St. John Cantius Parish

Station - St. Balbina

Details:

Mar. 10, 1:00 am

TUESDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT
STATION - ST. BALBINA

The Station today is at the sanctuary of St. Balbina, a Roman virgin who lived in the second century and whose remains lie under the altar with those of her father, the martyr St. Quirinus. This church stands on a slope of the Aventine.

St. Balbina followed Christ. To Him she gave her home that it might henceforth be His home where He would “have mercy on His people according to His great mercy and blot out their iniquity,” and where they would seek His face, and finding it, “relate all His wonders, and be glad and rejoice and sing praise to the Name of the Most High.” “My heart has said to Thee: I seek Thy face, Thy face, O Lord, will I still seek. Turn not away Thy face from me. The Lord is my light and my salvation.” So chanted the faithful of old when entering the church of St. Balbina as they looked upon the face of the venerated image of Christ the Savior, over the altar of this church.

A man’s humility and generosity attract the face of the Lord, his pride and selfishness turn it away. To the humble the Lord will turn his face and will be to him light and salvation. From the proud He will turn it away, leaving the unfortunate man in darkness and death.

What a discord pride causes in our relation to God; that uncontrolled, inordinate love of one’s own excellence. It was the first sin committed in the heavens, it was the first sin committed on the earth. Shall we perpetuate that discord begun by Lucifer and continued by Adam and Eve? Or will we follow Him Who said: “Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” I seek Thy face! Thy face, O Lord, will I still seek. Turn not away Thy face from me.

Let us pray: Of Thy goodness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, continue to help us in the observance of this holy fast, that having learned our duties from Thee, we may accomplish them by the help of Thy grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.