Buffeted by Waves of a Hostile World
Saturday after Ash Wednesday: The Fathers liken the ship laden with the Apostles on the sea of Galilee to the Holy Church buffeted by the waves of a hostile world. The first long quote from St. Bede used in this sermon comes from Matins for Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Some phrases from this quote: “Buffeted by the waves of a hostile world and the winds of unclean spirits, she [the Church] makes every effort to arrive at the shores of heavenly peace as in a safe harbour. ....often the Church is not only beset, but also besmeared by such fury on the part of unbelievers that it seems her Saviour had utterly abandoned her for the time being—were that indeed possible. ... He strengthens those who wrestle with the enemy, that they may be victorious, and bestows upon the victors an eternal crown.” The other long quote from Pope Pius XI reads: “At times the bark of Peter, favored by the winds, goes happily forward; at other times it appears to be swallowed up by the waves and on the point of being lost. Has not this ship always aboard the Divine Pilot who knows when to calm the angry waves and the winds? And who is it but Christ Himself Who alone is all-powerful, who brings it about that every persecution which is launched against the faithful should react to the lasting benefit of the Church? As St. Hilary writes, ‘it is a prerogative of the Church that she is the vanquisher when she is persecuted, that she captures our intellects when her doctrines are questioned, that she conquers all at the very moment when she is abandoned by all’” (Pope Pius XI on the persecution of the Church in Mexico). May we wrestle and strain at the oars so as to win...and be crowned and reap everlasting benefits from this present trial. For more please visit http://www.reginaprophetarum.org & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest
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