Hey! This book is full of some advice for some teens (like myself) who are aspiring to become a better Catholic/Christian and stuff. Or if you're thinking of coming into the Church. Feel free to ask any questions, and I'm also here to talk with you...
A/N : Thanks to all of you who added this book to your reading list! I'm glad to know that you're interested in what I'm writing, and that this book can help people grow closer to God. And thank you for your prayers, too! There are subtitles for this one, so that is what has the dashes and is italicized.
Proverbs - Chapter 9
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. "Come in with me," she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says, "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment."
Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don't bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
--- Folly Calls for a Hearing ---
The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn't know it. She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city.
She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. "Come in with me," she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, "Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!"
But little do they know that the dead are there.
Her guests are in the depths of the grave.
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^^^ Picture of Saint Tarcisius above ^^^
St. Tarcisius - Age 12
Tarcisius, at only twelve years old, was an acolyte (like an altar server) during one of the Roman persecution periods in the third century.
There was a secret meeting place for those wanting to attend mass. Here, a deacon would be designated to take the Eucharist to prison for the Christians who were condemned to death. One day, there was no deacon to do the task. Already knowing the consequences and dangers of being caught, Tarcisius stood up and said "send me."
At first, the bishop in charge was skeptical. He was afraid that because he was so young, he would be severely endangered. Tarcisius, however, continued to persist, and was finally able to convince the bishop to let him go.
They gave the boy the hosts carefully wrapped in linen and told him to remember that he was entrusted with the body of Jesus. He was told to avoid crowded streets, and to protect Jesus in the Eucharist. He said that he would rather die than let go of them.
He was unbelievably happy to be entrusted with the Eucharist, and began to pray that he could one day lay his life down for Christ.
This soon became the case.
On his way, he stumbled across a group of other boys his age, those of which were not Christian. Tarcisius was known to love games and be a fantastic playmate. However, when he refused to play with the group of boys, they noticed that he was carrying something.
One of them wanted to see what Tarcisius was carrying, and he immediately refused. The boys began to taunt him, and barely under his breath, Tarcisius whispered "My Jesus, strengthen me."
Another boy heard this and said "He's a Christian! He's hiding some Christian mystery here!"
They all became curious of what he was holding. They began to kick, stone, and attack him, although he refused to let go of his grip. A grown man even passed by, and once he was told that Tarcisius was a Christian, he attacked the boy himself and threw him to the ground.
It wasn't until a soldier passed by until the attacking stopped. He immediately stopped the mob and scooped up the boy, then insulting his attackers before carrying him over to a quiet street.
When Tarcisius opened his eyes, he realized that the soldier was a man who he had often met while in the catacombs (where the Christians secretly met). The man tried to keep Tarcisius responsive, in which he spoke his final words.
"I am dying," he said. "But I have kept my God safe from them." He then took the hosts wrapped in linen and handed them to the soldier. "Carry Him to the prison for me."
Tarcisius was then carried back to the catacombs, but by the time his body arrived, he was already dead.
He is now known as a martyr of the Eucharist.
...
"Greater love than this no man has, than that a man lay down his life for his friend."
St. Tarcisius viewed Jesus as his friend. He was willing enough to take the Eucharist to those in prison, despite the dire consequences, and ended up losing his life for Christ.
Not only that, but his final wish was for the people to be able to receive the Eucharist. He put everyone else's spiritual health above his own physical health. He protected the Consecrated Hosts with his life, just so that others might experience God's love. How amazing is that?
