Ijournal entry 010917 # 02. January, Month of the Holy Name of Jesus. Truffles, The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by St. Vincent De Paul, Archimandrite Zacharias, and St.Jose Escriva . What's the rule for fasting after Communion?", by Karl Keating , Catholic Answers. "Generosity"' by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen. Book: Divine Intimacy. Video presentation: Pray Without Ceasing ~ Fr Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.
"Jesus", While reflecting on the Holy Name of Jesus, the faithful repeats over and over the Holy Name of "Jesus" in a pious manner. Many of the Saints had a great love for the Holy Name of Jesus. Among a few, there was the Apostle Paul, St. ThomasAquinas, St. Augustine, St. Dominic, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis de Sales and St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Holy Name of Jesus represents the incarnation of God among men on earth. It is the Name above all names. It is the Most Holy Name that deserves the greatest honour and glories, above all other feasts. Because of our living hope in the Name of "Jesus", we have the assurance of our resurrection and eternal salvation. Before the change of Church regulations regarding Indulgences, each time the name of Jesus was invoked, the prayerful soul gained 300 days indulgence that could be applied towards the souls in Purgatory".
Info from this site:
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1392
Info from this site:
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1392
"HERE are evidently four kinds of monks.
👴🏻The first are the Cenobites, that is, those who live in monasteries, serving under a rule and an abbot.
👴🏻The second are the Anchorites or Hermits, that is those who not in the first fervour of their religious life, but after long probation in a monastery, having learnt in association with many brethren how to fight against the devil, go out well-armed from the ranks of the community to the solitary combat of the desert. They are able now to live without the help of others, and by their own strength and God’s assistance to fight against the temptations of mind and body.
👴🏻The third kind of monks is that detestable one of the Sarabaites, who not having been tested, as gold in the furnace, by any rule or by the lessons of experience, are as soft and yielding as lead. In their actions they still conform to the standards of the world, so that their tonsure marks them as liars before God. They live in twos or threes, or even singly, without a shepherd, in their own sheepfolds and not in the Lord’s. Their law is their own good pleasure: whatever they think of or choose to do, that they call holy; what they like not, that they regard as unlawful.
👴🏻The fourth kind of monks are those called Gyrovagues. These spend their whole lives wandering from province to province, staying three days in one monastery and four in another, ever roaming and never stable, given up to their own wills and the allurements of gluttony, and worse in all respects than the Sarabaites. Of the wretched life of all these folk it is better to be silent than to speak. So, leaving them on one side, let us proceed with God’s help to provide for the strong race of Cenobites".
MC= Striving to go first class, what about you?
👴🏻The first are the Cenobites, that is, those who live in monasteries, serving under a rule and an abbot.
👴🏻The second are the Anchorites or Hermits, that is those who not in the first fervour of their religious life, but after long probation in a monastery, having learnt in association with many brethren how to fight against the devil, go out well-armed from the ranks of the community to the solitary combat of the desert. They are able now to live without the help of others, and by their own strength and God’s assistance to fight against the temptations of mind and body.
👴🏻The third kind of monks is that detestable one of the Sarabaites, who not having been tested, as gold in the furnace, by any rule or by the lessons of experience, are as soft and yielding as lead. In their actions they still conform to the standards of the world, so that their tonsure marks them as liars before God. They live in twos or threes, or even singly, without a shepherd, in their own sheepfolds and not in the Lord’s. Their law is their own good pleasure: whatever they think of or choose to do, that they call holy; what they like not, that they regard as unlawful.
👴🏻The fourth kind of monks are those called Gyrovagues. These spend their whole lives wandering from province to province, staying three days in one monastery and four in another, ever roaming and never stable, given up to their own wills and the allurements of gluttony, and worse in all respects than the Sarabaites. Of the wretched life of all these folk it is better to be silent than to speak. So, leaving them on one side, let us proceed with God’s help to provide for the strong race of Cenobites".
MC= Striving to go first class, what about you?
🔵 'Perfection consists in one thing alone, which is doing the will of God. For, according to Our Lord's words, it suffices for perfection to deny self, to take up the cross and to follow Him. Now who denies himself and takes up his cross and follows Christ better than he who seeks not to do his own will, but always that of God? Behold, now, how little is needed to become as Saint? Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing, on every occasion, what God wills". St. Vincent De Paul
🔴 "Man is endowed with an innate need to learn and to dis cover new means of acquiring knowledge. In his fallen state, however, he tends to confuse this need for novelty with the gratification of the passions and that is why, when we abandon God and turn towards the material world, we are en slaved and it becomes impossible to enter the Lord’s presence". By Archimandrite Zacharias
🌑"Your boat — your talents, your hopes, your achievements — is worth nothing whatsoever, unless you leave it in Christ’s hands, allowing him the freedom to come aboard. Make sure you don’t turn it into an idol. In your boat by yourself, if you try to do without the Master, you are — supernaturally speaking — making straight for shipwreck. Only if you allow, and seek, his presence and captaincy, will you be safe from the storms and setbacks of life. Place everything in God’s hands. Let your thoughts, the brave adventures you have imagined, your lofty human ambitions, your noble loves, pass through the heart of Christ. Otherwise, sooner or later, they will all sink to the bottom together with your selfishness". By St Jose Escriva
🔴 "Man is endowed with an innate need to learn and to dis cover new means of acquiring knowledge. In his fallen state, however, he tends to confuse this need for novelty with the gratification of the passions and that is why, when we abandon God and turn towards the material world, we are en slaved and it becomes impossible to enter the Lord’s presence". By Archimandrite Zacharias
🌑"Your boat — your talents, your hopes, your achievements — is worth nothing whatsoever, unless you leave it in Christ’s hands, allowing him the freedom to come aboard. Make sure you don’t turn it into an idol. In your boat by yourself, if you try to do without the Master, you are — supernaturally speaking — making straight for shipwreck. Only if you allow, and seek, his presence and captaincy, will you be safe from the storms and setbacks of life. Place everything in God’s hands. Let your thoughts, the brave adventures you have imagined, your lofty human ambitions, your noble loves, pass through the heart of Christ. Otherwise, sooner or later, they will all sink to the bottom together with your selfishness". By St Jose Escriva
This comes as a tip for living in the joy of the Lord 24/7. The ball began to roll after reading a post from Tony Agnesi. Then my spirit was awaken in a new way to the Holy Spirit. This allowed Him to touch me so that it was possible to see that each moment of life as a gift, and that each and every interaction with "whoever" is to be welcomed and cherished. Nothing is to be taken for granted, not one thing or one moment, not even for a moment. Each person contains the spirit of God within, and can share a part of the Lord in a unique way, like no other person can. Even if it is in an adverse way, if God allows the encounter, it can work for good. We learn from what is positive and from negatives as well.
Each moment that the thoughts below dominate and prevail, the transformative process is in action helping us reach higher grounds:
Is God granting me the gift of life for this moment in time to be miserable, to suffer, to feel punished if things seems unsuitable to my taste? Or is this moment of life being granted to me a gift of love from God, blessing me with happiness so pleasing and lovely as I do wish,
or is He doing an unseen greater work allowing me to participate in redemption suffering, a good for my soul and that of others? Maybe it's a purification so that eternity will be brighter and bigger for me, after all am I not a great sinner, falling short in ways not even imaginable? That is quite possible if consciences are poorly formed, because sin will not appear as it really is.
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the insight and help me to respect every moment of life by letting you be the joy that strengthens me to persevere and not lose heart during difficult moments. For the new year it is to live the moment in the joy of the Lord. That produces hope which will fuel the truth that all things works for good, and we get to experience the reality of these scriptures:
Each moment that the thoughts below dominate and prevail, the transformative process is in action helping us reach higher grounds:
Is God granting me the gift of life for this moment in time to be miserable, to suffer, to feel punished if things seems unsuitable to my taste? Or is this moment of life being granted to me a gift of love from God, blessing me with happiness so pleasing and lovely as I do wish,
or is He doing an unseen greater work allowing me to participate in redemption suffering, a good for my soul and that of others? Maybe it's a purification so that eternity will be brighter and bigger for me, after all am I not a great sinner, falling short in ways not even imaginable? That is quite possible if consciences are poorly formed, because sin will not appear as it really is.
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the insight and help me to respect every moment of life by letting you be the joy that strengthens me to persevere and not lose heart during difficult moments. For the new year it is to live the moment in the joy of the Lord. That produces hope which will fuel the truth that all things works for good, and we get to experience the reality of these scriptures:
2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light and temporary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our troubles" |
What's the rule for fasting after Communion?", by Karl Keating , Catholic Answers
Info from this site:
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-rule-for-fasting-after-communion
Had a "Wow" moment recently in the company of a friend. An invitation to eat out, was right down my alley. The extent of my cooking is primarily spiritual, so love to take advantage of every opportunity for a good meal and to go out to eat. Surrounded by excellent cooks, praise the Lord, that's His loving way of showing mercy to one without culinary skills. Well the person told me that if Holy Eucharist is received in the evening, that is considered "the last supper" and concludes the meals for the day. How beautiful was the first thought that came to mind. W "wow" moment of professed love.
We attended the 6pm Mass and went out to dinner afterwards. It was a kind gesture to help me celebrate my mom's entry into eternal life. It was amazing that the person wouldn't be eating at the restaurant, but would not let that be a deterrent from extending kindness to another. The person felt the Holy Spirit was speaking and followed the inspiration to take me out to eat. May blessings and graces overflow to that person to increase their love relationship with God. May it become sweeter and sweater. The person prefers to remain anonymous, but informed the person that usually mentions only first names, and that mature Christians realize the good done by others is God at work in their lives so God alone gets the glory. An example is the Magnificat
Info from this site:
http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/whats-the-rule-for-fasting-after-communion
Had a "Wow" moment recently in the company of a friend. An invitation to eat out, was right down my alley. The extent of my cooking is primarily spiritual, so love to take advantage of every opportunity for a good meal and to go out to eat. Surrounded by excellent cooks, praise the Lord, that's His loving way of showing mercy to one without culinary skills. Well the person told me that if Holy Eucharist is received in the evening, that is considered "the last supper" and concludes the meals for the day. How beautiful was the first thought that came to mind. W "wow" moment of professed love.
We attended the 6pm Mass and went out to dinner afterwards. It was a kind gesture to help me celebrate my mom's entry into eternal life. It was amazing that the person wouldn't be eating at the restaurant, but would not let that be a deterrent from extending kindness to another. The person felt the Holy Spirit was speaking and followed the inspiration to take me out to eat. May blessings and graces overflow to that person to increase their love relationship with God. May it become sweeter and sweater. The person prefers to remain anonymous, but informed the person that usually mentions only first names, and that mature Christians realize the good done by others is God at work in their lives so God alone gets the glory. An example is the Magnificat
The Blessed Mother did not say He did a few little things, She specified that what was done was great, and that it was DONE by GOD. So that always lets us see that God is behind the great occurring, He within us, therefore He gets all the glory.
What's the rule for fasting after Communion?
"I was always taught to fast for one-half hour after receiving Communion, yet I see many parishioners heading for the coffee and doughnuts as soon as Mass is over. What is the rule?
Answer"Current canon law requires a one-hour fast before receiving Communion (canon 919): "One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion." The Eucharistic fast was mitigated by Pope Pius XII from a complete fast after midnight to a fast of three hours (1957); then Pope Paul VI further reduced the requirement to one hour (1964). These changes were intended to encourage Catholics to receive Communion more frequently.
There is no present requirement for fasting after Communion, but many books have recommended, as an act of reverence, not eating or drinking for 15 minutes after receiving --about as long as the sacred Species remains intact. If one remains at Mass until the closing blessing, one likely observes this recommendation even without realizing it.
In some cultures, the faithful follow the pious practice of drinking a glass of plain water before taking any nourishment after Communion. Such acts, while praiseworthy expressions of reverence, are voluntary and are matters of custom, not legislation"
What's the rule for fasting after Communion?
"I was always taught to fast for one-half hour after receiving Communion, yet I see many parishioners heading for the coffee and doughnuts as soon as Mass is over. What is the rule?
Answer"Current canon law requires a one-hour fast before receiving Communion (canon 919): "One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion." The Eucharistic fast was mitigated by Pope Pius XII from a complete fast after midnight to a fast of three hours (1957); then Pope Paul VI further reduced the requirement to one hour (1964). These changes were intended to encourage Catholics to receive Communion more frequently.
There is no present requirement for fasting after Communion, but many books have recommended, as an act of reverence, not eating or drinking for 15 minutes after receiving --about as long as the sacred Species remains intact. If one remains at Mass until the closing blessing, one likely observes this recommendation even without realizing it.
In some cultures, the faithful follow the pious practice of drinking a glass of plain water before taking any nourishment after Communion. Such acts, while praiseworthy expressions of reverence, are voluntary and are matters of custom, not legislation"
The Meat
"Generosity"' by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen. Book: Divine Intimacy.
Info from this site:
http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2016/08/24/generosity-divine-intimacy-meditation?utm_source=SpiritualDirection.com&utm_campaign=470dce583a-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9dd96593f8-470dce583a-59773713
"Presence of God – Fill my heart with Your spirit of generosity, O Lord, so that I may know how to give myself wholly to Your service.
MEDITATION
Generosity is very similar to magnanimity but has a wider scope, including not only great things, but anything which concerns the service of God. It urges the soul to do all with the greatest devotion. Generosity is the virtue which teaches us to spend ourselves, without counting the cost, without ever saying, “It is enough”; it teaches us to give ourselves completely, and to work with the maximum of love, not only in great things but also in little ones, even the least. Only when we are not hampered by the bonds of selfishness can we be really generous, that is, capable of giving ourself wholly to the service of our ideal, to the accomplishment of our mission, without thinking of self, without letting ourself be detained by personal preoccupations.
If we really understood that our vocation comes from God, and that He has prepared for us all the graces we need to correspond with it most perfectly, we should not allow ourselves to be disheartened by the sacrifices it requires. Selfishness, preoccupation with self, and discouragement are all enemies of generosity; they are “earth and lead” which weigh down our spiritual life, making it more fatiguing and keeping us from soaring to the heights. Why should we reduce ourselves to walking at “a hen’s pace” (Teresa of Jesus, Life, 13) when God has made us capable of flying like the eagle? St. Teresa laughs somewhat mischievously at those who are afraid of doing too much for God, and under pretext of prudence, measure their acts of virtue with a yardstick: “You need never fear that they will kill themselves; they are eminently reasonable folk! Their love is not yet ardent enough to overwhelm their reason. How I wish ours would make us dissatisfied with this habit of always serving God at a snail’s pace! As long as we do that we shall never get to the end of the road. Do you think that if we could get from one country to another in a week, it would be advisable to take a year over it?” (Interior Castle, III, 2). The quickest way to reach our goal is generosity, which is the fruit of love and at the same time the generator of love.
COLLOQUY
“O Lord, how little we do for You! Indeed we cannot consider as signs of great virtue and mortification, these little acts which are of no weight or bulk, like grains of salt which a bird might carry in its beak. Sometimes we attribute importance to trifling things we do for You which, however numerous they may be, cannot be considered of much value. I am like that myself and I forget Your favors at every moment. I do not say that in Your great mercy, You do not value these little acts of virtue; but I have no wish to set store by them myself, or even to notice when I do them, since they are nothing.
“Forgive me, then, O Lord, and blame me not if I try to take comfort from anything I do, since I am of no real service to You: if I served You in great matters, I would set no store by these nothings. Blessed are they who serve You by great deeds! If merely envying them and desiring to imitate them counted in my favor, I should not be wanting in pleasing You! But I am of no worth, my Lord; do You put value into what I do since You have such love for me.
“O my God, grant that I may no longer be content with serving You in a small way, but let me do so to the greatest extent of my powers. Help me to make You a complete gift of my soul, emptying it of everything, so that You may take out and put in just what You like, as You would with something of Your own. You refuse to force our will, You take what we give You, but You do not give Yourself wholly until we give ourselves wholly to You. You like everything to be done in order, and You do not work within a soul unless it is wholly Yours, and keeps nothing back” (Teresa of Jesus, Life, 39 – 20 – Way of Perfection, 28).
“O most loving Word of God, teach me to be generous, to serve You as You deserve: to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any other reward save that of knowing that I do Your holy will”. By St. Ignatius).
"Generosity"' by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen. Book: Divine Intimacy.
Info from this site:
http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2016/08/24/generosity-divine-intimacy-meditation?utm_source=SpiritualDirection.com&utm_campaign=470dce583a-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9dd96593f8-470dce583a-59773713
"Presence of God – Fill my heart with Your spirit of generosity, O Lord, so that I may know how to give myself wholly to Your service.
MEDITATION
Generosity is very similar to magnanimity but has a wider scope, including not only great things, but anything which concerns the service of God. It urges the soul to do all with the greatest devotion. Generosity is the virtue which teaches us to spend ourselves, without counting the cost, without ever saying, “It is enough”; it teaches us to give ourselves completely, and to work with the maximum of love, not only in great things but also in little ones, even the least. Only when we are not hampered by the bonds of selfishness can we be really generous, that is, capable of giving ourself wholly to the service of our ideal, to the accomplishment of our mission, without thinking of self, without letting ourself be detained by personal preoccupations.
If we really understood that our vocation comes from God, and that He has prepared for us all the graces we need to correspond with it most perfectly, we should not allow ourselves to be disheartened by the sacrifices it requires. Selfishness, preoccupation with self, and discouragement are all enemies of generosity; they are “earth and lead” which weigh down our spiritual life, making it more fatiguing and keeping us from soaring to the heights. Why should we reduce ourselves to walking at “a hen’s pace” (Teresa of Jesus, Life, 13) when God has made us capable of flying like the eagle? St. Teresa laughs somewhat mischievously at those who are afraid of doing too much for God, and under pretext of prudence, measure their acts of virtue with a yardstick: “You need never fear that they will kill themselves; they are eminently reasonable folk! Their love is not yet ardent enough to overwhelm their reason. How I wish ours would make us dissatisfied with this habit of always serving God at a snail’s pace! As long as we do that we shall never get to the end of the road. Do you think that if we could get from one country to another in a week, it would be advisable to take a year over it?” (Interior Castle, III, 2). The quickest way to reach our goal is generosity, which is the fruit of love and at the same time the generator of love.
COLLOQUY
“O Lord, how little we do for You! Indeed we cannot consider as signs of great virtue and mortification, these little acts which are of no weight or bulk, like grains of salt which a bird might carry in its beak. Sometimes we attribute importance to trifling things we do for You which, however numerous they may be, cannot be considered of much value. I am like that myself and I forget Your favors at every moment. I do not say that in Your great mercy, You do not value these little acts of virtue; but I have no wish to set store by them myself, or even to notice when I do them, since they are nothing.
“Forgive me, then, O Lord, and blame me not if I try to take comfort from anything I do, since I am of no real service to You: if I served You in great matters, I would set no store by these nothings. Blessed are they who serve You by great deeds! If merely envying them and desiring to imitate them counted in my favor, I should not be wanting in pleasing You! But I am of no worth, my Lord; do You put value into what I do since You have such love for me.
“O my God, grant that I may no longer be content with serving You in a small way, but let me do so to the greatest extent of my powers. Help me to make You a complete gift of my soul, emptying it of everything, so that You may take out and put in just what You like, as You would with something of Your own. You refuse to force our will, You take what we give You, but You do not give Yourself wholly until we give ourselves wholly to You. You like everything to be done in order, and You do not work within a soul unless it is wholly Yours, and keeps nothing back” (Teresa of Jesus, Life, 39 – 20 – Way of Perfection, 28).
“O most loving Word of God, teach me to be generous, to serve You as You deserve: to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any other reward save that of knowing that I do Your holy will”. By St. Ignatius).
The dessert
Video presentation: Pray Without Ceasing ~ Fr Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/MbeH5U5GMjY
Video presentation: Pray Without Ceasing ~ Fr Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/MbeH5U5GMjY