The Holy Spirit: Unbounded Gift of Joy, by Mary Ann Fatula. Liturgical Press, 1998.
To know the Holy Spirit is to have a happy heart. The Father and the Son's greatest joys are to witness to the Holy Spirit's healing
of humankinds' wounds, lessening their problems, and effecting a complete transformation.
Based on Sacred Scripture, the Patristic Fathers, saints, and theologians, Fatula's book brings to a clearer light the power of the Holy Spirit, effecting wondrous changes among the faithful.
The
author's hope and prayer is that those who take this book to heart will form a closer love relationship with the three Persons in the Holy Trinity and claim a taste of heaven's joy even while on earth.
The book ends with this invitation: "May our very lives become a song of joy to the Trinity, drawing
others with the melody of the Spirit who is the unbounded gift of joy."
At first glance perhaps the most remarkable quality of Lawrence of Brindisi is his outstanding gift of languages. In addition to a thorough knowledge of his native Italian, he had complete reading and speaking ability in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish and French.
He was born on July 22, 1559, and died exactly 60 years later on his birthday in 1619. His parents William and Elizabeth Russo gave him the name of Julius Caesar, Caesare in Italian. After the early death of his parents, he was educated by his uncle at the College of St. Mark in Venice.
When he was just 16 he entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Venice and received the name of
Lawrence. He completed his studies of philosophy and theology at the University of Padua and was ordained a priest at 23.
With his facility for languages he was able to study the Bible in its original texts. At the request of Pope Clement VIII, he spent much time preaching to the Jews in Italy. So excellent was his knowledge of Hebrew, the rabbis felt sure he was a Jew who had become a
Christian.
In 1956 the Capuchins completed a 15-volume edition of his writings. Eleven of these 15 contain his sermons, each of which relies chiefly on scriptural quotations to illustrate his teaching.
Lawrence's sensitivity to the needs of people--a character trait perhaps unexpected in such a
talented scholar--began to surface. He was elected major superior of the Capuchin Franciscan province of Tuscany at the age of 31. He had the combination of brilliance, human compassion and administrative skill needed to carry out his duties. In rapid succession he was promoted by his fellow Capuchins and was elected minister general of the Capuchins in 1602. In this position he was responsible for great growth and geographical expansion of the Order.
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Weekend Readings
Saturday MI 2:1-5 PS 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14 MT 12:14-21
Sunday WIS 12:13, 16-19 PS 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 ROM 8:26-27 MT 13:24-43
Sola Scriptura is the teaching that the Scriptures contain all that is necessary for salvation and proper living before God. Sola Scriptura means that the Scriptures--the Old and New Testaments are the final authority in all that they address (1 Cor. 4:6); and that tradition, even so-called Sacred Tradition, is judged by Scriptures. Sola Scriptura does not negate past church councils or traditions. Those
who hold to Sola Scriptura are free to consider past councils, traditions, commentaries, and the opinions of others. But, the final authority is the Scripture alone because the Scripture alone is what is inspired by God
One day a college professor of Psychology was greeting his new college class. He stood up in front of the class and said, "Would everyone who thinks he or she is stupid please stand up?"
After a minute or so
of silence, a young man stood up.
"Well, good morning. So, you actually think you're a moron?" the professor asked.
The kid replied, "No sir, I just didn't want to see you standing there all by yourself."
