"Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone."
REFLECTION
Today we celebrate the feast day of St Anselm. He was a noted philosopher, theologian, preacher and prolific writer. He was born in Italy, studied in France after his mother died, became a Benedictine monk in the Abbey of Bec in Normandy and was appointed Bishop of Canterbury. He is a Doctor of the Church. He wrote on faith and reason. Monologion and Proslogion are two of the most important works in the philosophy of religion. In these texts, Anselm provides a proof for the existence of God.
"For I do not seek to understand
in order that I may believe,
but, I believe in order to understand.
For this also I believe that unless I believe
I shall not understand."
(St Anselm)
The people on the mountain believed what they saw and were ready to make Him king but did they believe in Him? Do we search for God or are we complacent with the status quo?
As we seek the Lord in prayer, the grace of God will help us see and understand God as our image of Him is remade and our intellect is renewed with new knowledge.
Sin, distraction, opinions of others, misconceptions from teachings from our youth or poor catechesis can limit us in our pilgrimage.
As we grow, we seek to find Him at Mass, pray with Him at the Blessed Sacrament, talk to Him, know Him through His Words and seek a deeper intimacy with Mary and Jesus.
Mary, through her silence and humility, teaches us faith and trust in the Lord. As we pray all four mysteries of the Rosary, we are there when Mary abandoned herself to the will of God, when Jesus was born and the trials and problems faced by our Lord. His obedience to His father, Joseph, and mother, Mary. We are there in his three years of ministry, walking along side of Him at the Sea of Galilee, seeing the many signs and miracles, praying with Him, listening to His preaching and breaking bread with Him. We are there at that mountain top with the multiplication of 5 loaves and 2 fish. We are there with Him during the agony in the garden, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the mockery and His death from asphyxiation and loss of blood.
Jesus has shown us what true love is. He loves you and me. We come to understand what He is telling us. How we should behave. We now have a relationship with someone who is a mystery but who through faith we come to understand and know.
We might not understand the philosophy of St Anselm. We know what the good Lord has allowed us to know and understand. We have been given a great gift. We need to let it grow in our hearts and seek out more. We have the potential to change our lives and the lives of others. Remember, God is all powerful and all wise. We can change our lives and the lives of others with our prayers. Whenever we turn to God in prayer, He works marvels.
Strife to know God, embrace His Words, Listen to Him
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