Of loving Jesus above all things

2. Cleave thou to Jesus in life and death, and commit thyself
unto His faithfulness, who, when all men fail thee, is alone able
to help thee. Thy Beloved is such, by nature, that He will
suffer no rival, but alone will possess thy heart, and as a king
will sit upon His own throne. If thou wouldst learn to put away
from thee every created thing, Jesus would freely take up His
abode with thee. Thou wilt find all trust little better than
lost which thou hast placed in men, and not in Jesus. Trust not
nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because all flesh is
grass, and the goodliness thereof falleth as the flower of the
field.(1) Isaiah xl. 6.
--Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 7

<<>><<>><<>>
December 7th - St. Buithe (Buite, Boethius) of Scotland

Died 521.
St. Buite was born in the Irish County of Louth, to Christian parents.
One incident from his youth indicates that Buite was destined for a
religious calling. Sent by his mother to bring home some calves, the
young Buite had fallen asleep in the field, where he claimed that “the
angels were teaching him the psalms and ecclesiastical offices, and if
he had not been awoke, he would have learned the wisdom of God”.

Interest in the religious life took Buite to Italy and on a
missionary expedition of one year to Germany. With sixty companions,
St. Buite set out for the country of the Picts. Here King Nechtan,
whom he is reported to have raised from the dead. In gratitude the
king gave the saint a church-- Carbuddo ("Castrum Butthi"), which
appears to have taken its name from him (originally Kirkbuddo or the
church of Buithe).

About 500 AD, Buithe founded a school at Monasterboice in County
Louth, which gained dominance in the 9th and 10th centuries when the
Viking raids threatened the great schools of Ireland. This school was
known for its sculpture; the Crosses of Monasterboice are world
renowned. They incorporate representation of Biblical subjects
directly on the Crosses, visual lessons for the faithful and less
likely to be destroyed than were books. Two of these crosses,
including the Muireadach Cross dating from 923, survive at
Monasterboice. Fourteen historical poems of its Abbot Flann (11th
century) also survive in old Gaelic books, especially in the "Book of
Leinster" (Benedictines, D'Arcy, Healy, Kenney, Montague, Moran,
Porter, Simpson,Skene, Stokes).

St. Buite died on 7 December, 521, the very day legend has it that
St. Columba was born.

Troparion of St Buithe tone 8
Great wonderworker and ascetic, O Father Buithe,
who by the power of thy prayers didst restore the slain to life.
/ intercede with Christ our God that He will grant us life eternal
in the realms of the blessed.

Images of the Muireadach Cross, Monasterboice: http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/muiredach/muiredach3.html


Saint Quote:
O Lord, grant us that love which can never die, which will enkindle
our lamps but not extinguish them, so that they may shine in us and
bring light to others. Most dear Savior, enkindle our lamps that they
may shine forever in your temple. May we receive unquenchable light
from you so that our darkness will be illuminated and the darkness of
the world will be made less. Amen.
--Saint Columba

Bible Quote:
He who causes a sinner to be converted from his misguided way, will
save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. [James
5:20]


<><><><>
O Sweet Name of Jesus

By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names
in heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men
and of angels in heaven,
on earth and in hell bends.
You are the the Way of the just,
the Glory of the saints,
the Hope of those in need,
the Balm of the sick,
the Love of the devout
and the Consolation
of those that suffer.
O, Jesus be to me a help
and a protector
so that Your Name
may be blessed for all times.
Amen

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