“Using the Gift of God’s Grace to gain life, blessings and happiness!”
(Based on Zech 8:20-23 and Lk 9:51-56 – Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1 – Founder’s Day of the MSFS Congregation)
The year 1821.
The Parish of Le Chatelard, in the Archdiocese of Chambery, France.
Two fervent and austere priests, spent a week in praying, preaching and inviting people for a Mission Service.
But the parishioners remained indifferent.
There was an air of unwelcome apathy.
The two priests, however, had to make a choice: of either continuing preaching or of “shaking off the dust!”
The priests – who were hopeful, zealous and committed – set out, in imitation of Jesus, their Master…
… to the foot of the mountains to pray for the conversion of people.
“They have gone to pray & fast for your conversion”
… was the reply the curious parishioners received on enquiry of their whereabouts.
Grace worked…
Intercession proved powerful!
The two saintly priests were called back by the people…
… and the mission in the Parish resumed with much deep fervour and enthusiasm!
One of the two missionaries was Fr Peter Marie Mermier.
(The other was his companion, Fr Joseph Favre)
Fr Peter Marie Mermier is the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS)…
… known as the Fransalians!
This daring founder – a dynamic missionary – had many incidents in his life, which made him to experience the power and presence of the Spirit in the missions.
As it is said, “When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time!’”
Yes, nothing can shake a Missionary who is firmly grounded on Jesus, the Rock…
… and has eyes gazed on the Jesus, the Crucified!
Today – on the Founder’s Day of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS) – the death anniversary of the Venerable Servant of God, Fr Peter Marie Mermier (Sep 30, 1862)…
… the Gospel of the day presents Jesus, Who has made a choice-for-life in moving towards the mission of His life.
“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51)
The Gospel of St Luke presents the whole ministry of Jesus as a linear journey…
… a movement from Galilee to Jerusalem.
All the events and actions of Jesus are oriented towards Jerusalem.
This verse – Luke 9:51 – signifies a mega shift in the earthly ministry of Jesus.
Jesus leaves the northern area of Israel called as Galilee and moves ahead to the southern area of Israel called as Judea.
Just as the Israelites had the Exodus Event, which marked the beginning of their salvation as a nation…
… Jesus too will have the Exodus Event which culminates in Jerusalem, which will mark the beginning of the salvation of the whole world!
This verse – Luke 9:51 – marks the beginning of the Exodus Event in the life of Jesus.
The verse reads, “… He RESOLUTELY determined to journey to Jerusalem”
All of us walk the Road to Jerusalem…
Life…
… with its hard challenges and unexpected troubles
… with its spiritual difficulties and luring temptations
… with its doses of unforgiveness and bad temperaments
… with its continual showers of unpleasantness and irritations
… with its allurements to bad habits and hard-to-give up pleasures
… is indeed a Road to Jerusalem!
But unless we make a strong resolute decision to walk through this Jerusalem Road…
… salvation and victory and happiness can never be ours!
When Jesus decided to go ahead with resoluteness in His decision, He met with rejection!
“… they would not welcome Him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem” (Lk 9:53)
This is the reality of the world.
When one makes a determined decision for life, one is faced with many challenges.
When one makes a strong resolution for life, one is faced with many oppositions.
Like the disciples, James and John, very often, the answer to this rejection is sought in the form of vengeance and violence and wrath.
It is the easier way
… but it is a destructive way!
Jesus answers this rejection with a better and a powerful weapon: self-sacrifice.
The Son of Man came not to destroy, but to save through a call to repentance.
It is the hard way.
… but it is a saving way!
The answer to life’s problems is not in reacting, but in being pro-active!
Today we specially seek the intercession of St Jerome
(St Jerome who was very well-versed in Scripture, is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin…
… the translation that became known as the Vulgate – and his commentaries on the Scriptures.
“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” are the famous words of exhortation of St Jerome, the doctor of the Church)
May his words, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best”
… be an inspiration for all of us!”
Let us also be inspired by the words of Ven. Fr Peter Marie Mermier
“The most virtuous (people) avoid sin and great faults…
… but they are careless in the practice of virtue.”
“It is not enough to avoid evil but it is necessary to do good
… The love of God is efficacious.
There is nothing as strong and as active as love. It is a devouring fire!”
And with respect to prayer…
“The ministry of a priest without prayer, is a barren ministry, without any effect, even harmful; it is a ministry of death!
… instead of enlightening, it blinds;
… instead of healing, it kills!
But the ministry of the one who prays, is a ministry of life!”
Jesus, today, invites each one of us to have a resolute determination in walking the Road to Jerusalem.
History is a witness to this great saga of great people who have walked this hard path…
… including Jesus
… including St Jerome
… including Fr Peter Marie Mermier
Let us know for sure, that the Grace of God will strengthen and boost us in this hard path!
Happy Founder’s Day to all the FRANSALIANS – Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS)
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life
By recalling the commandment, “You shall not kill,” our Lord asked for peace of heart…
… and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral. (CCC # 2302)
Reflection Capsules 