What We Have Seen:

Today’s readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24

Jesus tells us today to count our blessings: We have seen and heard what kings longed for. The peace of God has come to live among us! We have only to open our hearts to the work of grace in our lives. We have only to turn to our Lord for help.

Faith – Intelligence:

Jesus asserts that truth is revealed to little children and not the intellectuals. Jesus is not against intelligent people, but He is reprimanding those of us who think we do not need God. Jesus praises children because they are open, trusting and receptive to the truth. Are we like them?

Dare Not Speak?

Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie,Dust unto dust—The calm, sweet earth that mothers all who dieAs all men must;

Mourn not your captive comrades who must dwell,Too strong to strive—Within each steel-bound coffin of a cell,Buried alive;

But rather mourn the apathetic throng,The coward and the meek—Who see the world’s great anguish and its wrongAnd dare not speak.

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Nothing restrains [our] anger, curbs pride, heals the wound of malice, bridles self-indulgence, quenches the passions, checks avarice and puts unclean thoughts to flight, as does the name of Jesus.

- St. Bernard of Clairvaux