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MISSION OF JESUS.COM |
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DAILY HIGHLIGHTS |
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“If they will not listen...neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:31
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Is It I? Or Is It They? Read:luke 16:31 |
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Volume 3, Thu.Mar.4,2010 |
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Casimir grew up in a world where his life was not his own. As a prince of Poland, the second son of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, his life was scheduled to cement his father's authority and increase Poland's power. Casimir realized from an early age that his life belonged to someone else, but to a much higher King than his father. Despite pressure, humiliation, and rejection, he stood by that loyalty through his whole life. |
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After The Feast, our prayer gathering, a friend approached me and gushed , “Sister, because of you I attend The Feast regularly.”
“Me? What did I do?” I asked her, thinking I must have treated her so bad, she had no recourse but to surrender to God. My friend replied, “Don’t you remember? Once, you told me The Feast made you a better person. So I decided to attend The Feast, too.” I could hardly believe her because, really, I can count with my fingers those I’ve invited and who have become members of the Light of Jesus. There had been dozens though who had rejected me.
I was convinced it was I that was being rejected, so I struggled to change my ways. But often, I’d tell the Lord, “I am incorrigible!” This had been my mindset until I once came across Luke 16:31, the verse in today’s reading. And I realized even Jesus was also rejected — by His own people!
There are 101 reasons why people can’t join prayer communities. Today, I am no longer alarmed when people decline my invitations to the prayer meeting. I now jest pray to the Lord to continue changing me, or them — or both. |
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Reflection:
What do I need to do so that people may be attracted to Jesus more through me?
Lord, help us to change our ways so that we may faithfully shine Your light to others.
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TODAYS SAINT: St. Casimir |
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The Bible in one year:Numbers 31-33, Mark 9:1-29 |
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Born the third of thirteen children in 1461, Casimir was committed to God from childhood. Some of that commitment was the result of a tutor, John Dlugosz, whose holiness encouraged Casimir on his own journey.
It may be hard for us to imagine royal luxury as a pressure. But for Casimir, the riches around him were temptations to forget his true loyalties. Rebelling against the rich, fashionable clothes he was expected to enjoy, he wore the plainest of clothes.
Rejecting even ordinary comforts, he slept little, spending his nights in prayer. And when he did sleep, he lay on the floor not on a royal bed. Even though he was a prince, many of those around him must have laughed and joked at his choices. Yet, in the face of any pressure, Casimir was always friendly and calm.
Though his father must have wondered about him, he must have seen and admired Casimir's strength. He showed that he misunderstood this strength when he sent Casimir as head of an army to take over the throne of Hungary at the request of some nobles there. Casimir felt the whole expedition was wrong but was convinced to go out of obedience to his father. He could not help but feel at every step that it was disobedient to his other Father. So when soldiers started deserting, he was only too glad to listen to the advice of his officers and turn back home. His feelings were confirmed when he discovered that Pope Sixtus IV had opposed the move.
His father, however, was furious at being deterred from his plans and banished Casimir to a castle in Dobzki, hoping that imprisonment would change Casimir's mind. Casimir's commitment to what he believed was right only grew stronger in his exile and he refused to cooperate with his father's plans any more despite the pressure to give in. He even rejected a marriage alliance his father tried to form. He participated in his true King's plans wholeheartedly by praying, studying, and helping the poor.
He died at the age of 23 in 1484 from lung disease. He was buried with his favorite song, a Latin hymn to Mary called "Omni die dic Mariae" which we know as "Daily, Daily Sing to Mary." Because of his love for the song, it is known as the Hymn of St. Casimir though he didn't write it.
Casimir is patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.
In His Footsteps: Where do your loyalties lie? Is there a part of your life where you feel your loyalties divided and feel pressure to follow worldly commitment? Today choose the action that best serves Christ the King.
Prayer: Saint Casimir, help us to remember that our true King is Jesus Christ and always serve him with joy and love. Help us to turn to our true Father for guidance and protection. Amen |
