How we may not Inquire into the Unsearchable Judgements of God [I]

CHRIST.
My son, avoid controversy over high things and the judgements of God.
Do not argue why this person is so forsaken while another is endowed
with great graces; or why one person is so grievously afflicted, while
another is so richly rewarded. These things are above human
understanding, and neither reasoning nor argument is competent to
explain the judgements of God. Therefore, when the enemy suggests
these things to your mind, or when inquisitive people ask about them,
answer with the prophet, 'Thou are just, 0 Lord, and Thy judgements
are right. (Ps. 119:137) My judgements are to be respected, not
discussed, for they are beyond the comprehension of the human mind'. (Rom.11:33)
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 3 Ch. 58

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July 8th - Saint Procopius of Ceasarea
(Also known as Neanius, Procopio)

d. 303
In the world Neanius, a native of Jerusalem, lived and suffered during
the reign of the emperor Diocletian (284-305). His father, an eminent
Roman by the name of Christopher, was a Christian, but the mother of
the saint, Theodosia, remained a pagan. He was early deprived of his
father, and the young child was raised by his mother. Having received
an excellent secular education, he was introduced to Diocletian in the
very first year of the emperor's accession to the throne, and he
quickly advanced in government service. Towards the year 303, when
open persecution against Christians began, Neanius was sent as a
proconsul to Alexandria with orders to mercilessly persecute the
Church of God.

On the way to Egypt, near the Syrian city of Apamea, Neanius had a
vision of the Lord Jesus, similar to the vision of Saul on the road to Damascus. A divine voice exclaimed, "Neanius, why do you persecute
Me?"  Neanius asked, "Who are you, Lord?"  "I am the crucified Jesus,
the Son of God."

At that moment a radiant Cross appeared in the air. Neanius felt an inexpressible joy and spiritual happiness in his heart and he was
transformed from being a persecutor into a zealous follower of Christ.
From this point in time Neanius became favorably disposed towards
Christians and fought victoriously against the barbarians.

The words of the Savior came true for the saint, "A man's foes shall
be those of his own household" (Mt. 10:36). His mother, a pagan
herself, went to the emperor to complain that her son did not worship
the ancestral gods. Neanius was summoned to the procurator Judaeus
Justus, where he was solemnly handed the decree of Diocletian. Having
read through the blasphemous directive, Neanius quietly tore it up
before the eyes of everyone. This was a crime, which the Romans
regarded as an "insult to authority." Neanius was held under guard and
in chains sent to Caesarea of Palestine, where the Apostle Paul once languished. After terrible torments, they threw the saint into a dank
prison. That night, a light shone in the prison, and the Lord Jesus
Christ Himself baptized the suffering confessor, and gave him the name Procopius.

Repeatedly they led St. Procopius to the courtroom, demanding that he
renounce Christ, and they subjected him to more tortures. The
stolidity of the martyr and his fiery faith brought down God's
abundant grace on those who witnessed the execution.  Inspired by the
example of Procopius, many of the holy martyr's former guards and
Roman soldiers went beneath the executioner's sword together with
their tribunes Nikostrates and Antiochus. Twelve Christian women
received martyr's crowns, after they came to the gates of the Caesarea Praetorium.

Struck by the great faith and courage of the Christians, and seeing
the firmness of her son in bearing terrible sufferings, Theodosia
became repentant and stood in the line of confessors and was executed.
Finally the new procurator, Flavian, convinced of the futility of the
tortures, sentenced the holy Great Martyr Procopius to beheading by
the sword. By night Christians took up his much-tortured body, and
with tears and prayers, they committed it to the earth. This was the
first martyrdom at Caesarea .


Saint Quote:
On behalf of Christ crucified I tell you: refuse to believe the
counsels of the devil, who would hinder your holy and good resolution.
Be manly in my sight, and not timorous. Answer God, who calls you to
hold and possess the seat of the glorious Shepherd St. Peter, whose
vicar you have been. And raise the standard of the holy Cross.
--Saint Catherine of Siena to Pope Gregory XI

Bible Quote:
 We know that in everything God works for good with those who
love him, who are called according to his purpose.   (Romans 8:28 )
 RSVCE


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Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
have mercy upon me a sinner.


HYMN OF THE EVENING

O joyful Light! Light and Holy Glory of the Father immortal, the
heavenly, holy, the Blessed One; O Jesus Christ. Now that we have
reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to
God, Father + Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to
raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, O Son of God, the
giver of life. Behold the universe sings your glory.

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