Ijournal entry 111416 #47. November, Month of The Poor Souls. Maxim by Saint Teresa of Avila. Quotes by Blessed Henry Suso, Venerable Fulton Sheen, and St. Isidore of Seville. "From slavery to model of mercy – the powerful story of Julia Greeley", from Catholic News Agency. "Mother Teresa's Humility List", by St.Teresa of Calcutta. YouTube video: "The Treasure of Our Soul, Defending the Faith", by Dr. Scott Hahn.
FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY: "O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligences, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home: "Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world".
By Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. & Jex Martin, M.A.
By Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. & Jex Martin, M.A.
By Saint Teresa of Avila
"It is evident that one who would merely aim at avoiding mortals sin would not be living according to the standard of moral conduct outlined in the Gospel. Our Lord proposes to us as the ideal of holiness the very perfection of Our Heavenly Father: "Be ye therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect." Hence, all having God for their Father must approach this divine perfection - which evidently cannot be accomplished without progress"
MTA=For those who are spiritually serious, it's known that avoiding mortal sin is just the first step. The zealous is interested in dismantling the venial sin monument one sin or one transgression at a time. Their response to the Gospel passage below is not to say that we are just human:
"It is evident that one who would merely aim at avoiding mortals sin would not be living according to the standard of moral conduct outlined in the Gospel. Our Lord proposes to us as the ideal of holiness the very perfection of Our Heavenly Father: "Be ye therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect." Hence, all having God for their Father must approach this divine perfection - which evidently cannot be accomplished without progress"
MTA=For those who are spiritually serious, it's known that avoiding mortal sin is just the first step. The zealous is interested in dismantling the venial sin monument one sin or one transgression at a time. Their response to the Gospel passage below is not to say that we are just human:
It's obvious the Gospel isn't being preached to angels, but to humans. Grace is so important, and how important it is, can be seen in the life of the Blessed Mother, as she was full of grace. For us, it's necessary that we surrender and allow Jesus to live completely in us. As we let the scripture from Galatians 2 come alive in our lives, Jesus we then be able to work perfection as much as we allow Him to have His own way.
🔴 "A detached man should not be always looking to see what he needs, but he should be always looking to see what he can do without". By Blessed Henry Suso
🔵 "Joy is not the same as pleasure or happiness. A wicked and evil man may have pleasure, while any ordinary mortal is capable of being happy. Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses; happiness comes from humans through fellowship. Joy comes from loving God and neighbor. Pleasure is quick and violent, like a flash of lightning. Joy is steady and abiding, like a fixed star. Pleasure depends on external circumstances, such as money, food, travel, etc. Joy is independent of them, for it comes from a good conscience and love of God". By Venerable Fulton Sheen
⚫️ “If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us". By St. Isidore of Seville
🔵 "Joy is not the same as pleasure or happiness. A wicked and evil man may have pleasure, while any ordinary mortal is capable of being happy. Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses; happiness comes from humans through fellowship. Joy comes from loving God and neighbor. Pleasure is quick and violent, like a flash of lightning. Joy is steady and abiding, like a fixed star. Pleasure depends on external circumstances, such as money, food, travel, etc. Joy is independent of them, for it comes from a good conscience and love of God". By Venerable Fulton Sheen
⚫️ “If a man wants to be always in God's company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us". By St. Isidore of Seville
It all began one day when someone was supposed to meet me at home to give a helping hand with a door lock that was stuck. The person called and cancelled about 1/2 hour before Mass time, so that made it possible for me to attend the next Mass without being late. Maybe what developed would not have occurred if we were working on the lock. A bit of disappointment entered in at first, but then the thought of being able to get to an earlier Mass served to dull the edge of the disappointment. Being consecrated through the Blessed Virgin Mary to Jesus brings to the surface the awareness that God's plans for my day will go unhindered, as the Lord have permission to do as He please, when He please, and how He please. Peaceful cooperation is robe my contribution. Of course the old man doesn't die easy, but thanks be God for help to get back on track, fostering an attitude adjustment fueled by grace. Sometimes it takes a while, sometimes it's sooner then later, but that it happens is of utmost importance. Even if a little sadness worms it's way in, the desire and the willingness is there to have things as God so wills. A work constantly in progress for sure.
While driving to Mass, this song: "Trouble Don't Last Always" came to mind, then thoughts ran to the scripture passage that came from the book of Acts about how we are to undergo many trials before entering heaven:
While driving to Mass, this song: "Trouble Don't Last Always" came to mind, then thoughts ran to the scripture passage that came from the book of Acts about how we are to undergo many trials before entering heaven:
Act 14:22 "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith: and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God" |
Later on the inspiration came to check out the definition of "tribulation". Once a couple of years ago the Holy Spirit was leading me to use the dictionary. It did have an impact on me spiritually, as it was helpful in my being able to better understand with a deeper insight. Paying attention to details was enhanced as my spiritual horizon expanded. The experience of using the dictionary was a throw back to grammar school days when we kept a pocket dictionary at hand, oh those good ol days. With a bit of nostalgia making a grand entrance, the poetic mode is now in action, evidenced by:
😌Days gone by, days of old
😌Good memories one can cling to & forever hold
😌Steeped in the mind so deep, but triggered at the right time will unravel like a ball of yarn & wonderfully unfold
😌Warm feelings they bring, not in the least bit chilly or cold
😌Let the past story be warmly told
😌Intangible treasures ever so valuable, like that of gold
😌Our present and future they in some way help to mold
😌Reminiscing on a good past, so delightful at times that find myself on that completely sold
Ok, moving right along to looking up the definitions of "tribulations", "problems" and "trials". An eye opener for sure to see life from those different perspectives.
👀Tribulations= grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
👀Problems= something that is difficult to deal with: something that is a source of trouble, worry, etc.
👀Trials = a test of the quality, value, or usefulness of something
Enlightenment did come; how it would be helpful to have a change in my perspective from seeing life's happenings as problems. To do so will in turn help one to experience an attitude adjustment. We all know the old cliché: Attitude determines Altitude. Our spirit will be more upbeat if it aligns itself with truth and the will of God. It is to not label things as "problems" but as "trials" that we must undergo to enter heaven. That mindset will help us to keep on keeping on, and as the word "FOO" (which came to me in the past as a response to frightening things functioning as a "BOO") stands for, to Hold Fast, to Hold On, and to Hold Out. When frightening situations presents a surprising "Boo" to scare you, counter that and respond with "FOO": Holding Fast, Holding On, and Holding Out. Better yet is to respond and chase away the "Boo". It can be chased away with "Shoo": Securely holding On, and Out.
Two days after tweaking this entry, an email came that contained a quote by St. Padre Pio. Notice his label, he is using the word "trials", not "problems". At that point it was easy to make the connection after reading the quote. The lesson presented helped position me to experience the grace moment for spiritual improvement.
"You complain because the same trials are constantly returning. But look here, what have you to fear? are you afraid of the divine craftsman who wants to perfect his masterpiece in this way? Would you like to come from the hands of such a magnificent artist as a mere sketch and no more." - St. Pio of Pietrelcina
The other regular scripture for the day was a continuation of the lesson and solidified the point about suffering tribulations. It is from the book of Zechariah:
😌Days gone by, days of old
😌Good memories one can cling to & forever hold
😌Steeped in the mind so deep, but triggered at the right time will unravel like a ball of yarn & wonderfully unfold
😌Warm feelings they bring, not in the least bit chilly or cold
😌Let the past story be warmly told
😌Intangible treasures ever so valuable, like that of gold
😌Our present and future they in some way help to mold
😌Reminiscing on a good past, so delightful at times that find myself on that completely sold
Ok, moving right along to looking up the definitions of "tribulations", "problems" and "trials". An eye opener for sure to see life from those different perspectives.
👀Tribulations= grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc.
👀Problems= something that is difficult to deal with: something that is a source of trouble, worry, etc.
👀Trials = a test of the quality, value, or usefulness of something
Enlightenment did come; how it would be helpful to have a change in my perspective from seeing life's happenings as problems. To do so will in turn help one to experience an attitude adjustment. We all know the old cliché: Attitude determines Altitude. Our spirit will be more upbeat if it aligns itself with truth and the will of God. It is to not label things as "problems" but as "trials" that we must undergo to enter heaven. That mindset will help us to keep on keeping on, and as the word "FOO" (which came to me in the past as a response to frightening things functioning as a "BOO") stands for, to Hold Fast, to Hold On, and to Hold Out. When frightening situations presents a surprising "Boo" to scare you, counter that and respond with "FOO": Holding Fast, Holding On, and Holding Out. Better yet is to respond and chase away the "Boo". It can be chased away with "Shoo": Securely holding On, and Out.
Two days after tweaking this entry, an email came that contained a quote by St. Padre Pio. Notice his label, he is using the word "trials", not "problems". At that point it was easy to make the connection after reading the quote. The lesson presented helped position me to experience the grace moment for spiritual improvement.
"You complain because the same trials are constantly returning. But look here, what have you to fear? are you afraid of the divine craftsman who wants to perfect his masterpiece in this way? Would you like to come from the hands of such a magnificent artist as a mere sketch and no more." - St. Pio of Pietrelcina
The other regular scripture for the day was a continuation of the lesson and solidified the point about suffering tribulations. It is from the book of Zechariah:
Truly all this is a complete message from the Lord. As the evening unfolded, it became sweet as the spiritual reading was taken from the book "Remember thy First Love". The following passage continues the Lord's spiritual lesson for the day:
"Over time, according to Father Sophrony, the word of God then becomes our own language: every so often one of the verses to which we are drawn in mind and heart will quicken our spirit. It will become a doorway into that abundance of life which the Lord so desires for us, and we will learn to pray with those very words of Scripture, inspired of the Holy Spirit"
Well, that certainly happened with the quickening of my spirit in regards to the inspiration of exploring the definitions of words. What resulted was a practical application valuable to growth in my spiritual life. Again and again it happens, reading a portion in a book at just the right time to continue a lesson the Lord is trying to get across, in sort of a "parable" like way. So exciting is the life that surges through when the branch is securely connected to the vine.
"Over time, according to Father Sophrony, the word of God then becomes our own language: every so often one of the verses to which we are drawn in mind and heart will quicken our spirit. It will become a doorway into that abundance of life which the Lord so desires for us, and we will learn to pray with those very words of Scripture, inspired of the Holy Spirit"
Well, that certainly happened with the quickening of my spirit in regards to the inspiration of exploring the definitions of words. What resulted was a practical application valuable to growth in my spiritual life. Again and again it happens, reading a portion in a book at just the right time to continue a lesson the Lord is trying to get across, in sort of a "parable" like way. So exciting is the life that surges through when the branch is securely connected to the vine.
"From slavery to model of mercy – the powerful story of Julia Greeley", from Catholic News Agency
Info from this site:
www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/from-slavery-to-model-of-mercy-the-powerful-story-of-julia-greeley-79906/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email
"Julia Greeley was a familiar sight on the streets of Denver in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wearing a floppy hat, oversized shoes, and dabbing her bad eye with a handkerchief, Greeley was often seen pulling her red wagon of goods to deliver to the poor and homeless of the city. She had a particularly special devotion to the Sacred Heart, and would deliver images and information about the icon to firefighters throughout Denver every month. Her charitable work earned her the title of a "one-person St. Vincent de Paul Society" from one writer, and has made her the local model of mercy for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Born a slave in Hannibal, Missouri sometime between 1833 and 1848, Greeley endured some horrific treatment – once, a whip caught her right eye and destroyed it as a slave master beat Greeley’s mother. One of many slaves freed by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Greeley’s work with the family of William Gilpin, Colorado’s first territorial governor, brought her to Denver in 1878. After leaving the Gilpins' service, Greeley found odd jobs around the city, and came upon the Sacred Heart Parish of Denver, where she would convert to Catholicism in 1880. She was an enthusiastic parishioner, a daily communicant, and became an active member of the Secular Franciscan Order starting in 1901. The Jesuit priests at her parish recognized her as the most fervent promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Despite her own poverty, Greeley spent much of her time collecting food, clothing and other goods for the poor. She would often do her work at night, so as to avoid embarrassing the people she was assisting. “She stood out because of how extraordinary she was,” David Uebbing, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Denver, told the Denver Catholic. “Even though she was only earning $10 to $12 a month cleaning and cooking, she was using it to help other people who were poor,” he said.
“That spoke volumes about the charitable heart she had. In addition, she had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was known for walking (monthly) to 20 different firehouses to give (felt) badges of the Sacred Heart and tracts to firemen. That brings to life the corporal and spiritual works of mercy this holy year is dedicated to.” Julia Greeley died on June 7, 1918 - the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Although her death came unexpectedly, she was able to receive last rites. It is estimated that she was around 80 years old, though because she was born into slavery, her exact age was never known.
After her death, her body lay in state in a Catholic parish for five hours, during which a constant stream of people came to pay their last respects to the well-known, well-loved woman. A documentary about Greeley, based on the book In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart: The Life and Virtues of Julia Greeley, has been produced by the Archdiocese of Denver for the year of Mercy. Mary Leisring, president of the Julia Greeley Guild, told Denver Catholic that she was happy about the recognition Greeley was receiving during the Year of Mercy."
Info from this site:
www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/from-slavery-to-model-of-mercy-the-powerful-story-of-julia-greeley-79906/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email
"Julia Greeley was a familiar sight on the streets of Denver in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wearing a floppy hat, oversized shoes, and dabbing her bad eye with a handkerchief, Greeley was often seen pulling her red wagon of goods to deliver to the poor and homeless of the city. She had a particularly special devotion to the Sacred Heart, and would deliver images and information about the icon to firefighters throughout Denver every month. Her charitable work earned her the title of a "one-person St. Vincent de Paul Society" from one writer, and has made her the local model of mercy for the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Born a slave in Hannibal, Missouri sometime between 1833 and 1848, Greeley endured some horrific treatment – once, a whip caught her right eye and destroyed it as a slave master beat Greeley’s mother. One of many slaves freed by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Greeley’s work with the family of William Gilpin, Colorado’s first territorial governor, brought her to Denver in 1878. After leaving the Gilpins' service, Greeley found odd jobs around the city, and came upon the Sacred Heart Parish of Denver, where she would convert to Catholicism in 1880. She was an enthusiastic parishioner, a daily communicant, and became an active member of the Secular Franciscan Order starting in 1901. The Jesuit priests at her parish recognized her as the most fervent promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Despite her own poverty, Greeley spent much of her time collecting food, clothing and other goods for the poor. She would often do her work at night, so as to avoid embarrassing the people she was assisting. “She stood out because of how extraordinary she was,” David Uebbing, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Denver, told the Denver Catholic. “Even though she was only earning $10 to $12 a month cleaning and cooking, she was using it to help other people who were poor,” he said.
“That spoke volumes about the charitable heart she had. In addition, she had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was known for walking (monthly) to 20 different firehouses to give (felt) badges of the Sacred Heart and tracts to firemen. That brings to life the corporal and spiritual works of mercy this holy year is dedicated to.” Julia Greeley died on June 7, 1918 - the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Although her death came unexpectedly, she was able to receive last rites. It is estimated that she was around 80 years old, though because she was born into slavery, her exact age was never known.
After her death, her body lay in state in a Catholic parish for five hours, during which a constant stream of people came to pay their last respects to the well-known, well-loved woman. A documentary about Greeley, based on the book In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart: The Life and Virtues of Julia Greeley, has been produced by the Archdiocese of Denver for the year of Mercy. Mary Leisring, president of the Julia Greeley Guild, told Denver Catholic that she was happy about the recognition Greeley was receiving during the Year of Mercy."
"Mother Teresa's Humility List", by St. Teresa of Calcutta
Info from this site: https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/mother-teresas-humility-list/
"Mother Teresa's Humility List
1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
3. Avoid curiosity.
4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
8. Give in to the will of others.
9. Accept insults and injuries.
10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
11. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked someone.
12. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
13. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.
14. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
15. Choose always the more difficult task"
Info from this site: https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/mother-teresas-humility-list/
"Mother Teresa's Humility List
1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
3. Avoid curiosity.
4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
8. Give in to the will of others.
9. Accept insults and injuries.
10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
11. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked someone.
12. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
13. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.
14. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
15. Choose always the more difficult task"
Video presentation: "The Treasure of Our Soul, Defending the Faith", by Dr. Scott Hahn
Link to YouTube: http://youtu.be/w2ljRWNuXRc
Link to YouTube: http://youtu.be/w2ljRWNuXRc