‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as […]
“Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Once again—as was already hinted at in yesterday’s reflection—the focus is on true life. From God’s perspective, true life is that which is united with Him and unfolds according to His will. Only here
Joan withstood the terrible ordeal of interrogation, the harassment she endured at the hands of the English guards, the harsh conditions of her imprisonment, and the judges’ attempts to convict her of heresy. Not even the threat of torture caused her to falter. Supported by her saints, she remained unyielding. She told those who threatened
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Jeanne’s Recantation” (Part 10) Read More »
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Following Christ means bringing God’s plan to life in one’s own life. This plan comes from the heart of a loving Father. Perhaps such words immediately bring to mind ideas of renouncing life and
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In Rouen, the conditions of the Virgin’s imprisonment worsened. Although she should have been held in a church prison under the supervision of women, English soldiers guarded her instead. The priest Jean Massieu of Rouen described her conditions of imprisonment as follows: “Joan was imprisoned in the citadel of Rouen in a room on the
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The trial of shame” (Part 9) Read More »
“Truly, I say to you, you who have left everything and followed me will receive a hundredfold in return and inherit eternal life.” (cf. Mt 19:28–29). This is the great promise for all who wish to fully commit to following the Lord. What some may see as the “death of their life” is, in truth,
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After her capture, it became clear what the English intended to do with her. Joan was not merely a prominent prisoner; with her, English military dominance in France had come to an end. They therefore believed they knew what had caused their defeats. In their view, a witch—and thus a woman influenced by the devil—had
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “A diabolical plan: Joan is being taken to Rouen!” (Part 8) Read More »
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.” (John 8:10–11) Jesus does not condemn the adulteress, but He does give her a clear warning not to sin anymore. This is how God wants to encounter
“NO STONES FOR THE SINFUL WOMAN” Read More »
After Charles VII was crowned in Reims, the king began negotiating with the Burgundians. On the day of the coronation itself, Joan wrote to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, on behalf of Charles VII. She pleaded with him in the name of God: “May the King of France and you conclude a good and
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Joan is captured!” (Part 7) Read More »
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged.” (Mt 7:1–2a) These words become clear to us when we think of our Heavenly Father. We need only observe how He treats us to learn how we should treat others. In tomorrow’s reflection, in Jesus’ encounter with the
