I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.
                                                       H.G. Wells
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself…
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.
I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.
                                           Napoleon
Impressive.
I first encountered this about thirty years ago when I lived in Australia. Our parish priest, Fr. Leo Stephens – a wonderful faithful and orthodox priest – of the parish of the Immaculate Conception at Unanderra, a suburb of Wollongong N.S.W printed out hundreds of copies of it, and distributed them after Mass one Sunday.
I still have my copy, and have used it on occasions, particularly at R.C.I.A
This demonstrates that Humility and Obedience are much greater instruments than Fame and material Success, as many of our saints have also shown.
That One, Solitary Life of God-made-Man. He lives now at the Right Hand of God the Father in Heaven, and on Earth, in all the Catholic Tabernacles and Adoration Chapels in the world until He comes again in Glory. This is Immanuel – God-With-Us
God bless you and protect you, Mary.
That is the reason as we pass a Catholic Church, we should take off our hats (men), bow heads and say a little prayer in homage and thanksgiving for our God and Redeemer who dwelt among us and saved us. And, still is with us in the Holy Eucharist in the Tabernacle.
And, if time permits, making a quick prayerful visit is ever appropriate.
“Pray for the living and the dead.”
t Shaw, praying for the living and the dead is the central Mission of the Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy. Jesus gave us the Hour of Great Mercy – 3.00 O’Clock – when He died to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy which He dictated to St. Faustina for the sick, the sinners, the dying and the souls in Purgatory and for the whole world. For those who are able and have the opportunity, Jesus recommends we visit Him in the Adoration Chapel at this Hour. He also requests that we especially pray this Chaplet at the bedside of the dying with the Promise that He will defend that soul at that critical Hour and, by His Merciful Grace forgive them their sins and punishement thereof – a Supra Indulgence which ensures that soul goes to Heaven.