Joyful Friar
- During this Novena, that now arrives to an end, we have willingly remembered St. Martin as a joyful, kind, friendly man: the sort of people that we call: approachable. That is a beautiful expression: Behold a saint that is also a most approachable fellow.
- Joyfulness is linked with some serious virtues. A bit of humor is a way of not taking ourselves too seriously. Moreover, you need a fair amount of gladness to announce the Good News enduring all the risks, drawbacks and failures, and facing people’s irony, indifference or even aggression.
- Gladness is also the hallmark of a pacified soul. And peace is the ultimate gift, according to another Dominican, St. Thomas Aquinas. Inner peace spells harmony, contentment, awareness of all the other gifts God has granted us in his Beloved Son.
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
The old priest was shocked by the sight of that pair of shoes just at the moment they were talking with such fervor of perfection and religious observance.
“What do you say of the light-mindedness of that young religious?” he asked his companion.
Martin did not like to pass judgment on others. If he had to give an opinion, he looked for the good side.
“No, no,” he replied at once, “it is not a question of light-mindedness. The great providence of God permits this deviation so that sinners may be brought back to Him. You know, Father, there are people so accustomed to an easy life and to pleasures that they are frightened when one even mentions austerity to them. Let us imagine now that a man like that, whose life is quite disordered, comes here to confess his sins. … Do you think your austere appearance and those shoes as big as boats that you are wearing would inspire trust in his heart? Not at all! But if he saw that young priest with his beautiful little shoes, he might think, ‘Now there is one who will understand me!’ And he would go to confession, and then the grace of God would do the rest.” The good priest accepted the lesson, and laughed heartily with Martin.
Ending On A Cheerful Note
- “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.” (Matthew 13,44)
- “Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them: Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2,9-11)
- “Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area. He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4,14-19)
- “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)