True Courage and Love

[Brigid]

'I am ready, O Lord, to suffer the death which they threaten, and all the tortures which they can inflict, to endure even the fires of hell, rather than swerve in the least degree from Thy love.

And ye, foul demons, go on, employ all your might and rage; behold me ready to satisfy your hatred, to endure all you threaten me with, to the Day of Judgment, for the love of my Lord Jesus Christ.'

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

[Bailey2]

I only wish I had a speck of that kind of faith...........

[Brigid]

I only wish I had a speck of that kind of faith...........

Maybe you do and just don't realize it.

[Bailey2]

 

not because you said it Brigid but because I can't possibly believe that of myself! 

Very kind of you to say it though!   

[Brigid]

I think all of us have more faith than we realize, once we really know that we either choose Him or the d_____ .

[Brigid]

Pray for me, that God will give me both inward and outward strength, so that I may not only be called a Christian but found to be one .... I write to the churches and signify to them all that I am willing to die for God .... Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts, by whom I shall attain to God. For I am the wheat of God; and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts that I may become the pure bread of Christ .... Let fire and the cross, let the band of wild beasts, let the breaking of bones and the tearing of members, let the shattering in pieces of the entire body and all the wicked torments of the devil come upon me; only let me enjoy Jesus Christ.(16)


The Didache

[Shin]

Pray for me, that God will give me both inward and outward strength, so that I may not only be called a Christian but found to be one .... I write to the churches and signify to them all that I am willing to die for God .... Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts, by whom I shall attain to God. For I am the wheat of God; and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts that I may become the pure bread of Christ .... Let fire and the cross, let the band of wild beasts, let the breaking of bones and the tearing of members, let the shattering in pieces of the entire body and all the wicked torments of the devil come upon me; only let me enjoy Jesus Christ.(16)

The Didache

Ah, I really love this Brigid. Truly, really love this.

[Shin]

'I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God's wheat and bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God. No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire. The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God's side. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in my for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: "Come to the Father." I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world I want only God's bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed from the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish. Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God.'

St. Ignatius of Antioch

[Shin]

'Jesus Christ at His birth: I contemplate Him there with Mary and Joseph. What conditions, though! Lying in a manger where animals feed! Humiliation, privation, suffering.'

St. Bernadette Soubirous

[Brigid]

Pray for me, that God will give me both inward and outward strength, so that I may not only be called a Christian but found to be one .... I write to the churches and signify to them all that I am willing to die for God .... Suffer me to be food to the wild beasts, by whom I shall attain to God. For I am the wheat of God; and I shall be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts that I may become the pure bread of Christ .... Let fire and the cross, let the band of wild beasts, let the breaking of bones and the tearing of members, let the shattering in pieces of the entire body and all the wicked torments of the devil come upon me; only let me enjoy Jesus Christ.
“O Lord God Almighty, the Father of Your beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, By whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before You, I give You thanks that You have counted me worthy of his day and this hour, that I should be counted in the number of Your martyrs, in the cup of Your Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption given by the Holy Spirit.   Among them may I be accepted this day before You as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as You, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, have revealed beforehand to me, and now have fulfilled, I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son; with Him, to You and the Holy Spirit, be glory now and forever.   Amen.”


Last Earthly Prayer of St. Polycarp

[Shin]

Brigid! A splendid find!

We can now see this is a theme that runs deep!