"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."[John 6:68]
Friday of the Sixth week of Easter
Saints of the day:
Saint Isidor (the patron saint of farmers)
St. Isidore was a simple man of the earth, who attended daily Mass and demonstrated love of people and animals by his many acts of kindness and mercy. Below is a short history of St. Isidore and his wife, St. Maria. His story has been provided by several sources cited at the bottom of the page.
St. Isidore was born around 1070 near Madrid, Spain, into a peasant family. He was baptized Isidore in honor of the famous archbishop of Seville. His biography was written about 150 years after his death. Much of it deals with miracles associated with his name. He made God and practicing virtue a part of his workday. St. Isidore the farmer, as he is sometimes called, is remembered to this day.
He was a day laborer in the service of Juan de Vargas on a farm in the vicinity of Madrid. Every morning before going to work he used to attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. Everything was going fine for Isidore until one day his fellow-laborers complained to their boss that he was always late for work in the morning because he attended early morning Mass each day. When charged with his offense, he did not deny it and explained to his employer: "Sir, it may be true that I am later at my work than some of the other laborers, but I do my utmost to make up for the few minutes snatched for prayer; I pray you compare my work with theirs, and if you find I have defrauded you in the least, gladly will I make amends by paying you out of my private store." His employer said nothing, but remained suspicious, and, being determined to find out the truth, rose one morning at daybreak and concealed himself outside the church. In due course, Isidore appeared and entered the building, and afterwards, when the service was over, went to his work. Still following him, his employer saw him take the plough into a field, and was about to confront him when, in the pale, misty light of dawn, he saw, as he thought, a second plough drawn by white oxen moving up and down the furrows. Greatly astonished, he ran towards it, but even as he ran it disappeared and he saw only Isidore and his single-plow. When he spoke to Isidore and enquired about the second plough he had seen, Isidore replied in surprise: "Sir, I work alone and know of none save God to whom I look for strength." Thus the story grew that so great was his sanctity that the angels helped him even in his plowing. It was characteristic of Isidore's entire life. Isidore is also said to have brought back to life the deceased daughter of his master and to have caused a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth in order to quench the thirst of his master.
In such simple tales we find reflected the spirit of Saint Isidore, who never ruled a diocese or was martyred for his faith, but who truly served God in the fields. He was a simple plowman. His speech was clear and direct. His conduct was honest, and his faith pure and steadfast. He shared what he had, even his meals, with the poor. He often gave them more than he had for himself, with a good and generous heart, and with such sympathy and good will that his gifts seemed doubly blessed. He could not neglect doing a kindness to man or beast. One snowy day, when going to the mill with corn to be ground, he passed a flock of wood-pigeons scratching vainly for food on the hard surface of the frosty ground. Taking pity on the poor animals, he poured half of his sack of precious corn upon the ground for the birds, despite the mocking of witnesses. When he reached the mill, however, the bag was full, and the corn, when it was ground, produced double the expected amount of flour.
Isidore married Maria Torribia, who is also a canonized saint and is venerated in Spain as Maria de la Cabeza. This veneration stems from the fact that her head (Spanish, cabeza) is often carried in procession especially in time of drought. She was a devout person. She helped the poor and sometimes shared her meals with them. The couple had one child, a son. One must not get the impression that Isidore and his wife had no sufferings. They knew tragedy. On one occasion their son fell into a deep well. The parents, having no way of reaching him, prayed and the water of the well rose miraculously to the level of the ground, bringing the boy up alive and well. In thanksgiving for this intervention of God on their son's behalf both husband and wife made a vow of continence and to serve God. They lived in separate houses. Later in their life their only son died in his youth.
Isidore died in 1130. Forty years after Isidore's death, his body was transferred from the cemetery to the church of St. Andrew. He is said to have appeared to Alfonso of Castile, and to have shown him the hidden path by which he surprised the Moors and gained the victory of Las Nevas de Tolosa, in 1212. When King Philip III of Spain was cured of a deadly disease by touching the relics of the saint, the king replaced the old reliquary by a costly silver one. He was canonized by Gregory XV, along with Sts. Ignatius, Francis Xavier, Teresa, and Philip Neri, on 12 March, 1622. St. Isidore is widely venerated as the patron of peasants and day-labourers. The cities of Madrid, Leon, Saragossa, and Seville also, honour him as their patron. His feast is celebrated on 15 May. His saintly wife survived Isidore for several years.
St. Isidore was a simple man of the earth, who attended daily Mass and demonstrated love of people and animals by his many acts of kindness and mercy. Below is a short history of St. Isidore and his wife, St. Maria. His story has been provided by several sources cited at the bottom of the page.
St. Isidore was born around 1070 near Madrid, Spain, into a peasant family. He was baptized Isidore in honor of the famous archbishop of Seville. His biography was written about 150 years after his death. Much of it deals with miracles associated with his name. He made God and practicing virtue a part of his workday. St. Isidore the farmer, as he is sometimes called, is remembered to this day.
He was a day laborer in the service of Juan de Vargas on a farm in the vicinity of Madrid. Every morning before going to work he used to attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. Everything was going fine for Isidore until one day his fellow-laborers complained to their boss that he was always late for work in the morning because he attended early morning Mass each day. When charged with his offense, he did not deny it and explained to his employer: "Sir, it may be true that I am later at my work than some of the other laborers, but I do my utmost to make up for the few minutes snatched for prayer; I pray you compare my work with theirs, and if you find I have defrauded you in the least, gladly will I make amends by paying you out of my private store." His employer said nothing, but remained suspicious, and, being determined to find out the truth, rose one morning at daybreak and concealed himself outside the church. In due course, Isidore appeared and entered the building, and afterwards, when the service was over, went to his work. Still following him, his employer saw him take the plough into a field, and was about to confront him when, in the pale, misty light of dawn, he saw, as he thought, a second plough drawn by white oxen moving up and down the furrows. Greatly astonished, he ran towards it, but even as he ran it disappeared and he saw only Isidore and his single-plow. When he spoke to Isidore and enquired about the second plough he had seen, Isidore replied in surprise: "Sir, I work alone and know of none save God to whom I look for strength." Thus the story grew that so great was his sanctity that the angels helped him even in his plowing. It was characteristic of Isidore's entire life. Isidore is also said to have brought back to life the deceased daughter of his master and to have caused a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth in order to quench the thirst of his master.
In such simple tales we find reflected the spirit of Saint Isidore, who never ruled a diocese or was martyred for his faith, but who truly served God in the fields. He was a simple plowman. His speech was clear and direct. His conduct was honest, and his faith pure and steadfast. He shared what he had, even his meals, with the poor. He often gave them more than he had for himself, with a good and generous heart, and with such sympathy and good will that his gifts seemed doubly blessed. He could not neglect doing a kindness to man or beast. One snowy day, when going to the mill with corn to be ground, he passed a flock of wood-pigeons scratching vainly for food on the hard surface of the frosty ground. Taking pity on the poor animals, he poured half of his sack of precious corn upon the ground for the birds, despite the mocking of witnesses. When he reached the mill, however, the bag was full, and the corn, when it was ground, produced double the expected amount of flour.
Isidore married Maria Torribia, who is also a canonized saint and is venerated in Spain as Maria de la Cabeza. This veneration stems from the fact that her head (Spanish, cabeza) is often carried in procession especially in time of drought. She was a devout person. She helped the poor and sometimes shared her meals with them. The couple had one child, a son. One must not get the impression that Isidore and his wife had no sufferings. They knew tragedy. On one occasion their son fell into a deep well. The parents, having no way of reaching him, prayed and the water of the well rose miraculously to the level of the ground, bringing the boy up alive and well. In thanksgiving for this intervention of God on their son's behalf both husband and wife made a vow of continence and to serve God. They lived in separate houses. Later in their life their only son died in his youth.
Isidore died in 1130. Forty years after Isidore's death, his body was transferred from the cemetery to the church of St. Andrew. He is said to have appeared to Alfonso of Castile, and to have shown him the hidden path by which he surprised the Moors and gained the victory of Las Nevas de Tolosa, in 1212. When King Philip III of Spain was cured of a deadly disease by touching the relics of the saint, the king replaced the old reliquary by a costly silver one. He was canonized by Gregory XV, along with Sts. Ignatius, Francis Xavier, Teresa, and Philip Neri, on 12 March, 1622. St. Isidore is widely venerated as the patron of peasants and day-labourers. The cities of Madrid, Leon, Saragossa, and Seville also, honour him as their patron. His feast is celebrated on 15 May. His saintly wife survived Isidore for several years.
Saint Isidore's feast is celebrated in Madrid, Spain, with ringing church bells and streets decorated for a procession in his honor. In art, Saint Isidore is portrayed as a peasant holding a sickle and a sheaf of corn. He might also be shown (1) with a sickle and staff, (2) as an angel plows for him, (3) giving a rosary to children by a well, mattock on his feet, water springing from the well, (4) striking water from dry earth with an angel plowing in the background, (5) before a cross, or (6) with an angel and white oxen near him. In Spanish art his emblems are a spade or a plough (Tabor). He is the patron of Madrid, Spain, farmers and farm laborers, and the U.S. National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
St. Isidore and his wife are examples for us today of a married couple that sanctified their daily duties. May they intercede for us to do likewise.
Background information provided by Lives of the Saints, Catholic Mission of Saint Isidore the Farmer in Denver, Colorado, The Monks of Adoration internet site, and the Father Pat's Place A Catholic Priest in Wisconsininternet site.
Friday of the Sixth week of Easter
St. Isidore and his wife are examples for us today of a married couple that sanctified their daily duties. May they intercede for us to do likewise.
St. Isidore and St. Maria
Friday of the Sixth week of Easter
Acts of the Apostles 18:9 One night, in a vision, the Lord said to Sha’ul, “Don’t be afraid, but speak right up, and don’t stop, 10 because I am with you. No one will succeed in harming you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 So Sha’ul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Commentary of the day:
Saint Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-395), monk and Bishop
First address on the Resurrection : PG 46, 603
The birth of the new creation (Rm 8,22)
Now the reign of life has come and the power of death overturned. Another birth has appeared together with another life, another way of being, a transformation of our very nature. This birth is not the result of “the will of man nor the desire of the flesh, but of God” (Jn 1,13)…
“This is the day the Lord has made” (Ps 118[117],24). It’s a very different day from those in the beginning because on this day God creates a new heaven and a new earth, as the prophet says (Is 65,17). Which heaven? The firmament of faith in Christ. Which earth ? A true heart, as the Lord says: earth that is saturated with the rain that falls on it and that brings forth an abundant harvest (Lk 8,15). In this creation the sun equals the pure life; the stars are the virtues; the air is transparent behaviour; the sea is the rich depths of wisdom and knowledge; the grass and herbage are God’s solid doctrine and teachings where the flock – that is, the people of God – finds pasture; the fruit-bearing trees are the practice of the commandments. On this day true man was created, made in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1,27).
Is this not an entire world that is begun for your sake in “the day the Lord has made” ?... The greatest privilege of this day of grace is that it has destroyed the sufferings of death and given birth to the firstborn from the dead (Col 1,18)…, he who says: “I am going to your Father and to my Father, to my God and to your God” (Jn 20,17). O what excellent, what good news! He who for our sakes became like us to make us his brothers and sisters, carries his own humanity to the Father so as to bear all humankind along with him.
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12 But when Gallio became the Roman governor of Achaia, the unbelieving Jews made a concerted attack on Sha’ul and took him to court, 13 saying, “This man is trying to persuade people to worship God in ways that violate the Torah.” 14 Sha’ul was just about to open his mouth, when Gallio said to the Jews, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case of inflicted injury or a serious crime, I could reasonably be expected to hear you out patiently. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law, then you must deal with it yourselves. I flatly refuse to judge such matters.” 16 And he had them ejected from the court. 17 They all grabbed Sosthenes, the president of the synagogue, and gave him a beating in full view of the bench; but Gallio showed no concern whatever.
18 Sha’ul remained for some time, then said good-bye to the brothers and sailed off to Syria, after having his hair cut short in Cenchrea, because he had taken a vow; with him were Priscilla and Aquila.
Psalms 47:2 (1) Clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with cries of joy!
3 (2) For Adonai ‘Elyon is awesome,
a great king over all the earth.
4 (3) He makes peoples subject to us,
puts nations under our feet.
5 (4) He chooses our heritage for us,
the pride of Ya‘akov, whom he loves. (Selah)
6 (5) God goes up to shouts of acclaim,
Adonai to a blast on the shofar.
7 (6) Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our king, sing praises!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16:20 Yes, it’s true. I tell you that you will sob and mourn, and the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she is in pain; because her time has come. But when the baby is born, she forgets her suffering out of joy that a child has come into the world. 22 So you do indeed feel grief now, but I am going to see you again. Then your hearts will be full of joy, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23 “When that day comes, you won’t ask anything of me! Yes, indeed! I tell you that whatever you ask from the Father, he will give you in my name.
Friday of the Sixth week of EasterCommentary of the day:
Saint Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-395), monk and Bishop
First address on the Resurrection : PG 46, 603
The birth of the new creation (Rm 8,22)
Now the reign of life has come and the power of death overturned. Another birth has appeared together with another life, another way of being, a transformation of our very nature. This birth is not the result of “the will of man nor the desire of the flesh, but of God” (Jn 1,13)…
“This is the day the Lord has made” (Ps 118[117],24). It’s a very different day from those in the beginning because on this day God creates a new heaven and a new earth, as the prophet says (Is 65,17). Which heaven? The firmament of faith in Christ. Which earth ? A true heart, as the Lord says: earth that is saturated with the rain that falls on it and that brings forth an abundant harvest (Lk 8,15). In this creation the sun equals the pure life; the stars are the virtues; the air is transparent behaviour; the sea is the rich depths of wisdom and knowledge; the grass and herbage are God’s solid doctrine and teachings where the flock – that is, the people of God – finds pasture; the fruit-bearing trees are the practice of the commandments. On this day true man was created, made in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1,27).
Is this not an entire world that is begun for your sake in “the day the Lord has made” ?... The greatest privilege of this day of grace is that it has destroyed the sufferings of death and given birth to the firstborn from the dead (Col 1,18)…, he who says: “I am going to your Father and to my Father, to my God and to your God” (Jn 20,17). O what excellent, what good news! He who for our sakes became like us to make us his brothers and sisters, carries his own humanity to the Father so as to bear all humankind along with him.
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