Folly

Folly

What folly it would be for travellers to think only of acquiring
dignities and possessions in the countries through which they had to
pass, and then to reduce themselves to the necessity of living
miserably in their native lands, where they must remain during their
whole lives! And are not they fools who seek after happiness in this
world, where they will remain only a few days, and expose themselves
to the risk of being unhappy in the next, where they must live for
eternity?
We do not fix our affections on borrowed goods, because we know that
they must soon be returned to the owner. All earthly goods are lent to
us: it is folly to set our heart on what we must soon quit. Death
shall strip us of all. The acquisitions and fortunes of this world all
terminate in a dying grasp, in a funeral, in a descent into the grave.
The house which you have built for yourself you must soon give up to
others.
--from a sermon by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

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July 26th - St. Erastus of Corinth, Martyr

Erastus is a little known character within the story of Paul's journeys.

However, without Erastus, Paul's ministries might not of taken place.
What if Paul's missionary journey would not of taken place? That is
exactly right, the spread of Christianity would not of been possible.
Even though the Bible does not talk extensively on Erastus, his
contributions to the spread of Christianity are second to none.

Erastus in Latin means, "be loved". Properly named, Erastus was loved
by the people in Corinth. In Corinth, Erastus served as the director
of public works (Romans 16:23). In those days the director of public
works was the treasurer of the city. He was in charge of the tax money
that was taken in by the city. We know that he had something to do
with the money of the city because archeologists have found a brick
with the inscription " Erastus commissioner of public works bore the
expense of this pavement" (NIV BIBLE). The city of Corinth must have
been able to trust him with the money and the power to spend that
money on the well-being of the town.

Erastus was also a faithful believer in the word of God. He was
fascinated by what Paul was doing and was interested in spreading the
word himself. In Acts 19:22, Paul decides to go back to Jerusalem. It
is said that he sent his two helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to
Macedonia. Erastus was sent ahead of Paul to minister the word. Paul
refers to Erastus as a brother (1Co 16:11).

Erastus was a minor character in the story of the missionary journeys
of Paul. He was responsible for going ahead of Paul and preaches the
word of the Lord. He was a brother to Paul, believing and remaining
faithful to Paul. He was also the director of public works in the city
of Corinth.

Without the work of Erastus the spread of Christianity might have been
greatly slowed.

More information

The apostle Paul is known to most Christians for being the man who
first brought the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentile
nations. But Paul also had some help from other lesser known men who
traveled alongside himself in spreading the Gospel.

One such man was Erastus, an early disciple of Jesus Christ.  He is
mentioned briefly in THE BIBLE in Romans 16:23 which says:

"Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus,
who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus
send you their greetings."

And again in 2 Timothy 4:20:  "Erastus stayed in Corinth, but
Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick."

Confirmation of his existence and his title was found in the city of
Corinth. Archaeologists working on an excavation of a first century
road uncovered a stone with the inscription:

"Erastus, Commissioner of Public Works"

According to THE BIBLE, Erastus was also one of the earliest
Evangelists who spread the gospel to the Gentiles.
Acts 19:22 records:  "So he (Paul) sent into Macedonia two of those
who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus...."

THE GREATEST LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM ERASTUS WAS THAT HE OBEYED THE
FOLLOWING COMMAND SPOKEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He
who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned."
Mark 16:15-16

Saint Quote:
When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to
break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.
--St Francis de Sales


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QUESTIONING HEART

Mary is crying!
I care...do you?
Jesus is bleeding anew,
And I care...do you?
Do you ever say "I love You?"
He cares for you--
Will you love Him till the end time?
There's Heaven then for you!

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An act of love, to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
 (with Psalm passages):

Good Jesus, I love Thee.  I love Thee with my whole heart
and above all things.  Thou knowest that I love Thee, but I
wish to love Thee daily more and more, and to do what is
most pleasing to Thee.

"My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God...For
the sparrow hath found herself a house and the turtle a nest
for herself...Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my
God," there Thou dost bid me peace in Thy Body and Blood.

"What have I in heaven?  And besides Thee what do I desire
upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that
is my portion forever..."