Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Saint John Bosco


Friends in Christ,
Some background on Saint John Bosco, which comes from " New Advent"
Founder of the Salesian Society. Born of poor parents in a little cabin at Becchi, a hill-side hamlet near Castelnuovo, Piedmont, Italy, 16 August, 1815; died 31 January 1888; declared Venerable by Pius X, 21 July, 1907. [Note: Pope Pius XI beatified him in 1929 and canonized him in 1934.]
When he was little more than two years old his father died, leaving the support of three boys to the mother, Margaret Bosco. John's early years were spent as a shepherd and he received his first instruction at the hands of the parish priest. He possessed a ready wit, a retentive memory, and as years passed his appetite for study grew stronger. Owing to the poverty of the home, however, he was often obliged to turn from his books to the field, but the desire of what he had to give up never left him. In 1835 he entered the seminary at Chieri and after six years of study was ordained priest on the eve of Trinity Sunday by Archbishop Franzoni of Turin.
Leaving the seminary, Don Bosco went to Turin where he entered zealously upon his priestly labours. It was here that an incident occurred which opened up to him the real field of effort of his afterlife. One of his duties was to accompany Don Cafasso upon his visits to the prisons of the city, and the condition of the children confined in these places, abandoned to the most evil influences, and with little before them but the gallows, made such a indelible impression upon his mind that he resolved to devote his life to the rescue of these unfortunate outcasts. On the eighth of December, 1841, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, while Don Bosco was vesting for Mass, the sacristan drove from the Church a ragged urchin because he refused to serve Mass. Don Bosco heard his cries and recalled him, and in the friendship which sprang up between the priest and Bartolomeo Garelli was sown the first seed of the "Oratory", so called, no doubt, after the example of St. Philip Neri and because prayer was its prominent feature. Don Bosco entered eagerly upon the task of instructing this first pupil of the streets; companions soon joined Bartolomeo, all drawn by a kindness they had never known, and in February, 1842, the Oratory numbered twenty boys, in March of the same year, thirty, and in March, 1846, four hundred.
As the number of boys increased, the question of a suitable meeting-place presented itself. In good weather walks were taken on Sundays and holidays to spots in the country about Turin where lunch was eaten, and realizing the charm which music held for the untamed spirits of his disciples Don Bosco organized a band for which some old brass instruments were procured. In the autumn of 1844 he was appointed assistant chaplain to the Rifugio, where Don Borel entered enthusiastically into his work. With the approval of Archbishop Franzoni, two rooms were secured adjoining the Rifugio and converted into a chapel, which was dedicated to St. Francis de Sales. The members of the Oratory now gathered at the Rifugio, and numbers of boys from the surrounding district applied for admission. It was about this time (1845) that Don Bosco began his night schools and with the closing of the factories the boys flocked to his rooms where he and Don Borel instructed them in rudimentary branches.
The success of the Oratory at the Rifugio was not of long duration. To his great distress Don Bosco was obliged to give up his rooms and from this on he was subjected to petty annoyances and obstacles which, at times, seemed to spell the ruin of his undertaking. His perseverance in the face of all difficulties led many to the conclusion that he was insane, and an attempt was even made to confine him in an asylum. Complaints were lodged against him, declaring his community to be a nuisance, owing to the character of the boys he befriended. From the Rifugio the Oratory was moved to St. Martin's, to St. Peter's Churchyard, to three rooms in Via Cottolengo, where the night schools were resumed, to an open field, and finally to a rough shed upon the site of which grew up an Oratory that counted seven hundred members. Don Bosco took lodgings nearby, where he was joined by his mother. "Mama Margaret", as Don Bosco's mother came to be known, gave the last ten years of her life in devoted service to the little inmates of this first Salesian home. When she joined her son at the Oratory the outlook was not bright. But sacrificing what small means she had, even to parting with her home, its furnishings, and her jewelry, she brought all the solicitude and love of a mother to these children of the streets. The evening classes increased and gradually dormitories were provided for many who desired to live at the Oratory. Thus was founded the first Salesian Home which now houses about one thousand boys.
The municipal authorities by this time had come to recognize the importance of the work which Don Bosco was doing, and he began with much success a fund for the erection of technical schools and workshops. These were all completed without serious difficulty. In 1868 to meet the needs of the Valdocco quarter of Turin, Don Bosco resolved to build a church. Accordingly a plan was drawn in the form of a cross covering an area of 1,500 sq. yards. He experienced considerable difficulty in raising the necessary money, but the charity of some friends finally enabled him to complete it at a cost of more than a million francs (about 200,000). The church was consecrated 9 June, 1868, and placed under the patronage of Our Lady, Help of Christians. In the same year in which Don Bosco began the erection of the church fifty priests and teachers who had been assisting him formed a society under a common rule which Pius IX, provisionally in 1869, and finally in 1874, approved.
Character and Growth of the Oratory
Any attempt to explain the popularity of the Oratory among the classes to which Don Bosco devoted his life would fail without an appreciation of his spirit which was its life. For his earliest intercourse with poor boys he had never failed to see under the dirt, the rags, and the uncouthness the spark which a little kindness and encouragement would fan into a flame. In his vision or dream which he is said to have had in his early boyhood, wherein it was disclosed to him what his life work would be, a voice said to him: "Not with blows, but with charity and gentleness must you draw these friends to the path of virtue." And whether this be accounted as nothing more than a dream, that was in reality the spirit with which he animated his Oratory. In the earlier days when the number of his little disciples was slender he drew them about him by means of small presents and attractions, and by pleasant walks to favorite spots in the environs of Turin. These excursions occurring on Sunday, Don Bosco would say Mass in the village church and give a short instruction on the Gospel; breakfast would then be eaten, followed by games; and in the afternoon Vespers would be chanted, a lesson in Catechism given, and the Rosary recited. It was a familiar sight to see him in the field surrounded by kneeling boys preparing for confession.
Don Bosco's method of study knew nothing of punishment. Observance of rules was obtained by instilling a true sense of duty, by removing assiduously all occasions for disobedience, and by allowing no effort towards virtue, how trivial soever it might be, to pass unappreciated. He held that the teacher should be father, adviser, and friend, and he was the first to adopt the preventive method. Of punishment he said: "As far as possible avoid punishing . . . . try to gain love before inspiring fear." And in 1887 he wrote: "I do not remember to have used formal punishment; and with God's grace I have always obtained, and from apparently hopeless children, not alone what duty exacted, but what my wish simply expressed." In one of his books he has discussed the causes of weakness of character, and derives them largely from a misdirected kindness in the rearing of children. Parents make a parade of precocious talents: the child understands quickly, and his sensitiveness enraptures all who meet him, but the parents have only succeeded in producing an affectionate, perfected, intelligent animal. The chief object should be to form the will and to temper the character. In all his pupils Don Bosco tried to cultivate a taste for music, believing it to be a powerful and refining influence. "Instruction", he said, "is but an accessory, like a game; knowledge never makes a man because it does not directly touch the heart. It gives more power in the exercise of good or evil; but alone it is an indifferent weapon, wanting guidance." He always studied, too, the aptitudes and vocations of his pupils, and to an almost supernatural quickness and clearness of insight into the hearts of children must be ascribed to no small part of his success. In his rules he wrote: "Frequent Confession, frequent Communion, daily Mass: these are the pillars which should sustain the whole edifice of education." Don Bosco was an indefatigable confessor, devoting days to the work among his children. He recognized that gentleness and persuasion alone were not enough to bring to the task of education. He thoroughly believed in play as a means of arousing childish curiosity -- more than this, he places it among his first recommendations, and for the rest he adopted St. Philip Neri's words: "Do as you wish, I do not care so long as you do not sin."
Statistics
At the time of Don Bosco's death in 1888 there were 250 houses of the Salesian Society in all parts of the world, containing 130,000 children, and from which there annually went out 18,000 finished apprentices. In the motherhouse Don Bosco had selected the brightest of his pupils, taught them Italian, Latin, French, and mathematics, and this band formed a teaching corps for the new homes which quickly grew up in other places. Up to 1888 over six thousand priests had gone forth from Don Bosco's institutions, 1,200 of whom had remained in the society. The schools begin with the child in his first instruction and lead, for those who choose it, to seminaries for the priesthood. The society also conducts Sunday schools, evening schools for adult workmen, schools for those who enter the priesthood late in life, technical schools, and printing establishments for the diffusion of good reading in different languages. Its members also have charge of hospitals and asylums, nurse the sick, and do prison work, especially in rural districts. The society has houses in the following countries: Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Palestine, and Algiers; in Central America, Mexico, in South America, Patagonia, Terra del Fuego, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay, The Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Colombia. In the United States the Salesians have four churches: Sts. Peter and Paul and Corpus Christi in San Francisco, California; St. Josephs in Oakland, California; and the Transfiguration in New York City. Very Rev. Michael Borghino, Provincial for America, resides in San Francisco.
From my days in Melbourne I recall that there was a Don Bosco House in Sydney Road, Melbourne. It is a privilege for me to share something of the life of Blessed Saint John Bosco with you. Again, I pray that it may be inspiration for us all. It is never too late to serve God according to your God given talents.
May God bless you and keep you,
Ed Bakker

Monday, January 29, 2007

Saint Francis de Sales


Friends in Christ,

The following information comes from the Catholic website " New Advent " :

Bishop of Geneva, Doctor of the Universal Church; born at Thorens, in the Duchy of Savoy, 21 August, 1567; died at Lyons, 28 December, 1622. His father, François de Sales de Boisy, and his mother, Françoise de Sionnaz, belonged to old Savoyard aristocratic families. The future saint was the eldest of six brothers. His father intended him for the magistracy and sent him at an early age to the colleges of La Roche and Annecy. From 1583 till 1588 he studied rhetoric and humanities at the college of Clermont, Paris, under the care of the Jesuits. While there he began a course of theology. After a terrible and prolonged temptation to despair, caused by the discussions of the theologians of the day on the question of predestination, from which he was suddenly freed as he knelt before a miraculous image of Our Lady at St. Etienne-des-Grès, he made a vow of chastity and consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1588 he studied law at Padua, where the Jesuit Father Possevin was his spiritual director. He received his diploma of doctorate from the famous Pancirola in 1592. Having been admitted as a lawyer before the senate of Chambéry, he was about to be appointed senator. His father had selected one of the noblest heiresses of Savoy to be the partner of his future life, but Francis declared his intention of embracing the ecclesiastical life. A sharp struggle ensued. His father would not consent to see his expectations thwarted. Then Claude de Granier, Bishop of Geneva, obtained for Francis, on his own initiative, the position of Provost of the Chapter of Geneva, a post in the patronage of the pope. It was the highest office in the diocese, M. de Boisy yielded and Francis received Holy Orders (1593).
From the time of the Reformation the seat of the Bishopric of Geneva had been fixed at Annecy. There with apostolic zeal, the new provost devoted himself to preaching, hearing confessions, and the other work of his ministry. In the following year (1594) he volunteered to evangelize Le Chablais, where the Genevans had imposed the Reformed Faith, and which had just been restored to the Duchy of Savoy. He made his headquarters in the fortress of Allinges. Risking his life, he journeyed through the entire district, preaching constantly; by dint of zeal, learning, kindness and holiness he at last obtained a hearing. He then settled in Thonon, the chief town. He confuted the preachers sent by Geneva to oppose him; he converted the syndic and several prominent Calvinists. At the request of the pope, Clement VIII, he went to Geneva to interview Theodore Beza, who was called the Patriarch of the Reformation. The latter received him kindly and seemed for a while shaken, but had not the courage to take the final steps. A large part of the inhabitants of Le Chablais returned to the true fold (1597 and 1598). Claude de Granier then chose Francis as his coadjutor, in spite of his refusal, and sent him to Rome (1599).
Pope Clement VIII ratified the choice; but he wished to examine the candidate personally, in presence of the Sacred College. The improvised examination was a triumph for Francis. "Drink, my son", said the Pope to him. "from your cistern, and from your living wellspring; may your waters issue forth, and may they become public fountains where the world may quench its thirst." The prophesy was to be realized. On his return from Rome the religious affairs of the territory of Gex, a dependency of France, necessitated his going to Paris. There the coadjutor formed an intimate friendship with Cardinal de Bérulle, Antoine Deshayes, secretary of Henry IV, and Henry IV himself, who wished "to make a third in this fair friendship" (être de tiers dans cette belle amitié). The king made him preach the Lent at Court, and wished to keep him in France. He urged him to continue, by his sermons and writings, to teach those souls that had to live in the world how to have confidence in God, and how to be genuinely and truly pious - graces of which he saw the great necessity.
On the death of Claude de Granier, Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva (1602). His first step was to institute catechetical instructions for the faithful, both young and old. He made prudent regulations for the guidance of his clergy. He carefully visited the parishes scattered through the rugged mountains of his diocese. He reformed the religious communities. His goodness, patience and mildness became proverbial. He had an intense love for the poor, especially those who were of respectable family. His food was plain, his dress and his household simple. He completely dispensed with superfluities and lived with the greatest economy, in order to be able to provide more abundantly for the wants of the needy. He heard confessions, gave advice, and preached incessantly. He wrote innumerable letters (mainly letters of direction) and found time to publish the numerous works mentioned below. Together with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, he founded (1607) the Institute of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, for young girls and widows who, feeling themselves called to the religious life, have not sufficient strength, or lack inclination, for the corporal austerities of the great orders. His zeal extended beyond the limits of his own diocese. He delivered the Lent and Advent discourses which are still famous - those at Dijon (1604), where he first met the Baroness de Chantal; at Chambéry (1606); at Grenoble (1616, 1617, 1618), where he converted the Maréchal de Lesdiguières. During his last stay in Paris (November, 1618, to September, 1619) he had to go into the pulpit each day to satisfy the pious wishes of those who thronged to hear him. "Never", said they, "have such holy, such apostolic sermons been preached." He came into contact here with all the distinguished ecclesiastics of the day, and in particular with St. Vincent de Paul. His friends tried energetically to induce him to remain in France, offering him first the wealthy Abbey of Ste. Geneviève and then the coadjutor-bishopric of Paris, but he refused all to return to Annecy.
In 1622 he had to accompany the Court of Savoy into France. At Lyons he insisted on occupying a small, poorly furnished room in a house belonging to the gardener of the Visitation Convent. There, on 27 December, he was seized with apoplexy. He received the last sacraments and made his profession of faith, repeating constantly the words: "God's will be done! Jesus, my God and my all!" He died next day, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. Immense crowds flocked to visit his remains, which the people of Lyons were anxious to keep in their city. With much difficulty his body was brought back to Annecy, but his heart was left at Lyons. A great number of wonderful favours have been obtained at his tomb in the Visitation Convent of Annecy. His heart, at the time of the French Revolution, was carried by the Visitation nuns from Lyons to Venice, where it is venerated to-day. St. Francis de Sales was beatified in 1661, and canonized by Alexander VII in 1665; he was proclaimed Doctor of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX, in 1877.

Makes great reading does it not ? I was particularly interested in the work he did to help young women and widows, who were attracked to the religious life, the way Saint Francis encouraged them. The Church could yet do with another Saint Francis indeed. Also the bit about ' the Holy and Apostolic sermons ' he preached. Obviously not every Bishop, Priest or Deacon in the Church of God has the gift of preaching, we all have different gifts, but the people who hear ' Holy and Apostolic sermons' must have been patricularly blessed and strenghtened. So we give thanks for his life and at this time pray in particular for the RC Parish of St.Mary and St.Francis, who have made me so welcome as an Anglican Catholic and treat me as one of their own, even though eventually I ll be moving on full time in the TAC.

With every good wish in Christ,

Ed Bakker

Sunday, January 28, 2007

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany


Friends in Christ,
I hope that you had an enjoyable Sunday ?
Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father comfort your hearts. - II Thessalonians 2:16,17
When we turn away from some duty or some fellow human being, saying that our hearts are too sick and sore with some great yearning of our own, we may often sever the line on which a Divine Message was coming to us.
I wish you all a blessed week,
Yours in XC
Ed Bakker

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Saint John Chrysostom, Abp of Constantinople 497

Friends in Christ,

May I share with you the following sermon:

Archpriest Vitali Borovoi
FROM THE SERMONS IN ELOKHOVO EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL IN MOSCOW.
"HE WAS A TRUE PASTOR"
The word at the all-night vigil to St. John Chrisostom (9-Feb-77).
Dear brothers and sisters!
Tomorrow we will be brightly celebrating the memory of St. John Chrisostom, or rather the memory of carrying over his relics in 438 AD from the town of Komana, his burial place, to Constantinople, where he used to serve at the cathedra.
Every one of us can constantly hear the name of John Chrisostom during the church worship, every one of us knows that this is a renowned prelate, a great preacher, a prayer for all the offended. Every one knows that we now serve the liturgy of St. John Chrisostom. But along with that how surprisingly little do we know about his real life, not the life described in the pious lives of the saints, but the one that was in history, and such as it was.
Saint John Chrisostom was born in Antioch, which is in the contemporary Syria. Antioch does not exist today, only ruins remain where in that time flourished a richer cultural city, one of the centres of then Greeko-Roman world. He was born in a very rich, cultural, and prosperous, yet Christian family and already from his early days had been brought up by his pious mother Anphusa. Early he lost his father. He received an excellent education for that time: he was taught by Libanius - the most renowned philosopher of that time, who, however, was no Christian, but a conscious pagan, a pertinacious pagan. But it was one of the greatest philosophers of that time. And Christians, such as Basil the Great and John Chrisostom did not hesitate at all to be students of that pagan because from him they took his knowledge, his wisdom, not sharing though his convictions. John Chrisostom was one of the Libanius's favourite students. Libanius even wished him to be his successor at the cathedra, but John preferred to become a lawyer after the completion of the school. He was a young, talented, bright lawyer. A lawyer who, speaking in the modern language, could have made a wonderful career. But John with all his heart desired to serve the Church. It was the time when many intelligent and cultural people devoted themselves to the Church's service. And John Chrisostom began his serving in the order of a reader. In 370 AD he was ordained by St. Meletios of Antioch to be a reader. Definitely, the then reader was not quite the same as he is today. Our today's readers only read in the church, and at that time they not only read in the church the Holy Scriptures (yes, not only liturgical texts, but the Holy Scripture as well), but were obliged to interpret them to people and under the guidance of a bishop or a presbyter explain them the meaning of the Scriptures passage they had read. For ten years John Chrisostom had been a reader. But his soul strove for the exploits of monasticism. For six years, being already a reader, John Chrisostom was in a communal monastery i.e. a monastery living in accordance with the rule of communal life where everything belonged to all, where brothers lived as one man, in obedience, fasting, prayer, and labour. Two years he spent in a wilderness in solitude. And for those two years through severe ascetic feats and hardships his health was terribly sapped that he suffered then all his life ever since.
He was called from that seclusion by St. Meletios in 380 AD, after his ten years long service as a reader, and ordained to be a deacon. The then deacons were also not the same as today. Today's deacons only participate in worship a special way: recite the ektenia and invite to prayer. But in that time deacons were also the closest helpers of bishops and presbyters in managing the community's affairs. Every parish was a community back then. And the community supported all the poor, sick, aged, orphans, people who could not earn their own bread and sustain themselves. And one of the deacon's responsibilities was to run all that: visit those in need, help them, organize hospitals, almshouses, orphanages, houses for the aged people, i.e. work at helping the needy. For six years did John Chrisostom serve the Church in the order of deacon, bringing help and comfort to all the poor. And after that in 386 AD St. Meletios ordained him to be a priest.
For ten years John Chrisostom had been a priest in Antioch and became famous as a preacher and great theologian, teacher, father, and patron of his people. In that time a great disturbance of the Antioch's dwellers had happened and the government called up the army to destroy the city. But John Chrisostom did not leave his flock. Not only in the church, but also in the streets, squares, and market places he walked, preaching, comforting, and instructing citizens, sharing the fate of his faithful. And in the end, through his influence and strength, he could manage to quiet the people and to avert that great trouble, that disaster. The glory of John Chrisostom (though he was not called Chrisostom in that time yet) spread out over the whole empire. And when in the capital, in Constantinople, bishop Nectarius had passed away, then in the emperor's palace the powerful ruler of that time Evtropius who headed the government of emperor Arcadias, had had an idea of calling to that cathedra John from Antioch. But everyone knew that John was very modest and would not wish to be a bishop in the capital as it was going against his character. Then there were sent soldiers who kidnapped and arrested him, and convoyed him down to the capital where he was made a bishop, or, as we would say today, a patriarch of Constantinople.
For six years John Chrisostom stayed the bishop in the capital. In the course of those six years simple people loved him with their very sincere, very hearty love. But during the same six years all the rich, all the powers that be, aristocrats, and all the clergy, I have to say it openly, began to hate him. For he unmasked their dissolute, licentious, splendourous, sinful life.
He was a brave unmasker. If, dear brothers and sisters, we read now some of John Chrisostom's sermons you would see how bravely he exposed the powers that be, the powers of the propertied, especially of the rich. He spoke right to their faces that anyone rich is a wolf, for the Lord created the earth and all its good for all nations, for every single man or woman. And he who for first time in history had taken a thing or fenced a plot of land and said: 'this is my thing, this is my land', he, according to John Chrisostom, was the most dreadful criminal
Also bishops and hierarchs from the same patriarchate of Constantinople and neighbouring: of Alexandria, Antioch, started hating him, for he did not give splendourous dinners, did not invite them for splendourous repasts where all the food though being lenten, nevertheless, was very rich, and where they had gotten used to eat and drink and keep pious discussions. He required from the clergy, i.e. from presbyters (priests), deacons, readers, and monks a true life, a true exploit, a true serving to the Church. He spent all money, all the church's possession not on nonsensical adornments, not on rich liturgical cloths, not on decorating churches with marble and gold, he spent them on building hospitals, refuges for the homeless, orphans, aged people, ill and weak, for the needy. And then, dear brothers and sisters, they rose against John Chrisostom, those two great powers of the then world and, properly saying, of today's world as well: the powers that be, the rich, noble, and the clergy, especially hierarchs.
You will not find it, of course, in John Chrisostom's biography. There it is said that the empress was against him. Yes, indeed empress Evdoxia was also against him, but it had not been her anger that played the key role, for John Chrisostom was exiled not after the civil authorities resolution, but according to the verdict of the church's court, i.e. his brothers - archbishops, priests, deacons. They assembled, they judged him, they ascribed him various iniquities that he never committed. They could not forgive him his holy life and the fact that he was a true hierarch, a true archbishop, a true pastor, and called them to be such. And then John Chrisostom, according to the resolution of the church's court, had been stripped of his order and cathedra, and the civil power, of course, sent him into exile.
But they did not succeed in it for the first time. For it happened that when John Chrisostom had been taken away to the shore opposite to Constantinople an earthquake occurred in the city. The people, seeing God's anger in it, arose and the authorities became scared, all bishops who judged him scattered, and John Chrisostom returned to his place with triumph. When people met him, he walked into the temple of the Holy Apostles, - the then major temple of Constantinople, - and said there his famous sermon that is preserved up until today, and it begins and ends with the words: "Glory to our God for all. For all that was good and for all that was bad, glory to our God!"
But not long was John Chrisostom a bishop again, only for six months. His enemies: the bishop of Alexandria (in today's words - the patriarch), Theothil; other metropolitans - Sevirian of Gavala, Antioch of Ptolemiada, and his own metropolitans - Paul of Heraclia and others again had risen against him, again started accusing him and convicted him once more. And then civil authorities for the second time exiled John Chrisostom. And it happened that in exile, a very short exile because soon he died, the bishops of all the places he was sent to were so scared even to let him in that everyone of them tried John Chrisostom to be taken somewhere even further away. And so he was carried through whole Minor Asia, the contemporary Turkey, brought him to the final place of his exile called Kukuz that is in the today's Armenia. But they were scared of holding him even there because the people of Constantinople were very loyal to him and adored him, and loved him. Therefore he was taken further to the contemporary Georgia and having not reached the place ordered him for residence, in Komana, in the temple of St. Basilisk (near Poti, Pitsunda, Novy Aphon) in 407 AD he died.
Soon the glory of St. John Chrisostom spread all over the world. His enemies were ashamed and actually it happened that they justified him themselves. And then it was decided to carry his relics with solemnity over to Constantinople where a capital's bishop was supposed to be buried. And in 438, 30 years since his death, emperor Theodosius, the son of Evdoxia, who was baptised by John Chrisostom, whom John Chrisostom often held upon his laps, gave order to solemnly transport the relics of John Chrisostom. He was met already as far from Constantinople as in Khalkidon, - by the emperor, senate, government, and other authorities of that world...
So it always happens in life: one is being persecuted during one's lifetime, driven to death, and in postumousness, - praised and glorified.
He was buried in the temple of the Saint Apostles with solemnity, at the great confluence of people. And the memory of that event we are celebrating this evening and tomorrow.
Dear brothers and sisters, here we all time speak about John Chrisostom. But we should not only speak about him; we should also try to imitate his life. First of all, our hierarchs, our clergy, - we, priests, deacons, monks, readers. Here is the example that John Chrisosotom gave us: how to serve the Church not only during the worship, but how to serve the Church, serving the people of God, preaching the word at every opportunity. For John Chrisostom was not only a great theologian and a great preacher, but a great missionary as well. He was sending people, missionaries to preach the word of God in Arabia, in the far away Syria, in Asia, in Africa and he himself preached the word of God not only to his Constantinople flock. Near Constantinople there was a settlement of Germanic tribes, the Goths, who were Aryans, heretics. And for the sake of preaching to them John Chrisostom had learnt the Goths' language and came there, to those people, and served there, and preached in their language.
Dear brothers and sisters, the way to the revival of our church, the way to that our church again would have had influence among the people, again would enjoy the people's love, this way is shown to us by John Chrisostom. This is the way of prayer, the way of exploit, the way of theology, but along with that, this is the way of preaching the word of God, in time and in timelessness, at any occasion, at any opportunity, and the way of serving the people, serving one's neightbour that this serving would be the true serving God.
Let us, dear brothers and sisters, pray that through the prayers of St. John Chrisostom God gave us strengths to be His faithful witnesses, as such a faithful witness was Saint John Chrisostom himself!
Amen.

Are we faithful witnesses of Christ ?

May God bless you and keep you,

Ed Bakker


Friday, January 26, 2007

Saint Polycarp, Bishop & Martyr

Friends in Christ,

Here is some background on Saint Polycarp, which I pulled from a website belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church:

v St. Polycarp lived in about 69-155 A.D., and was the Bishop of Smyrna, Izmir in modern Turkey. He was the leading Christian figure in Roman Asia Minor.
v He is an important link between the tradition of the Church stretch from the apostles to the 2nd century church.
v Polycarp was a disciple of St. John the Apostle: St. Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyons in 2nd century) tells us that Polycarp sat at the feet of the Apostle St. John. Polycarp also knew others that saw Christ in the flesh. He was appointed to the See of Smyrna by the Apostles themselves.
v Polycarp was a strong defender of orthodoxy—he put much of his energy into refuting Gnosticism. He had a severe attitude towards heretics. According to Irenaeus, Polycarp once met the heretic Marcion in the street: “Do you recognize me?” asked Marcion. “Indeed,” replied Polycarp, “I recognize you as the firstborn of Satan!”
v Polycarp and Ignatius were friends: On his way to martyrdom, St. Ignatius (Bishop of Antioch) stopped in Smyrna and rested with its young Bishop--Polycarp. Polycarp was the only individual to whom the great Antiochian martyr ever addressed a surviving personal letter (see attached). After the martyrdom of Ignatius, Polycarp collected his letters and sent them to others.
v Polycarp visited Rome to discuss a few church matters with Bishop Anicetus, particularly the date of the Easter celebration. Asia Minor churches were celebrating Easter on the exact date of the Jewish Passover, regardless of the day of the week, while Rome was using a specific Sunday each year. Both agreed to leave their traditions as they were—and the fellowship between them was not disturbed.
v On a February day in 155 A.D., St. Polycarp departed with the honor of the crown of martyrdom to the Church of Heaven.

HIS MARTYRDOM

The Church of Smyrna prepared a full account of the martyrdom of Polycarp, perhaps to be sent to other churches.
v “They endured being shredded with whips until the fabric of their flesh could be seen down to the veins and arteries within. But they themselves displayed such nobility that none of them muttered or groaned, showing us all that the most noble martyrs of Christ in that hour under torture were absent from the flesh, or rather, that the Lord was at hand and was conversing with them. And their minds fixed on the grace of Christ they despised the tortures of this world, purchasing at the cost of one hour, eternal life. To them even the fire of their inhuman torturers was cold; for they held before their eyes escape from the eternal fire which is never quenched (Matt. 3:12), and with the eyes of their heart they gazed upon the good things reserved for those who have endured, “which neither eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor have entered the heart of man” (I Cor. 2:9), but which were shown by the Lord to those who were no longer men but already angels.”
When Polycarp heard the news about his sentence to death, he did not want to leave, but rather stay in the city. His brethren begged and persuaded him to withdraw quietly—he withdrew to a farm not far away from the city, where he stayed with a few friends. He did nothing day and night but pray for all the men and churches throughout the world, which was his custom. While in prayer, he had a vision, three days before he was arrested, in which he saw his pillow burning with fire, and he turned and said to those with him: “I must be burned alive.”
Polycarp moved to another farm, but his pursuers could not find him. Consequently, they arrested two young slaves and tortured them until one of them confessed Polycarp’s location. The policemen and horsemen took the slave and went to the farmhouse, where Polycarp was lying down in a little room upstairs. When he heard the news of their arrival, Polycarp went downstairs to converse with them, while those who saw him marveled at his age and courage. He ordered that they eat and drink as much as they wished, and he asked them to give him one hour to pray undisturbed. They permitted him to do this, and Polycarp stood and prayed so filled with the grace of God that for two hours he could not stop speaking. Those who heard him were amazed, and many regretted coming after such a holy and old man.
After praying for every person he had ever met both small and great, and all the catholic church throughout the world, the time came for him to leave. He was taken into the city, and advised by the police captain to declare, “Caesar is Lord” so that he may be saved—but Polycarp, of course, refused.
As Polycarp was led into the stadium, the uproar was so loud that many did not hear the announcement. A voice from heaven came to Polycarp as he was entering the stadium: “Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man!” No one saw the speaker, but many witnesses heard the voice. The proconsul attempted to persuade Polycarp to worship Caesar and say “Away with the atheists”—Polycarp looked up to heaven and groaned “Away with the atheists!” The proconsul asked him to revile Christ, and Polycarp replied: “I have served Him eight-six years and in no way has He dealt unjustly with me; so how can I blaspheme my King Who saved me?” Polycarp declared his Christianity and refused any persistence by the proconsul. Many threats were made against him: wild beasts, fire, and any torture possible. Polycarp’s response to these: “You threaten fire which burns for an hour and is soon quenched; for you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment reserved for the wicked. But why do you wait? Come, do what you will!”
As Polycarp spoke, he became filled with courage and joy. His face was covered with grace so much so that none of the threats stirred terror in his heart. The crowds shouted that Polycarp should be burned alive—they gathered wood and fuel from shops and baths; the Jews were especially energetic in helping with this task. Polycarp readily took off his garments and loosened his belt. He also made an effort to take off his shoes, although he was not used to doing this because the faithful always hurried to take them off so that they may be the first to touch his skin, since he was greatly adorned because of his Godly way of life.
As they were about to nail Polycarp, he said: “Let me be as I am; for He who makes it possible for me to endure the fire will also make it possible for me to remain on the pyre unmoved without the security of nails.” Thus, they only bound him, but did not nail him. Polycarp looked up to heaven and said this last prayer:
v “Lord God Almighty, Father of Your Beloved and Blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of You, God of angels and powers and every created thing and all the race of the just who dwell before You. I bless You because You have considered me worthy of this day and hour to receive a portion among the number of the martyrs in the Cup of your Christ unto the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body in the incorruption of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among them today as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you have prepared beforehand and revealed beforehand, and fulfilled, O undeceiving and true God. For this reason and for all these things I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, through the eternal and heavenly high priest, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom to You with Him and the Holy Spirit be glory now and forever. Amen.”
When he lifted up the Amen and finished the prayer, the fire was lit. When the flame shot up, a miracle was witnessed: The fire took the form of an arch like the sail of a ship filled by the wind and encircled the body of the martyr like a wall. He was in the center of it not like burning flesh but like baking bread or like gold and silver being refined in a furnace. Those who witnessed this miracle also smelled a fragrant odor like the scent of incense or some other precious spice. When the pagans saw that his body could not be consumed by fire, they ordered the executioner to plunge a dagger into him. When he did this, a large quantity of blood came out—so much that it quenched the fire. Everyone was amazed that there was such a great difference between the unbelievers and the elect, of which Polycarp was a member. After he departed, the Jews and others created an issue over what was to be done with Polycarp’s body—they thought that the faithful believers would begin to worship him, so the centurion decided to burn his body. His bones were taken up, and since that time, his martyrdom has been celebrated with joy and gladness.

What an impressive account of the life of this Saint. Saint Polycarp was a strong defender of Orthodoxy and had a severe attitude towards heretics. My former Parish Priest Father David Robarts was ordained as a Priest on this feast day and does celebrate today the anniversary of his ordination. His long and faithful journey as a Priest and now as a Bishop in the Traditional Anglican Communion in many ways reflects on Saint Polycarp' stand on Orthodoxy and heretics. May God bless Fr.David as he continues as a faithful Priest. May we pray that we too may learn from the life and works of Saint Polycarp.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Ed Bakker

Postulant TAC - New Zealand


Monday, January 22, 2007

Ss Vincent Den.M


Friends in Christ,
Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Our faith tells us that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah—something that even his own townsfolk could not believe. If they had a hard time accepting Jesus, what about us? Unlike them, our faith has to be based upon what we have not seen or heard. However, while we are not eyewitnesses as the Nazarenes were, we do have some very solid evidence that can help bolster our faith and our hope.
First, Roman soldiers were ordered to guard the tomb of Jesus. The penalty for any guard who might fall asleep while on watch was death. So there was no way that a disciple could tamper with the tomb or remove the body of Jesus.
Second, three days later, Jesus’ tomb was found to be empty—exactly as he predicted. The huge stone that had blocked the tomb was rolled away. The guards, all toughened soldiers, were scared to death. It appears that even they fainted in the presence of the risen Jesus (Matthew 28:4).
Third, many witnesses, including Peter, James, Mary Magdalene, and some five hundred other disciples—many of whom were still alive twenty years after Jesus had died—gave unswerving testimony that they had seen Jesus after he had risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
Fourth, according to St. Paul: If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he . . . will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you (Romans 8:11). In simpler words, people who have invited the Holy Spirit into their lives have come to know the power of God and the presence of the risen Christ through personal experience.
It must be true! Jesus has risen from the dead! Jesus predicted it. From age to age, people have testified to it. And even today, both believers and the Holy Spirit himself continue to testify to it. So place your hope in Jesus. He will not fail you. Make the decision today to give your life to him, and watch him prove himself to you all over again.
Jesus, you are my Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Have a good week,
Ed

Friday, January 19, 2007

Feria


Friends in Christ,
Please refer to Saint Mark 3:13-19 - We hear each of the names of the men Jesus called to be His Twelve Apostles. What is important is that Jesus called them as He calls each one of us, seperately, and by name. We are individuals, special and unique.
This is important because it reminds us that God cares about each of us in an intimate way that takes into consideration our particular personalities, talents and needs. In doing so, He provides solutions for our difficulties that "fit" us, solutions whether we know it or not that are custom made. The problem is, we do not often recognize when God is working in and through us and we struggle against Him.
Pray then that we may cooperate with the Divine Grace, which once called 12 unlikely men to be the foundation of His Church, and especially that we may never be like Judas Iscariot, the one, who betrayed Him.
"I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me."
A blessed weekend everyone,
In XC
Ed Bakker

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Feria


Friends in Christ,
Walk , even as He walked. ( 1 John 2:6 )
Saint Francis of Assisi wrote:
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
May God bless you and keep you,
Ed Bakker

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

St.Anthony


( Another image from the Glory days at Christ Christ Church, Brunswick , Melbourne - Fr.Philip Burgess getting the Gospel Book ready on the High Altar before Mass. )
My Friends in Christ,
Join me in reading from Saint Matthew 7:24 ' Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.'
Yes, a readiness to believe every promise implicitly, to obey every command unhestitatingly, to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, is the only true spirit of the Study of the Holy Bible
Have a good day !
Yours in Christ,
Ed Bakker

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Saint Paul the Hermit

( picture St.Anthony visiting Saint Paul the Hermit )

Dear Friends in Christ,

It is unclear what we really know of Paul's life, how much is fable, how much fact. Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was orphaned by age 15. He was also a learned and devout young man. During the persecution of Decius in Egypt in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home of a friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray him, he fled in a cave in the desert. His plan was to return once the persecution ended, but the sweetness of solitude and heavenly contemplation convinced him to stay.
He went on to live in that cave for the next 90 years. A nearby spring gave him drink, a palm tree furnished him clothing and nourishment. After 21 years of solitude a bird began bringing him half of a loaf of bread each day. Without knowing what was happening in the world, Paul prayed that the world would become a better place.
St. Anthony attests to his holy life and death. Tempted by the thought that no one had served God in the wilderness longer than he, Anthony was led by God to find Paul and acknowledge him as a man more perfect than himself. The raven that day brought a whole loaf of bread instead of the usual half. As Paul predicted, Anthony would return to bury his new friend.
Thought to have been about 112 when he died, Paul is known as the "First Hermit." His feast day is celebrated in the East; he is also commemorated in the Coptic and Armenian rites of the Mass.


Reflection


The will and direction of God are seen in the circumstances of our lives. Led by the grace of God, we are free to respond with choices that bring us closer to and make us more dependent upon the God who created us. Those choices might at times seem to lead us away from our neighbor. But ultimately they lead us back both in prayer and in fellowship to one another.

Have a good day !

Yours in XC

Ed Bakker


Saturday, January 13, 2007

Saint Hilary, B.D


Friends in Christ,
Off late I seem to have an increased number of business contacts in China. Discussions via chatboxes and Skype are indeed very pleasant. But I have noticed from coversations that young people, especially are looking for a spiritual side of life, because basically the Chinese only have their history to fall back on. The Traditional Anglican Church, of which I am a member does operate in Japan and South Korea, but not in China. I do know that there are some Roman Catholics in China, but the place of the Church in China remains a difficult one. I do feel, although most of us can do so little about this issue, that we could uphold the people of China in your prayers, especially the young, who are searching for an answer in their lives. Can we pray that the Holy Spirit uses you or me in our dealings with Chinese people, that by our Mission of Encouragement and Exemple we may bring people to Jesus Christ.
The Bible reminds us time and time again that there is a large Harvest, but yet the labourers are few, again this is very much food for thought.
I have written a short word for this Sunday, which is the second Sunday after the Epiphany and if you are interested in reading it then please click on this link.
May I wish you and all those you love and pray for a most refreshing weekend.
Yours in XC
Ed Bakker

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Feria


Friends in Christ,
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. ( Hebrews 4:9)
In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we are pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our Maker's priase without axiety.
Thanks be to God.
Ed Bakker

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Feria

Friends in Christ,

Therefore , He, Christ, is not ashamed to call them brothers - Hebrews 2:11

This reading in Hebrews once more reaffirms Christ's true divinity and His true humanity, Jeus chose, for the salvation of humanity, to live in a flesh and blood body like our own. He was like us in all respects, even to being tempted by the devil, but unlike us He resisted evil and remained without sin. Jesus, in His human body, placed Himself temporarily ' lower then the Angels', but obedience to His Father in accepting suffering and death for our sakes revaled His Dvinity and crowned Him with eternal honor and glory. His exaltation now places Him above all creation, thus subjecting all things and peoples to Him. Let us recall that man, created in God's image and likeness, lost dominion over this earth when he sparated himself from God's wisdom and power through sin.

The fact is that apart from God we have lost the ability to prudently care for and govern ourselves and this earth created for our sustenance. The present world situation amply attests to this. If we deny God, Father, Son and Spirit, and believe that we can live perfectly good lives apart from Him, we essentially reduce ourselves to an accidental combination of elements, organized by wild chance into a high functional creature without a soul. Then all the concepts we speak of such as love, truth, justice, compassion, peace, joy, forgiveness, sacrifice, etc, are simply the imaginings of our fevered brains and have no possibility for reality. The coming of Christ to this earth elevates humanity by putting our sin to death and enabling us to actually live these illusive concepts, all divine attributes, and win eternal glory, to become beings worthy of being called His brothers and sisters.

Mark 1:21-28 summarizes for us the power the resides in Christ, who has conquered sin, and death. He is ever calling us to take possession of this great God given blessing.

Loving Father, make our humanity complete by opning our eyes to our need for spiritual rebirth, when receiving Thy sacrificial gift given us through Christ and His Spirit. Amen.

Ed Bakker



Sunday, January 07, 2007

The First Sunday after the Epiphany


Friends in Christ,
We are yet standing at the beginning of a new work week, let's us remember to ask God's Blessing on our daily going out and in.
From Blessed Saint Paul's letter to the Colossians 3:23 ' Whatoever ye do, do it heartily.. to the Lord'
Our God is a kind Father. He sets us all in the places where He wishes us to be employed; and that employment is truly "our Father's business." He chooses work for every creature, which will be delightful to them, if they do it simply and humbly.
Every blessings this week, if you still like to read a meditation on the Epiphany I would invite you to click here.
Ed Bakker

Saturday, January 06, 2007

The Epiphany of our Lord


Friends in Christ,
May I quote from Psalm 121:8 ' The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and for evermore.'
An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His Children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself.
May God bless you and keep you whereever you are,
Ed Bakker

Friday, January 05, 2007

Feria


Friends in Christ,
How was your week?Mine was not too bad at all. I am glad that after Christmas and New Year things are getting back to normal, as things have been just too quiet. Christmas can be a lonely time as most of us well know. My relatives were all away and we just had to get motivated. We went to the Midnight Mass at the RC Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch is this is just what we needed. It was just so joyful and uplifting.
On Wednesday night I went to Mass at our local RC Church here in Oxford. The Gospel reading came from Blessed Saint John, how He said that we were all accepted as part of God's family. This was also a comfort to here, especially at this time.
I was also talking to some of my Chinese friends on the net, there seems to be a desire amongst the young people to have some spiritual life. Here is yet another Ministry I can exercise, but... there is so much work to be done. I must pray to God for wisdom and strenght as I have my studies , my website work and website Ministry.
Instead of a meditation, I thought publish just a bit of news from me.
Enjoy your weekend and a Blessed feast of the Epiphany,
With love, in Christ,
Ed Bakker

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Feria



Friends in Christ,


' I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. ( Psalm 32:8)


If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His Grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable.


Have a good evening,


In Christ,


Ed Bakker

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Saint Basil the Great & St.Gregory Nazianzen

( picture is of Saint Basil the Great )
Friends in Christ,

St. Basil the Great was born at Caesarea of Cappadocia in 330. He was one of ten children of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia. Several of his brothers and sisters are honored among the saints. He attended school in Caesarea, as well as Constantinople and Athens, where he became acquainted with St. Gregory Nazianzen in 352. A little later, he opened a school of oratory in Caesarea and practiced law. Eventually he decided to become a monk and found a monastery in Pontus which he directed for five years. He wrote a famous monastic rule which has proved the most lasting of those in the East. After founding several other monasteries, he was ordained and, in 370, made bishop of Caesaria. In this post until his death in 379, he continued to be a man of vast learning and constant activity, genuine eloquence and immense charity. This earned for him the title of "Great" during his life and Doctor of the Church after his death. Basil was one of the giants of the early Church. He was responsible for the victory of Nicene orthodoxy over Arianism in the Byzantine East, and the denunciation of Arianism at the Council of Constantinople in 381-82 was in large measure due to his efforts. Basil fought simony, aided the victims of drought and famine, strove for a better clergy, insisted on a rigid clerical discipline, fearlessly denounced evil wherever he detected it, and excommunicated those involved in the widespread prostitution traffic in Cappadocia. He was learned, accomplished in statesmanship, a man of great personal holiness, and one of the great orators of Christianity. His feast day is January 2.


What an incrediable life indeed ! I noted that he was a man of great personal Holiness. If we compare our lives to the life of Saint Basil, I would think that most of us come to the conclusion that we lead ordinary lives. We have the responsibility of a job and looking after a family and in our spare time.... we.. here comes an interesting challenge: What do we do with our spare time ? Are we able to do something for others less fortunate in society than we are, or do we persue our own pleasures? Being a Catholic Christian does give us some responsibilities, i.e. we hear the Word every Sunday at Mass, but are we really doers of the Word?If we look at the life we lead at the moment, can we say in all honesty, that we are doing our utmost to lead a Holy Life ? And yet that is what God asks of each one of us. Could this be a challenge for us on the 2nd day of the year 2007 , can we focus on leading a more Christ Centred and Holy Life? Something to pray for this evening when we retire, because alone without Christ's help we cannot do it.
Thanks be to God,
Ed Bakker
P.S. Saint Basil is the Patron Saint of Hospital Administrators - may I pray especially for Annie Robarts.

Monday, January 01, 2007

New Year's Day


Friends in Christ,
A blessed 2007. New Years day, it has been quite a lonely day, no-one called, no-one phoned and it seemed a day when we were living on an island. But... here in New Zealand everything is shut down and it is a holiday period, so in many ways it was understable.
Psalm 65:11 tells us :' Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness'
I should walk without fear, full of hope and courage and strenght to to His Holy Will, waiting for the endless good which He is always giving as fast as He can me to take it in.
Amen.
In XC
Ed Bakker