Monday, December 7, 2009

gymnasium for the soul

Isaiah 25:1-10; Psalm 85 Our God will come to save us; Luke 5:17-26

Tomorrow we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Ambrose, Doctor of the Church.

Here are few words from the Doctor to prepare us to Honor our Blessed Mother:

"Virginity is thus proposed to us, as if in a picture, in Mary's life. From her life, the beauty of chastity and her exemplary virtue shine out as from a mirror. Here we may well receive instruction on how to lead a life in which virtue, instructed by example, shows you what you must do, correct, or avoid."

"She was a virgin, not only in body, but in her mind as well, and never mixed the sincerity of her affections with duplicity. Lowly of heart, serious in speech, prudent in spirit, sparing in words, devoted to reading, she did not place her hope in changeable riches but in the prayer of the poor. Industrious in her work, modest in her speech, she let God, not man, judge her thoughts."

"She never raised her foot off the ground without taking a step on the path of virtue."

On a side note, here are few words from the Doctor concerning the Book of Psalms:

"In the Book of Psalms there is profit for all, with healing power for our salvation. There is instruction from history, teaching from law, prediction from prophecy, chastisement from denunciation, persuasion from moral preaching. All who read can find the cure for their own failings. All with eyes to see can discover in it a complete gymnasium for the soul, a stadium for all virtues, equipped for every kind of exercise; it is for each to choose the kind he judges best to help him gain the prize."

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