Day by Day with St. John Baptist de La Salle

September 1st

Gentle Children, Newcomers, The Sickly

Special Cases

There are some parents whose manner of bringing up their children is to give them all that they ask. They never contradict or oppose them in anything, and they almost never correct them for their faults. It seems that they fear to cause them pain.

Such children are almost always of a gentle and peaceable nature. For this reason it is ordinarily better to correct their faults by

·giving them some penance that is easy to perform,

·preventing their faults in some skillful manner,

·pretending not to see them, or

·admonishing them gently in private.

In respect to those who are sickly, it is important that they should not be punished, especially when the punishment might increase their ailment. Some other means of correction should be used with them, or a penance be imposed on them.
(Conduct of Schools)

We urge you, our brothers and sisters, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thess 5:14)

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September 2nd

Penances

In Proportion

Penances should be remedial and proportioned to the faults committed.

Teachers will take great care that the penances that they impose are in no way ridiculous, and do not consist only of words.

No penance will be imposed that might be prejudicial to the silence and good order of the school. Nothing

·that causes loss of time and

·that is useless

should ever be given as a penance.

The most appropriate penance and the one that is of the greatest utility is to give the students something to learn by heart.
(Conduct of Schools)

In the case of our human fathers, they punished us and we respected them.
(Heb 12:9)

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September 3rd

St. Gregory The Great, Pope(ca 540-604)

Humble Service

St. Gregory suffered through his life with extreme patience. The only remedy he used in all his suffering was recourse to prayer; in this he found great support.

When elected Pope, he immediately took to flight, but finally accepted the responsibility despite his feelings. Nevertheless, with unflagging zeal, despite his great infirmities, he worked to procure the good of the Church
by his preaching,
by his writings, and
by his constant solicitude.

After he became Pope, he sent out evangelical labourers to preach the faith to unbelievers and to instruct them in our religion. By such conduct he showed that it was only his humility that made him flee the papacy, because once he had accepted it, his zeal led him to accomplish great things for the cause of religion.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. (Lk 22:26)

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September 4th

Importance of Education

The Greatest Gift

When parents withdraw their children from school to make them work while they are too young and not yet sufficiently instructed, they must be made to understand that they harm them a great deal. To have their children earn a little, they will make them lose a very much greater advantage. It should be explained to them how important it is for an artisan to know how to read and write well. It should be emphasised that,
however limited the child’s intelligence,
the child that knows how to read and write
will be capable of anything.
(Conduct of Schools)

Wisdom does more for a person than ten rulers can do for a city. (Eccl 7:19)

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September 5th

Entering School and Classroom

Easy Does It

Care will be taken that students do not assemble in a crowd in the street before the door is opened and that they do not make noise by shouting.

They will not be allowed to amuse themselves by playing and running in the vicinity of the school during this time nor to disturb the neighbours in any manner whatsoever.

When the door / gate is opened, care will be taken that the students do not rush forward and enter in a crowd but that they enter in an orderly fashion, one after the other.

They will be inspired
to enter the classroom with profound respect,
out of consideration for the presence of God.

While students are assembling and entering the classroom, they will maintain complete silence.
(Conduct of Schools)

None of you should be looking to your own interests, but to the interest of others. (1 Cor 10:24)

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September 6th

New Teachers

3. Harshness, Severity and Impatience

New teachers must not administer punishment frequently. Instead, every effort must be made to convince them that it is not harshness and rigour that produce good order in a school. Good order is the result of
constant vigilance,
combined with circumspection and mildness.
Supervisors should accustom new teachers to assume an unruffled air, a calm countenance, and an exterior appearance which indicates a consistent and benevolent disposition.

The Supervisor must not allow teachers to touch their students with their hands, to pull or push them rudely, or to punch them.

A Supervisor must never allow teachers to throw anything at the students, even if they do so with moderation.

The Supervisor must invite teachers in training to keep complete silence and great self-control when they feel themselves moved by impatience, and should urge them to remain unruffled as long as they experience this emotion. There is no better means than this to bridle impatience.
(Conduct of Schools)

Patience is better than pride.

Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbour a grudge. (Eccl 7:8-9)

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September 7th

Actions Speak Louder

When Jesus went into the house of a leader of the Pharisees to take a meal with him, those who were there watched him maliciously. You are in a work which allows everybody to observe you.

In the first place, your students observe you; this is why you are obliged to give them good example by your teaching, imitating Our Lord in this who began to do before teaching.

This is also something which will make you esteemed by your students; this is why it is important that your actions teach them more than your words.

Is this how you act?

·Do you teach your disciples anything you do not practise yourselves?

·When you tell them to be self-controlled, are you the very first to act that way?

·When you urge them to pray to God, do you do so yourselves?

·Do you have the same charity for them that you want them to have for their companions?

It is by conduct of this sort that you will be a model of good works in all things.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-16th Sunday After Pentecost)

I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. (Jn 13:15)

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September 8th

The Birthday of the Most Blessed Virgin

Ave Maria

Let us honour the Most Blessed Virgin on her birthday and join in the quite extraordinary joy felt by the entire Church, which to day solemnly celebrates this happy day when God brought into this world the woman who initiated the salvation of all people. God, who conducts all things with wisdom, having the plan to save his people and to be born like them, chose for himself by preference a virgin who was worthy to be his temple and his dwelling place.

Let us admire with how many graces God adorned the Blessed Virgin from the moment of her birth. She was so filled with grace that no pure creature has ever been like her, nor ever will be. The Holy Spirit took up his dwelling in her from that time on to prepare her to receive and to contain in her womb the Son of God made man.

How right it was that she who was destined to form a man-God should have been entirely

·the work of God himself and

·the most perfect of pure creatures.

If Mary received an abundance of grace, it was to share it with all those who have recourse to her.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

... and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ. (Mt 1:16)

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September 9th

Be Holy

Because in your state of life you are called to procure the sanctification of your pupils, you should be holy yourself in no ordinary degree. You must communicate this holiness to them both by your good example and by the words of salvation which you must address to them every day.

·Interior application to prayer,

·love for your exercises,

·fidelity in performing them well,

will especially help you to acquire this holiness and the perfection that God wishes you to have.

Beg him for it daily with great earnestness. Beg him that nothing may make you displeasing in his sight, since you are obliged to inspire his love in the hearts of those whom you instruct. Is this how you relate to them?
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Keep what is good, and avoid every kind of evil. (1 Thess 5:22)

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September 10th

I Care About You

I do not fail, nor shall I fail, to pray to God for you, my very dear Brother, that he may keep you in your vocation. You will give me great pleasure if you also pray for me. The affection with which you write to me touches me very much. I am very grateful for the concern you have for my health. Please God he will give you the best of health and make you truly holy.

I assure you that I have great tenderness and affection for you and often pray to God for you.

I will see that you are led to God
through kindness and not
through harshness.
There is nothing I will not do for your welfare and salvation. But , on your part, you must act more graciously and not through whim or passion. As for your problems, as long as you write to me in confidence, I shall try to solve them.
(Letters)

So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith. (Gal 6:10)

September 11th

Be Straightforward

Do you act with straightforwardness and with God in view in all your conduct, as if you were dealing with God alone? Or are you instead distant and deceitful in your relations with him, making use of craftiness and dissimulation, which you mistake for prudence?

This is mere folly in the eyes of God, who will confound you, since God loves openness of heart and straightforwardness.

With what
candour,
straightforwardness, and
sincerity
do you make known your faults, despite the repugnance which nature makes you feel?
(Collection)

Happy are the pure in heart: they will see God! (Mt 5:8)

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September 12th

The Holy Name of Mary

Star of the Sea

The name Mary means star of the sea. It is, says St. Bernard, very well given to her, because she is indeed a star which
enlightens,
guides, and
leads
us to a harbour in the stormy sea of this world.

The road you must follow through this life being so dangerous, you need a guide to walk safely. You cannot have a better guide than the most Blessed Virgin, because she is most pure within and without and because she knows all the paths and all the means to keep you safe amid the dangers you will encounter.

You have without doubt a need for light in this life, where you are always as if upon a stormy sea. In danger, in narrow and perilous paths, think of Mary, invoke her sacred name; at once you will find comfort and deliverance from all your troubles.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Be quiet!” and he said to the waves, “Be still!” The wind died down, and there was a great calm. (Mk 4:39)

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September 13th

St. John Chrysostom(ca 349 - 407)

Remarkable Eloquence

St. John Chrysostom left the world at a time when he could have lived there with considerable honour because of his eloquence, which was admired by everyone. He withdrew into solitude where he devoted himself to the study of Holy Scripture, which gave him great insight and a profound religious spirit.

The Bishop of Antioch obliged this saint to preach the gospel,
which he did so successfully and
with such remarkable eloquence
that he charmed all who heard him and at the same time drew their hearts to God.

Since it is your duty to teach your disciples every day to know God, to explain to them the truths of the Gospel, and to train them in their practice, you should be filled with God and burning with love for his holy law.

Preach by your example, and practise before their eyes what you wish to convince them to believe and do.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. (Eph 4:29)

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September 14th

The Triumph of the Cross

The Tree of Life

The honour which we pay to the Cross of Christ should not be limited to showing it respect and veneration. Rather, we must love it with all the affection of our hearts and desire to die attached to it. Because we have been freed from sin by means of it, we must not doubt that if we love the Cross in union with Jesus Christ, all the miseries of this life will become pleasant and agreeable to us. In this way we will be truly happy, having found our paradise in this world.

As Minucius Felix so well says, although Jesus Christ requires that we adore his holy Cross, yet that is not what he asks the most; it is that we drink cheerfully of his sacred chalice if we desire to be his friend and to have a place with him in his kingdom.

Let us then place all our glory in bearing in our bodies the sacred wounds of the suffering Jesus. When you have some trouble,
unite yourself to Jesus suffering
and this will soothe your pains.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! (Heb 12:2)

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September 15th

In Sickness

Make sure, I beg you, that in spite of your illness, you leave yourself entirely in God’s hands. Take care not to let yourself be discouraged by anxieties and ailments; life is full of them. While you are young, prepare to accept them courageously and make use of the maxims of the Gospel to welcome them and draw profit from them

Do not have any anxieties about the future,
but leave everything in God’s hands,
for he will take care of you.

Do not upset yourself trying to make acts of penance frequently; that could injure your health. It is enough simply to direct your thoughts to God from time to time.
(Letters)

Lord, I will live for you, for you alone:
Heal me and let me live.
(Is 38:16)

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September 16th

St. Cyprian

Learned, Wise and Humble

Even before becoming a Christian St. Cyprian was distinguished for his learning. Even before receiving baptism he studied Holy Scripture. As soon as he was baptised, he

·sold all his possessions,

·distributed the proceeds to the poor, and

·resolved to practise celibate chastity.

He gave edification to everyone by his holy life, just as he won admiration by his talent and knowledge of literature.

St. Cyprian, living such a holy life, was soon made a priest, and almost as quickly Bishop of Carthage by the choice of all the people. As a bishop, he enlightened the entire Church by his excellent writings and during persecution he worked forcefully to support those who were wavering in their faith. Everybody agrees that this saint surpassed all the other bishops of his time in eloquence as well as in wisdom and humility. Following his example, you must know your religion well, and you must also show by your wisdom and piety that you really understand it.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

I understood that wisdom is more profitable than folly, just as light is better than darkness. (Eccl 2:13)

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September 17th

Our Crowning Glory

Ah! What a thrill of joy you will have when you hear the voices of those whom you have led as if by the hand into heaven, who will say to you on the day of judgement, as well as in heaven itself,

“these men are servants of the great God, who have proclaimed to us the way of salvation.”

Then they will represent the good you have done among them. Some will represent to Jesus Christ the role of innocence you helped them keep in all its purity. Others, who have committed sin, and who with your help have washed away their sins will represent to him the trouble you took to lead them back on the path of salvation.

All of them will join their voices to obtain for you a favourable judgement from Jesus Christ, praying him not to delay putting you in possession of the happiness you procured for them
by your work and
by your concern.
Oh! What glory there will be for those persons who have instructed youth, when their zeal and devotion will be made public before all people! All heaven will resound with the thanksgiving which these blessed children will render to those who have taught them the road to heaven!

Act, then, in such a way by your good and wise guidance, that you will procure all these blessings and all this glory for yourself.
(Meditations for Time of Retreat)

Well done, you good and faithful servant! Come on in and share my happiness! (Mt 25:23)

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September 18th

Praise and Flattery

It is always uncouth for you to praise yourself and to brag. This is not appropriate because as a Christian you should make yourself known by your deeds. Your actions should speak for you.

While you should never praise another person in an exaggerated way, it is always in keeping with decorum if you do so with moderation and without making any comparisons.

To flatter is to say something good about someone when you really have no reason for doing so, out of a mere desire to please or to forward your own interests. This is a slovenly way to act.

It is always hurtful to you if you permit yourself to be flattered because it shows

·that you are small-minded and very presumptuous,

·allowing yourself to be praised for things

·which cannot be attributed to you

·either in a Christian or even a reasonable manner.

(Christian Politeness)

I will be partial to no one and will not flatter any man. (Job 32:21)

September 19th

Give Way

Be sure

·to be warmly affable toward everyone,

·to speak to and

·to answer everyone with a very great gentleness and deference,

keeping in mind the way Our Lord spoke and replied to others, even when he was most harshly treated.

Never comment on the faults or behaviour of your brothers. When others speak of them, put a good interpretation on their actions, and if you cannot, say nothing at all.

Unless necessity obliges you, don’t ever complain about others in any matter at all, and should you be obliged to do so, do not make it a formal complaint.

You are full of zeal but it is not well regulated, because you want others to be reprimanded for their faults but do not wish to be reproved for your own. Put up with the faults of others and be generous in the interpretation you put on them.
(Letters)

How dare you say to your brother, “Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,” when you have a log in your own eye? (Mt 7:4)

September 20th

Rise Up And Walk

To bring about a cure of our spiritual paralysis, it is not enough for Jesus to tell us to rise; we, too, must will this. If anything in us has brought on this infirmity or has contributed to it then we must play a part in our cure.

Spiritual maladies differ from corporal ones. To heal corporal maladies, it is enough for Jesus to say a word or simply that he wills it, but in the case of those of the soul, we must on our part will to be cured. God does not constrain our wills, although he does exhort and urge us; it is up to us to

·welcome his grace,

·put it into effect, and

·support his good will to cure our spiritual ailments.

Thus, when your movement toward God is, as it were, suspended, be prompt and responsive to his voice. Rise up at once when he calls you and walk, that is, resume the practice of virtue that you may find difficult.

Finally, go straight home, that is, live in recollection and silence and devote yourself constantly to prayer.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts

-18th Sunday After Pentecost)

The Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven. (Jas 5:15)

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September 21st

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Follow Me

The most admirable trait in the life of St. Matthew is that he faithfully followed Jesus Christ as soon as he was called. To show the joy and gratitude he had towards Jesus because of his conversion, he invited him to a great banquet in his house, where several publicans and sinners were present.

After his conversion St. Matthew remained faithfully attached to Jesus till the end of his life. This is why he was chosen to preach his Gospel with him and after him, and to be the first to write the Gospel, in the same language as Jesus had preached it.

Attach yourself only
to Jesus Christ,
to his doctrine, and
to his holy truths
since he has done you the honour of choosing you to announce these truths to the children who are his well-beloved.

Think highly of your work, which is apostolic, and carefully study the Gospel of St. Matthew in which the holiest maxims of Jesus Christ and the fundamental truths of Christian piety are set out.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. (Lk 5:27-28)

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September 22nd

Receiving the Spirit

Jesus Christ points out three dispositions we need in order to receive the Holy Spirit, expressed in these words:

“If you love me, keep my commandments, and I will ask my Father, and he will give you another Consoler to be with you always.”

The first of these dispositions is to love God and to give yourself entirely to him. For this you must detach yourself from creatures and love God alone. Whoever is attached to the world and its goods is not capable of receiving the Spirit of God.

The second disposition required to receive the Holy Spirit is to keep God’s commandments faithfully and to strive to do his holy will in all things.

Nothing disposes us better to receive the Holy Spirit than prayer. This is why Jesus assures us that our heavenly Father will give his Spirit to all who ask him. He promises his apostles that he will pray to the Father for them, that they will receive his Spirit in profusion.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,, who will stay with you for ever. (Jn 14:16)

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September 23rd

Frequent Communion?

The great benefits that come from receiving Communion often are the reason why the devil does all he can,

with various false pretexts,

to persuade us to receive Communion only rarely.

Same fear, they say, to commit a sacrilege. They do well to fear this, but to commit a sacrilege we must receive Communion in a state of mortal sin. Is it possible that you could be in such a state?

Others claim that they are not worthy to receive Communion so frequently. They should not wait for what will never be. All persons who receive Communion acknowledge their unworthiness before coming to receive.

But, say others, I am so full of defects; how can I dare go to Communion so often in this state? If you wait till you are without defects, you will not receive Communion in your lifetime.

The fact that you do not fall into more serious faults is something you should see as a result of frequent Communion. This should encourage you to continue in this practice.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Lord, I am not worthy that you should come into my home. Say but the word and my servant will get well. (Lk 7:6-7)

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September 24th

In My Opinion

When giving an opinion, you must be careful not to maintain it stubbornly, for you should not be so sure of your ideas as to think them incontrovertible. It would also be very unseemly to argue in order to make your opinions prevail because you should not be so firmly attached to your ideas that you refuse to yield to those of others.

You should be very careful not to grow
angry or
abusive
in order to force others to adopt your point of view. It is neither courteous nor wise to use emotion to make others accept your position as reasonable. Nor should you ever blame others or ridicule what they have said.

You show the characteristic of a well-mannered person when you esteem and praise the ideas of others.
(Christian Politeness)

I beg of you, brothers, in the name of Christ Jesus, Our Lord, to agree among yourselves and do away with divisions; please be perfectly united, with one mind and one judgement. (1 Cor 1:10)

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September 25th

Pease God First

You should be guided in what you do by your rules, not by the example of those who break them. Let people think what they wish of you and do not be troubled, provided you are doing what you ought.

Slackness and rationalizing will lead you into many faults.From now on, look on your rules as an explanation and an application of what is contained in the Gospels.The spirit of faith will lead you to give practical expression to this frame of mind.

In all matters concerning the observance of your rules, I advise you

·to act in the presence of God and

·not to please others.

You know that to take pains that others have nothing to reproach you with and not to be concerned about God is to act as a hypocrite and not as a Christian.

Keep to your rules and daily regulations. That will be better for you than working miracles.
(Letters)

You yourselves judge what is right in God’s sight - to obey you or to obey God. (Acts 4:9)

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September 26th

Teaching Religion

Make It Lively

Teachers will not speak to the students during religion class as though they were preaching, but will ask the students questions and subquestions almost continuously.

A special effort will be made to question, much more than the others, those

·whose minds are slow and dull and

·who have difficulty in remembering.

In the questions, the teacher will make use of only the simplest expressions and words which are very easily understood.

No answers are to be given in a single word or two. It will be required that complete answers are to be given in complete sentences. If a little child, or one who is ignorant, is unable to give an entire answer, the teacher will divide the question in such a way that the child may give in three answers what could not be given in one.

(Conduct of Schools)

So their answer to Jesus was, “We don’t know.” (Mk 11:33)

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September 27th

Many Are Called

Jesus Christ tells us that many are called but few are chosen. He said this in reference to heaven, but this truth is no less applicable to communities. Although a great number of persons enter them, only a few remain faithful to the grace of their vocation, and take on the spirit of their state.

The first thing we have to do when we enter a religious community, if we wish to be chosen by God, is to learn well how to pray and to devote ourselves well to this exercise. For there is no other profession in which we are more tempted by the devil. So we have a great need for strength to withstand the attacks which the tempter will inflict on us there.

The second thing is to make serious efforts to become faithful to the Rule in community. The more exact we are in this, the more we make sure of our vocation through the good works proper to our state.

Since there are but few in community who acquit themselves faithfully of this double duty, there are several who do not have the graces necessary to maintain themselves in their vocation and to keep the spirit of their state. In the end these belong only bodily to the community.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-19th Sunday After Pentecost)

God, examine me and know my heart, probe me and know my thoughts; make sure I do not follow pernicious ways, and guide me in the way that is everlasting.
(Ps 139: 23-24)

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September 28th

Avoid Disputes

St. Paul warns his disciple St. Timothy not to waste time in disputes over words. Thus , as the Apostle would have it, you should avoid all foolish and useless questions because they merely give rise to disputes.(2 Tim 2:23)

If you wish to prevent a dispute, you must do away with its occasions. Indeed, St. Paul tells you that you should not argue because, as a servant of God, you should not be contentious.

When you are in company, you must be on your guard

·not to contradict the statements made by others and

·not to propose anything capable of stirring up controversy.

If someone contradicts what you have said, you should show that you willingly submit your view to his, unless it is altogether contrary to Christian maxims and the rules of the Gospel. Then you would be obliged to defend what you have advanced. This you should do, however, in so refined a manner that the person you are contradicting would willingly listen to your reasons and accept them, unless he is entirely stubborn and unreasonable.

(Christian Politeness)

A gentle word makes many friends, an agreeable tongue calls forth gracious replies. (Eccl 6:5)

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September 29th

St. Michael, Archangel

Who Is Like To God?

St. Michael was the leader of all the angels who remained faithful to God. He it was who, through zeal for the glory of God, joined with all the holy angels to fight against Lucifer and his adherents who, dazzled by the perfections and graces God had placed in them, revolted against him.

St. Michael, filled with faith, which served as his shield against the evil angels, was victorious over them by these words: Who is like to God? At the same time he and his followers gave glory to God as they cried out, You are worthy, O Lord Our God, to receive all glory, all honour, and all power, because you have created all things.

Pay St. Michael the honour he deserves for having been so loyal to God. Often recall those words which animated them and the good angels in the fight:

“Who is like unto God?”

These words will strengthen you in your temptations.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Then war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. (Rev 12:7-8)

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September 30th

St. Jerome(ca 342-420)

Love the Scriptures

St. Jerome was gifted with an excellent mind and extraordinary learning. At first he devoted himself to humane learning, but having perceived that this turned him away from God, he gave this up and spared neither pain nor effort to be instructed in Holy Scripture.

In Athens he met St. Gregory of Nazianzen, who told him that to understand well the meaning of Holy Scripture it is necessary to begin by putting it into practice. St. Jerome went at once into the Syrian desert to live there a holy and penitential life, devoting himself to prayer, meditation on Holy Scripture, and the practice of all it teaches.

It was there that he came to understand thoroughly

·that knowledge sometimes puffs up, but charity edifies,

·that if anyone thinks he knows something, he has not yet learned what he should know,

but if anyone loves God, he is known and loved by God.

If you wish to be filled with the mind of God, make the sacred books of Scripture your special study so that they serve as your rule of conduct.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, revoking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
(2 Tim 3:16-17)