Who do you love first--above all else?

Who do you love first--above all else?

The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our
lives. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form
of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine what they love
first and foremost. Jesus' way to glory and power is opposite the
world's way of glory, power, and success. The choice is ours, but the
Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him. Does the love
of Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (see 2 Cor. 5)?

===========
March 28th – Saint Stephen Harding
Also known as Esteban Harding, Etienne Harding, Stefano Harding

Memorial 28 March
formerly 17 April

 Monk, priest, Abbot, Reformer and co-founder of the Cistercian Order.
He was born in c 1050 in Meriot, Sherborne, England and died on 28
March 1134 at Citeaux, France of natural causes.  His remains are
buried at Citeaux Abbey, France. He was Canonised in 1623 by Pope
Urban VIII.

Stephen Harding was an Englishman of an honourable family and heir to
a large estate. Born in Dorset, he was educated at the monastery of
Sherborne and spoke English, Norman, French and Latin.

Desirous of seeking a more perfect way of Christian perfection, he,
with a devout companion, travelled into Scotland and afterwards to
Paris and to Rome. On their return journey, the two travellers chanced
upon a collection of huts in the forest of Molesme in Burgundy, where
monks lived in great austerity. Struck by their way of life and
finding kindred spirits in Robert the Abbot and Alberic the Prior, he
bid his friend goodbye and threw in his lot with the monks.

After some years, finding that religious fervour had waned
considerably, Stephen, Robert, Alberic and others went to Lyons and
with the support of Bishop Hugh struck a new foundation in the forest
of Citeaux sponsored by Rainald, Lord of Beaune and Odo, Duke of
Burgundy. Later Robert returned to his monks of Molesme who reclaimed
him as their abbot, and upon the death of Alberic, in 1109, Stephen
succeeded him as Abbot of Citeaux.

He immediately instituted such austere measures to keep the spirit of
the world out that he alienated the support of many who had helped to
establish the abbey. Novices ceased applying and to make matters
worse, a mysterious disease decimated his monks to the point that even
Stephen’s stout heart began to quiver wondering if he were really
doing God’s will.

God answered him dramatically when 30 noblemen knocked at the abbey’s
door seeking admittance. They were headed by young St Bernard
(1090-1153) Doctor of the Church, who in his zeal had convinced his
brothers, uncles and a number of his acquaintances to give up the
world with him.

Increasing numbers called for additional foundations and the first two
were made at Morimond and Clairvaux. To the general surprise, Stephen
appointed 24-year-old Bernard as Abbot of Clairvaux. When nine abbeys
had sprung from Citeaux, Stephen drew up the statutes of his Charter
of Charity which officially organised the Cistercians into an order.

St Stephen died in 1134, advanced in age and nearly blind and having
served as Abbot of Cîteaux for 25 years. Whilst he was in his agony,
he heard many whispering that, after so virtuous and penitential a
life, he could have nothing to fear in dying:  at this he said to
them, trembling, “I assure you that I go to God in fear and trembling.
If my baseness should be found to have ever done any good, even in
this I fear, lest I should not have preserved that grace with the
humility and care I ought.” He was interred in the tomb of Blessed
Alberic, in which also many of his successors lie buried, in the
cloister, near the door of the church. His Order keeps his memorial as
of the first class, with an octave and with greater solemnity than
those of St Robert or St Bernard, having always looked upon him as the
principal of its founders.

In the words of author Stephen Tobin, “Stephen Harding found Cîteaux
just another reformed abbey and left it the head of the first
(European) religious order … Nothing like it had ever been seen before
… At the head of a flourishing family of daughter houses, with a
clearly defined manifesto and full legal constitution, Cîteaux was a
force for change and a force to be reckoned within a world where
(other leaders) vied to outdo each other in accruing and displaying
wealth and power.”

https://anastpaul.com/2018/03/28/


Saint Quote:
But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been
spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who told you,
that in the last time there should come mockers, walking according to
their own desires in ungodlinesses. These are they, who separate
themselves, sensual men, having not the Spirit. But you, my beloved,
building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.
-- Saint Jude Thaddeus (The Epistle of Jude 1: 17 - 21)

Saint Quote:
Depend upon it, it is better to learn how to live without being angry
than to imagine one can moderate and control anger lawfully; and if
through weakness and frailty one is overtaken by it, it is far better
to put it away forcibly than to parley with it; for give anger ever so
little way, and it will become master, like the serpent, who easily
works in its body wherever it can once introduce its head.
--St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

Bible Quote:
Dearly beloved: Rejoice in the measure that you share Christ’s
sufferings. When his glory is revealed, you will rejoice exultantly.
Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then
God’s spirit in its glory has come to rest on you.  [1 Peter 4:13-14]


<><><><>
The Good Morning God Prayer

Good Morning God!
You are ushering in another day,
untouched and freshly new.
So here I am to ask you, God,
if You'll renew me too.

Forgive the many errors that I made yesterday
and let me try again dear God
to walk closer in Your way.

But Lord, I am well aware,
I can't make it on my own.
So take my hand and hold it tight,
for I cannot walk alone.