Ijournal entry 120417 # 47. December, Month of the Immaculate Conception . The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, St. Jose Escriva, and Thomas Merton. Article: "Archbishop Chaput: Being a Saint is the Only Thing that Matters", by Boston Catholic Insider. End of year evaluate your walk towards sainthood. "IN HIS SANDALS", by Mother Angelica. YouTube video: "Battle for Silence - Advent Reflection", by Fr. Patrick Hyde - part 1.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is profoundly influential among the faithful, is an occasion for many displays of popular piety and especially for the novena of the Immaculate Conception. There can be no doubt that the feast of the pure and sinless Conception of the Virgin Mary, which is a fundamental preparation for the Lord's coming into the world, harmonizes perfectly with many of the salient themes of Advent. This feast also makes reference to the long messianic waiting for the Saviour's birth and recalls events and prophecies from the Old Testament, which are also used in the Liturgy of Advent. The novena of the Immaculate Conception, wherever it is celebrated, should highlight the prophetical texts which begin with Genesis 3, 15, and end in Gabriel's salutation of the one who is "full of grace"
Luke 1, 31-33 "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” |
The Rule of St. Benedict
"If any brethren be at work at a great distance, so that they cannot get to the oratory at the proper time, and if the abbot recognise that such is the case, then let them perform the Work of God in the place where they are working, bending their knees in reverence before God. In like manner let those who are sent on a journey not miss the appointed Hours; but let them say them for themselves, as well as they can, and not neglect to pay the due measure of their service"
My Comments- The point to me is not to skip a beat regarding our spiritual regimen. Very often if something happens to interfere with a certain practice or routine, my first instinct is to go with the flow. Thanks be to God, when we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, it's like he will say:
"If any brethren be at work at a great distance, so that they cannot get to the oratory at the proper time, and if the abbot recognise that such is the case, then let them perform the Work of God in the place where they are working, bending their knees in reverence before God. In like manner let those who are sent on a journey not miss the appointed Hours; but let them say them for themselves, as well as they can, and not neglect to pay the due measure of their service"
My Comments- The point to me is not to skip a beat regarding our spiritual regimen. Very often if something happens to interfere with a certain practice or routine, my first instinct is to go with the flow. Thanks be to God, when we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, it's like he will say:
Then it's back on track to institute a modification, instead of abandoning ship. Let us prayer how we can, rather than how we can't.
🔴 “...And then, just when everything is bearing down on us to such an extent that we can scarcely withstand it, the Christmas message comes to tell us that all our ideas are wrong, and that what we take to be evil and dark is really good and light because it comes from God. Our eyes are at fault, that is all. God is in the manger, wealth in poverty, light in darkness, succor in abandonment. No evil can befall us; whatever men may do to us, they cannot but serve the God who is secretly revealed as love and rules the world and our lives". By Dietrich Bonhoeffer
⚫️“Take things calmly; let time pass. You are worried. Listen: happen what may in your interior life or in the world that surrounds you, never forget that the importance of events or of people is very relative. Take things calmly; let time pass; and then, as you view persons and happenings dispassionately and from afar, you will acquire the perspective that will enable you to see each thing in its proper place and in its true size. If you do this, you will be more objective and you will spare yourself many causes of anxiety" St. Jose Escriva
🔘 “Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all,Christ comes uninvited". By Thomas Merton
⚫️“Take things calmly; let time pass. You are worried. Listen: happen what may in your interior life or in the world that surrounds you, never forget that the importance of events or of people is very relative. Take things calmly; let time pass; and then, as you view persons and happenings dispassionately and from afar, you will acquire the perspective that will enable you to see each thing in its proper place and in its true size. If you do this, you will be more objective and you will spare yourself many causes of anxiety" St. Jose Escriva
🔘 “Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all,Christ comes uninvited". By Thomas Merton
"Wherever God is — there is peace. And the opposite is self-evident: where there is envy, enmity, impatience, self-love — there is the devil. Wherever the devil is — there, everything is ruinous, proud and hostile.” St. Anatoly of Optina
One day after reading the above quote, a little reminiscing ensued. It reminded me of an incident, and clearly illustrates that when we are bated to eat the apple by the enemy, upon the first bite instantly our peace evaporates. It's a sad thing when we unknowingly become instruments used to bate others by our behavior. Working for free on "Team Darkness", now isn't that a shame. When God is at work, things are peaceful, "Team Light" is in the lead, Go God! Yes, it's to be vigilant about the triggers that serves as landmines in the spiritual life.
Speaking to a friend about a couple of weeks before finding this quote, she gave me some wise valuable advice. Something new and never before heard of? Not so, no, no, no. It all started when we were discussing spiritual matters, my favorite topic and an excellent way to spend the precious minutes allotted to us in this short lifetime. Proceeded to tell her about me getting out of the box with someone who unjustly accused me of being upset with them because of being very quiet at a function where we all seated together. The next day when a surprising phone call came that leveled the accusation and scolding about not being Christian, it was a shocking moment. One of these moments for sure:
One day after reading the above quote, a little reminiscing ensued. It reminded me of an incident, and clearly illustrates that when we are bated to eat the apple by the enemy, upon the first bite instantly our peace evaporates. It's a sad thing when we unknowingly become instruments used to bate others by our behavior. Working for free on "Team Darkness", now isn't that a shame. When God is at work, things are peaceful, "Team Light" is in the lead, Go God! Yes, it's to be vigilant about the triggers that serves as landmines in the spiritual life.
Speaking to a friend about a couple of weeks before finding this quote, she gave me some wise valuable advice. Something new and never before heard of? Not so, no, no, no. It all started when we were discussing spiritual matters, my favorite topic and an excellent way to spend the precious minutes allotted to us in this short lifetime. Proceeded to tell her about me getting out of the box with someone who unjustly accused me of being upset with them because of being very quiet at a function where we all seated together. The next day when a surprising phone call came that leveled the accusation and scolding about not being Christian, it was a shocking moment. One of these moments for sure:
It was absolutely untrue, in the name of Jesus. First of all, the conversation wasn't about anything really spiritual. Second of all, if that was being out of character for me to listen more than to speak, then my behavior was moving in the right direction.
Well here comes the hoopla, out of control trying to stupidly convince the person of not even being upset at the function. On occasions where the person have upset me, it was made very clear, but this time it really wasn't so. The response from the person was: "you are saying one thing, but your behavior spoke differently". Really? What behavior, being silent for a change? Now anger was indeed dinning at our table. Since we both do not have hearts of stone, the person is a kind soul, our actions to follow the heated conversation were Holy Spirit led. For me the inspiration was to offer a Mass and give the person the Mass card. The person sent me a prayer and a letter before it was known that a Mass would be my response to the whole situation. Now, we were back on track.
My goodness, my goodness, my goodness, Lord have mercy. Well, after the run down about what happened with the person, my friend said: Do let anyone push you from being who you are. Don't led anyone interfere with your peace and get you angry. Just state the facts and know that there is nothing more to say. She is virtuous and graced to be able to practice her advice most times without flaw. Now that's a person taking advantage of the graces coming her way, how else do we succeed with grace. No doubt about how spiritually correct her advice was, had to tell her how time and time again the Lord speaks to me: DON'T VINDICATE -DON'T VALIDATE! He knows rhyming is my thing,he blest me to love and exercise it. How hard headed, so brick like as my mom would say, because it's hard to master what is simple. Trying to get better, but sad to say, not hoping for a practice opportunity to come my way soon. So "un-saint like", they welcomed everything. Working on my degree, yes working on it with great hope of achieving by grace the rewards in the life to come. How sweet, marriage to the Lamb in eternal bliss, forever and ever to enjoy kingdom living, yes, yes, yes!
An amen to the advice given by my friend, it comes from St. Jose Escriva: "Don’t be frightened; don’t fear any harm, even though the circumstances in which you work are terrible, worse even than those of Daniel in the pit with all those ferocious beasts. God’s hand is as powerful as ever, & if necessary, He'll work miracles. Be faithful! With a loving, responsible and cheerful faithfulness to the teaching of Christ. Be convinced that our times are no worse than those of other centuries, and that Our Lord is always the same. I knew an elderly priest who used to say with a smile: 'As for me, I’m always calm and peaceful.' That is how we should always be, immersed in the world, with hungry lions all around, yet never losing our peace, our calm. Always loving, believing and hoping, and never forgetting that Our Lord will work all da miracles we need, if and when we need them".
Well here comes the hoopla, out of control trying to stupidly convince the person of not even being upset at the function. On occasions where the person have upset me, it was made very clear, but this time it really wasn't so. The response from the person was: "you are saying one thing, but your behavior spoke differently". Really? What behavior, being silent for a change? Now anger was indeed dinning at our table. Since we both do not have hearts of stone, the person is a kind soul, our actions to follow the heated conversation were Holy Spirit led. For me the inspiration was to offer a Mass and give the person the Mass card. The person sent me a prayer and a letter before it was known that a Mass would be my response to the whole situation. Now, we were back on track.
My goodness, my goodness, my goodness, Lord have mercy. Well, after the run down about what happened with the person, my friend said: Do let anyone push you from being who you are. Don't led anyone interfere with your peace and get you angry. Just state the facts and know that there is nothing more to say. She is virtuous and graced to be able to practice her advice most times without flaw. Now that's a person taking advantage of the graces coming her way, how else do we succeed with grace. No doubt about how spiritually correct her advice was, had to tell her how time and time again the Lord speaks to me: DON'T VINDICATE -DON'T VALIDATE! He knows rhyming is my thing,he blest me to love and exercise it. How hard headed, so brick like as my mom would say, because it's hard to master what is simple. Trying to get better, but sad to say, not hoping for a practice opportunity to come my way soon. So "un-saint like", they welcomed everything. Working on my degree, yes working on it with great hope of achieving by grace the rewards in the life to come. How sweet, marriage to the Lamb in eternal bliss, forever and ever to enjoy kingdom living, yes, yes, yes!
An amen to the advice given by my friend, it comes from St. Jose Escriva: "Don’t be frightened; don’t fear any harm, even though the circumstances in which you work are terrible, worse even than those of Daniel in the pit with all those ferocious beasts. God’s hand is as powerful as ever, & if necessary, He'll work miracles. Be faithful! With a loving, responsible and cheerful faithfulness to the teaching of Christ. Be convinced that our times are no worse than those of other centuries, and that Our Lord is always the same. I knew an elderly priest who used to say with a smile: 'As for me, I’m always calm and peaceful.' That is how we should always be, immersed in the world, with hungry lions all around, yet never losing our peace, our calm. Always loving, believing and hoping, and never forgetting that Our Lord will work all da miracles we need, if and when we need them".
Article: "Archbishop Chaput: Being a Saint is the Only Thing that Matters", by Boston Catholic Insider. End of year evaluate your walk towards sainthood.
Info from this site:
http://bostoncatholicinsider.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/archbishop-chaput-being-a-saint-is-the-only-thing-that-matters/
Info from this site:
http://bostoncatholicinsider.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/archbishop-chaput-being-a-saint-is-the-only-thing-that-matters/
1 Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. |
1 Peter 1:15 - But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; |
Leviticus 11:44 - For I [am] the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I [am] holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. |
Revelation 22:11 - He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. |
"Archbishop Chaput: being a saint is the only thing that matters: “The only thing that matters is to be a saint. That’s what we need to be. That’s what we need to become". He said the Nicene Creed, recited at every Sunday Mass, is the “framework and fundamental profession” of Catholic belief. “The less we understand the words of the Creed and revere the meaning behind them, the farther away we drift from our Catholic identity – and the more confused we become about who we really are as Christians. We need to give our hearts to what we hear and what we say in our public worship. Otherwise, little by little, we become dishonest. Faith, is confidence in things unseen based on the word of someone we know and love – in this case, God…only a living encounter and a living relationship with Jesus Christ make faith sustainable.”
Archbishop Chaput then reflected on the present state of the Catholic Church in America, painting a stark picture. “More than 70 million Americans describe themselves as Catholics. But for all practical purposes, they’re no different from everybody else in their views, their appetites and their behaviors. This state is part of the “legacy” left by the baby boomer generation “to the Church in the United States. In a sense, our political and economic power, our addictions to comfort, consumption and entertainment, have made us stupid. In response to that state of affairs, everyone is urged to repentance and to conversion. In the face of a Catholic population indistinguishable from the general public, a sort of examination of conscience. We need to ask ourselves: What do I want my life to mean? If I claim to be a Catholic, can I prove it with the patterns of my life? When do I pray? How often do I seek out the Sacrament of Penance? What am I doing for the poor? How am I serving the needy? Do I really know Jesus Christ? Who am I leading to the Church? How many young people have I asked to consider a vocation? How much time do I spend sharing about God with my spouse, my children and my friends? How well and how often do I listen for God’s will in my own life?
Thomas More was an English lawyer and statesman, and chancellor of England under Henry VIII. His Catholic faith made him oppose Henry’s divorce and re-marriage, and separation of the Church of England from the Catholic Church. His integrity led him to be martyred in 1535. Your “homework assignment” over Thanksgiving break is to watch – “with your family” – the 1966 film on St. Thomas More called “A Man for All Seasons”. More was a man of profound Catholic faith and practice. He lived what he claimed to believe. He had his priorities in right order. He was a husband and a father first. More is an example for all Catholics.
We’re all called to martyrdom. That’s what the word martyr means: It’s the Greek word for “witness.” We may or may not ever suffer personally for our love of Jesus Christ. But we’re all called to be witnesses, becoming a saint, like St. Thomas More, is the one thing necessary in everyone’s life.
Have we as pro-life Catholics been wrong to invest the lion’s share of our time, talent and energy in the political battle against abortion over the past forty years? Or even if we have not been wrong the whole time, are we wrong now?” Perhaps it is obvious that I believe the answer is yes. It ought to be clear by now that Western culture is insufficiently healthy to sustain a political solution to abortion. Therefore, it is counter-productive to pour our resources into the effort to achieve such a solution. We must use our resources far more wisely than that.
..What we have learned in recent years is that we are not, as we have long thought, on the verge of winning the battle for human life. Rather, we must recognize that our culture as a whole has slipped into such darkness and error that addressing the problem of the sanctity of human life politically has become effectively impossible.
…we ought to expend our greatest energies elsewhere, in widespread efforts to strengthen the Church, to develop our own Christian subculture complete with vibrant intermediary institutions, to evangelize our neighbors, and to offer practical service to any and all who, increasingly ill-served by a bureaucratic pagan State, may turn to us in their need.
This is, in fact, exactly what Christians had to do in the early centuries of the Church (and what they must never fail to do at any time, even when things happen to be going better politically). In other words, the answer to the disturbing question with which I opened this essay is clear. This is not the time to place the emphasis on politics, any more than it was time for politics when Karol Wojtyla was growing up in Poland. This is the time for Faith and family, evangelization and the formation of Christian culture.
This is not the time to waste immense resources and energies on political efforts which our larger Western culture cannot possibly sustain. It is rather a time to grow in Faith, evangelize those around us, and form vibrant local cultures which draw our neighbors into the light of Christ".
My comments
It is so refreshing and soothing to the soul when the truth is heard. Heart warming when you encounter the Holy Spirit, smack dab in the middle of the right perspective. It really is about removing the focus from party politics, and focusing on individuals, on the "people". For if "people" aren't getting abortions, the fact that it is legal wouldn't really matter. It's demise would occur because of a lack of demand. Coming to mind is Kodak, the great production of camera films have been decreased greatly due to lack of customer demand. Cassette tapes
replaced 8 Track tapes. Ditto for all other ills, if no one is participating in or performing gay unions mocking marriage, then the law is moot, of no importance. Hi fives and thumbs up to Archbishop Chaput. As far as the call to be a "Saint", right on, right on. If you don't start now, then when? If you're not hell bound, then one day you will be getting it exactly right. When all is not fully accomplished here and now, you know where you will be sitting getting it done right? Well as for me, and those who feel the same, the goal is to try now, to cooperate with grace now, to learn and practice our faith fully. It's to see in Christ's light our errors, to repent and grow from that knowledge. Important to us, is making efforts at reparation, sacrificing little by little, and trying most of all to live in christian love of God and neighbor. Very difficult when dealing with some people, but love must win out. For the definition of loving is demonstrated by patience, oh so impatient at times. Review the criteria, do you get an "A"
Archbishop Chaput then reflected on the present state of the Catholic Church in America, painting a stark picture. “More than 70 million Americans describe themselves as Catholics. But for all practical purposes, they’re no different from everybody else in their views, their appetites and their behaviors. This state is part of the “legacy” left by the baby boomer generation “to the Church in the United States. In a sense, our political and economic power, our addictions to comfort, consumption and entertainment, have made us stupid. In response to that state of affairs, everyone is urged to repentance and to conversion. In the face of a Catholic population indistinguishable from the general public, a sort of examination of conscience. We need to ask ourselves: What do I want my life to mean? If I claim to be a Catholic, can I prove it with the patterns of my life? When do I pray? How often do I seek out the Sacrament of Penance? What am I doing for the poor? How am I serving the needy? Do I really know Jesus Christ? Who am I leading to the Church? How many young people have I asked to consider a vocation? How much time do I spend sharing about God with my spouse, my children and my friends? How well and how often do I listen for God’s will in my own life?
Thomas More was an English lawyer and statesman, and chancellor of England under Henry VIII. His Catholic faith made him oppose Henry’s divorce and re-marriage, and separation of the Church of England from the Catholic Church. His integrity led him to be martyred in 1535. Your “homework assignment” over Thanksgiving break is to watch – “with your family” – the 1966 film on St. Thomas More called “A Man for All Seasons”. More was a man of profound Catholic faith and practice. He lived what he claimed to believe. He had his priorities in right order. He was a husband and a father first. More is an example for all Catholics.
We’re all called to martyrdom. That’s what the word martyr means: It’s the Greek word for “witness.” We may or may not ever suffer personally for our love of Jesus Christ. But we’re all called to be witnesses, becoming a saint, like St. Thomas More, is the one thing necessary in everyone’s life.
Have we as pro-life Catholics been wrong to invest the lion’s share of our time, talent and energy in the political battle against abortion over the past forty years? Or even if we have not been wrong the whole time, are we wrong now?” Perhaps it is obvious that I believe the answer is yes. It ought to be clear by now that Western culture is insufficiently healthy to sustain a political solution to abortion. Therefore, it is counter-productive to pour our resources into the effort to achieve such a solution. We must use our resources far more wisely than that.
..What we have learned in recent years is that we are not, as we have long thought, on the verge of winning the battle for human life. Rather, we must recognize that our culture as a whole has slipped into such darkness and error that addressing the problem of the sanctity of human life politically has become effectively impossible.
…we ought to expend our greatest energies elsewhere, in widespread efforts to strengthen the Church, to develop our own Christian subculture complete with vibrant intermediary institutions, to evangelize our neighbors, and to offer practical service to any and all who, increasingly ill-served by a bureaucratic pagan State, may turn to us in their need.
This is, in fact, exactly what Christians had to do in the early centuries of the Church (and what they must never fail to do at any time, even when things happen to be going better politically). In other words, the answer to the disturbing question with which I opened this essay is clear. This is not the time to place the emphasis on politics, any more than it was time for politics when Karol Wojtyla was growing up in Poland. This is the time for Faith and family, evangelization and the formation of Christian culture.
This is not the time to waste immense resources and energies on political efforts which our larger Western culture cannot possibly sustain. It is rather a time to grow in Faith, evangelize those around us, and form vibrant local cultures which draw our neighbors into the light of Christ".
My comments
It is so refreshing and soothing to the soul when the truth is heard. Heart warming when you encounter the Holy Spirit, smack dab in the middle of the right perspective. It really is about removing the focus from party politics, and focusing on individuals, on the "people". For if "people" aren't getting abortions, the fact that it is legal wouldn't really matter. It's demise would occur because of a lack of demand. Coming to mind is Kodak, the great production of camera films have been decreased greatly due to lack of customer demand. Cassette tapes
replaced 8 Track tapes. Ditto for all other ills, if no one is participating in or performing gay unions mocking marriage, then the law is moot, of no importance. Hi fives and thumbs up to Archbishop Chaput. As far as the call to be a "Saint", right on, right on. If you don't start now, then when? If you're not hell bound, then one day you will be getting it exactly right. When all is not fully accomplished here and now, you know where you will be sitting getting it done right? Well as for me, and those who feel the same, the goal is to try now, to cooperate with grace now, to learn and practice our faith fully. It's to see in Christ's light our errors, to repent and grow from that knowledge. Important to us, is making efforts at reparation, sacrificing little by little, and trying most of all to live in christian love of God and neighbor. Very difficult when dealing with some people, but love must win out. For the definition of loving is demonstrated by patience, oh so impatient at times. Review the criteria, do you get an "A"
1 Corinthians 13: 4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,d5it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." |
Loving is not affirming what is wrong or out of order. We should be about sharing the truth and trying to inspire and bring others to closer to Christ. It's to lend them a helping hand or ear, to reverently participate in the sacraments without compromising, and most of all to beg, beg, for mercy, mercy, mercy for falling so short and asking for the much needed assistance so we all can be pleasing in the sight of God. Welcome comments for helping me identity areas that need to be worked on?
"IN HIS SANDALS", by Mother Angelica
Info from this site:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/sandals/sandals.htm
☦"Part I - He Emptied Himself
⚜Jesus left the glory of Heaven to come down and take upon Himself
a nature like my own, because He loves me so much.
⚜I wonder if I understand how much of a humiliation it was for
Jesus to become human. If being with the Father is something
beyond our wildest dreams, just imagine what being equal to God
must be like! How could He leave such a position for me?
⚜I am ungrateful most of the time and prefer myself, people and
things to Him almost constantly. I do not have much to leave and
yet I cling to the little I have as if I were never going to lose
it.
☦Part II - WHAT DID JESUS DO FOR ME?
⚜He left Eternity and lived in Time that I might leave Time and
live in Eternity.
🔱He left the Eternal Father in all His Glory to come down as man
and acknowledge the Father's supremacy over all mankind.
🔱He came as a humble servant to make reparation for those who say,"
I will not serve." He was lowly of heart and gave credit to the
Father for everything He did and offered His self-effacement as an
atonement for my pride and independence.
⚜He was Master of all but never imposed on anyone or forced them to
follow Him.
⚜His humility was so great, He understood the hatred of His enemies
and asked His Father to forgive them.
⚜He ruled all creation and yet subjected Himself to Joseph and Mary
as an obedient son.
⚜He was content to be considered an uneducated carpenter, yet He
created the whole world.
⚜He was subject to two people whom He created because He saw His
Father's Will in their commands.
⚜He was the Splendor of the Father, but hid all that would
distinguish Him from the rest of the children of men.
⚜He was uncreated Wisdom but did not disdain learning ordinary
things from others.
⚜He was content to advance in wisdom and age before men, that I
might patiently advance in holiness before God.
⚜He accepted hatred, jealousy and persecution with composure,
seeing only the Father's Will in the plan of Redemption.
⚜He was not ashamed to eat with sinners even though doing so
belittled Him in the eyes of others.
⚜He watched those He came to redeem abandon Him in His hour of
need, without becoming bitter or resentful. He extended to Peter a
forgiving glance even before the Apostle was conscious of his sin.
⚜He did not give up His Spirit until He had endured every possible
torment-to prove His love for me.
⚜He rose from the grave and appeared first to Magdalene, a
repentant sinner, to Peter who denied Him and to the Disciples
going to Emmaus, whose faith was weak-to show that He understood
their frailties and would not crush the bruised reed.
⚜His Love for me is so deep that He could not bear leaving me
alone, so He humbled Himself completely and gave me His Precious
Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist as food for my soul."
Info from this site:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/sandals/sandals.htm
☦"Part I - He Emptied Himself
⚜Jesus left the glory of Heaven to come down and take upon Himself
a nature like my own, because He loves me so much.
⚜I wonder if I understand how much of a humiliation it was for
Jesus to become human. If being with the Father is something
beyond our wildest dreams, just imagine what being equal to God
must be like! How could He leave such a position for me?
⚜I am ungrateful most of the time and prefer myself, people and
things to Him almost constantly. I do not have much to leave and
yet I cling to the little I have as if I were never going to lose
it.
☦Part II - WHAT DID JESUS DO FOR ME?
⚜He left Eternity and lived in Time that I might leave Time and
live in Eternity.
🔱He left the Eternal Father in all His Glory to come down as man
and acknowledge the Father's supremacy over all mankind.
🔱He came as a humble servant to make reparation for those who say,"
I will not serve." He was lowly of heart and gave credit to the
Father for everything He did and offered His self-effacement as an
atonement for my pride and independence.
⚜He was Master of all but never imposed on anyone or forced them to
follow Him.
⚜His humility was so great, He understood the hatred of His enemies
and asked His Father to forgive them.
⚜He ruled all creation and yet subjected Himself to Joseph and Mary
as an obedient son.
⚜He was content to be considered an uneducated carpenter, yet He
created the whole world.
⚜He was subject to two people whom He created because He saw His
Father's Will in their commands.
⚜He was the Splendor of the Father, but hid all that would
distinguish Him from the rest of the children of men.
⚜He was uncreated Wisdom but did not disdain learning ordinary
things from others.
⚜He was content to advance in wisdom and age before men, that I
might patiently advance in holiness before God.
⚜He accepted hatred, jealousy and persecution with composure,
seeing only the Father's Will in the plan of Redemption.
⚜He was not ashamed to eat with sinners even though doing so
belittled Him in the eyes of others.
⚜He watched those He came to redeem abandon Him in His hour of
need, without becoming bitter or resentful. He extended to Peter a
forgiving glance even before the Apostle was conscious of his sin.
⚜He did not give up His Spirit until He had endured every possible
torment-to prove His love for me.
⚜He rose from the grave and appeared first to Magdalene, a
repentant sinner, to Peter who denied Him and to the Disciples
going to Emmaus, whose faith was weak-to show that He understood
their frailties and would not crush the bruised reed.
⚜His Love for me is so deep that He could not bear leaving me
alone, so He humbled Himself completely and gave me His Precious
Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist as food for my soul."
YouTube video: "Battle for Silence - Advent Reflection", by Fr. Patrick Hyde - part 1
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/f5pJ5P00PY4
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/f5pJ5P00PY4