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+ xxxLENTEN MEDITATION xxx+

by Pope St. Leo the Great (400-461 AD)

XXXXXSt. Leo the Great was born in Tuscany about 400 A.D. and was well-known in his day as an eloquent speaker, writer and homilist. He became pope in the year 440, and persuaded Emperor Valentinian III to recognize the primacy of the bishop of Rome in an edict in 445. He also formed the doctrine of the incarnation concerning the person of Christ, which was confirmed as the expression of our Catholic faith at the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.).
XXXXXWhen Attilla the Hun invaded Italy and marched on Rome, it was St Leo who went out to meet him as pope, and pleaded with Attilla to leave. As Leo spoke, it is said Attila saw the vision of a man dressed in priestly robes, carrying a sword. The man in the vision threatened to kill Attilla if he did not respect Pope Leo’s wishes and leave Rome in peace. Attilla obeyed the vision and left Rome without sacking it. It is generally believed the visionary figure was that of St. Peter himself, as Leo had a great devotion to Saint Peter.
XXXXX Leo died in Rome on April 11, 461 A.D. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1574.

xxxxxxxIn the gospel of John, Christ says, "In this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for each other." In a letter of the same apostle we read, "Let us love one another, for love comes from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God; he who doesn't love does not know God, because God is love."
xxxxxxxThe faithful should enter into themselves and make a true judgment on their attitudes of mind and heart. If they find some store of love's fruit in their hearts, they must not doubt God's presence within them. If they would increase their capacity to receive so great a guest, they should practice greater generosity in doing good, with persevering charity.
xxxxxxxIf God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined.

"The faithful should enter into themselves and make a true judgment on their attitudes of mind and heart. If they find some store of love's fruit in their hearts, they must not doubt God's presence within them."
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xxxxxxAny time is the right time for works of charity, but these days of Lent provide a special encouragement.xThose who want to be present at the Lord's Passover in holiness of mind and body should seek above all to win this grace, for charity contains all other virtues and covers a multitude of sins.
xxxxxxxAs we prepare to celebrate that greatest of all mysteries, by which the blood of Christ did away with our sins, let us first of all make ready the sacrificial offerings of works of mercy. In this way we shall give to those who have sinned against us what God in his goodness has already given us.
xxxxxxxLet us now extend to the poor and those afflicted in different ways a more open-handed generosity, so that God may be thanked through many voices, and the relief of the needy may be supported by our fasting. No act of devotion on the part of the faithful gives God more pleasure than that which is lavished on his poor. Where he finds charity with its loving concern, there God recognizes the reflection of his own fatherly care.

"A generous spirit is itself a great wealth. There can be no shortage of material for generosity where it is Christ who feeds and Christ who is fed."

xxxxxxxIn these acts of giving do not fear lack of means. A generous spirit is itself a great wealth. There can be no shortage of material for generosity where it is Christ who feeds and Christ who is fed. In all this activity there is present the hand of him who multiplies the bread by breaking it, and increases it by giving it away.
xxxxxxxThe giver of alms should be free from any anxiety and instead be full of joy. His gain will be greatest when he keeps back least for himself. The apostle Paul tells us: He who provides seed for the sower also provides bread for the eating; he will provide you with more seed, and will increase the harvest of your goodness."
Pope St. Leo the Great
(400-461 A.D.)
 
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