Thursday July 23, 2009 The Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden

July 23, 2009 Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Exodus 19: 1-2,9-11, 16-20b Daniel 3: 52-56 Matthew 13: 10-17
Psalm Response: "Glory and Praise forever!"

Mt. Sanai was considered by the Hebrew people God's special mountain. Although He had created the universe, there are places He holds to be sacred; the rightful place of God and worthy of homage.
While the people trembled at the manifestation of God, the thunder and lightening, coupled by the fire and the smoke attendant they were unconvinced of His presence and Moses' ability to meet God face to face and live.
The tradition of the people made confrontation with God a sign of death. So, even when He invited them to converse and commune with Him, they denied themselves in a sort-of quasi-humbleness. Had they been sincere, they would have had many other signs to confirm their Faith.
In our culture, "seeing is believing". So, we're not too far removed from the attitude of the people who were saved by Him but weren't convinced. Science seems to have presented us with evidence of the unnaturalness of Faith without seeing, touching or feeling. So we allow ourselves to be convinced, "They may be right", while we hold on to ritual Faith; going to Church; praying for healings etc. However, Our Lord told us rather bluntly, "If you have Faith, nothing is impossible". When healings we've implored don't happen, don't blame God for not listening; blame yourself for insincerity.

Daniel wrote in the centuries just before the birth of Christ. Most of his writings were in the nature of Apocalyptic, seemingly prophesy but in reality restating history for the instruction of the people of the time. Thereby, they could get the message of impending persecution while making a comparison with their present status.

Christ often spoke to His disciples in parables. His intent wasn't to hide His message, but, rather to veil it. In this way He was able to impart heavenly wisdom and not invite retribution from those bent on killing Him.
When He quoted Isaiah, they knew the quote as well as He but they missed the point. Although they were able to discern what He said they didn't understand the message. Therefore, when he enlightened His disciples and open their hearts to understand, they were able to impart it faithfully through our Church.
The message is clear, belief is more important than scientific speculation!

St. Bridget was married to the prince of Sweden Ulfo. While he was alive they parentesd eight children one of whom also is a canonized Saint. After they had grown she became interested in the religious life and fostered the Order of the Most Holy Savior.
Ever think when your children have grown, you'd apply to become a religious? In establishing her order it was dedicated to Jesus and lived a contempletive life.