-- Hebrews 10:23-25 --

-- Hebrews 10:23-25 --

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he
is faithful that hath promised): And let us consider one another, to
provoke unto charity and to good works: Not forsaking our assembly, as
some are accustomed: but comforting one another, and so much the more
as you see the day approaching.   DRB
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D
If we are going to benefit one another, as befits those who are heirs
together of God's Kingdom, we must keep in touch with one another.
What better way to do this than in the content of worship? Some
Christians give up meeting together. They did so in the days when the
letter of Hebrews was written, as well as now. This is wrong and
sinful since it is based on an arrogance that assumes that we do not
need each other, that we can do very well by ourselves. We do need each
other. God did not call us to stand alone when he made us Christians.
He called us into community, the fellowship of the Church. If our
times today are bad, we need each other all the more.

<<>><<>><<>>
November 2nd - St. Marcian Hermit

THE city of Cyrrhus in Syria was the birthplace of St Marcian; his
father was of a patrician family. Marcian himself left his friends and
country and, that he might not do things by halves, retired into the
desert of Chalcis, between Antioch and the Euphrates. He chose in it
the most remote part and shut himself up in a small enclosure, wherein
he built himself a cell so narrow and low that he could neither stand
nor lie in it without bending his body. This solitude was to him a
paradise, and his whole employment was to sing psalms, read, pray and
work. Bread was all his food and this in a small quantity; but he
never went a day without taking some, lest he should not have strength
to do what God required of him.

The supernatural light which he received in contemplation gave him a
wonderful knowledge of the great truths and mysteries of faith; and
notwithstanding his care to live unknown to men, the reputation of his
holiness spread abroad and he was prevailed upon to admit two first
disciples, Eusebius and Agapitus. In time St Marcian had a
considerable body of followers, over whom he appointed Eusebius abbot.
Once St Flavian, Patriarch of Antioch, and other bishops paid him a
visit together and begged he would give them a spiritual conference
according to his custom. The dignity of this company alarmed Marcian
and he stood some time silent. Being urged to speak, he said, =E2=80=9CGod
speaks to us every day by His creatures and by this universe which we
behold. He speaks to us by His gospel, wherein He teaches us what we
ought to do both for others and ourselves. What more can Marcian say
that can be of use?=E2=80=9D

St Marcian wrought several miracles and was greatly humiliated by the
reputation of a wonderworker, which consequently attached to him. He
would not listen to requests for any miraculous intercession, and when
a certain hermit came on behalf of a man of Beroea to get some oil
blessed for his sick daughter, St Marcian refused peremptorily. But at
the same hour the girl recovered.

Marcian lived to a considerable age, and during his last years was
troubled by the indecent importunity of those who looked forward to
having the custody of his dead body. Several people went so far as to
build chapels in different places wherein to bury it, among them being
his nephew Alipius. St Marcian, therefore, made Eusebius promise to bury
him secretly. This accordingly was done and it was not till fifty
years after the saint=E2=80=99s death that the place of burial was disclose=
d
when the relics were solemnly translated and became an object of
pilgrimage.

We are entirely indebted to Theodoret=E2=80=99s Religious History for our
knowledge of St Marcian. The Bollandists have reprinted his Greek text
with Latin translations and comments in the Acta Sanctorum, November,
vol. i.

Saint Quote:
"He who purifies himself from his faults in the present life,
satisfies with a penny a debt of a thousand ducats; and he who waits
until the other life to discharge his debts, consents to pay a
thousand ducats for that which he might before have paid with a
penny."
--Saint Catherine, Treatise on purgatory.

Bible Quote:
 Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead,
of the seed of David, according to my gospel. 9 Wherein I labour even
unto bands, as an evildoer; but the word of God is not bound. 10
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they
also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly
glory.  (2 Tim. 2:8-10) DRB


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This is the first and greatest commandment: Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with thy whole heart, but the second is like unto it: Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.--Matt. 22:38

9. Some torment themselves in seeking means to discover the art of
loving God, and do not know--poor creatures--that there is no art or
means of loving Him but to love Him--that is, to begin to practice
those things which are pleasing to Him.
--St. Francis de Sales

St. Vincent de Paul devoted himself nobly to this holy practice,
observing God's law with so much exactness, that those who watched him
closely assented that no one who was merely a man could fail less than
he. He was constantly elevated above himself, upright in his
judgments, circumspect in his words, prudent in his conduct, punctual
in the practices of piety, and so perfectly united to God, so far as
could be judged from the exterior, that it was plain that the love of
God was what animated his heart and ruled in all the powers and
sentiments of his soul, to regulate every motion and act. It might be
said that his whole life was a sacrifice to God, not only of honors,
comforts, pleasures, and all other earthly blessings, but even of what
he had received more directly from His most liberal hand, such as
lights, affections, and holy desires. Nor did he ever wish for anything
except that God should be known and glorified, in all times and
places, and by all kinds of people. To this end alone he directed all
that he thought, said, and did.

(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints".  November: Charity)