- Read in
- Malay
- Chinese
- Tamil
- Weekly English
- Weekly Malay
Saint Hugh of Grenoble
Today’s saint could be a patron for those of us who feel so overwhelmed by all the problems in the world that we don’t know where to begin.
Hugh, who served as a bishop in France for 52 years, had his work cut out for him from the start. Corruption seemed to loom in every direction: the buying and selling of Church offices, violations of clerical celibacy, lay control of Church property, religious indifference and/or ignorance. After serving as bishop for two years, he’d had his fill. He tried disappearing to a monastery, but the pope called him back to continue the work of reform.
Ironically, Hugh was reasonably effective in the role of reformer—surely because of his devotion to the Church but also because of his strong character. In conflicts between Church and state he was an unflinching defender of the Church. He fearlessly supported the papacy. He was eloquent as a preacher. He restored his own cathedral, made civic improvements in the town, and weathered a brief exile.
Hugh may be best known as patron and benefactor of Saint Bruno, founder of the Carthusian Order. He died in 1132. He was canonized only two years later.
Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
14 King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or
worship the golden statue that I set up?
15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I
had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp,
psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise,
you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the
God that can deliver you out of my hands?"
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King
Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you
in this matter.
17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!
18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."
19 Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage
against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be
heated seven times more than usual
20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into thewhite-hot furnace.
91 King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his
nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O
king," they answered.
92 "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."
95 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the
servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and
yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their
own God.
John 8:31-42
31 Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham,
and have never been in bondage to any one. How is it that you say, `You
will be made free'?"
34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, every one who commits sin is a slave to sin.
35 The slave does not continue in the house for ever; the son continues for ever.
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.
38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."
39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus
said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham
did,
40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God; this is not what Abraham did.
41 You do what your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God."
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you
would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my
own accord, but he sent me.
Daniel 3:52-56
52 "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and
glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
55 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.
Lord, may Your words dwell in my heart
Wednesday 1st April 2020
5th Week of Lent
Dan.
3:14-20,91-92,95; (R. Ps) Dan. 3;52,
53,54,55,56; Jn. 8:31-42
(Ps Wk I)
What a terrible choice faced the three young men! The king
had ordered them to worship the idols of Babylon, and if they refused, they
would be put to death. For most people, the choice would be clear: save
yourself!
But the young men had strong, unwavering faith in God. They
trusted God completely and were absolutely loyal and faithful. Although they
were thrown into the fiery furnace, they were untouched by the flames. We
probably won't face such an awful situation, but often we will be tempted to
take the easy way out rather than doing what is right. Let us trust God to
protect us in difficult situations rather than our own cleverness or
compromises.
People like to think they are free, but many are in bondage
to brokenness and sin. Jesus urged people to ‘remain in his word’ — take his
words to heart and live by them — to be transformed and liberated. His
listeners needed to hear this, just as we do. Although they were faithful to
their religion, it was clear that it did not dwell in their hearts. Religious
faith is not measured in words and beliefs but deeds of kindness and compassion
and humble submission to God.
Lord, may Your words
dwell in my heart.
