| IX. Choir | 3 August |
|---|---|
| “Who stands at the bend in the road” | Lydia, Benno |
Time and again, man stands at a bend in the road on his mostly arduous journey. Again and again a new view opens up, both upwards, towards the goal, and into the surroundings, and probably also into the depths, just as those encountered by mountain climbers. How far is the way from the hem of the cloak to the Face of God!
We are never alone on this path. The hand of the angel is always there, no matter how helplessly man may look around. If we cannot see with our eyes, hear with our ears and grasp with our hands, we do not believe. How highly the Lord values faith! “Blessed are you who have believed…” The Lord links all his miracles from the beginning until the end of time to faith.
The Holy Church also rests on the foundation of faith. The power of faith, therefore, also lies in all the angels of the Church. This must be said here because the simple angel who stands before God’s Throne today as an intercessor belongs to the angels of the Church, and in particular to Saint Hajim, the angel of the virtue of the inner life of the Church, who knocks irresistibly on men’s hearts.
Saint Hanai
is waiting for us at every bend in the road. For us, a bend in the road is the beginning of a new phase of life, be it in our outer or inner life. This can be due to a change of place or a change of time; it might be after the end of spiritual exercises, after taking vows, after receiving a holy sacrament, or after making an important decision in the Eyes of God. Many such bends in the road are already behind us; how many we still have ahead of us, not even our holy guardian angel knows, only God knows.
One thing is certain, however. We always have to look for the goal first… even if it still lies in the clouds, we must believe. The word of the Lord must come true for each one of us: “Blessed are those… Blessed are you who have believed!” After all, we can no longer escape from God, we are already caught up in His love; we are already standing under the shadow of His cross; at the door of His tabernacle, with the lamp of readiness. Only faith has still to grow. Saint Hanai is there to lovingly help us cultivate it.
Saint Hanai tells us: “No depth need frighten you! Angels stand to your left and right to protect you! No creeping tempter can harm you if, like the angels, you never turn your face away from the Face of God. Don’t fear to faint, as if your aim were too high, as long as you can receive the Bread of Life. Do you believe in the greatness and omnipotence of God in the Blessed Sacrament? Do you believe in the infinite love and mercy of God? Do you believe in the everlasting help of your Heavenly Mother, in the help of the angels, which becomes more and more tangible the more you hold on to Her Hand? Believe, and it will happen to you!”
Prayer: Holy Angel, Saint Hanai, help our unbelief, the root of all our weakness and lack of success. Stand at every bend in the road so that we are not tempted to be led astray by fear or cowardice. Grant us that, with the light of unshakeable faith, we will be able to follow you to the door of eternity. Amen.