Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health Vailankanni

“When this which is corruptible in us clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself in immortality” (1 Cor 15:54), then there will be perfect sweetness, perfect rejoicing, endless praise and love without fear. (...) And here below? Do we not enjoy any kind of joy? (...) Certainly we find joy here below; here we taste in hope of the life to come a joy that will satisfy us completely in heaven. However, the wheat has much to bear in the midst of the darnel. The seed is mixed up with the straw and the lily grows among the thorns. (…) And indeed, what is it that was spoken to the Church? “As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among my maidens” (Sg 2:2). It said, “Among my maidens” and not among foreigners. O Lord, what are the consolations you give us? What the comfort? Or rather, what the alarm? Are you calling your own maidens “thorns”? By their behavior they are thorns, he answers, but maidens through my sacraments. (...) But where is the christian to take refuge, then, if he is not to groan in the midst of false brethren? Where is he to go? What is he to do? Is he to fly away to the desert? Occasions for falling will follow him. Will he who is doing so well separate himself to the extent of not putting up with a single one of his confreres? What about him, then? Supposing nobody was able to put up with him before his conversion? (…) So if, under the pretext of making progress, he cannot bear with anyone else, by this very fact it is clear he hasn't progressed as yet. Pay careful attention to these words: “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3). Isn't there anything in you that another has to bear?

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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saint Augustine (354-430)

"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father"

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