Ijournal entry 021526 # 7 . February is the month dedicated to the Holy Family. Aphorism by Hans Urs von Balthasar. Quotes from St. Jane De Chantal, St. Charles Spinola, and St. Vincent Ferrer. "What is your spiritual motto?" , by Regis J. Flaherty. "How To Become A Saint", by Marcel LeJeune. My audio interview: Testimony by Mrs. Mary: "Lord have mercy on me"
"The Holy Family is an icon of the domestic Church, which is called to pray together. The family is the first school of prayer where, from their infancy, children learn to perceive God thanks to the teaching and example of their parents. An authentically Christian education cannot neglect the experience of prayer. If we do not learn to pray in the family, it will be difficult to fill this gap later. The Christian family is the first cell of the whole Church. It is the place where we begin the journey toward holiness and become more fully human. The Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, became one of us. He was born into a human family. That was neither accidental nor incidental. There, in what the late Pope Paul VI called the "School of Nazareth". By Deacon Keith Fournier
Info from this site: http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/family/story.php?id=44237
Info from this site: http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/family/story.php?id=44237
Hans Urs von Balthasar's Aphorism
"We cease to perceive water that continually flows, We hear our innermost wellspring, which flows forth from God, only when we make a conscious effort. This is why the saying of the Pythagoreans that the wise man perceives the music of the spheres is a truly religious saying. We should always be hearing, as with bodily ears, the gurgling wellspring of our origin in God"
MTA= It's the fresh "Veggie" being served today
"We cease to perceive water that continually flows, We hear our innermost wellspring, which flows forth from God, only when we make a conscious effort. This is why the saying of the Pythagoreans that the wise man perceives the music of the spheres is a truly religious saying. We should always be hearing, as with bodily ears, the gurgling wellspring of our origin in God"
MTA= It's the fresh "Veggie" being served today
🔵 Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about. By St. Jane De Chantal
⚪️ Oh, if you had tasted the delights with which God fills the souls of those who serve him and suffer for him, how would you condemn all that the world can promise! I now begin to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, since for his love I am in prison, where I suffer much. But I assure you, that when I am fainting with hunger, God hath fortified me by his sweet consolations, so that I have looked upon myself as well recompensed for his service. And though I were yet to pass many years in prison, the time would appear short, through the extreme desire which I feel of suffering for him, who even here so well repays our labors. Besides other sickness, I have been afflicted with a continual fever a hundred days without any remedies or proper nourishment. All this time my heart was so full of joy that it seemed to me too narrow to contain it. I have never felt any equal to it, and I thought myself at the gates of paradise. By St. Charles Spinola
🔴 If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask Him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire". By St. Vincent Ferrer
⚪️ Oh, if you had tasted the delights with which God fills the souls of those who serve him and suffer for him, how would you condemn all that the world can promise! I now begin to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, since for his love I am in prison, where I suffer much. But I assure you, that when I am fainting with hunger, God hath fortified me by his sweet consolations, so that I have looked upon myself as well recompensed for his service. And though I were yet to pass many years in prison, the time would appear short, through the extreme desire which I feel of suffering for him, who even here so well repays our labors. Besides other sickness, I have been afflicted with a continual fever a hundred days without any remedies or proper nourishment. All this time my heart was so full of joy that it seemed to me too narrow to contain it. I have never felt any equal to it, and I thought myself at the gates of paradise. By St. Charles Spinola
🔴 If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask Him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire". By St. Vincent Ferrer
Hans Urs von Balthasar's Aphorism: "We cease to perceive water that continually flows, We hear our innermost wellspring, which flows forth from God, only when we make a conscious effort. This is why the saying of the Pythagoreans that the wise man perceives the music of the spheres is a truly religious saying. We should always be hearing, as with bodily ears, the gurgling wellspring of our origin in God"
MTA= What's coming to mind is a scripture:
MTA= What's coming to mind is a scripture:
To become lukewarm and takes things for granted is a recipe for disaster, and is a form of ceasing to perceive the continual water flow of the Holy Spirit.
To go soft on reverence and awe in regards to God is like an embarrassing fall.
It isn't a pretty sight from His view, but for a complete recovery as illustrated in the following scenario, repentance by grace allows us to pick up the pieces, and begin anew.
If we put not forth the effort to delight in God and seek Him continuously and feverishly, little by little a lackluster film coats our spiritual relationship. With dimmed vision, our excitement wanes, we sleepwalk, and our perception is diminished for the joyous sounds produced by an electric, vibrant relationship. What is left is spiritual smog and distractions with of a lot of unwanted din, either acute or minute.
Oh, but when we hear the wellspring, we rush to sip or either bathe in the living water, whatever the moment dictates as necessary. The we are renewed and refreshed. We know that life, or any current situation is not stagnant, but is being carried with purpose by the vision of God on towards the unimaginable. Resolutions, new deals are all on the horizon.
Since we should always be listening and hearing, two ears serves us very well if but let them. With one ear we should always be listening to God, because His guidance will help us to discern and balance what is coming into the other ear.
What is your spiritual motto? , by Regis J. Flaherty
Info from this site:
http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2013/0915/6.aspx
"Bishops have them. Many popes, too. Some are in Latin, while others are in the vernacular. Often they are incorporated into a coat of arms. They are called “mottos.” The motto of Cardinal George is “Christo Gloria in Ecclesia” (To Christ be glory in the Church”) which is inspired by Heb 13:20 and by the motto of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Bishop Daniel Conlon of Joliet’s is “take courage.” Many will recall that Pope John Paul II used “Totus Tuus” as his motto. By it he lovingly dedicated himself to the Blessed Mother: “Totally yours.” Father Jovian Lang in his Dictionary of the Liturgy writes; “[An ecclesiastical] motto is a brief sentence by which the owner … expresses a high thought that he intends to make his rule of life.”
Many saints embraced aphorisms, as well. St. Josemaria Escriva’s personal motto was Deo omnis gloria, “to God be all glory.” Religious orders have mottos. St. Ignatius Loyola chose a motto for his Society of Jesus, i.e. the Jesuits. He told them to do all “for the greater glory of God,” ad maiorem Dei gloriam. As aphorisms are helpful for bishops, saints and religious orders, they can also be helpful for you and me. Adolph Tanquerey in “The Spiritual Life” writes: “We must … aim at burying deep into our souls some directing thoughts, and then embody them in a maxim that makes them real and keeps them before our mind, such as: ‘My God and my all! … God alone suffices! … To be with Jesus is a sweet paradise!’ With a motto of this kind, we shall more easily triumph over ill-ordered passions and make a right use of well-ordered one” (no. 798).
I’ve found that the use of personal maxims and prayerful ejaculations have been very helpful in my spiritual development. For a time I adopted the scriptural phrase from Lk 18:41 "Domine ut videam "as my motto.
Info from this site:
http://www.catholicnewworld.com/cnwonline/2013/0915/6.aspx
"Bishops have them. Many popes, too. Some are in Latin, while others are in the vernacular. Often they are incorporated into a coat of arms. They are called “mottos.” The motto of Cardinal George is “Christo Gloria in Ecclesia” (To Christ be glory in the Church”) which is inspired by Heb 13:20 and by the motto of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Bishop Daniel Conlon of Joliet’s is “take courage.” Many will recall that Pope John Paul II used “Totus Tuus” as his motto. By it he lovingly dedicated himself to the Blessed Mother: “Totally yours.” Father Jovian Lang in his Dictionary of the Liturgy writes; “[An ecclesiastical] motto is a brief sentence by which the owner … expresses a high thought that he intends to make his rule of life.”
Many saints embraced aphorisms, as well. St. Josemaria Escriva’s personal motto was Deo omnis gloria, “to God be all glory.” Religious orders have mottos. St. Ignatius Loyola chose a motto for his Society of Jesus, i.e. the Jesuits. He told them to do all “for the greater glory of God,” ad maiorem Dei gloriam. As aphorisms are helpful for bishops, saints and religious orders, they can also be helpful for you and me. Adolph Tanquerey in “The Spiritual Life” writes: “We must … aim at burying deep into our souls some directing thoughts, and then embody them in a maxim that makes them real and keeps them before our mind, such as: ‘My God and my all! … God alone suffices! … To be with Jesus is a sweet paradise!’ With a motto of this kind, we shall more easily triumph over ill-ordered passions and make a right use of well-ordered one” (no. 798).
I’ve found that the use of personal maxims and prayerful ejaculations have been very helpful in my spiritual development. For a time I adopted the scriptural phrase from Lk 18:41 "Domine ut videam "as my motto.
It encouraged me to seek God’s guidance in decision making. Before I started a task, went to a meeting, or began to write a letter or an article, I’d turn my thoughts to our Lord and say, “Lord that I might see!”— see God’s plan, see where the Holy Spirit would direct me, see where our Lord wanted me to go. It was a tremendous help in training myself to seek God in all circumstances. At another time, I regularly encouraged myself by repeating the sentence, “Lord, I want to know, love, and serve You in the heart of the Church.” This too helped me to keep on the right track and seek first God’s Kingdom in all things.
Find a motto. How do you find your motto? First, examine yourself. Where is God moving in your life right now? Is there a virtue He wants you to develop? Perhaps it is trust in God or greater charity. Are you “hearing” that still small voice, see (1 Kgs 19:12) in your soul calling you onward as a Christian?
Find a motto. How do you find your motto? First, examine yourself. Where is God moving in your life right now? Is there a virtue He wants you to develop? Perhaps it is trust in God or greater charity. Are you “hearing” that still small voice, see (1 Kgs 19:12) in your soul calling you onward as a Christian?
When you have identified the topic, find a phrase or brief sentence that embodies the thought. You may find it within Scripture. It may be a phrase that brings to your mind a story or longer passage in Scripture. For example, the phrase “Domine, ut videam” is taken from the story of Jesus healing a blind man. Jesus asked the man what he wanted and the blind beggar responded, “Lord that I might see!” and Jesus gave new sight. So when I called that one phrase to mind, it was in the context of that longer story and how it applied to my situation.
You may also find that someone else’s motto fits your situation. Someone who is struggling with submission to church teaching could adopt the motto of Pope John XXIII: Obedientia et Pax, Obedience and Peace. Or you might identify your spiritual marching orders with the maxim of Pope Pius X: “To restore all things in Christ.” Your motto may come as a pious thought from your personal prayer or from the writings of a spiritual author. It may be a petition from a popular prayer, such as “Hallowed be Thy name” from the Our Father, which could help you in developing godly ways of speaking and acting.
Own your motto. Once you have found the aphorism that fits you, make it your own. Post it somewhere where you are sure to notice it: on your computer screen, on the refrigerator, on a bathroom mirror, or frame it and place it on your desk or somewhere in your work space. I’ve been in homes where the motto is painted on the bedroom or living room wall. Also, don’t just say it; pray it. Whatever that phrase or sentence triggers in your mind, take it to our Lord and ask him to take it from your lips and establish it in your heart and mind. A spiritual maxim doesn’t need to be only for an individual. A family could adopt a family motto, such as “united in love of Jesus” or a phrase based on a Scripture such as Joshua 24:15,
You may also find that someone else’s motto fits your situation. Someone who is struggling with submission to church teaching could adopt the motto of Pope John XXIII: Obedientia et Pax, Obedience and Peace. Or you might identify your spiritual marching orders with the maxim of Pope Pius X: “To restore all things in Christ.” Your motto may come as a pious thought from your personal prayer or from the writings of a spiritual author. It may be a petition from a popular prayer, such as “Hallowed be Thy name” from the Our Father, which could help you in developing godly ways of speaking and acting.
Own your motto. Once you have found the aphorism that fits you, make it your own. Post it somewhere where you are sure to notice it: on your computer screen, on the refrigerator, on a bathroom mirror, or frame it and place it on your desk or somewhere in your work space. I’ve been in homes where the motto is painted on the bedroom or living room wall. Also, don’t just say it; pray it. Whatever that phrase or sentence triggers in your mind, take it to our Lord and ask him to take it from your lips and establish it in your heart and mind. A spiritual maxim doesn’t need to be only for an individual. A family could adopt a family motto, such as “united in love of Jesus” or a phrase based on a Scripture such as Joshua 24:15,
'Please As for this house, we will serve the Lord!' The family could repeat it as part of their prayer before a meal, or say it when leaving or returning home. Family members might find opportunities to reflect on the practical application of the family motto during family meetings or group prayer. Also, you can revise your motto at different stages of your life to reflect changes in life situations. For example, the maxim for a single man might need to be changed when he marries.St. Paul tells us,
A motto can be a valuable tool in our response to that encouragement of St. Paul — establishing God’s Kingdom in our hearts, minds, and actions."
Flaherty is author of “God’s on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action.”
Flaherty is author of “God’s on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action.”
"How To Become A Saint", by Marcel LeJeune
"St. Augustine has this to say to us about how we can become Saints.
🚥1 – Humility is the key to growing spiritually:
“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.”
🚥2 – We all need to forgive and be forgiven:
Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.
🚥3 – Suffering can be the path to goodness and holiness:
God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist.
🚥4 – With virtue, there is freedom:
He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king.
🚥5 – Our work and prayer will help us grow closer to God:
Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.
🚥6 – Love is a choice:
What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.
🚥7 – Those who remain faithful will see God face-to-face:
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."
"St. Augustine has this to say to us about how we can become Saints.
🚥1 – Humility is the key to growing spiritually:
“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.”
🚥2 – We all need to forgive and be forgiven:
Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.
🚥3 – Suffering can be the path to goodness and holiness:
God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist.
🚥4 – With virtue, there is freedom:
He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king.
🚥5 – Our work and prayer will help us grow closer to God:
Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.
🚥6 – Love is a choice:
What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.
🚥7 – Those who remain faithful will see God face-to-face:
Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."
February Monthly Testimony
My audio interview: Testimony #2 by Mrs. Mary: "Lord have mercy on me"
My audio interview: Testimony #2 by Mrs. Mary: "Lord have mercy on me"