367 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts my heart, the flame of true charity, and with it overwhelm the waters of my irascibility and furious anger. Bring forth the saving waters from the hard rock of my heart, O wonderful Moses! Strike it with the rod (cf. Num 20:11) of penance and fear of You, so that it may send forth an abundant flow, by which the fires of furious lust may be extinguished. 3. “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (Jn 3:12). Despite the solid and clear reason given by the heavenly Teacher, Nicodemus did not feel convinced of the necessity for a man to be reborn. Not yet understanding such a great mystery of faith, he inquired into the matter: “How can these things be done?” (Jn 3:9). The Lord, perceiving his incredulity or his ignorance, rightly reproached him: “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?” (Jn 3:10). Beware, lest it be said to you: you wear a religious garment and you do not know what it means to be a religious, what it means to obey, to strive after chastity, poverty, [f.116r] humility, and the mortification of the senses? And yet, you still desire to probe the heavenly secrets, to know the profound mysteries of God, to attain the abundance of heavenly delights, and to enjoy them to the full. But how can these things happen if you do not believe and you disobey, while you ought to despise and trample underfoot earthly things? FOR THE FEAST OF ST. STANISLAUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR, THE PATRON OF POLAND Before Holy Communion 1. “I am the good [S]hepherd” (Jn 10:11). Just as our Redeemer set His own example for all Shepherds to imitate, so you should assume as your example for imitation today’s Holy Bishop and Martyr. You shall find something to imitate in
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==