HappyMama

Came across this passage in the 1st-century work, the Didache, and thought it was a timely reflection on the Eucharist, as the celebration of Corpus Christi approaches:

 Chapter 10, Prayer After Communion:

“But after ye are filled (have received communion,) thus give thanks: 

We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name which Thou didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which Thou madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever.  Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things for Thy name’s sake; Thou gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou didst freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant.  Before all things we thank Thee that Thou art mighty; to Thee be the glory forever.  Remember, Lord, Thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou hast prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory forever.  Let grace come, and let this world pass away.  Hosanna to the God of David!  If any one is holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him repent.  Maranatha [Aramaic, "Our Lord Comes"], Amen. 

But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.”

Taken from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Translations of the Writings of the Fathers Down to AD 325, Roberts & Donaldson, editors, 1888.  My emphasis.

Who isn’t comforted by today’s second Mass reading?!  It’s on days like this when I wish the mandate for periods of silence during the liturgy was liberally applied, to give the community more time to reflect on these profound lines of Scripture.  And it’s on days like this that I wish that my infant would sleep through Mass…  So for those of you who, like me, can’t get enough, here’s a morsel worth reviewing:

From St. Paul to the Romans, chapter 5

“…affliction produces endurance,
and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,

and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

There are 2 kinds of “hope.”  One is natural & instinctive; if you are optimistic by temperament, then natural hope arises more often during your life.  The other form of hope - the one referred to in the above passage - is supernatural.  Faith, hope, and charity - the theological virtues - are received as pure gift from God.  We can pray for them.  You may find yourself in seemingly hopeless situations… but keep praying for the gift of hope to sustain you, beyond mere human hope or endurance.  You know what comes to mind?  We know a man who has 5 children and lost his wife.  Hard to keep the faith?  Sure, if you are relying on human resources.  But he’s a man of prayer, and maintained hope for the future.  He is going to marry a friend of ours in a few months.  The Lord gives, and He takes away.  Do you like YouTube?  Have you seen the one about the little boy called 99Balloons?  It’s the same message.

hubby showed me this finance website - haven’t read too much into it, but it looks helpful