINHO DO SENHOR\"<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 O AMOR DE JESUS POR N\u00d3S AO SE TORNAR HOMEM<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The charity of Christ presseth us. \u2014 <\/em>(2 Cor. v., 14).\u00a0 It was not enough, says St. Augustine, for the Divine Love to have made us to His own Image in creating the first man, Adam, but He must also Himself be made to our image in redeeming us. \u00a0Adam partook of the forbidden fruit, beguiled by the serpent which suggested to Eve that if she ate of that fruit she should become like to God, acquiring the knowledge of good and evil; and therefore the Lord then said: Behold, Adam is become one of us! <\/em>\u2014 (Gen. iii., 2).\u00a0 God said this ironically, and to upbraid Adam for his vast presumption. \u00a0But after the Incarnation of the Word we can truly say: \u201cBehold, God has become one of us!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLook, then, O man,\u201d exclaims St. Augustine, \u201cthy God is made thy Brother!\u201d \u00a0Thy God is made like to thee, a Son of Adam, as thou art; He has put on the self-same flesh, has made Himself passible, liable as thou art to suffer and to die. \u00a0He could have assumed the nature of an Angel, but no, He would take upon Himself thy very flesh, that thus He might give satisfaction to God with the very same flesh, though sinless, of Adam the sinner. \u00a0And He even gloried in this, oftentimes styling Himself the Son of Man.<\/em> \u00a0Hence we have every right to call Him our Brother.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was an immeasurably greater humiliation for God to become a Man than if all the princes of the earth, and all the Angels and Saints of Heaven, with the divine Mother herself, had been turned into a blade of grass, or into a handful of clay; yes, for grass, clay, princes, Angels, Saints, are all creatures;<\/em> but between the creature<\/em> e God<\/em> there is an infinite difference.<\/em> \u00a0Ah, exclaims St. Bernard, the more God has humbled Himself for us in becoming Man, so much the more has He made His goodness known to us: \u201cThe smaller<\/em> He has become by humility, the greater<\/em> He has made Himself in bounty.\u201d \u00a0But the love which Jesus Christ bears to us, exclaims the Apostle, irresistibly urges and impels us to love Him: The charity of Christ presseth us.
<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Let us say with St. Augustine: \"<\/em>O Fire, ever burning, inflame me.\u201d \u00a0O Word Incarnate, Thou wert made Man to enkindle divine love in our hearts: and how couldst Thou have met with such a want of gratitude in the hearts of men? \u00a0Thou hast spared nothing to induce them to love Thee; Thou hast even gone so far as to give Thy Blood and Thy life for them: and how, then, can men still remain so ungrateful? \u00a0Do they, perchance, not know it? \u00a0Yes, they know it, and they believe that for them Thou didst come down from Heaven to put on mortal flesh, and to load Thyself with our miseries; they know that for their love Thou didst lead a painful life, and embrace an ignominious death; and how, then, can they live forgetful of Thee? \u00a0They love relatives, friends; they love even animals: if from them they receive any token of good-will they are anxious to repay it; and yet towards Thee alone are they so loveless and ungrateful.\u00a0 But, alas! in accusing them, I am my own accuser; I who have treated Thee worse than anyone else.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O God! did not Faith assure us of it, who could ever believe that a God, for love of such a worm as man is, should Himself become a worm like him? \u00a0A devout author says: Suppose, by chance, that, passing on your way, you should have crushed to death a worm in your path; and then some one, observing your compassion for the poor reptile, should say to you: \u2018Well, now, if you would restore that dead worm to life, you must first yourself become a worm like it, and then must shed all your blood, and make a bath of it in which to wash the worm, and it shall revive\u2019 \u2013 what would you reply?\u00a0 You would surely say: \u2018And what matters it to me whether the worm be alive or dead, if I should have to purchase its life by my own death?\u2019 \u00a0And the more would you say so if it was not a harmless worm, but an ungrateful asp, which, in return for all your benefits, had made an attempt upon your life. \u00a0But even should your love for that reptile reach so far as to induce you to suffer death in order to restore it to life, what would men say then? \u00a0And what would not that serpent do for you whose death had saved it, supposing it were capable of reason? \u00a0But this much has Jesus Christ done for you, most vile worm; and you, with the blackest ingratitude, have tried oftentimes to take away His life; and your sins would have done so, were Jesus liable to die again.\u00a0 How much viler are you in the sight of God than is a worm in your own sight! \u00a0What difference would it make to God had you remained dead and forever reprobate in your sins, as you well deserved? \u00a0Nevertheless, this God had such a love for you that, to release you from eternal death, He first became a worm like you; and then, to save you, would lavish upon you His Heart\u2019s Blood, even to the last drop, and endure the death which you had justly deserved. \u00a0Yes, all this is of Faith: And the Word was made flesh. \u2014 <\/em>(John i., 14). \u00a0He hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. <\/em>\u2014 (Apoc. i., 5).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my Jesus, Thy Goodness encourages me! \u00a0I am well aware, my Redeemer, that my heart is no longer worthy of Thy acceptance, since it has forsaken Thee for the love of creatures; but, at the same time, I see that Thou art willing to have it, and with my entire will I dedicate it and present it to Thee. \u00a0Inflame it, then, wholly with Thy divine love, and grant that from this day forward it may never love any other but Thee, O infinite Goodness, worthy of an infinite love. \u00a0I love Thee, my Jesus; I love Thee, O Sovereign Good! \u00a0I love Thee, O only Love of my soul!
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O Mary, my Mother, thou who art the mother of fair love \u2014 <\/em>(Ecclus. xxiv., 24), do thou obtain for me this grace to love my God; I hope it of thee.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0\u00a0CONSIDERA\u00c7\u00d5ES SOBRE O ESTADO RELIGIOSO - VI<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere a paz que Deus d\u00e1 aos bons religiosos.
<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 Santa Teresa costumava dizer que uma gota de consolo celestial vale mais do que todos os prazeres do mundo. Oh, que contentamento n\u00e3o encontra aquele que, tendo deixado tudo por Deus, \u00e9 capaz de dizer com S\u00e3o Francisco: \"Deus meus et omnia!\" - Meu Deus e meu Tudo! - livre da escravid\u00e3o do mundo e desfrutando da liberdade dos filhos de Deus.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:<\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0As promessas de Deus n\u00e3o podem falhar. Deus disse: Todo aquele que tiver deixado casa, ou irm\u00e3os, ou irm\u00e3s, ou pai ou m\u00e3e, ou mulher, ou filhos, ou terras, por amor do meu nome, receber\u00e1 cem vezes tanto, e possuir\u00e1 a vida eterna.<\/em> - (Mt. xix., 29). Ou seja, cem vezes mais nesta terra e vida eterna no c\u00e9u.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A paz da alma \u00e9 de maior valor do que todos os reinos do mundo. E de que adianta ter dom\u00ednio sobre o mundo inteiro sem paz interior? \u00c9 melhor ser o campon\u00eas mais pobre da terra e estar satisfeito do que ser o senhor do mundo inteiro e viver uma vida descontente. Mas quem pode dar essa paz? O mundo? Ah, n\u00e3o, a paz \u00e9 uma b\u00ean\u00e7\u00e3o obtida somente de Deus. \"\u00d3 Deus!\", ora a Igreja, \"d\u00e1 aos Teus servos a paz que o mundo n\u00e3o pode dar\". Ele \u00e9 chamado de Deus de toda consola\u00e7\u00e3o<\/em>. - (2 Cor. i., 3). Mas se Deus \u00e9 o \u00fanico Doador da paz, a quem, pense voc\u00ea, Ele dar\u00e1 essa paz sen\u00e3o \u00e0queles que deixam tudo e se desapegam de todas as criaturas, a fim de se entregarem inteiramente ao seu Criador? E, portanto, vemos bons religiosos fechados em suas celas, mortificados, desprezados e pobres, mas vivendo uma vida mais satisfeita do que os grandes do mundo, com todas as riquezas, as pompas e as divers\u00f5es que desfrutam.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Santa Escol\u00e1stica disse que se os homens conhecessem a paz que os bons religiosos desfrutam, o mundo inteiro se tornaria um mosteiro; e Santa Maria Madalena de Pazzi disse que se os homens soubessem disso, escalariam os muros para entrar nos mosteiros. O cora\u00e7\u00e3o humano, tendo sido criado para um Bem infinito, as criaturas finitas n\u00e3o podem satisfaz\u00ea-lo. Somente Deus, que \u00e9 um Bem infinito, pode ser um Deus de Deus. Somente Deus, que \u00e9 um Bem infinito, pode satisfaz\u00ea-lo: Deleite-se no Senhor e ele lhe conceder\u00e1 o pedido de seu cora\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/em> - (Sl. xxxvi., 4). Oh, n\u00e3o; um bom religioso unido a Deus n\u00e3o inveja nenhum dos pr\u00edncipes do mundo que possuem reinos, riquezas e honras. \"Que os ricos\", dir\u00e1 ele com S\u00e3o Paulino, \"tenham suas riquezas, os reis tenham seus reinos, para mim Cristo \u00e9 meu reino e minha gl\u00f3ria\". Ele ver\u00e1 os amantes do mundo se gloriarem tolamente na pompa e na vaidade; mas ele, procurando se desapegar mais das coisas terrenas e se unir mais intimamente a Deus, viver\u00e1 contente nesta vida, e pode muito bem dizer: Alguns confiam em carros e outros em cavalos, mas n\u00f3s invocamos o nome do Senhor, nosso Deus<\/em>. - (Sl. xix., 8).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00d3 Senhor e meu Deus, meu Tudo! Sei que somente Tu podes me deixar satisfeito nesta vida e na pr\u00f3xima. Mas n\u00e3o Te amarei para minha pr\u00f3pria satisfa\u00e7\u00e3o; eu Te amarei para satisfazer Teu divino Cora\u00e7\u00e3o. Desejo que essa seja minha paz, minha \u00fanica satisfa\u00e7\u00e3o durante toda a minha vida, unir minha vontade \u00e0 Tua santa vontade, mesmo que para isso eu tenha que sofrer dor. Tu \u00e9s o meu Deus, eu sou a Tua criatura.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Teresa used to say that one drop of heavenly consolation is worth more than all the delights of the world. \u00a0Father Charles of Lorraine, having become a Religious, said that God, by one moment of the happiness that He gave him to feel in Religion, superabundantly paid him for all be had left for God. \u00a0Hence his jubilation was sometimes so great that, when alone in his cell, he could not help dancing for very joy. \u00a0The Blessed Seraphino of Ascoli, a Capuchin Lay-brother, said that he would not exchange a foot length of his cord for all the kingdoms of the world.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, what contentment does he not find, who, having left all for God is able to say with St. Francis: \u201cMy God and my All!\u201d and to see himself thus freed from the servitude of the world, from the thraldom of worldly fashion, and from all purely earthly affections. \u00a0This is the liberty enjoyed by the children of God, and such good Religious are. \u00a0It is true that in the beginning, the deprivation of the reunions and pastimes of the world, the observances in Community and of the Rules, seem to be thorns; but these thorns, as Our Lord said to St. Bridget, will all become flowers and delights of Paradise to him who courageously bears their first prickles, and then he will taste on earth that peace which, St. Paul says, surpasseth all the gratification of the senses, the enjoyments of feasts, of banquets, and other pleasures of the world: The peace of God which surpasseth all understanding. \u2014 <\/em>(Phil, iv., 7). \u00a0And what greater peace can there be than to know that one pleases God?
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And what greater good can I hope for than to please Thee, my Lord and my God, Who hast been so partial in Thy love towards me. \u00a0Thou, O my Jesus, hast left Heaven to live for love of me a poor and mortified life. \u00a0I leave all to live only for Thee, my most Blessed Redeemer. \u00a0I love Thee with my whole heart. \u00a0If only Thou wilt give me the grace to love Thee, treat me as Thou pleasest.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O Mary, Mother of God, protect me and render me like to thee, not in thy glory which I do not deserve, but in pleasing God, and obeying His Holy Will, as thou didst. \u00a0Amen.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CONSELHOS REFERENTES A UMA VOCA\u00c7\u00c3O RELIGIOSA:\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>VII. - DESMONTAGEM<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 JESUS \u00c9 A FONTE DA GRA\u00c7A<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ye shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour\u2019s fountains. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. xii., 3).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consider the four Fountains of grace that we have in Jesus Christ, as contemplated by St. Bernard.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The first is that of Mercy, in which we can wash ourselves from all the filthiness of our sins. \u00a0This fountain was provided for us by our Redeemer with His tears and His Blood: He loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. \u2014 <\/em>(Apoc. i., 5).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The second Fountain is that of Peace and Consolation in our tribulations: Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will console thee. <\/em>\u2014 (Ps. xlix., 15). \u00a0He that thirsteth, let him come to me,<\/em> says Jesus. \u2014 (John vii., 37). \u00a0He that thirsteth for true consolations even in this world, let him come to me, for I will satisfy him. \u00a0He that once tastes the sweetness of My love will forever disdain all the delights of the world: But he that shall drink of the water that I will give him shall not thirst forever. \u2014 <\/em>(John iv., 13). \u00a0And thoroughly contented will he be when he shall enter into the kingdom of the blessed, for the water of My grace shall raise him from earth to Heaven.\u00a0 It will become in him a fountain of water springing up into life everlasting. \u2014 <\/em>(Ibid. 14). \u00a0The peace which God gives to souls that love Him is not the peace that the world promises from sensual pleasures, which leave behind more bitterness than peace: the peace which God bestows exceeds all the delights of the senses: Peace which surpasseth all understanding. \u00a0Blessed are those who long for this divine fountain. \u00a0Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice. \u2014 <\/em>(Matt, v., 6).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my sweet and dearest Saviour, how much do I not owe Thee? \u00a0How much hast Thou not obliged me to love Thee, since Thou hast done for me what no servant would have done for his master, no son for his father. \u00a0If Thou, therefore, hast loved me more than any other, it is just that I should love Thee above all others. \u00a0I could wish to die of sorrow at the thought that Thou hast suffered so much for me, and that Thou even didst accept for my sake the most painful and ignominious death that a man could endure, and yet I have so often despised Thy friendship. \u00a0But Thy merits are my hope.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The third Fountain is that of Devotion. \u00a0Oh, how devoted and ready to follow the divine inspiration and increase always in virtue does not he become who often meditates on all that Jesus Christ has done for our sake!\u00a0 He will be like the tree planted by a stream of water.\u00a0 He shall be like a tree that is planted near the running waters. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. i., 3).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fourth Fountain is that of Charity. \u00a0In my meditation a fire shall flame out. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. xxxviii., 4). \u00a0It is impossible to meditate on the sufferings and ignominy borne by Jesus Christ for the love of us and not to feel inflamed by that blessed fire which He came upon earth to kindle. \u00a0How true it is then, that he who betakes himself to these blessed Fountains of Jesus Christ will always draw from them waters of joy and salvation!\u00a0 You shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour’s Fountains.
<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ah, my dear Jesus, I too desire to be reckoned amongst the number of Thy lovers. \u00a0I now esteem Thy grace above all the kingdoms of the earth. \u00a0I love Thee, and for Thy love I accept every suffering, even death itself.\u00a0 And if I am not worthy to die for Thy glory by the hand of executioners, I accept willingly, at least, that death which Thou hast determined for me; I accept it in the manner and at the time that Thou shalt choose. \u00a0My Mother Mary, do thou obtain for me the grace always to live and die, loving Jesus.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0\u00a0CONSIDERA\u00c7\u00d5ES SOBRE O ESTADO RELIGIOSO - VII<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere o dano causado \u00e0 Religious pela tepidez.
<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0As almas negligentes s\u00e3o comumente abandonadas por Deus. Santa Teresa viu o lugar preparado para ela no inferno se n\u00e3o tivesse se desprendido de uma certa afei\u00e7\u00e3o mundana que, no entanto, era apenas ligeiramente culp\u00e1vel.\u00a0 Aquele que condena as coisas pequenas cair\u00e1 pouco a pouco.<\/em> - (Ecclus. xix., 1).<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:<\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere a mis\u00e9ria do religioso que, depois de ter deixado sua casa, seus pais e o mundo com todos os seus prazeres, e depois de ter se entregado a Jesus Cristo, consagrando a Ele sua vontade e sua liberdade, exp\u00f5e-se ao perigo de ser condenado por levar uma vida morna e negligente. Infelizmente, n\u00e3o est\u00e1 longe da perdi\u00e7\u00e3o um religioso que, chamado \u00e0 Casa de Deus para se tornar um santo, leva uma vida morna. Deus amea\u00e7a rejeitar e abandonar tais religiosos se eles n\u00e3o se corrigirem: Mas, porque \u00e9s morno, come\u00e7arei a vomitar-te da minha boca.<\/em> - (Apoc. iii., 16).
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Santo In\u00e1cio de Loyola, vendo que um irm\u00e3o leigo da Sociedade havia se tornado morno no servi\u00e7o de Deus, chamou-o um dia e disse-lhe: \"Diga-me, meu irm\u00e3o, por que voc\u00ea entrou para a religi\u00e3o?\" Ele respondeu: \"Para servir a Deus\". \"\u00d3 meu irm\u00e3o!\", respondeu o santo, \"o que voc\u00ea disse? Se voc\u00ea tivesse respondido que veio para servir a um cardeal ou a um pr\u00edncipe desta terra, seria mais desculp\u00e1vel; mas voc\u00ea diz que veio para servir a Deus, e \u00e9 assim que voc\u00ea O serve?\" O padre Nieremberg diz que alguns s\u00e3o chamados por Deus para serem salvos como santos, e que se eles n\u00e3o tiverem o cuidado de viver como santos, mas pensarem em ser salvos como crist\u00e3os imperfeitos, n\u00e3o ser\u00e3o salvos de forma alguma. E Santo Agostinho diz que esses s\u00e3o, na maioria dos casos, abandonados por Deus: \"Deus est\u00e1 acostumado a abandonar as almas negligentes\". E como Ele as abandona? Permitindo que, a partir de faltas mais leves, que elas veem e n\u00e3o corrigem, caiam em faltas graves, percam a gra\u00e7a divina e sua voca\u00e7\u00e3o. Santa Teresa de Jesus viu o lugar que lhe estava preparado no inferno, se n\u00e3o tivesse se desprendido de uma afei\u00e7\u00e3o terrena, embora n\u00e3o gravemente pecaminosa.\u00a0 Aquele que condena as coisas pequenas cair\u00e1 pouco a pouco.<\/em>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Muitos desejam seguir Jesus Cristo como fez S\u00e3o Pedro, que quando seu Mestre foi preso no jardim, diz S\u00e3o Mateus,\u00a0o seguiram de longe<\/em>. - (Mt. xxvi., 58). Mas, ao fazer isso, facilmente acontecer\u00e1 com eles o que aconteceu com S\u00e3o Pedro, ou seja, quando a ocasi\u00e3o chegou, ele negou Jesus Cristo. Um religioso morno se contentar\u00e1 com o pouco que faz para Deus; mas Deus, que o chamou para uma vida perfeita, n\u00e3o se contentar\u00e1 e, em puni\u00e7\u00e3o por sua ingratid\u00e3o, n\u00e3o apenas o privar\u00e1 de favores especiais, mas \u00e0s vezes permitir\u00e1 sua queda. \"Quando voc\u00ea diz: 'Basta', voc\u00ea est\u00e1 perdido\", diz Agostinho. A figueira do Evangelho foi lan\u00e7ada ao fogo apenas porque n\u00e3o produziu frutos.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00d3 meu Deus, n\u00e3o me rejeite, como mere\u00e7o, pois mudarei minha vida. Sei muito bem que uma vida negligente como a minha n\u00e3o pode satisfaz\u00ea-Lo. Sei que, por minha indiferen\u00e7a, fechei a porta de meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o contra as gra\u00e7as que Tu desejavas me conceder. \u00d3 Senhor, n\u00e3o me abandone ainda por um tempo; eu me levantarei de meu estado miser\u00e1vel. No futuro, serei mais cuidadoso em vencer minhas paix\u00f5es, em seguir Tuas inspira\u00e7\u00f5es, e nunca mais, por pregui\u00e7a, deixarei de cumprir meus deveres; eu os cumprirei com maior dilig\u00eancia. Em resumo, de agora em diante, farei tudo o que puder para agrad\u00e1-Lo e n\u00e3o negligenciarei nada que eu saiba ser agrad\u00e1vel a Ti.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Father Louis de Ponte said: \u201cI have committed many faults, but I have never made peace with them.\u201d \u00a0Miserable is the Religious who, being called to perfection, makes peace with his defects. \u00a0As long as we detest our imperfections, there is hope that we may become Saints; but when we commit faults and make little of them, then, says St. Bernard, the hope of becoming Saints is lost. \u00a0He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly. \u2014 <\/em>(2 Cor. ix., 6). \u00a0Ordinary graces do not suffice to make one a Saint; extraordinary ones are necessary. \u00a0But how shall God be liberal with His favours to one who acts sparingly and with reserve in his love for Him?
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moreover, to become a Saint, one must have courage and strength to overcome all repugnances; and let no one ever believe, says St. Bernard, that he will be able to attain to perfection unless he distinguishes himself in the practice of virtue: \u201cWhat is perfect,<\/em> cannot but be singular.\u201d<\/em> \u00a0Reflect, my brother, for what have you left the world and all it can give? \u00a0It was to become a Saint.\u00a0 But that lukewarm and imperfect life which you lead, is that the way of becoming a Saint? \u00a0St. Teresa animated her daughters by saying to them: \u201cMy sisters, you have done the principal thing necessary to become Saints; the lesser remains yet to be done.\u201d \u00a0The same I say to you; you have, perhaps, done the chief part already; you have left your country, your parents, and home, your property and your amusements, the lesser part now remains to be done to become a Saint. \u00a0Do it.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since Thou, O my Jesus! hast been so liberal with Thy graces towards me, and hast deigned to give Thy Blood and Thy life for me, why should I act with such reserve towards Thee? \u00a0Thou art worthy of all honour and love, and to please Thee one ought gladly to undergo every labour, and suffer every pain. \u00a0But, O my Redeemer, Thou knowest my weakness, help me by Thy powerful grace; in Thee I confide. \u00a0O immaculate Virgin Mary, thou who hast helped me to leave the world, help me to overcome myself and to become a Saint.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CONSELHOS REFERENTES A UMA VOCA\u00c7\u00c3O RELIGIOSA:\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

VIII. - DETALHAMENTO (continua\u00e7\u00e3o)<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 JESUS O M\u00c9DICO CARIDOSO DE NOSSAS ALMAS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But unto you the sun of justice shall rise, and health in his wings. \u2014 <\/em>(Mal. iv., 2).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your Physician shall come, says the Prophet, to cure the infirm; and He will come swiftly like the bird that flies, and like the sun, which, on rising above the horizon, instantly sends its light to the other pole. \u00a0But behold Him, He is already come. \u00a0Let us console ourselves, and return thanks to Him.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Augustine says: \u201cHe descends even to the bed of the sick\u201d; that is to say, even to taking our flesh, for our bodies are the beds of our infirm souls.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Physicians, if they love their patients, do indeed make every possible effort to cure them; but what physician, in order to cure the sick man, ever took upon himself his disease? \u00a0Jesus Christ is truly that Physician, Who took on Himself our infirmities in order to cure them. \u00a0Neither would He content Himself with sending another in His place, but He chose to come Himself to fulfil this charitable office in order to gain to Himself all our love.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Praised and blessed for ever be Thy Charity, O my Redeemer! \u00a0And what would become of my soul, so infirm and afflicted with the many wounds of my sins, if I had not Thee, my Jesus, Who art both able and willing to heal me? \u00a0O Blood of my Saviour, I trust in Thee! \u00a0Wash me and heal me.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows. <\/em>\u2014 (Is. liii., 4). \u00a0He was pleased to heal our wounds with His own Blood, and by His death deliver us from eternal death which we had deserved. \u00a0In short, He chose to take the bitter medicine of a life of continual sufferings and a painful death to obtain life for us, and to deliver us from our many ills.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The chalice which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? \u2014 <\/em>(John xviii., 11), He said to Peter. \u00a0It was necessary then that Jesus Christ should embrace so many ignominies to heal our pride; that He should embrace such a life of poverty to cure our covetousness; that He should suffer a sea of torments, so as to die of pure agony to cure our eagerness for sensual pleasures.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my Love, I repent of having offended Thee. \u00a0Thou hast led a life of such tribulations and hast died such a bitter death to prove to me the love which Thou bearest me! \u00a0I would fain show Thee also how much I love Thee, but what can I do \u2013 I am so infirm, so miserable and so weak? \u00a0O God of my soul Thou art Omnipotent; Thou canst cure me and make me holy. \u00a0Oh, kindle in me a great desire of pleasing Thee. \u00a0I renounce all my satisfactions to please Thee my Redeemer, Who dost deserve to be pleased at all cost. \u00a0O Sovereign Good, I esteem Thee and love Thee above every good; make me love Thee with all my heart, and always implore Thy love.\u00a0 Hitherto I have offended Thee, and have not loved Thee, because I have not sought Thy love. \u00a0I now beg this love of Thee, and the grace always to ask it of Thee.\u00a0 Hear me, by the merits of Thy Passion.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O Mary, my Mother, thou art always prepared to listen to him that prays to thee. \u00a0Thou lovest him that loves thee. \u00a0I love thee, my Queen. \u00a0Obtain for me the grace to love God, and I ask for nothing more. \u00a0Amen.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0\u00a0CONSIDERA\u00c7\u00d5ES SOBRE O ESTADO RELIGIOSO - VIII<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere o quanto \u00e9 preciosa para Deus uma alma que se entrega inteiramente a Ele.
<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O Filho de Deus j\u00e1 se entregou inteiramente a n\u00f3s.\u00a0 Um menino nasceu para n\u00f3s, e um filho nos foi dado<\/em>. Ele se entregou a n\u00f3s por meio do amor que nos tem. Quando Santa Teresa se entregou a Jesus, o Senhor disse a ela: \"Agora, porque voc\u00ea \u00e9 toda Minha, Eu sou todo Seu\".<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:<\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Uma \u00e9 minha pomba, minha perfeita<\/em>. - (Cant. vi., 8). Deus ama todos os que O amam.\u00a0 Eu amo aqueles que me amam<\/em>. - (Prov. viii., 17). De fato, muitos se entregam a Deus, mas ainda mant\u00eam em seus cora\u00e7\u00f5es algum apego \u00e0s criaturas que os impede de pertencer inteiramente a Ele. Como, ent\u00e3o, Deus se entregar\u00e1 a uma alma que divide seu amor entre Ele e as criaturas? \u00c9 justo que Ele aja com reserva em rela\u00e7\u00e3o \u00e0queles que agem com reserva em rela\u00e7\u00e3o a Ele. Por outro lado, Ele se d\u00e1 inteiramente \u00e0quelas almas que expulsam de seus cora\u00e7\u00f5es tudo o que n\u00e3o \u00e9 para Deus, e que podem verdadeiramente dizer: Meu Deus e meu Tudo!
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Santa Teresa, enquanto manteve uma afei\u00e7\u00e3o desordenada, embora n\u00e3o impura, por uma determinada pessoa, n\u00e3o p\u00f4de ouvir de Jesus Cristo o que ouviu mais tarde, quando, libertando-se inteiramente para o Amor Divino, Deus lhe disse: \"J\u00e1 que agora voc\u00ea \u00e9 toda Minha, Eu sou todo Seu!\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Meu amado para mim e eu para ele!<\/em> - (Cant. ii., 16). Desde ent\u00e3o, \u00f3 meu Deus, Tu te deste inteiramente a mim. Eu seria ingrato, de fato, se n\u00e3o me entregasse inteiramente a Ti; j\u00e1 que Tu queres que eu perten\u00e7a inteiramente a Ti, eis que, \u00f3 meu Senhor, eu me entrego inteiramente a Ti. Aceita-me por Tua miseric\u00f3rdia e n\u00e3o me desprezes. Concede, Senhor, que meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o, que antes amava as criaturas, possa agora se voltar inteiramente para Tua infinita bondade. \"Que eu finalmente morra\", disse Santa Teresa, \"e que outro viva em mim. Que Deus viva em mim e me d\u00ea vida. Deixe que Ele reine e que eu seja Sua escrava, pois minha alma n\u00e3o deseja outra liberdade.\" Meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o \u00e9 muito pequeno, \u00f3 Deus mais digno de amor, e \u00e9 muito pouco capaz de amar a Ti, que \u00e9s merecedor de um amor infinito. Eu seria culpado de uma injusti\u00e7a muito grande se o dividisse amando qualquer coisa al\u00e9m de Ti. Eu Te amo; renuncio a todas as criaturas e me entrego inteiramente a Ti, meu Jesus, meu Salvador, meu Amor, meu Tudo.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consider that the Son of God has not hesitated to give Himself all to us. \u00a0A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. ix., 6). \u00a0He has given Himself to us through the love He bears us. \u00a0He hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us. \u2014 <\/em>(Eph. v., 2). \u00a0It is, then, just, says St. Chrysostom, that as God has given Himself to you without reserve \u2013 \u201cHe has given thee all, nothing has He left for Himself\u201d \u2013 you should give yourself to God without reserve, and burning with divine love should henceforth sing to Him:<\/p>

Thine wholly will I always be;
Thou has bestowed Thyself on me;
Myself I wholly give to Thee.<\/p>

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Teresa, appearing after her death, revealed to one of her nuns that God loves a soul that, as a spouse, gives herself entirely to Him, more than a thousand who are tepid and imperfect. \u00a0The choir of Seraphim is completed from these generous souls belonging entirely to God. \u00a0The Lord Himself says that He loves a soul that tends to perfection so much that He seems not to love any other: One is my dove, my perfect one is but one. \u2014 <\/em>(Cant, vi., 8). \u00a0Hence Blessed Giles exhorts us: \u201cOne for one \u2014 una uni,\u201d by which he wishes to say that this one soul of ours we ought to give wholly, undivided, to that One Who alone deserves all love, on Whom depends all our good, and Who loves us more than all others love us. \u00a0\u201cLeave all and you shall find all,\u201d says Thomas \u00e0 Kempis. \u00a0Leave all for God and in God you will find all. \u00a0\u201cO soul!\u201d concludes St. Bernard, \u201cbe alone, that you may keep yourself for Him alone.\u201d\u00a0 Keep yourself alone, give no part of your affections to creatures, that you may belong alone to Him Who alone deserves an infinite love, and Whom alone you ought to love.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What have I in heaven, and besides Thee, what do I desire on earth? . . . Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. lxxii., 25). \u00a0I desire nothing, either in this life or in the next, but to possess the treasure of Thy love. \u00a0I am unwilling that creatures should any longer have a place in my heart; Thou alone must be its Master. \u00a0To Thee alone shall it belong for the future. \u00a0Thou only shalt be my God, my repose, my desire, all my love. \u00a0\u201cGive me only Thy love and Thy grace, and I am rich enough.\u201d \u00a0O most holy Virgin Mary obtain for me that I may be faithful to God, and never recall the gift which I have made of myself to Him. \u00a0Amen.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CONSELHOS REFERENTES A UMA VOCA\u00c7\u00c3O RELIGIOSA:\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

IX. - DETALHAMENTO (continua\u00e7\u00e3o)<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 DEUS DEU SEU \u00daNICO FILHO PARA NOS SALVAR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I have given thee to be the light of the Gentiles that thou mayest be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. xlix., 6).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consider how the Eternal Father addressed these words to the Infant Jesus at the instant of His Conception: I have given thee to be the light of the Gentiles that thou mayst be my salvation.<\/em> \u00a0My Son, I have given Thee to the world for the Light and Life of all people, in order that Thou mayst procure for them their salvation, which I have as much at heart as if it were My own. \u00a0Thou must, therefore, employ Thyself entirely for the well-being of men. \u00a0\u201cWholly given to man Thou must be wholly spent in his service.\u201d \u2014 (St. Bernard). \u00a0Thou must therefore, at Thy birth, suffer extreme poverty in order that men may become rich: \u201cthat Thou mayst enrich them by Thy poverty.\u201d \u00a0Thou must be sold as a slave to acquire liberty for man; and Thou must be scourged and crucified as a slave to satisfy My justice for the punishment due to man. \u00a0Thou must give Thy Blood and Thy Life to deliver man from eternal death. \u00a0In a word, Thou art no longer Thine own, but Thou belongest to man: A child is born to us, a son is given to us. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. ix., 6). \u00a0Thus, My beloved Son, man will be constrained to love Me, and to be Mine, when he sees that I give Thee, My only-begotten One, entirely to him, and that there is nothing left for Me to give him My dearest Jesus, if it is true (as the Law says) that dominion is acquired by gift, since Thy Father hath given Thee to me, Thou art mine; for me Thou wert born, to me Thou hast been given: A child is born to us, a Son is given to us.<\/em> \u00a0Therefore I may well say: \u201cMy Jesus and my all.\u201d \u00a0Since Thou art mine, everything that belongs to Thee is also mine. \u00a0Of this I am assured by Thy Apostle: How hath he not also with him given us all things. \u2014 <\/em>(Rom. viii., 32). \u00a0Thy Blood is mine, Thy merits are mine, Thy grace is mine, Thy Paradise is mine; and if Thou art mine who shall be able to take Thee from me?\u00a0 \u201cNo man can take God away from me,\u201d joyfully exclaimed the Abbot St. Anthony, and so, too, from this day forth, will I also continually say. \u00a0It is only through my own fault that I can lose Thee and separate myself from Thee; but if in past times I have abandoned Thee and lost Thee, O my Jesus, I now repent of it with all my soul, and I am resolved to lose my life and everything sooner than lose Thee, O infinite Good, and only Love of my soul!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God so loved the world!<\/em> \u00a0O infinite love, only worthy of an Infinite God! \u00a0God so loved the world as to give his only begotten son! \u2014 <\/em>(John iii., 16). \u00a0The Infant Jesus, far from being sorrowful at this proposal, is pleased at it, accepts it with love, and exults in it: He hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. lviii., 6), and from the first moment of His Incarnation He gives Himself entirely to man, and embraces with pleasure all the sorrows and ignominy that He must suffer on earth for the love of man. \u00a0These were, says St. Bernard, the mountains and hills that Jesus Christ had to pass with so many labours in order to save man: Behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills. \u2014 <\/em>(Cant, ii., 8).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here consider that the Divine Father, in sending His Son to be our Redeemer and Mediator between Himself and man, has in a certain sense bound Himself to forgive us and love us, on account of the Covenant He made to receive us into His favour, provided His Son satisfied His Divine justice for us. \u00a0On the other hand, the Divine Word, having accepted the decree of His Father, Who, by sending Him to redeem us, has given Him to us, has also bound Himself to love us; not, indeed, for our own merits, but in order to fulfil the merciful will of His Father.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I thank Thee, Eternal Father, for having given me Thy Son; and since Thou hast given Him entirely to me, I, a miserable sinner, give myself entirely to Thee. \u00a0For the sake of this same Son, accept me, and bind me with the chains of love to my dear Redeemer; but bind me so strongly that I also may be able to say: Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? <\/em>\u2014 (Rom. viii., 35).\u00a0 What good shall there ever be in the world that shall separate me from my Jesus? \u00a0And Thou, my Saviour, if Thou art all mine, know that I am all Thine. \u00a0Dispose of me, and of all that belongs to me, as shall best please Thee. \u00a0And how can I refuse anything to a God Who has not refused me His Blood and His life? \u00a0Mary, my Mother, do thou guard me with thy protection. \u00a0I will no longer be my own. \u00a0I will be all my Saviour\u2019s. \u00a0Do thou help me to be faithful; I trust in thee.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0\u00a0CONSIDERA\u00c7\u00d5ES SOBRE O ESTADO RELIGIOSO - IX<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere que, para se tornar um santo, \u00e9 necess\u00e1rio ter um grande desejo de santidade<\/em>.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Nenhum santo jamais se tornou santo sem ter um grande desejo de santidade. Assim como as asas s\u00e3o necess\u00e1rias para voar, os desejos santos s\u00e3o necess\u00e1rios \u00e0 alma para avan\u00e7ar no caminho da perfei\u00e7\u00e3o.\u00a0 Meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o est\u00e1 pronto, \u00f3 Deus, meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o est\u00e1 pronto!<\/em>\u00a0 Diga-me o que o Senhor deseja de mim. Eu Te obedecerei em todas as coisas.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:<\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Desejos santos s\u00e3o necess\u00e1rios \u00e0 alma para que ela avance no caminho da perfei\u00e7\u00e3o. Para nos tornarmos santos, devemos nos desapegar das criaturas, vencer nossas paix\u00f5es, superar a n\u00f3s mesmos e amar as cruzes. Mas, para fazer tudo isso, \u00e9 necess\u00e1ria muita for\u00e7a e devemos sofrer muito.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Mas qual \u00e9 o efeito desse desejo santo? S\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o Justiniano responde: \"Ele fornece for\u00e7a e torna a dor mais f\u00e1cil de ser suportada\". Por isso, o mesmo santo acrescenta que j\u00e1 venceu quem tem um grande desejo de vencer. \"Uma grande parte da vit\u00f3ria \u00e9 o desejo de vencer.\" Aquele que deseja chegar ao topo de uma alta montanha jamais a alcan\u00e7ar\u00e1 se n\u00e3o tiver o desejo de faz\u00ea-lo. Isso lhe dar\u00e1 coragem e for\u00e7a para suportar o cansa\u00e7o da subida; caso contr\u00e1rio, ele parar\u00e1 no p\u00e9, cansado e desanimado.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0S\u00e3o Bernardo afirma que adquirimos a perfei\u00e7\u00e3o na propor\u00e7\u00e3o do desejo que conservamos em nosso cora\u00e7\u00e3o. Santa Teresa disse que Deus ama as almas generosas que t\u00eam grandes desejos; por essa raz\u00e3o, a Santa exortou a todos, dizendo: \"Que nossos pensamentos sejam elevados, pois da\u00ed vir\u00e1 nosso bem. N\u00e3o devemos ter desejos fracos, mas ter confian\u00e7a em Deus, por meio da qual, pouco a pouco, alcan\u00e7aremos a perfei\u00e7\u00e3o que, pela gra\u00e7a de Deus, os santos alcan\u00e7aram\". Foi assim que os santos alcan\u00e7aram, em pouco tempo, um alto grau de perfei\u00e7\u00e3o e foram capazes de fazer grandes coisas para Deus: Tendo sido aperfei\u00e7oado em um curto espa\u00e7o de tempo, ele cumpriu um longo per\u00edodo.<\/em> - (Sab. iv., 13). S\u00e3o Lu\u00eds Gonzaga alcan\u00e7ou em poucos anos (tinha apenas vinte e tr\u00eas anos quando morreu) um tal grau de santidade que Santa Maria Madalena de Pazzi, contemplando-o em esp\u00edrito no C\u00e9u, disse que lhe parecia, de certa forma, que n\u00e3o havia nenhum santo no C\u00e9u que gozasse de maior gl\u00f3ria do que Lu\u00eds. Ela entendeu ao mesmo tempo que ele havia chegado a t\u00e3o alto grau pelo grande desejo que tinha de amar a Deus tanto quanto Ele merecia, e que, vendo isso al\u00e9m de suas for\u00e7as, o santo jovem havia sofrido na terra um mart\u00edrio de amor.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Eis que, \u00f3 meu Deus! Eis-me aqui.\u00a0 Meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o est\u00e1 pronto, \u00f3 Deus, meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o est\u00e1 pronto<\/em>. - (Salmo 1:8). Veja, estou preparado para fazer tudo o que o Senhor exigir de mim.\u00a0 \u00d3 Senhor, o que voc\u00ea quer que eu fa\u00e7a?<\/em> - (Atos ix., 6). Diga-me o que o Senhor deseja de mim. Eu Te obedecerei em todas as coisas. Sinto muito por ter perdido tanto tempo em que poderia ter Te agradado e n\u00e3o o fiz. Agrade\u00e7o-Te por ainda me dares tempo para faz\u00ea-lo. Oh n\u00e3o, n\u00e3o perderei mais tempo. Eu quero e desejo me tornar um santo, n\u00e3o para obter de Ti mais gl\u00f3ria e mais prazeres. Desejo isso para poder am\u00e1-Lo mais e agrad\u00e1-Lo nesta vida e na pr\u00f3xima.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St. Bernard, when a Religious, was accustomed to say to himself in order to excite his fervour: Bernarde, ad quid venisti? \u2014 \u201c<\/em>Bernard, for what hast thou come hither?\u201d \u00a0I say the same to you: What have you come to the House of God to do? \u00a0Why have you left the world? \u00a0To become a Saint? \u00a0And what are you doing?\u00a0 Why do you lose time? \u00a0Tell me \u2014 do you desire<\/em> to become a Saint? \u00a0If you do not desire<\/em> it, then, certainly, you will never become a Saint. \u00a0If you have not this desire, ask Jesus Christ for it: ask Mary for it. \u00a0And if you have it, take courage, says St. Bernard, for many there are who do not become Saints just because they are not courageous. \u00a0And so, I repeat, let us take courage and great courage. \u00a0Why should we fear? \u00a0Why be cast down? \u00a0Our Blessed Lord Who gave us strength to leave the world, will give us also the grace to embrace the life of a Saint. \u00a0Everything comes to an end. \u00a0Our life, be it a contented or a discontented one, will also come to an end, but eternity will never end. \u00a0That little which we have done for God will alone console us at death and throughout eternity. \u00a0The labour will be short, the crown, which is already in sight, will be immortal. \u00a0How well pleased the Saints are now with all they have suffered for God! \u00a0If sorrow could enter Paradise, the blessed would be sorry only that they neglected to do more for God than they had done, and now they are unable to do it. \u00a0Courage, then, make haste, for there is no time to lose; what can be done to-day we may not be able to do to-morrow. \u00a0St. Bernardine of Sienna used to say that one moment of time is of as great value as God Himself, for at each moment we may gain God, His divine grace, and higher degrees of merit.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Make me, O Lord, to love and please Thee as much as Thou desirest. \u00a0Behold, this is all I ask from Thee, O my God! I will love Thee, I will love Thee; and, in order to love Thee, I offer myself to undergo every fatigue, and to suffer every pain. \u00a0O my Lord, increase in me always this desire, and give me the grace to execute it. \u00a0Of myself I can do nothing, but assisted by Thee I can do all things. \u00a0Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ graciously hear me. \u00a0My Jesus, through the merits of Thy Passion, come to my succour. \u00a0O Mary, my hope! for the love of Jesus Christ, protect me.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CONSELHOS REFERENTES A UMA VOCA\u00c7\u00c3O RELIGIOSA:\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

X. - AS PROVA\u00c7\u00d5ES QUE DEVEMOS ESPERAR TER NA VIDA RELIGIOSA<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 DEUS SE FEZ UMA CRIAN\u00c7A PARA GANHAR NOSSA CONFIAN\u00c7A E NOSSO AMOR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A child is born to us and a son is given to us. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. ix., 6).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consider how, after so many centuries, after so many prayers and sighs, the Messias Whom the holy Patriarchs and Prophets were not worthy to see, for Whom the nations sighed, the desire of the eternal hills,<\/em> our Saviour, is come! \u00a0He is already born and has given Himself entirely to us. \u00a0A<\/em> child is born to us, and a son is given to us. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. ix., 6).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Son of God has made Himself little, in order to make us great; He has given Himself to us, in order that we may give ourselves to Him; He is come to show us His love, in order that we may respond to it by giving Him ours. \u00a0Let us, therefore, receive Him with affection; let us love Him, and have recourse to Him in all our necessities.
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u201cA child gives easily,\u201d says St. Bernard; children readily give anything that is asked of them. \u00a0Jesus came into the world as a Child, in order to show Himself ready and willing to give us all good gifts: In whom are hid all treasures. \u2014 <\/em>(Col. ii., 3). \u00a0The Father hath given all things into his hands. \u2014 (<\/em>John iii., 35). \u00a0If we wish for light, He is come on purpose to enlighten us. \u00a0If we wish for strength to resist our enemies, He is come to give us comfort. \u00a0If we wish for pardon and salvation, He is come to pardon and save us. \u00a0If, in short, we desire the sovereign gift of Divine love, He is come to inflame our hearts with it; and, above all, for this very purpose, He has become a Child, and has chosen to show Himself to us worthy of our love, in proportion as He was poor and humble, in order to take away from us all fear, and to gain our affections. \u00a0\u201cThus,\u201d says St. Peter Chrysologus, \u201cshould He come Who willed to drive away fear, and seek for love.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my amiable Jesus, Whom I have treated with so much contempt, Thou hast descended from Heaven to rescue us from hell, and to give Thyself entirely to us \u2014 how can we, then, have so often despised Thee and turned our backs upon Thee? \u00a0O God! men are so grateful to their fellow-creatures, that if anyone makes them a gift, if any one comes from a distance to pay them a visit, if anyone shows them a mark of affection, they cannot forget it, and feel themselves obliged to make him a return. \u00a0And yet they are so ungrateful towards Thee, Who art their God, and so amiable, and Who for their love didst not refuse Thy Blood and Thy life. \u00a0But, alas! \u00a0I have behaved worse than others towards Thee, because more loved by Thee, and yet I have been more ungrateful towards Thee. \u00a0Ah, if Thou hadst bestowed the graces given to me on a heretic, on an idolater, he would have become a Saint! \u00a0And yet I have only offended Thee! \u00a0O Jesus, mercy!<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus has, besides, chosen to become a little Child to make us love Him, not only with an appreciative but with a tender love. \u00a0All infants attract the tender affections of those who behold them; but who will not, then, love with all tenderness a God Whom they behold as a little Child, in need of milk, trembling with cold, poor, abased and forsaken, weeping and wailing, and lying on straw in a manger? \u00a0It was this that made the enamoured St. Francis exclaim: \u201cLet us love the Child of Bethlehem! \u00a0Let us love the Child of Bethlehem!\u201d\u00a0 Come, ye souls, and love a God Who is become a Child and poor; Who is so amiable, and Who has come down from Heaven to give Himself entirely to you.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Forget, O Lord, I pray Thee, the injuries I have done Thee. \u00a0But Thou hast already said that when a sinner repents, Thou forgettest all the outrages Thou hast received from him: All his iniquities I will not remember. <\/em>\u2014 (Ezech. xviii., 26). \u00a0If in times past I have not loved Thee, in future I will do nothing but love Thee, Thou hast given Thyself all to me, I will give Thee my entire will.\u00a0 With this will I love Thee, love Thee, love Thee; and I repeat it, I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee. \u00a0While I live I will constantly say this; and thus shall I die, saying with my last breath those sweet words: \u201cMy God, I love Thee.\u201d \u00a0And in the meantime, O my Lord, my only Good, my only Love, I intend to prefer Thy Will to every pleasure of my own. \u00a0Let the whole world offer itself to me, I will refuse, for I will never cease to love Him Who has loved me so much. \u00a0I will never again offend Him Who deserves from me an infinite love. \u00a0Do Thou, O my Jesus, strengthen this my desire with Thy grace. \u00a0Mary, my Queen, I acknowledge that all graces that I have received from God are due to thy intercession. \u00a0Cease not to intercede for me. \u00a0Obtain for me perseverance, thou who art the Mother of perseverance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0\u00a0CONSIDERA\u00c7\u00d5ES SOBRE O ESTADO RELIGIOSO - X<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere o amor que devemos a Jesus Cristo em retribui\u00e7\u00e3o ao amor que Ele nos demonstrou.<\/em>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Para entender o amor que o Filho de Deus tem por n\u00f3s, basta considerar o que S\u00e3o Paulo diz sobre Jesus Cristo: Ele esvaziou-se a si mesmo, assumindo a forma de servo... humilhou-se a si mesmo, tornando-se obediente at\u00e9 a morte, sim, a morte de cruz<\/em>. \u00d3 meu Jesus, de fato, Tu me obrigaste a amar-Te demais.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I: <\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ele se esvaziou a si mesmo, assumindo a forma de servo<\/em>. Ele se esvaziou! \u00d3 Deus, que espanto para os anjos, por toda a eternidade, ver um Deus tornar-se homem por amor ao homem e submeter-se a todas as fraquezas e sofrimentos do homem.\u00a0 E o Verbo se fez carne!\u00a0<\/em> Que maravilha n\u00e3o seria ver um rei se tornar um verme por causa dos vermes! Mas \u00e9 uma maravilha infinitamente maior ver um Deus se tornar Homem e depois ser humilhado at\u00e9 uma morte t\u00e3o dolorosa e ignominiosa na cruz em que terminou Sua vida mais sagrada.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Mois\u00e9s e Elias, no Monte Thabor, falando de Sua morte, conforme relatado no Evangelho, chamaram-na de \"excesso\":\u00a0 Eles falaram de sua morte<\/em> (a palavra latina \u00e9 \"excessus\", que tamb\u00e9m significa \"excesso\") que ele deveria realizar em Jerusal\u00e9m<\/em>. - (Lucas ix., 31). Sim, diz S\u00e3o Boaventura, \u00e9 com raz\u00e3o que a morte de Jesus Cristo foi chamada de \"excesso\", pois foi um excesso de sofrimento e de amor. Excessus doloris, excessus amoris<\/em>. De tal modo que seria imposs\u00edvel acreditar nisso, se j\u00e1 n\u00e3o tivesse acontecido. Foi verdadeiramente um excesso de amor, acrescenta Santo Agostinho, pois para esse fim o Filho de Deus desejou vir \u00e0 Terra, viver uma vida t\u00e3o laboriosa e morrer uma morte t\u00e3o amarga, a saber, para que pudesse tornar conhecido ao homem o quanto o amava. \"Por isso Cristo veio, para que o homem soubesse o quanto Deus o amava.\"
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0O Senhor revelou \u00e0 Sua serva Armella Nicolas que o amor que Ele tinha pelo homem foi a causa de todos os Seus sofrimentos e de Sua morte. Se Jesus Cristo n\u00e3o fosse Deus, mas apenas homem e nosso amigo, que amor maior poderia ter demonstrado do que morrer por n\u00f3s?\u00a0 Ningu\u00e9m tem maior amor do que este, de dar algu\u00e9m a sua vida pelos seus amigos<\/em>. - (Jo. xv., 13). Ao pensar no amor demonstrado por Jesus Cristo, qu\u00e3o pouco os santos consideravam dar suas vidas e tudo o que tinham por um Deus t\u00e3o amoroso! Quantos jovens, quantos nobres, deixaram sua casa, seu pa\u00eds, suas riquezas, seus pais e todas as coisas para se retirarem para os claustros, para viver apenas pelo amor de Jesus Cristo! Quantas jovens virgens, renunciando \u00e0s n\u00fapcias com os pr\u00edncipes e os grandes do mundo, foram alegremente para a morte, para assim retribuir o amor de um Deus que foi executado em uma forca infame e morreu por elas.
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0De fato, \u00f3 meu Jesus, meu Senhor e meu Redentor, Tu me obrigaste a amar-Te demais; meu amor custou-Te demais. Eu seria muito ingrato se me contentasse em amar com reserva um Deus que me deu Seu sangue, Sua vida e todo o Seu ser. Oh, Tu que morreste por mim, Teu pobre servo, \u00e9 justo que eu morra por Ti, meu Deus e meu Tudo. Sim, \u00f3 meu Jesus! Eu me desapego de tudo para me entregar a Ti. Afasto de mim o amor de todas as criaturas para me consagrar inteiramente ao Teu amor.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That Jesus Christ should die on the Cross for our sakes seemed to St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi to be \u201cfoolishness.\u201d \u00a0Hence she said Jesus was foolish with love: \u201cO my Jesus, Thou art foolish with love!\u201d \u00a0So, also, the Gentiles, as St. Paul attests, on hearing the death of Jesus Christ preached to them, considered it a folly that no one could believe. \u00a0We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness. \u2014 <\/em>(1 Cor. i., 23). \u00a0How is it possible, they said, that a God Who is in Himself most happy and is dependent on none, should die for the love of man, His own servant?
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This would be as much as to believe that God became a fool for the love of men. \u00a0Nevertheless, it is of Faith that Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, did, for love of us, deliver Himself up to death. \u00a0He hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us. \u2014 <\/em>(Eph. v., 2). \u00a0The same St. Mary Magdalen had reason then to exclaim, lamenting the ingratitude of men towards so loving a God: \u201cO Love not known! \u00a0O Love not loved!\u201d \u00a0Indeed, Jesus Christ is not loved by men, because they live in forgetfulness of His love.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And, in fact, a soul that considers a God Who died for her sake, cannot live without loving Him. \u00a0The charity of Christ presseth us. \u2014 <\/em>(2 Cor. v., 14). \u00a0The soul will feel herself inflamed, and as if constrained to love a God Who has loved her so much. \u00a0Jesus Christ could have saved us, says Father Nieremberg, with one single drop of His Blood; but it was His will to shed all His Blood, and to give His Divine Life, that at the sight of so many sufferings and of His death, we might not content ourselves with an ordinary love, but be sweetly constrained to love with all our strength a God so full of love towards us. \u00a0That they also who live may not now live to themselves, but unto him who died for them. \u2014 <\/em>(Ib. v., 15).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my Jesus, I choose Thee alone out of all things for my Good, my Treasure, and my only Love. \u00a0I love Thee, O my Love! \u00a0I love Thee. \u00a0Thou art not satisfied that I should love Thee only a little. \u00a0Thou art not willing to have me love anything besides Thee. \u00a0I will please Thee in all things and I will love Thee much. \u00a0Thou shalt be my only Love. \u00a0My God, my God, help me, that I may fully please Thee. \u00a0Mary, my Queen, do thou also help me that I may have a great love for my God.\u00a0 Amen. \u00a0So I hope; so may it be.<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0\u00a0CONSELHOS REFERENTES A UMA VOCA\u00c7\u00c3O RELIGIOSA:\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>

XI. - CONCLUS\u00c3O<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 JESUS SE OFERECEU PARA NOSSA SALVA\u00c7\u00c3O DESDE O IN\u00cdCIO<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was offered because it was his own will. \u2014 <\/em>(Is. liii., 7).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The divine Word, from the first instant that He was made Man and an Infant in Mary\u2019s womb, offered Himself of His own accord to suffer and to die for the ransom of the world: Ele foi oferecido porque era sua pr\u00f3pria vontade. <\/em>\u2014 (Is. liii., 7). \u00a0He knew that all the sacrifices of goats and bulls offered to God in times past had not been able to satisfy for the sins of men, but that it required a divine Person to pay the price of their redemption; wherefore He said, as the Apostle tells us: When he cometh into the world he saith: Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldst not, but a body thou hast fitted to me . . . Then said I: Behold, I come. \u2014 <\/em>(Heb. x., 5). \u00a0\u201cMy Father,\u201d said Jesus, \u201call the victims hitherto offered to Thee have not sufficed, nor could they suffice, to satisfy Thy justice; Thou hast given Me this passible body, in order that by shedding my Blood I might appease Thee and save men : Behold, I come <\/em>\u2014 here I am ready, I accept everything, and I submit myself in everything to Thy will.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My Lord, ever since I began to have the use of reason, I began to despise Thy grace and Thy love. \u00a0Nevertheless Thou hast borne with me, because Thou still dost love me. \u00a0I fled from Thee, and Thou dost follow me and call me. \u00a0The very same love that made Thee come down from Heaven to seek the lost sheep, has caused Thee to bear with me, and not to forsake me. \u00a0My Jesus, Thou seekest me now, and I seek Thee. \u00a0I feel that Thy grace is assisting me: it assists me by giving me sorrow for my sins, which I abhor above every other evil; it assists me by making me feel a great desire to love Thee and to please Thee. \u00a0Yes, my Lord, I will love Thee and please Thee as much as I can. \u00a0On the one hand I feel afraid, it is true, at the thought of my frailty and the weakness which I have contracted by my sins; but greater is the confidence which Thy grace gives me, making me hope in Thy merits; so that I say, with great courage: I can do all things in him who strengtheneth me. \u2014 <\/em>(Phil, iv., 13). \u00a0If I am weak Thou wilt give me strength against my enemies: if I am infirm, I hope that Thy Blood will be my medicine; if I am a sinner, I hope Thou wilt make me holy. \u00a0I know that I have hitherto contributed to my own ruin, because I have neglected, in times of danger, to have recourse to Thee. \u00a0But from this day forth, my Jesus and my Hope, I will always have recourse to Thee; and from Thee I hope for every assistance and every good.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In Jesus the inferior part felt repugnance towards a life of suffering and a death so full of pain and shame; but the rational part, which was entirely subordinate to the will of His Father, conquered and accepted everything; and Jesus began from the Incarnation to suffer all the anguish and sorrows that He would have to suffer all the years of His life. \u00a0Thus did our Redeemer act from the very first moment of His entrance into the world. \u00a0But, O God, how have we conducted ourselves towards Jesus since we began as adults to know by the light of Faith the Sacred Mysteries of Redemption?\u00a0 What thoughts, what designs, what goods have we loved?\u00a0 Pleasures, amusements, vanities, resentments, sensuality \u2014 these are the things that have engrossed the affections of our hearts. \u00a0But if we have Faith, we must now at last change our lives and change our affections. \u00a0Let us love a God Who has suffered so much for us. \u00a0Let us place before ourselves the sufferings which the Heart of Jesus endured for us, even from His Infancy; for then we shall not be able to love anything else but this Heart which has loved us so much.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 O my Jesus, now I love Thee above all things, and I will love none but Thee. \u00a0In pity help me, through the merit of all those sufferings which from Thy infancy Thou hast endured for me. \u00a0Eternal Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ accept my love. \u00a0If I have provoked Thee let the tears of the Infant Jesus, Who is praying for me, appease Thy wrath: Look on the face of thy Christ. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. lxxxiii., 10). \u00a0I do not deserve favours, but this Thy innocent Son deserves them, and offers Thee a life of sufferings, in order that Thou mayst be merciful to me. \u00a0And thou, O Mother of mercy, Mary, cease not to intercede for me. \u00a0Thou knowest how much I confide in thee; and I well know that thou dost not forsake him that has recourse to thee.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Medita\u00e7\u00e3o matinal:\u00a0\u00a0CONSIDERA\u00c7\u00d5ES SOBRE O ESTADO RELIGIOSO - XI<\/em><\/b><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Considere o quanto os religiosos devem confiar no patroc\u00ednio de Maria.<\/em>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0A M\u00e3e divina ama todos os homens. Quanto, ent\u00e3o, essa grande Rainha n\u00e3o ama os religiosos que consagraram sua liberdade, sua vida e tudo o que tinham ao amor de Jesus Cristo, seu Filho? Minha felicidade nesta terra, \u00f3 Maria, ser\u00e1 servir, aben\u00e7oar e amar voc\u00ea.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I: <\/b>
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Se \u00e9 verdade, e \u00e9 verdade, de fato, que, como ensina S\u00e3o Pedro Dami\u00e3o, a divina M\u00e3e, Maria Sant\u00edssima, ama todos os homens com tal afei\u00e7\u00e3o que, depois de Deus, n\u00e3o h\u00e1, nem pode haver, ningu\u00e9m que a supere ou iguale em seu amor: \"Ela nos ama com um amor invenc\u00edvel\": quanto devemos pensar que essa grande Rainha ama os religiosos, que consagraram sua liberdade, sua vida e tudo o que tinham ao amor de Jesus Cristo? Ela bem v\u00ea que a vida dos religiosos \u00e9 mais conforme \u00e0 sua pr\u00f3pria vida e \u00e0 de seu divino Filho; ela os v\u00ea frequentemente ocupados em louv\u00e1-la, e continuamente atentos para honr\u00e1-la com suas novenas, visitas, ros\u00e1rios, jejuns, etc. Ela os v\u00ea muitas vezes a seus p\u00e9s, com a inten\u00e7\u00e3o de invocar seu aux\u00edlio, pedindo-lhe gra\u00e7as, e gra\u00e7as todas conformes a seus santos desejos; isto \u00e9, a gra\u00e7a da perseveran\u00e7a no servi\u00e7o divino, da for\u00e7a em suas tenta\u00e7\u00f5es, do desapego deste mundo e do amor a Deus. Ah, como podemos duvidar de que ela emprega todo o seu poder e miseric\u00f3rdia em benef\u00edcio dos religiosos, e especialmente daqueles que pertencem a esta santa Congrega\u00e7\u00e3o do Sant\u00edssimo Redentor, na qual, como \u00e9 bem sabido, fazemos uma profiss\u00e3o especial de honrar a Virgem M\u00e3e por meio de visitas, mortifica\u00e7\u00f5es aos s\u00e1bados e durante suas novenas, etc., e promovendo em toda parte a devo\u00e7\u00e3o a ela por meio de serm\u00f5es e novenas!
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Eu te agrade\u00e7o, \u00f3 Maria, minha advogada, pois a ti devo esta grande miseric\u00f3rdia de ser consagrado a Jesus Cristo na religi\u00e3o. Ajude-me a n\u00e3o ser ingrato a esse Deus que tanto me amou. Que eu morra antes de me mostrar infiel \u00e0 Sua santa gra\u00e7a. \u00d3 Maria, entrego minha alma a ti; tu tens que salv\u00e1-la. Eu te amo, \u00f3 minha Rainha, e espero sempre te amar. Eis que deposito toda a minha confian\u00e7a em vossa clem\u00eancia; n\u00e3o deixeis de assistir-me em todas as minhas necessidades. V\u00f3s sois minha esperan\u00e7a, \u00f3 Maria; tudo espero por vossa poderosa intercess\u00e3o.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She, the great Mistress is grateful: I love those who love me. \u2014 <\/em>(Prov. viii., 17). \u00a0Yes, she is so grateful that, as St. Andrew of Crete says, \u201cTo him who does her the the least service she is accustomed to return great favours.\u201d \u00a0To those who love her, and who promote her honour among others, she graciously promises to save them from sin: Those that work by me shall not sin.<\/em>\u00a0 She also promises them Paradise: Those that explain me shall have life everlasting. \u2014 <\/em>(Office of the B. V. Mary).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For which reason we especially ought to thank God for having called us to this Congregation, where, by the usages of the Community and the example of our companions, we are often reminded, and in some way constrained, to have recourse to Mary, and continually to honour this, our most blessed Mother, who is called, and is, the joy, the hope, the life, and the salvation of those who invoke and honour her.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My most beloved, most lovely, amiable, and most loving Queen, I thank my Lord and thee, and will always thank thee, who hast not only drawn me out of the world, but also called me to live in this Congregation, in which a special devotion to thee is practised. \u00a0Accept of me, then, my Mother, to serve thee. \u00a0Among so many of thy beloved children, disdain not to let me serve thee also, miserable though I be. \u00a0Thou after God shall always be my hope and my love. \u00a0In all my wants, in all my tribulations and temptations I will have recourse to thee; thou shalt be my refuge and my consolation. \u00a0I will not that any one except God and thee should comfort me in my combats, in the sadness and the tediousness of this life. \u00a0For thy service I renounce the kingdoms of the whole world! \u00a0My kingdom on earth shall be to serve, bless, and love thee, O my most lovely Mistress, \u201cwhom to serve is to reign\u201d as St. Anselm says. \u00a0Thou art the Mother of perseverance; obtain for me to be faithful unto death. \u00a0By so doing I hope, and firmly hope, one day to come where thou reignest, to praise and bless thee forever, and never more to depart from thy feet. \u00a0\u201cJesus and Mary,\u201d I will say with thy loving servant, Alphonsus Rodriguez, \u201cmy sweetest Loves, let me suffer for You, let me die for You, let me be all Yours, and in nothing my own.\u201d<\/p>

Leitura espiritual:\u00a0 SOBRE A DEVO\u00c7\u00c3O \u00c0 VIRGEM SANT\u00cdSSIMA<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o noturna:\u00a0 JESUS PRISIONEIRO NO VENTRE DE MARIA<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o I:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. lxxxvii., 5, 6).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Consider the painful life that Jesus led in the womb of His Mother, and the long, close and dark imprisonment that He suffered there for nine months. \u00a0Other infants are, indeed, in the same state, but they do not feel the miseries of it because they do not know them. \u00a0But Jesus knew them well, because from the first moment of His life He had the perfect use of His reason, He had His senses, but He could not use them; eyes, but He could not see; a tongue, but He could not speak; hands, but He could not stretch them out; feet, but He could not walk \u2014 so that for nine months He had to remain in the womb of Mary like a dead man shut up in the tomb: I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. \u2014 <\/em>(Ps. lxxxvii., 5,<\/em> 6). \u00a0He was free, because He had of His own free-will made Himself a Prisoner of love in this prison; but love deprived Him of liberty, and bound Him there so fast in chains that He could not move: Free among the dead!\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cOh great patience of our Saviour!\u201d says St. Ambrose, while he considered the sufferings of Jesus in the womb of Mary.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Forget not the kindness of thy surety. \u2014 <\/em>(Ecclus. xxix., 19). \u00a0Yes, my Jesus, the Prophet has reason to warn me not to forget the immense favour in that Thou the innocent One, Thou, O my God! hast chosen to satisfy for my sins by Thy sufferings and Thy death. \u00a0But after all this kindness I have forgotten Thy favours and Thy love, and I have had the boldness to turn my back upon Thee, as if Thou hadst not been my Lord, and the Lord Who has loved me so much. \u00a0But if in times past I have forgotten Thy mercies, O my dear Redeemer! \u00a0I will in future never forget them again. \u00a0Thy sufferings and death shall be the constant subjects of my thoughts, because they will always recall to my mind the love that Thou hast borne me. \u00a0Cursed be the days in which, forgetting what Thou hast suffered for me, I have made so bad a use of my liberty. \u00a0Thou hast given it to me to love Thee, and I have used it to despise Thee. \u00a0But I now consecrate entirely to Thee this liberty which Thou hast given me.<\/p>

Medita\u00e7\u00e3o II:
<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The womb of Mary was, therefore, to our Redeemer, a voluntary prison, because it was a prison of love.\u00a0 But it was also not an unjust prison: He was, indeed, innocent Himself, but He had offered Himself to pay our debts and to satisfy for our crimes. \u00a0It was, therefore, only reasonable for the divine justice to keep Him thus imprisoned, and so begin to exact from Him the satisfaction due.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behold the state to which the Son of God reduces Himself for the love of men! \u00a0He deprives Himself of His liberty and puts Himself in chains to deliver us from the chains of hell. \u00a0What gratitude and love should we not show in return for the love and goodness of our deliverer and our surety, Who, not by compulsion, but only out of love, offered Himself to pay, and has paid for us, our debts and our penalties by giving up His divine life! \u00a0Forget not the kindness of thy surety; for he hath given his life for thee. \u2014 <\/em>(Ecclus. xxix., 19).
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I beseech Thee, my Saviour, deliver me from the misery of seeing myself again separated from Thee, and again made the slave of Lucifer. \u00a0I implore Thee to bind my poor soul to Thy feet by Thy holy love, so that it may never again be separated from Thee. \u00a0Eternal Father, by the imprisonment of the Infant Jesus in the womb of Mary, deliver me from the chains of sin and hell. \u00a0And thou, O Mother of God, help me! \u00a0Thou hast in thy womb the Son of God imprisoned and confined; as, therefore. \u00a0Jesus is thy Prisoner, He will do everything that thou tellest Him. \u00a0Tell Him to pardon me; tell Him to make me holy. \u00a0Help me, my Mother, for the sake of the favour and honour Jesus Christ conferred upon thee by dwelling within thee for nine months.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u21d1 \u00a0<\/a>\u00cdNDICE<\/a>
<\/em>\u21d0\u00a0SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT<\/em><\/a>
\u21d2\u00a0FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT<\/em><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

VOLUME ONE – PART I, pp. 110-168 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Morning Meditation:\u00a0 THE JOY OF JESUS’ COMING \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice!\u00a0 The Lord is nigh. \u2014 (Epistle of Sunday, Philip. iv., 4, … Continuar lendo <\/i><\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4884,"parent":0,"menu_order":49,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5494","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5494"}],"version-history":[{"count":94,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12264,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5494\/revisions\/12264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/societyofthemostholyredeemer.org\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}