From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
March 10th - The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste
The Forty Martyrs were soldiers quartered at Sebaste in Armenia, about
the year 320. When their legion was ordered to offer sacrifice to
idols, they refused to betray the faith of their baptism, and replied
to all persuasive efforts, =E2=80=9CWe are Christians!=E2=80=9D When neithe=
r cajolings
or threats could change them, after several days of imprisonment they
were chained together and taken to the site of execution. It was a
cruel winter, and they were condemned to lie without clothing on the
icy surface of a pond in the open air until they froze to death.
The forty, not merely undismayed but filled with joy at the prospect
of suffering for Jesus Christ, said: =E2=80=9CNo doubt it is difficult to support so acute a cold, but it will be agreeable to go to paradise by
this route; the torment is of short duration, and the glory will be
eternal. This cruel night will win for us an eternity of delights.
Lord, forty of us are entering combat; grant that we may be forty to
receive the crown!=E2=80=9D
There were warm baths close by, ready for any among them who would
deny Christ. One of the confessors lost heart, renounced his faith,
and went to cast himself into the basin of warm water prepared for
that intention. But the sudden change in temperature suffocated him
and he expired, losing at once both temporal and eternal life. The
still living martyrs were fortified in their resolution, beholding
this scene.
Then the ice was suddenly flooded with a bright light; one of the
soldiers guarding the men, nearly blinded by the light, raised his
eyes and saw Angels descend with forty crowns which they held in the
air over the martyrs' heads; but the fortieth one remained without =
a
destination. The sentry was inspired to confess Christ, saying: =E2=80=9CTh=
at
crown will be for me!=E2=80=9D Abandoning his coat and clothing, he went to replace the unfortunate apostate on the ice, crying out: =E2=80=9CI am a Christian!=E2=80=9D And the number of forty was again complete. They remain=
ed
steadfast while their limbs grew stiff and frozen, and died one by
one.
Among the forty there was a young soldier named Meliton who held out
longest against the cold, and when the officers came to cart away the
dead bodies they found him still breathing. They were moved with pity,
and wanted to leave him alive, hoping he would still change his mind.
But his mother stood by, and this valiant woman could not bear to see
her son separated from the band of martyrs. She exhorted him to
persevere, and lifted his frozen body into the cart. He was just able
to make a sign of recognition, and was borne away, to be thrown into
the flames with the dead bodies of his brethren. Their bones were cast
into the river, but they floated and were gathered up by the faithful.
Reflection. All who live the life of grace are one in Christ. But
besides this there are many special ties, resulting from community
life, or at least of prayer in common and pious works. Thank God if He
has bound you to others by these spiritual ties; pray that the bond
which unites you here may last for eternity.
Sources: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, a compilation based on
Butler's Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea
Bible Quote:
=C2 =C2 "Listen, my dear brothers: it was those who were poor accordin=
g to
the world that God chose, to be rich in faith and to be the heirs to
the kingdom which he promised to those who love him. You, on the other
hand, have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who lord it over
you: Are not they the ones who drag you into court, who insult the
honorable name which has been pronounced over you? Well, the right
thing to do is to keep the supreme Law of Scripture: you will love
your neighbor as yourself; but as soon as you make class distinctions,
you are committing sin and under condemnation for breaking the Law."
[James 2:5-9:]
Saint Quote:
Prayer ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering, and
accompanied with great reverence. One should consider that he stands
in the presence of a God, and speaks with a Lord before whom the
angels tremble from awe and fear.
--Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi
<><><><>
Hear us, O Heavenly Father,
For the Sake of Your Only Son
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of the Church
Almighty Father, come into our hearts
and so fill us with Your love
that forsaking all evil desires,
we may embrace You, our only good.
Show us, O Lord our God, what You are to us.
Say to our souls, I am your salvation,
speak so, that we may hear.
Our hearts are before You,
open our ears,
let us hasten after Your Voice.
Hide not Your Face from us,
we beseech You, O Lord.
Open our hearts, so that You may enter in.
Repair the ruined mansions,
that You may dwell therein.
Hear us, O Heavenly Father,
for the sake of Your only Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)