• =?UTF-8?Q?April_30th_=E2=80=93_St=2E_Maximus_of_Ephesus=2C_Martyr=C2

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Wed Apr 29 09:58:07 2020
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    April 30th =E2=80=93 St. Maximus of Ephesus, Martyr=C2

    Died May 14, c. 251. Maximus, a citizen of Ephesus, was a merchant by profe= ssion. On the publication of the edict of Decius against the Christians in = 250, he presented himself to Proconsul Optimus as a Christian and was marty= red. His proconsular Acta which are still extant state that when Optimus as= ked his name and state in life, Maximus responded: "I am born free, but am = the slave of Jesus Christ."=C2
    Optimus: "What is your profession?"=C2

    Maximus: "I am a plebeian, and live by my dealings."=C2

    Optimus: "Are you a Christian?"=C2

    Maximus: "Yes, I am, though a sinner."=C2

    Optimus: "Have not you been informed of the edicts that are lately arrived?= "=C2

    Maximus: "What edicts, and what are their contents?"=C2

    Optimus: "That all the Christians forsake their superstition, acknowledge t=
    he true prince whom all obey, and adore his gods."=C2

    Maximus: "I have been told of that impious edict, and it is the occasion of=
    my appearing abroad."=C2

    Optimus: "As then you are apprised of the edicts, sacrifice to the gods."=
    =C2

    Maximus: "I sacrifice to none but that God to whom alone I have sacrificed = from my youth, the remembrance of which affords me great comfort."=C2

    Optimus: "Sacrifice as you value your life: if you refuse to obey, you shal=
    l expire in torments."=C2

    Maximus: "This has ever been the object of my desires: it was on this very = account that I appeared in public, to have an opportunity offered me of bei=
    ng speedily delivered out of this miserable life, to possess that which is = eternal."=C2

    Then the proconsul commanded him to be beaten, and in the meantime said to = him, "Sacrifice, Maximus, and you shall be no longer tormented."=C2

    Maximus: "Sufferings for the name of Christ are not torments, but comfortab=
    le unctions; but if I depart from his precepts contained in the Gospel, the=
    n real and eternal torments would be my portion."=C2

    Next, Optimus ordered him to be stretched on the rack, and while he was tor= tured, said to him, "Renounce, wretch, your obstinate folly, and sacrifice =
    to save your life."=C2

    Maximus: "I shall save it if I do not sacrifice; I shall lose it if I do. N= either your clubs, nor your our iron hooks, nor your fire, give me any pain=
    , because the grace of Jesus Christ dwells in me, which will deliver me out=
    of your hands to put me in possession of the happiness of the saints, who = have already, in this same conflict, triumphed over your cruelty. It is by = their prayers I obtain this courage and strength which you see in me."=C2=


    Optimus: "I command that Maximus, for refusing to obey the sacred edicts, b=
    e stoned to death, to serve for an example of error to all Christians."=C2=


    Saint Maximus was immediately seized by the executioners and carried outsid=
    e the city walls, where they stoned him to death. The Greeks honor him on M=
    ay 14; the Roman Martyrology today (Benedictines, Husenbeth).=C2


    Saint Quote:=C2
    Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness=
    that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. The=
    y must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice=
    .. Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themsel= ves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make t= hem like the light of the world that brings light to others. They must lear=
    n from their eminent teacher, Jesus Christ, what he declared not only to hi=
    s apostles and disciples, but also to all the priests and clerics who were =
    to succeed them, when he said, "You are the salt of the earth. But what is = salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing=
    but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

    Jesus also said: "You are the light of the world." Now a light does not ill= umine itself, but instead it diffuses its rays and shines all around upon e= verything that comes into its view. So it must be with the glowing lives of=
    upright and holy clerics. By the brightness of their holiness they must br= ing light and serenity to all who gaze upon them. They have been placed her=
    e to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showi=
    ng how they must live in the house of the Lord.
    --from the treatise Mirror of the Clergy by Saint John of Capistrano

    Bible Quote:
    If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive hi=
    m. =C2 (Luke 17:3)


    <><><><>
    Prayer For the Spread of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

    Heavenly Father, increase our faith in the Real Presence of Your Son,
    Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We are obliged to adore Him,=C2
    to give Him thanks and to make reparation for sins.=C2
    We need Your peace in our hearts and among nations.=C2
    We need conversion from our sins and the mercy of Your
    forgiveness. May we obtain this through prayer and our union with the Eucharistic Lord. Please send down the Holy Spirit upon all peoples to
    give them the love, courage, strength and willingness to respond to the invitation to Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration.

    We beseech You to spread perpetual exposition of the Most Blessed=C2
    Sacrament in parishes around the world.

    We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

    Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament help us to spread the glory of Your
    Son through perpetual exposition of the Holy Eucharist.
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)