Hope you still have a lil room
For a couple of after dinner mints to consume
🆕 50. Eberhard Arnold: “The angel does not merely say dat Christ is born; he says, For you, 4 you he is born. He does not say, I bring news of great joy; he says, 2 you, I bring you news of great joy. Da birth of Jesus took place under da sign of light. If we want 2 become united wit da One who was born, we will give ourselves wholly 2 him – with all our sins! For, as Luther reminds us in da old words of da mystic angelus silesius, “Were Christ born a thousand times in Bethlehem & not in you, you would still B eternally lost.”The Redeemer is identified wit da sinner, Christ takes our birth from us 2bhimself & immerses it in his birth & gives us his, so dat in it we might become pure & new, as if it were our own. Thus every Christian may rejoice & glory in this birth, as if he, like Christ, were born of Mary.” Therefore, Christ must become ours & we his. 2 us a child is born, 2 us a son is given. Born 2 us, 2 us, to us!”
(MC=My Comments-A few of the 101 reasons why
🎁This Christmas Day, da Savior's birth is such a gracious gift
🎁Every spirit if need be, it should lift.
The Day is all about Him, it's His birthday so we should be making Him happy, the "Him" that is in each person)
49. Sr. Mae, CFR: “What does Love demand of us? Oftentimes we are called 2 discern situations dat can B complicated, or even convoluted. We must ask ourselves, “is this loving?” in every situation. Sometimes love demands our commitment, our long-suffering, our steadfastness, our overcoming of our fears 4 Da sake of another. & sometimes it is loving 4 us 2 let go of da things we are holding on 2bin order 2 make way 4 Love. Ask God what His love demands of U today, & you may B surprised by His gentleness & patience wit U. Pray & discern how you can love da people in front of U today”
(MC=my comments-
🔆Love allows us 2 embrace all In true freedom
🔆The captives are affected in more ways than one
🔆 We can @ times be so blind, deaf, & dumb
🔆Spiritual as well as physical, so in need of liberation
🔆God knows & does what us best
🔆We do our part & let Christ Our Savior take care of da rest
48. Sister Bernadette: “Reflect: Forgiveness can be challenging for all of us. It was for Saint Peter our first Pope, who was challenged by Jesus to forgive always at all times. Following the example of Jesus, we want to learn to forgive from the Cross as Jesus did. Share: Every day until Christmas extend God’s love and blessings to someone by forgiving them as a gift to Jesus. Pray: “Jesus, I trust in you. That you give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others, Jesus, I trust in you.” Pray the Litany of Trust in the morning & @ night. Blessings!”
(MC=my comments- When we don’t forgive we are like a tightly coiled spring. When we deeply encounter Jesus, we are empowered, &after being released we begin 2 loosen up & being set free, we can help others position themselves to be set free. A kind of barometer to indicate how deeply united we are to Jesus, is if we can forgive a little or forgive much, da telltale sign is there. United to the vine, we bear much fruit, & forgiveness on His “dime” makes it possible. His grace, by grace, yes Lord, help me live united 2 YOU!!!
47. Fr. Dan Volkert: As we keep watch & vigil, bring Christ some problem we have in our lives, one that we’ve been fretting over, and then Say, “Lord, I’m waiting for you to solve this, to show me the way out, the way forward. I’ve been running, planning, worrying, but now I’m going to let you work.” Then, throughout Advent, watch attentively for signs.MC=my comments- ❤️ this, perfect! What comes 2mind is dat sometimes da way out, da way 4ward may b 2B still right where we are. 4 when God is so ready, when all spiritual graces have marinated in our souls, & every unseen good completely baked, then we’re ready 2receive da blessings dat will B generously served & delicious 2 our greater good & God’s glory. @ other times da way out, da way 4ward is dat in da twinkling of an eye, God uses a spiritual AK47 to instantly silence da problem once & 4 all. Still again it may be a 747 dat distances us & we’re unscathed. Yes B it now or later, God’s @work when we bring Him da problem, but how many persevere in trust, buoyed up wit hope, peace, long suffering, love, etc.? Maybe this Christmas we need 2 B asking 4 da gifts of da Holy Spirit above all else. No, this sentence is in need of being rephrased, not may B, but it’s me 4 sho who desperately need all da gifts of da Holy Spirit in size XL in order 2 fulfill my destiny)
📖 Sirach 11:21 Do not marvel at the works of a sinner, but trust in the LORD and wait for his light; For it is easy in the eyes of the LORD to suddenly, in an instant, make the poor rich)
46. St. Edith Stein: "Immediately before & for a good while after my conversion, I was of da opinion dat 2 lead a religious life meant one had to give up all dat was secular & 2 live totally immersed in thoughts of da Divine. But gradually I realized dat something else is asked of us in this world & dat, even in da contemplative life, one may not sever da connection with da world. I even believe dat da deeper one is drawn into God, da more one must “go out of oneself”, dat is, one must go 2 Da world in order 2 carry da divine life into it"
(MC=My Comments — Oh yes, if there is a fire, then there will be smoke. So if we’re really on fire, we'll leave something behind dat can be inhaled and demonstrably seen, not just words which can hit ears. It’s not talk but an observable walk that counts)
45. Fr. Arne Panula”There’s a story a friend relayed about a priest in Ohio who walked into his church & saw a lone man on his knees in da pews. Da priest recognized him as a famous football player– 1 of da best known in da NFL, in town for a game dat day. Unable 2 resist, da priest approached & said, “Aren’t you so-and-so?” 2 which da athlete looked up & corrected him with, “Father, I’m praying.”
(MC=my comments-YES, yes! Da fire of hope being fueled 2 a frenzy. Da Lord does have some rams in da bush who truly get it, in mo ways than 1. A triple threat: da 1st is honoring Da Lord, yes present everywhere, but in da tabernacle, Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity. Secondly, 2 have da fortitude & knowledge 2 practice fraternal correction, you go guy! Lastly, 2 be singleminded & focused on Da Lord & not self is commendable. Refusing 2 get sidetracked in a conversation dat satisfies self & da other, a rarity 2 behold these days. From days of old, da elderly can tell you about being able 2 hear a pin drop in church. A miracle 2 have been able 2 experience this about a month ago @ da morning Holy Mass in my hometown. Never is there total silence, always @ least 1 person who must err, but this morning a miracle occurred. Amazing, amazing, amazing, & thrilling 2 see all in silence before da Lord)
44. Dr. Art Lindsey “ If U put a frog in a kettle of water & slowly turn up da heat, da frog adjusts 2 da rising temperature & there 4 does not jump out till it’s 2 late. In a similar way, we can B affected by our cultural environment, yet B unaware of da significant impact being made on us. In Colossians 2:8 we're warned 2 “Beware of philosophy ....” Some believers have used this as a pretext 4 avoidin da subject altogether, but da only way 2 beware of philosophy is 2 be aware of it.Otherwise, U might fall captive 2 an alien philosophy ¬ know it.It’s not a question of whether da past will affect us but which past—da recent past or mo distant past. If we really want 2 be skeptical about da past, B skeptical about da present. “Chronological snobbery” thoroughly applied would lead 2questionin all of our present fashions. Those who neglect past history tend 2 B enslaved 2 da recent past. Writer C.S. Lewis said dat ‘none can give 2 another what he doesn't possess himself. No generation can bequeath 2 its successor what it has not got ... if we're skeptical we shall teach only skepticism, if fools only folly, if vulgar only vulgarity, if saints sanctity, if heroes heroism’. We all want progress. But progress means gettin nearer 2 da place U want 2 be & if U have taken a wrong turn, then 2 go 4ward does not get U any nearer. If you're on da wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn & walkin back 2 da right road; & in dat case, da man who turns back soonest is da most progressive man. We have all seen this when we do arithmetic. When I have started adding a sum da wrong way, da sooner I admit this & go back & start over again,da faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded & refusin 2 admit a mistake. I think if U look @ da present state of da world, it is pretty plain humanity has been makin some big mistakes. We're on da wrong road, if dat is so, we must go back. Goin back is da quickest way on. “
(MC=my comments- Found this in a post on a day it was so apropos. In addition it struck a match 2 start a poetic fire that resulted in a poem to be soon shared. With da power of da Holy Spirit @ work in our lives, what this text mess is sayin will B clearly comprehendible. We pass on what we have, and if it's truth, it goes marching on, heeded by some but not all, understandably so. We inform and we move on. If it's error that we have been bequeathed, then it's da erroneous we pass on. Continually tracing our steps back, will in the end lead us to da initial starting point, & there da truth will be found 2 set each & every 1 free)
43. St. Antony the Great: "When Abba Anthony thought about the depths of the judgments of God, he asked, 'Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in need?' He heard a voice answering him, 'Antony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgment of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them"
(MC=My Comments- This lets me know, good or bad, God's "got it", and He is definitely in control. If we do our part, being responsible 2 be da saints dat we are called 2 be, minding our own business, then in the end, all will be well and working for good)
42. St. Augustine: "Through you, Blessed Mary, the miserable obtain mercy; the ungracious obtain grace; sinners obtain pardon; the weak obtain strength; the worldly obtain heavenly things; mortals obtain life; and pilgrims obtain their country"
(MC=My Comments- Doesn't it make sense? If the greatest gift of all, from God, came through Blessed Mary, could not lesser gifts from God also come through her? If the fountain is the source of water, is it not foolish for those who find themselves thirsty not to drink? Instruments do not create themselves nor determine their functionality, that's God job. He chose the Blessed Mother for her exalted role.)
41. St.John Cassian: "Da first good stirring of da will in us comes under da Lord's inspiration. He brings us along da road 2 salvation either Himself, by way of da exhortation of some man, or through necessity. & our virtues are perfected also as a gift from Him. Our task is, laxly or zealously, 2 play a role which corresponds 2 His grace & our reward or our punishment will depend on whether we strove or neglected 2 be at one, attentive & obedient, with da kindly dispensation of His providence toward us."
(MC=My Comments- When members of the body of Christ are healthy, spiritual synchrony occurs and we soar to greater spiritual heights. It is then possible to respond to the exhortation of others as inspired by the Holy Spirit if we are indeed operating in the Holy Spirit. Oh God, help me 2 not be fading in & out, but to remain rooted in you. Many times it is not u leaving me, but me leaving u, catering 2 my own understanding that creates a void. Purify me, distill my thoughts, words & deeds to ur great pleasure, & please do so 4 other desirous souls. It is certainly better to respond to a feather than 2 a two by four. Read again the latter part of what was said by St. John Cassian: “If it is by laxity or zealousness that we respond to grace, then accordingly will be our reward or punishment”. It will definitely make a big difference in the end if we now strive or neglect 2 be at one, attentive & obedient to Lord. 2 discern and see if what is coming our way via others is really God in disguise, helps to perfect our spiritual walk. That we all might be empower to use every grace wisely to conquer self.)
40. Fr. Tadeusz Dacjzer: "If you feel dat U are sinful & weak, you have a special right to Jesus' arms because He is da Good Shepherd, who looks for lost sheep and those who are weak and helpless and who can't keep up with the flock. Allow Jesus to take you upon His shoulders. Allow Him 2 love. Believe in His love”.
(MC=My Comments- Check out the cross, extended arms, all are welcome. Jesus is the answer, kind of like one size fits all. May we receive comfort, help, strength, & healing, peace, and happiness in the portion most suitable for each person, & at just da right time so that we not lose heart)
39. Pope Benedict XVI: “I would put it the other way around: faith gives joy. When God is not there, the world becomes desolate, and everything becomes boring, and everything is completely unsatisfactory. It’s easy to see today how a world empty of God is also increasingly consuming itself, how it has become a wholly joyless world. The great joy comes from the fact that there is this great love, and that is the essential message of faith. To that extent it can be said that the basic element of Christianity is joy. Joy not in the sense of cheap fun, which can conceal desperation in the background…. Rather, it is joy in the proper sense. A joy that exists together with a difficult life and also makes this life liveable. The history of Jesus Christ begins, according to the Gospel, with the angel saying to Mary, “Rejoice!” On the night of nativity the angels say again: We proclaim to you a great joy. And Jesus says, “I proclaim to you the good news.” So the heart of the matter is always expressed in these terms: I proclaim to you a great joy, God is here, you are beloved, and this stands firm forever.”
(MC=my comments- mo of God, mo happiness, mo peace, & mo joy. Get God! The time in now, better get whe the getting is good. Tomorrow may be 2 late)
38. By a person going under the moniker"One View": "The wisdom of keeping our eyes on Jesus at all times is a needed reminder. Somehow I see this wisdom as 1 of many graces that is coming from da scandal & all that has been swirling around it. Satan is about division. Jesus is about unity. Satan is about fear. Jesus is about trust. Satan is about accusation. Jesus is about forgiveness. Satan is about puffing up with pride. Jesus is about emptying oneself for others. Lord Jesus, give me the grace each day 2 keep my eyes on you"
(MC=My Comments- Playing the spin Dr. to ease da pain of the ill, in needed please swallow this pill if you will: Jesus is about unity, Lucifer is about division. Jesus is about trust, he is about fear. Jesus is about forgiveness, he is about accusation. Jesus is about emptying oneself for others, he is about puffing up with pride. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner, and Holy Spirit heal me with your love. Jesus, I surrender myself to you, please give me da grace each day 2 keep my eyes on you, & take care of everything, yes Jesus, take care of everything.What is ur spin?)
37. Dr.Kevin Vost: “We learn new things by comparing & contrasting them with things we already know, thereby widening da channels of our knowledge, bit by bit. We see this, 4 example, in da way we 1st learn da names of numbers &how 2 count before we move 2 addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division, &onto higher mathematical functions such as algebra, geometry, & such. Who could possibly survive da deep seas of calculus without having reached it via those ever-widening streams? Further, we navigate these streams & reach broader, deeper channels by following da guidance of our teachers, who have traveled much farther upstream than we have. As St. Thomas Aquinas have said: to set about acquiring the treasure of knowledge, namely, you should choose 2 enter by small rivers, & not go straight in2 da sea; 4 difficult things should b reached by way of easy things. Such is therefore my advice on ur way of life”
(MC=My comments- No wonder we do not grow & master da spiritual life, we are far away from practicing or knowing the basics. Lord have mercy on us, the bottom line is not our will but God’s, we are here to serve ¬ 2be served, total happiness reigns in heaven not on earth, & 2 seek first da kingdom of God. Let not our pursuits be all about building our own kingdom according 2 our exclusive wishes and desires, let’s live according to the spirit & not da flesh)
36. St. Alphonsus Liguori: ”In this valley of tears, every man is born 2 weep, @ all must suffer, by enduring da evils that take place every day. But how much greater would b da misery of life, if we also knew da future evils that await us! 'Unfortunate, indeed, would b da situation of some 1 who knows da future', says da pagan Roman philosopher Seneca; 'he would have 2 suffer everything by anticipation'. Our Lord shows us this mercy. He conceals da trials dat await us so that, whatever they may b, we may endure them only once. But he didn’t show Mary this compassion. God willed her 2 b da Queen of Sorrows, & in all things like his Son. So she always had 2 see b 4 her eyes, & continually 2 suffer, all da torments that awaited her. & these were da sufferings of da passion & death of her beloved Jesus. For in da temple, St. Simeon, having received da divine Child in his arms, foretold 2 her that her Son would b a sign for all da persecutions & oppositions of men. ... Jesus our King & his most holy mother didn’t refuse, 4 love of us, 2 suffer such cruel pains throughout their lives. So it’s reasonable that we, @ least, should not complain if we have 2suffer something"
(MC=My Comments- How true this is as evidenced by the flowing scripture: “Therefore do not b anxious 4 tomorrow; 4 tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.Darkness leads us 2delve into da future, whereas da wisdom of God leads 2 livin da present moment)
35. Dr. Thomas Neal’s grandfather “Keep your friends close & your enemies closer, as your critics & opponents do you da great favor of drawing out your hidden faults & exposing your defenses effectively & efficiently. Long ago, Socrates learned this secret from da oracle of Delphi”
(MC=my comments-Well, definitely know da truth regarding this. Da Lord brings 2 mind quite often how da people who are da most aggravating, are really da ones whose praises should be sung by me. Why? Because they are really aids 2 get me heaven. How often would efforts be put forth 2 stretch & grow if not tested & tried by those who work on your last nerve? We do need our “Aces” by our side 2 support us as we all keep going & run da race of excellence. What wonderful sources supplying comfort & joy, but there is definite a place for those who grate. So thank you Jesus 4 every single person crossing my path, everything works 4 good 4 those who luv you & labor according 2 your promises)
34. Saint Dorotheos of Gaza: "Who hated sin more than da saints? But they did not hate da sinners @ da same time, nor condemn them, nor turn away from them. But they suffered wit them, admonished them, comforted them, gave them remedies as sickly members, & did all they could 2 heal them."
(MC=my comments- That we all might follow in da footsteps of da saints, da world would be totally transformed, Heaven on earth. Let us begin our journey here & now, let’s change & start livin mo, & more in spirit & truth. Yes, it takes 1 to change, than another & another, that’s how we renew da face of da earth 4 Christ)
33. Michael Fontecchio: “In da person of Mary, in fact, da 2nd Eve will, in no manner, be imprudent & foolish as was da 1st Eve. Da 2nd Eve will be prompt 2 consecrate herself faithfully 2 da plan of salvation according 2 da will of God. Da 2nd Adam, then, in da person of Jesus will join 2 himself da 2nd Eve 4 da sake of a universal salvation, in contrast with da 1st Adam who was bound by da sin of da 1st Eve, seduced by da serpent in Eden. As da 2nd Vatican Council affirms, da New Eve, namely Mary of Nazareth, rooted in da will of God by her personal Fiat, “consecrated herself totally as Handmaid of da Lord 2 da person and work of her Son, under him & with him cooperating in da mystery of redemption”
(MC=My Comments- Da choice is ours, we’re either modeling da 1st Eve
or da 2nd, either da 1st Adam or da 2nd. In this case it's a good thing 2 come in 2nd & not 1st)
32. Ann Voskamp: "The brave who focus on all things good & all things beautiful & all things true, even in da small, who give thanks 4 it & discover joy even in da here & now, they are da change agents who bring fullest light to all da world"
(MC=My Comments- Why do U suppose dat is so? 4 me it seems dat much like our Blessed Lady, our "Fiat" brings harmony & peace in spite of da surrounding circumstances, because we act in accordance 2 our belief. Dat belief is dat God is our all in all. There 4, let it B done always according 2 thy will O Lord)
31. Ann Voskamp: "The seed breaks to give us the wheat. The soil breaks to give us the crop, the sky breaks to give us the rain, the wheat breaks to give us the bread. And the bread breaks to give us the feast. There was once even an alabaster jar that broke to give Him all the glory.”
(MC=My Comments- Now why do u think a certain trial is allowed in our lives? 4 me, trials may serve me a stepping stones to a bigger more glorious mansion above. If left 2 me , do u think there would ever be an opportune time 2 go thru difficulties? Either u believe dat scripture is tru or it's not. If 1 truly believe, then it's 2mlive like it, if not it's living like a fool. For scripture says in:
📖 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all"
What type of mansions do u think da martyrs have? If u aren't clueless, then you'll kind of know what our troubles are worth on the scale, if endured as coming from the hands of God, not from our foolishness or errors merit for us.)
30. Blessed Thomas of Cori: “The Divine Office should be recited slowly &reverently, for if da heart does not pray, da tongue works in vain”
(MC=my comments- Feeling so charged after reading this, and saying: Oh thank you God, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit, for letting me see this. Validation, halleluia!)
29. Ralph Waldo Emerson: ”For every minute U are angry, U lose 60 seconds of happiness”
(MC=my comments- With vices we always end up in the red because their deposits in our lives, really are withdrawals in disguise. In regards to the soul, they R not economical in da least)
28. St. Bernard “Virtue is often false, and the true metal in it is not to be distinguished from the dross until persecution has applied the touchstone, and proved the temper. We know not what we are till we have been tried. It costs nothing to say we love God above all things, and to show the courage of martyrs at a distance from the danger; but the love that is sincere is that which has stood the proof. “Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor”
(MC=my comments- Yes we can think we are 1thing & in da eyes of God b quite another. We can appear 2 others one way, but appear 2 God totally different. Therefore let the saints be our rule of thumb 2 which we match up, then we’ll know we’re on da rite track. Don’t want 2 go dat route, then let adversity tell loud & clear what time it is. We’ll soon find out dat we R a day late & a dollar short most of da time. Me myself, always begging 4 mercy, cause know operating on thin, thin, thin ice)
27. Fr. Raoul Plus: "In da beginning, it was a woman who, by abusing her freewill, lost supernatural grace for the whole of mankind. It was a woman who — at what price we shall now tell — submitted her will to God by a moving act of heroism, and thus paved the way for the restoration of grace"
(MC=My Comments- God continues 2B da equalizer, He always has a plan. All dat is out of order or out of control, He has a way da leads 2 perfect Divine order or control. Strategically placed are people, places, & things dat work in our favor, but da key is dat all opens 2 victory in God's glorious time. Our Blessed Lady was central 2 da plans in da beginning wit Jesus & will cont. 2 play an important role. 2 da end. Want 2 say 2 those in need dat Habbakuk 2:3 is da word 2B heard: "4 da revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of da end & will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come &will not delay".Let da whole world say AMEN!!! )
26. St. John Bosco: "Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book"
(MC=My Comments- We kno da path da saints traveled on, led to their canonization, so why venture 2 da right or left? It makes no sense going about how & where we so desire. Summer reading time folks, so recommending a few books that are on my summer list. My fav 5 in iBooks, Kindle, and 1 from Kobo, Nook, and Google Playbook. It's not the quantity of pages u read, but that U read. Once read a page or more a day, & finished St. John Cassian's Institutes & Conferences in a bit over 2 yrs. Inspired to let da summer texts b from something read in one of these books unless led to share something else. A sure way of getting to these books, of course the daily staple is always reading from Scripture
Ibooks
1. St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations, by St. Therese of Lisieux
2. The glories of Divine Grace: A Free rendering of the original treatise of P. Eusebius Niermberh, S.J., by amateurs Scheeben
3. When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart by Fr. Gaston Courtois
4. Under the Gaze of the Father by Concepcion Cabrera de Armida & Servant of God Archbishop Luis Martínez
5. Self Knowledge and Self Discipline by Fr. Basil Maturin (free)
My fav 5 in kindle:
1. Mystics in Spite of Themselves: Four Saints and The World's They Didn't Leave, by R. A. Herrera
2. Our thoughts Determine Our Lives, The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica , translated by Ana Smiljanic
3.With God in America, by Fr. Walter Ciszek
4. The Business of Heaven , by C.S. Lewis
5. The Divine Symphony: An Exordium To The Theology Of The Catholic Mass, by David Gray
Fav In Kobo
1. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller
Fav In Nook
1. The Science of the Cross, by Edith Stein( St. Benedicta of the Cross
To make a baker's dozen choosing from Google Playbook
1. Audi, Filia, St. John of Avila
25. St. Mechtilde “God is not merely a benefactor 2 whom we go wit requests, a sort of supreme infirmarian 2 whom we go 4 remedies whenever we are in need; He is above all da sovereign Majesty &, as St. Ignatius always says when he mentions God, “our Lord & our God.”
(MC=My Comments-How important it is 2 foster da relationship of creator & creature, Master & slave. But check out da graciousness of God who calls us not slave but: 📖”So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; & since U are his child, God has made U also an heir”. We owe da debt of worship & praise,so let’s seek da Lord God not just 4what He can give, but 2 give not counting da cost”)
24. Mark Mallett: “God sends trials, not 2 harm us, but 2 purify & shake us from da clasp of sin & its destructive powers: Da book of Sirach 2:1-6’My child, when U come 2 serve da Lord, prepare yourself 4 trials. B sincere of heart &steadfast, & do not b impetuous in time of adversity. Cling 2 him, do not leave him, dat U may prosper in ur last days. Accept whatever happens 2 U; in periods of humiliation b patient. 4 in fire gold is tested, & da chosen, in da crucible of humiliation. Trust in God, & he will help U; make ur ways straight &hope in him’.
If we have not been sincere of heart & steadfast; if we have been impetuous & rebellious; if we have not clung 2Him or accepted our trials; if we have not been patient or humble; if we have not straightened our old ways &habits…. thanks b 2 God, we still can. Even if grey hair crowns ur head, with God, we can always begin anew. Jesus 2 St. Faustina,in da book Divine Mercy in My Soul; ‘&Let no soul fear 2 draw near 2 Me, even though its sins b as scarlet… da greater da misery of a soul, da greater its right 2 My mercy… I cannot punish even da greatest sinner if he makes an appeal 2 My compassion, but on da contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable & inscrutable mercy… Da flames of mercy R burning Me—clamoring 2 B spent; I want 2 keep pouring them out upon souls; souls just don’t want 2 believe in My goodness… A soul’s greatest wretchedness does not enkindle Me wit wrath; but rather, My Heart is moved towards it with great mercy.Were a soul like a decaying corpse so dat from a human standpoint, there would b no [hope of] restoration & everything would already b lost, it is not so wit God. Da miracle of Divine Mercy restores dat soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of da miracle of God’s mercy!’
That is why Jesus gave us da Sacrament of Reconciliation—dat He may restore us even when we have gone terribly astray.But then, we must also leave da confessional wit a sincere heart & steadfast resolution: dat our righteousness will, at last, surpass da Pharisees.
(MC=my comments-Preparation,acceptance,patience, these 4 me means this:
#1. U kno all dat glitters isn’t gold, so be prepared not surprised.
#2. If you happen 2 “meet it”, then “greet it” prayerfully and carry on robed in trust.
#3. It is 2kno dat u kno that u kno: God’s gonna work it out, now & 4 ever, without a doubt, “He’s got dat”. There4 in due season, in due time, it all boils down 2 one thing: everything is gonna b alright)
23. Archbishop Martinez: “Jesus Sacred Heart, this luv is a singular love, because each soul is 4 God ‘one beyond compare’…. No 2 loves are da same, 4 each soul has its own special character…. God created each soul precisely dat way in order dat each soul mite luv Him wit a luv which is never duplicated.”
(MC=my comments- This shows da urgency wit which we should fly 2 fulfill da desire of God. He so wishes dat He find in each heart, a love of His own. If we fail, no one else can uniquely fulfill our role. Hold not back, let us luv He who loves us wit an everlasting luv.
22. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: “Indeed, no 1 has collaborated mo wit Christ in saving da human race. Hers was an intimate & profound collaboration, 4 by her blood, she supplied da Son of God wit da humanity which made it possible 4 Him, da eternal Word, 2 become 1 of us, & 2 suffer & die 4 us on da Cross. Mary’s collaboration was of da highest value, since she was willingly, knowingly da Mother of da Savior. She gave her consent, knowing well from da Sacred Scriptures dat da Messiah was 2 B da Man of Sorrows, immolated 4 da redemption of da world. By consenting 2 become His Mother, she thereby consented 2 link her fate wit His & share in all His sufferings. 2 give a Redeemer 2 da world, 2 B willing 2 C her beloved Son die in torment, was Mary’s sublime apostolate, born of her immense love of God. Da greater da luv 4 God, da greater & mo effective da apostolate which is derived from it. Da reverse is equally tru. Every apostolic work which is not animated by charity is nothing. “If I should distribute all my goods 2 feed da poor,” says St. Paul, “& if I should deliver my body 2 b burned, & have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”, 1 Corinthians 13:3”
(MC=my comments-Can u come up wit 1 who collaborated mo wit Christ in saving da world? If not, Blessed Mother Mary can b considered da highest honor of our human race. For 2 not honor her is 2 break from da command which calls us 2 honor father & mother. Our heavenly mother, mo than that Jesus’ mother, do we get it or what? Well thanks b 2 God we can delight Him by honoring her)
21. A Benedctine Oblate: “When God chooses 1 out of many—when He chooses an Abraham or a Moses, da blessed Virgin Mary, or da founders of monastic movements & religious congregations—He always does so in order 2 bless a multitude, fashion a people, form a nation. He does something extraordinary 4 one, so dat His word may radiate outward 2 countless souls & His grace b sought wit renewed eagerness. He chooses da 1 not as an isolated exception or arbitrary preference, but as da humble centre around which a great circle will b drawn, a blazing hearth around which many can gather, b warmed, & find fellowship.”
(MC=My Comments- Our Blessed Mother Mary was chosen 2 give birth 2 Jesus physically, we 2 have been called 2 bear Jesus 2 all who cross our path. Each of us have been called by name, whether we R deaf 2 da call or not. Let us pray dat all mite b awakened 2 da personal call on our lives & fulfill our mission, b it great R small in order 2 bless a multitude, fashion a people, & form a nation like only we can do, 1 person @ a time. Don't underestimate ur value 2 God in His kingdom. Why do u tink u were created? Realy ponder this? Come up wit sum answers. There were bout 2million eggs 2start off wit & @ around 20 yrs of age da count decreases 2 about 300,000 & da decline starts. Unbelievable dat we made da cut, how special is dat? 4 those coming from a sm fmly, really how narrow was da cut. Special people go out 2 day & "work it" 4 da kingdom of God!)
20. Book: Saints Guide To The Immaculate Conception: “2 increase her merit, God allowed St. Ann 2 undergo grievous trials during her pregnancy. Although Satan didn't kno dat her daughter was 2 B da Mother of da Saviour, he perceived dat a strong spiritual influence proceeded from Ann, & there 4 he did his best 2 tempt & disturb & harm her. But she resisted all his attacks wit humble fortitude, patience, & prayer. Then da enraged Devil tried 2 make St. Joachim's house crash 2 da ground but Mary's protecting angels prevented such an accident from happening. Next, Satan incited some of St. Ann's women friends to treat her with open scorn and mockery because of her late pregnancy. St. Ann did not permit herself 2 B upset by this injustice, but in all meekness & humility she bore da insults and acted wit still greater kindness 2ward these women. In da end, as a result of her prayers, they amended their ways”
(MC=my comments- This excerpt speaks volumes from many different angles. Choosing da strong spiritual influence 2 comment on, because of being so full of grace, Our Blessed Mother was filled with the Ho,y Spirit. No doubt da effect of dat is still present 2 day. So let us find refuge in Our Lady 4 assurance 2 safely journey 2wards Jesus, who is our all in all. Blessed Lady, journey with us through thick & through thin.)
19. Fr. Walter Ciszek: "God’s infinite love, power, wisdom, & mercy have been revealed 2 us in His incarnate divine Son, da greatest of all mysteries. & it was Mary who was chosen as His Mother 2 bring about da birth of Christ in 2 this world. She was blessed amongst all women because she was full of grace. Dat is, already being wit God while living in this world & enjoyin da heavenly vision of God while experiencing fully @ da same time both da earthly & heavenly life. This was given her simply because God willed it so. Becoming da Mother of God’s Son, she became also da Mother of all mankind thru da fullness of grace operating in her. She became Heaven’s choice gift 2 us, & our boast"
(MC=My Comments- Our Dear Blessed Mother was good enough 4 God da Father 2 entrust His only Begotten Son 2 her, so shouldn't she be good enuf 4 creatures 2 honor in imitation of Jesus? Come, let us reason together. A formal thanks 2 God 4 da gift of Our Blessed Lady, Queen of heaven & earth.)
18. Caesarius of Arles (470-542 AD),an early church bishop in Gaul: "Peace, indeed, is serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, simplicity of heart, da bond of love, da fellowship of charity. It removes hatred, settles wars, restrains wrath, tramples on pride, loves da humble, pacifies da discordant & makes enemies agree. 4 it's pleasing 2 every 1. It does not seek what belongs 2 another or consider anything as its own. It teaches people 2 luv because it doesn't know how 2 get angry, or 2 extol itself or become inflated wit pride. It is meek & humble 2 every, possessing rest & tranquility within itself. When da peace of Christ is exercised by a Christian, it's brought 2 perfection by Christ. If any 1 luvs it, he will b an heir of God, while any 1 who despises it rebels against Christ. When our Lord Jesus Christ was returning 2 da Father, he left his peace 2 his followers as their inherited good, teaching them & sayin,'My peace I give 2 U, my peace I leave wit u.' Any 1 who has received this peace should keep it, & 1 who has destroyed it should look 4 it, while any 1 who has lost it should seek it. 4 if any 1 is not found wit it, he will b disinherited by da Father & deprived of his inheritance"
(MC=My Comments-Of my goodness this is like spiritual candy 2 me, can suck on this lollipop 4 days, months, & years. Old school is like a straight jacket 4 holiness, do luv truth dat is distilled in it's finest. May is da month of Our Blessed Mother & she constantly preaches Peace from Medjugorge. Time to redefine da peace we profess 2. Can u place a check mark by all of the above mentioned by Pontus of Caesarius of Arles, if not, indeed time 2 go 2work. Lord so far away from the peace dat passes all human understanding, Maranatha, come Lord Jesus Christ, come. Enlighten my/our minds & strengthen my/ our wills, bending them 2 tru peace. How clueless we are 2 da depths of truly thriving spiritually within da realms of excellency)
17. Casey Cole, OFM: "When we stop 4 a moment da desire 2 convince God 2 give us what we want & simply encounter God—2 aim our full attention @ da light itself rather than using it 2 C what we want—our focus becomes clear. All of a sudden, we C ourselves & da world da way God does ... & 4 da 1st time kno dat things are not da way dat they should b. Something needs 2 change. Often, dat something is us”
(MC=My Comments- Always we are in need of changing, how else will we b able 2 go from glory 2glory. Da world will never change unless it happens 1 by 1. It started wit 12 Apostles & now we are Christians. Take heart, let's open our hearts so dat a work can b done in us, Lord have mercy)
16. St. John Paul II: "This miracle of mercy has radically changed humanity's destiny. It is a miracle in which is unfolded da fullness of da love of da Father who, 4 our redemption, does not even draw back B 4 da sacrifice of his Only-begotten Son. In da humiliated & suffering Christ, believers & non-believers can admire a surprising solidarity, which binds him 2 our human condition beyond all imaginable measure. Da Cross, even after da Resurrection of da Son of God, "speaks & never ceases 2 speak of God da Father, who is absolutely faithful 2 his eternal love 4man.... Believing in this love means believing in mercy"
(MC=My Comments- How beautiful R da feet of him who brings Goodnews. Magnificent, the breaks mercy gives us day in and day out. Let us rejoice & B glad. Most of all let us be giving & give back 2 God in thanksgiving da one thing that is not His, our wills)
16. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "If you’ve ever really 4given somebody, forgiven some real wrong, all forgiveness is suffering. If U say I forgave & I didn’t suffer, it wasn’t really dat serious a wrong. But if U have ever really truly been wronged, & you have 4given it, then U have suffered. Because all forgiveness is a form of suffering. If someone has wronged U deeply, there is an indelible sense of debt, an injustice, a feeling U can’t just shrug off. And once U sense this deep injustice, this debt, there are only 2 things U can do. One is U can make da perpetrator pay, U can find ways 2 make da perpetrator suffer & pay down da debt, or Two, U can forgive"
(MC=My Comments- It seems da hurt from being wronged is like dat of experiencing a robbery. 1 feels dat da offending party must b incarcerated &/or pay da debt dat is owed. Prolonging da balance due in installments, R keeping da case alive isn't worth it. Find it's freeing 2 da self ifda high road is taken & a pardon extended. Da alternate is not very attractive, dat of being wedded to taking da easy low road, wearing da suffeRING💍)
15. Brother Anthony Freeman, LC “If U are holy, U will change da world. If not, da world will change u"
(MC=My Comments-If some1 can't C da truth of dat & fail 2 work by grace 2 live holy, then they R blind in da mind. Lord have mercy! It is imperative 2 learn well our faith in truth, then no 1 , or no half truth, can turn us around.)
14. Fr. Romano Guardini: "One of these image-objects strikes me, & I think most people, as having more than ordinary force & beauty. It is dat of a lighted candle. There it rises, firmly fixed in the metal cup on da broad- based, long-shafted candlestick, spare & white, yet not wan, distinct against whatever background, consuming in da little flame dat flickers above it da pure substance of da wax in softly-shining light. It seems a symbol of selfless generosity. It stands so unwavering in its place, so erect, so clear & disinterested, in perfect readiness 2B of service. It stands, where it is well 2stand, before God. It stands in its appointed place, self-consumed in light &warmth. Yes, of course da candle is unconscious of what it does. It has no soul. But we can give it a soul by making it an expression of our own attitude. Stir up in yourself da same generous readiness 2B used. "Lord, here am I." Let da clean, spare, serviceable candle bespeak ur own attitude. Let ur readiness grow in2 steadfast loyalty. Even as this candle, O Lord, would I stand in ur presence. Do not weaken in or try 2evade ur vocation. Persevere. Do not keep asking why &2 what purpose. 2B consumed in truth & love, in light & warmth, 4God, is da profoundest purpose of human life"
(MC=My Comments- This year da sight of da new Paschal Candle will mean mo than it ever did. It will personally signify my resolve 2go forth in a new resurrected way 2shine in selfless generosity, unwavering, erect, clear, disinterested, in perfect readiness 2B of service, 2stand before God in my appointed place, self-consumed in light & warmth, & in readiness 2grow in 2 steadfast loyalty. Of course da flame will flicker & grow dim @ times, but my God, my God, will allow nothing or no one 2succeed in snuffing out da fire of desire 2B consumed by Him &Him alone. What is ur Easter resolve, or do u will 2resolve?)
13. Servant of God Fr. Don Dolindo: "Da beatitudes lift us 2 da heroism of holiness on earth, give da soul da blessedness of loving union with God, & in paradise eternal happiness by means of da perfection of union wit God & of enjoyment of God. It's necessary 2 acknowledge & confess that on da part of Christians, da great ignorance of da action of da Holy Spirit in their souls, is da principal cause 4 which da spirit of da world prevails in them. Virtue is almost totally neglected; holiness is rare, very rare, even in souls consecrated 2 God, & da decay of da spirit is general & worrisome. Nature has prevailed in every area & sadly triumphed. Da energies expended 2 restore da Christian spirit R sterile, because these consist mostly of propaganda activity, instead of profound transformation & sanctification. Souls are held 2 mo R less artificial rules of da spiritual life, & ignore da sublime rule of da action of da Holy Spirit, da only Person who possesses da great secret of supernatural fruitfulness. It's 4 this reason dat we feel da need 2 deepen further understanding of da path of da beatitudes,which brings us 2 da heroism of da virtues & 2 tru perfection & sanctity.”
(MC=My Comments-Da saints definitely kno da score. This translated means: Da Beatitudes R important. How many of da beatitudes can we name? Now da bigger question is: "How many R we living?". Practice makes perfect, so not knowing R no conscious awareness of every single 1,means we are falling short. Serious Students let's get on it, come out of da closet! Start 2 day,make an effort 2 practice @ least 1. An interactive text mess 2 day, b4 da day is over,how many can u name &do u know how many there R?Trust me,practicing what is being preached,cause it's not coming from me,da apostolate is about sharing my spiritual journey. Bet between us all,we can come up with all of them. If u care 2participate in this spiritual exercise, share da ones u come up wit,& God willing 2 morr will share the original Beatitudes &hopefully as da body of Christ we'll have covered them all. Together we'll enter & C da face of God, u helpin me & my efforts assisting U. Completing da assignment by counting & naming da Beatitudes & will attempt 2live @least 1of them daily)
12. Boniface @Unam Sanctam Catholicam:”The universal call 2 holiness means we are all capable, wit great efforts done in grace, of attaining some degree of holiness; 2 often it is taken 2 mean dat we R already basically holy. Instead of making the world holy, holiness is made worldly. We ought 2 B exceptions 2 this. We know da path -& we know, based on da Church's tradition, dat da path is objective; some things will lead us 2 holiness better than others, regardless of our intention. There is nothing wrong with watching a football game. But it is a holier thing 2 renounce watching football 4 da love of God than 2 read a book entitled Finding God in Football in order 2 convince urself dat ur merely acceptable recreation is actually an act of piety. We know da acts of tru piety, & da Church's tradition presumes they R objectively standardized & dat those who do them in da rite disposition will b holier than those who don't. Period. Let us, then, follow da path dat has been blazed 4 us, & begin by resolving 2 follow God's will perfectly in a spirit of humility & penitence. The way is not easy, but putting us souls under da discipline will render da yoke easy & da burden light. Let us have great confidence in our Lord 2 complete da good work He has begun in us (Php. 1:6) & remember dat "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Php.4:13)”
(MC=my comments- It’s up 2 us 2really want it or delude ourselves dat we want it.Our willingness 2fully embrace truth & change is da proof of da pudding.Lord have mercy on me,da spirit is willing but da flesh is weak.Nonethless, not giving up & will fight da good fight, as grace will always b da game changer, praise da Lord)
11. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: Wherever applause breaks out in da liturgy because of some human achievement, it's a sure sign dat da essence of liturgy has totally disappeared & been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. Such attraction fades quickly — it cannot compete in da market of leisure pursuits, incorporating as it increasingly does various forms of religious titillation.”
(My Comments-Yes,it seems what is instinctively surfacing when you really start allowing da Holy Spirit 2 pin prick ur soul, God will confirm sooner or later. Much SECA (spiritual extracurricular activities, my label) inserted in2 da Mass in our age is so out of place. Becoming mo & mo aware of this, we have 2 pray & speak up. People R speaking up with diminishing comments,so let us speak up 4 God's glory, which is da primary reason behind all good actions. 4 instance people in the some congregations informing priests that praying Eucharistic Prayer number One is 2 long (ridiculous,is ur favorite program 2long?). It makes sense, when da Mass is now in da category of religious entertainment subliminally, as 1 ceases 2b amused, da next step is to tunes out. Da Holy Liturgy can't compete, 4 there is no diehard allegiance and what results seems 2 B it's relegation 2 just another slice of da pie, but it is The Pie of all times Catholic Christians. Just learned how we R also b influenced supraliminally, Lord have mercy, no wonder we are in da state that we are in. Believe with my whole heart so right is BDXVI, that revival will flourish with the recovery of true authentic liturgy celebrated in spirit & truth)
10. St. Charles Borromeo: "If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within U, do not expose it 2 da wind, 4 it may get blown out…Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter… Do not give yourself 2 others so completely dat U have nothing left 4 yourself."
(My comments- Knowing when, where, & how 2nhold-em or fold-em takes U a long way in maintaining peace & being authentic & tru 2 urself. Da Saints knew balance and they lived by da power of da Holy Spirit, which is no cowardly spirit. Let us try 2 do da same. Lord have mercy on us all, bring healing to our bodies, minds, souls, & spirits)
9. St. John Vianney: "There is no doubt about it: a person who loves pleasure, who seeks comfort, who flies from anything dat might spell suffering, who is over-anxious, who complains, who blames, & who becomes impatient @ da least little thing which does not go his way - a person like dat is a Christian only in name; he is only a dishonor 2 his religion, 4 Jesus Christ has said so: 'Any 1 who wishes 2 come after Me, let him deny himself & take up his cross every day of his life, & follow Me.'"
(MC=My Comments- Plain & simple 4 da 1st time 2me: There will b a cross 2 carry every single day. There4, there is no need 4me 2spout da following phrase:"Lord have mercy, always something". Better said is: Lord have mercy, please give me grace, strength, & courage, and see me through)
8. St. Aurelius Augustine "All who do not love God are strangers and antichrists. They might come to the churches, but they cannot be numbered among the children of God. That fountain of life does not belong to them. A bad person can have baptism and prophecy. King Saul had prophecy: even while he persecuted the holy David, he was filled with the Spirit of Prophecy, and began to prophesy. [1 Sam. 19] A bad person can receive the sacrament of the body and blood of the Lord, for is said, “All who eat and drink unworthily, eat and drink judgment on themselves.” [1 Cor. 11:29] A bad person can have the name of Christ and be called a Christian. Such people are referred to when it says, “They polluted the name of their God.” [Ezek. 36:20] To have all these sacraments is, as I say, possible even for a bad person. But to have love and be a bad person is impossible. Love is the unique gift, the fountain that is yours alone. The Spirit of God exhorts you to drink from it, and in so doing to drink from himself"
(MC=My Comments- No wonder St. Augustine said: "Love and do what you will".Love have a 1 track mind, & dat is allegiance 2 all things Godly. Found out that St. Augustine's first name was Aurelius)
7. Cardinal John Henry Newman: "God's presence is not discerned @ da time when it is upon us, but afterwards, when we look back."
(MC=My Comments- Second guessing, hindsight, nothing like living da present moment fully in da Holy Spirit, then whatever unfolds is 4 our good & 4 God's glory. This quote confirms what Blessed Pope Paul VI wrote about in Humanae Vitae. Read where @da time he wrote correctly about da dangers of contraception, he was indeed a prophet and a saint. Da last miracle needed 4 him 2 B proclaimed a saint is now confirmed. He so rightly proclaimed:
1) An increase in marital infidelity.
2) A general lowering of moral standards.
3) A loss of respect for women (man would “reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires”).
4) Governments would coerce people into using contraception and intervene"
6. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger: “Worship gives us a share in heaven’s mode of existence, in the world of God, and allows light to fall from that divine world into ours”
(MC=My Comments- This just demonstrates 2 me how God is always giving. Even when we think we R giving, we are actually receiving. God is always doing something 4 us out of His good pleasure. When we really & truly realize that God is 4 us & not against, we will not be rattled when things are not going along how we would expect them 2. We say we trust, but what we sometimes mean is that we trust that we don't trust as we should. Well maybe dat "we" is "me", but workin on me, definitely working on it!)
5. MARK 4:35-41"On that day, when evening had come,he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"(MC=My Comments- When reading the above scripture passage, it was da questions dat stood out:"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?", causing me to ponder, knowing these same questions are applicable in regards to various situation in our lives. The answers 2da why are: Being afraid stems from a lack of trust dat all is working 4good & dat God is in total control willing, allowing, or permitting. Da next point 2mind is dat it's a fact, we either have fear or we have faith. Impossible 2 have da cake & eat it 2. No "and's" here, we R dealing with an "either/or" proposition, 2B or not 2B. Time 2 face reality & reassess, no need 2 B a fool thinking we living in faith pleasing God when dat is simply not true, a mirage, Lord have mercy on us, dat we might clearly see. We read to feed, other wise we R spending da spiritual coins of time & not getting our money's worth)
4. Fr. Richard Frederick Clarke: “I will glance over my past life and try to recall a few of my many offences. What a career mine has been! What ingratitude to God! What selfishness, what uncharitableness to others, what meanness, what unfaithfulness to grace, what impurity, what low motives of action, what forgetfulness of God, what idle words, what waste of time, what continual following of my own inclinations ! How can I hope to escape the just judgments of God ?Pray for shame and contrition at the sight of your sins.”
(MC=My Comments- This might not appear good "2U", but it's definitely good "4U". Aren't we all striving 4 heaven & not just earthly satisfaction? Does it make sense to be grasping for things that are passing away or what we'll end up leaving behind?)
3. Dom Augustin Guillerand: "The human heart is a city; it was meant to be a stronghold. Sin surrendered it. Henceforth it is an open city, the walls of which have to be built up again. The enemy never ceases to do all he can to prevent this. He does this with his accustomed cleverness and strength, with stratagem and fury ... he succeeds all along the line to distract us and entice us away from the divine presence. We must always be starting again. These continual recoveries, this endless beginning again, tires and disheartens us far more than the actual fighting. We would much prefer a real battle, fierce and decisive. But God, as a rule, thinks otherwise. He would rather we were in a constant state of war."
(MC=My Comments- The Monks, da best hoodies wearers in da world. Their path is da road less traveled, let join them in trekking towards total surrender, which results in true holiness. A constant state of war to me represents being armed & geared up defensively at all times, what does it mean to u?)
2. Fr. Walter Ciszek: "God is taking care of U in da many difficulties U experience. Yet, U seem not 2 realize this truth in all its spiritual meaning; it takes time 2 do so. From your frequent contacts wit God in prayer, U should slowly become more enlightened in da ways of God, which R hidden & difficult 2 understand until prayer removes da shades from our darkened mind"
(MC= My Comments- We can confidently & most definitely say God's "got it" this year, next year, & every year dat is 2 come. Let us pray so that da shades may b removed, God always have a master plan that nets a win 4 us in da end. Believe dat!)
1.Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdelen: "To live a serious interior life, one that is wholly concentrated on seeking God, it is necessary to prevent the outside world from entering the soul and filling it with distractions and noise; it is necessary, therefore, to guard its doors assiduously. The senses are precisely the doors which open to earthly things: sight permits its images to enter; hearing, its sounds, and so forth, so that, without a discreet mortification of the senses, the soul, the living temple of the Blessed Trinity, becomes like a market-place, open to all kinds of traffic, open to every wind of rumor. Then Jesus might well say to us what He once said to the profaners of the temple, “Make not the house of My Father a house of traffic” (John 2:16). A temple of the Blessed Trinity by Baptism, the consecrated soul is doubly so by reason of its vows and promises, and is, therefore, doubly obliged to guard the recollection of its spirit, in order to make it really a “house of prayer.” According to St. Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Jesus, “It suffices to keep well closed the outside doors, that is, the senses, so that the soul and the heart cannot go elsewhere than to their center, which is God.” This was her method: “I shall fix my gaze on my heart and I shall raise my heart to God” (Spirituality of St. Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Jesus). Mortification of the senses should not be limited to Carthusians and to those in cloisters, as it is an indispensable exercise for all souls, that they may become recollected and wholly concentrated upon God"
(MC=My Comments- Out with the old & in with the new. Let us pray that we can find ways for better guarding our senses and that of those entrusted and assigned to us? If we don't who will?)
(MC=My Comments-A few of the 101 reasons why
🎁This Christmas Day, da Savior's birth is such a gracious gift
🎁Every spirit if need be, it should lift.
The Day is all about Him, it's His birthday so we should be making Him happy, the "Him" that is in each person)
49. Sr. Mae, CFR: “What does Love demand of us? Oftentimes we are called 2 discern situations dat can B complicated, or even convoluted. We must ask ourselves, “is this loving?” in every situation. Sometimes love demands our commitment, our long-suffering, our steadfastness, our overcoming of our fears 4 Da sake of another. & sometimes it is loving 4 us 2 let go of da things we are holding on 2bin order 2 make way 4 Love. Ask God what His love demands of U today, & you may B surprised by His gentleness & patience wit U. Pray & discern how you can love da people in front of U today”
(MC=my comments-
🔆Love allows us 2 embrace all In true freedom
🔆The captives are affected in more ways than one
🔆 We can @ times be so blind, deaf, & dumb
🔆Spiritual as well as physical, so in need of liberation
🔆God knows & does what us best
🔆We do our part & let Christ Our Savior take care of da rest
48. Sister Bernadette: “Reflect: Forgiveness can be challenging for all of us. It was for Saint Peter our first Pope, who was challenged by Jesus to forgive always at all times. Following the example of Jesus, we want to learn to forgive from the Cross as Jesus did. Share: Every day until Christmas extend God’s love and blessings to someone by forgiving them as a gift to Jesus. Pray: “Jesus, I trust in you. That you give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others, Jesus, I trust in you.” Pray the Litany of Trust in the morning & @ night. Blessings!”
(MC=my comments- When we don’t forgive we are like a tightly coiled spring. When we deeply encounter Jesus, we are empowered, &after being released we begin 2 loosen up & being set free, we can help others position themselves to be set free. A kind of barometer to indicate how deeply united we are to Jesus, is if we can forgive a little or forgive much, da telltale sign is there. United to the vine, we bear much fruit, & forgiveness on His “dime” makes it possible. His grace, by grace, yes Lord, help me live united 2 YOU!!!
47. Fr. Dan Volkert: As we keep watch & vigil, bring Christ some problem we have in our lives, one that we’ve been fretting over, and then Say, “Lord, I’m waiting for you to solve this, to show me the way out, the way forward. I’ve been running, planning, worrying, but now I’m going to let you work.” Then, throughout Advent, watch attentively for signs.MC=my comments- ❤️ this, perfect! What comes 2mind is dat sometimes da way out, da way 4ward may b 2B still right where we are. 4 when God is so ready, when all spiritual graces have marinated in our souls, & every unseen good completely baked, then we’re ready 2receive da blessings dat will B generously served & delicious 2 our greater good & God’s glory. @ other times da way out, da way 4ward is dat in da twinkling of an eye, God uses a spiritual AK47 to instantly silence da problem once & 4 all. Still again it may be a 747 dat distances us & we’re unscathed. Yes B it now or later, God’s @work when we bring Him da problem, but how many persevere in trust, buoyed up wit hope, peace, long suffering, love, etc.? Maybe this Christmas we need 2 B asking 4 da gifts of da Holy Spirit above all else. No, this sentence is in need of being rephrased, not may B, but it’s me 4 sho who desperately need all da gifts of da Holy Spirit in size XL in order 2 fulfill my destiny)
📖 Sirach 11:21 Do not marvel at the works of a sinner, but trust in the LORD and wait for his light; For it is easy in the eyes of the LORD to suddenly, in an instant, make the poor rich)
46. St. Edith Stein: "Immediately before & for a good while after my conversion, I was of da opinion dat 2 lead a religious life meant one had to give up all dat was secular & 2 live totally immersed in thoughts of da Divine. But gradually I realized dat something else is asked of us in this world & dat, even in da contemplative life, one may not sever da connection with da world. I even believe dat da deeper one is drawn into God, da more one must “go out of oneself”, dat is, one must go 2 Da world in order 2 carry da divine life into it"
(MC=My Comments — Oh yes, if there is a fire, then there will be smoke. So if we’re really on fire, we'll leave something behind dat can be inhaled and demonstrably seen, not just words which can hit ears. It’s not talk but an observable walk that counts)
45. Fr. Arne Panula”There’s a story a friend relayed about a priest in Ohio who walked into his church & saw a lone man on his knees in da pews. Da priest recognized him as a famous football player– 1 of da best known in da NFL, in town for a game dat day. Unable 2 resist, da priest approached & said, “Aren’t you so-and-so?” 2 which da athlete looked up & corrected him with, “Father, I’m praying.”
(MC=my comments-YES, yes! Da fire of hope being fueled 2 a frenzy. Da Lord does have some rams in da bush who truly get it, in mo ways than 1. A triple threat: da 1st is honoring Da Lord, yes present everywhere, but in da tabernacle, Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity. Secondly, 2 have da fortitude & knowledge 2 practice fraternal correction, you go guy! Lastly, 2 be singleminded & focused on Da Lord & not self is commendable. Refusing 2 get sidetracked in a conversation dat satisfies self & da other, a rarity 2 behold these days. From days of old, da elderly can tell you about being able 2 hear a pin drop in church. A miracle 2 have been able 2 experience this about a month ago @ da morning Holy Mass in my hometown. Never is there total silence, always @ least 1 person who must err, but this morning a miracle occurred. Amazing, amazing, amazing, & thrilling 2 see all in silence before da Lord)
44. Dr. Art Lindsey “ If U put a frog in a kettle of water & slowly turn up da heat, da frog adjusts 2 da rising temperature & there 4 does not jump out till it’s 2 late. In a similar way, we can B affected by our cultural environment, yet B unaware of da significant impact being made on us. In Colossians 2:8 we're warned 2 “Beware of philosophy ....” Some believers have used this as a pretext 4 avoidin da subject altogether, but da only way 2 beware of philosophy is 2 be aware of it.Otherwise, U might fall captive 2 an alien philosophy ¬ know it.It’s not a question of whether da past will affect us but which past—da recent past or mo distant past. If we really want 2 be skeptical about da past, B skeptical about da present. “Chronological snobbery” thoroughly applied would lead 2questionin all of our present fashions. Those who neglect past history tend 2 B enslaved 2 da recent past. Writer C.S. Lewis said dat ‘none can give 2 another what he doesn't possess himself. No generation can bequeath 2 its successor what it has not got ... if we're skeptical we shall teach only skepticism, if fools only folly, if vulgar only vulgarity, if saints sanctity, if heroes heroism’. We all want progress. But progress means gettin nearer 2 da place U want 2 be & if U have taken a wrong turn, then 2 go 4ward does not get U any nearer. If you're on da wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn & walkin back 2 da right road; & in dat case, da man who turns back soonest is da most progressive man. We have all seen this when we do arithmetic. When I have started adding a sum da wrong way, da sooner I admit this & go back & start over again,da faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded & refusin 2 admit a mistake. I think if U look @ da present state of da world, it is pretty plain humanity has been makin some big mistakes. We're on da wrong road, if dat is so, we must go back. Goin back is da quickest way on. “
(MC=my comments- Found this in a post on a day it was so apropos. In addition it struck a match 2 start a poetic fire that resulted in a poem to be soon shared. With da power of da Holy Spirit @ work in our lives, what this text mess is sayin will B clearly comprehendible. We pass on what we have, and if it's truth, it goes marching on, heeded by some but not all, understandably so. We inform and we move on. If it's error that we have been bequeathed, then it's da erroneous we pass on. Continually tracing our steps back, will in the end lead us to da initial starting point, & there da truth will be found 2 set each & every 1 free)
43. St. Antony the Great: "When Abba Anthony thought about the depths of the judgments of God, he asked, 'Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in need?' He heard a voice answering him, 'Antony, keep your attention on yourself; these things are according to the judgment of God, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them"
(MC=My Comments- This lets me know, good or bad, God's "got it", and He is definitely in control. If we do our part, being responsible 2 be da saints dat we are called 2 be, minding our own business, then in the end, all will be well and working for good)
42. St. Augustine: "Through you, Blessed Mary, the miserable obtain mercy; the ungracious obtain grace; sinners obtain pardon; the weak obtain strength; the worldly obtain heavenly things; mortals obtain life; and pilgrims obtain their country"
(MC=My Comments- Doesn't it make sense? If the greatest gift of all, from God, came through Blessed Mary, could not lesser gifts from God also come through her? If the fountain is the source of water, is it not foolish for those who find themselves thirsty not to drink? Instruments do not create themselves nor determine their functionality, that's God job. He chose the Blessed Mother for her exalted role.)
41. St.John Cassian: "Da first good stirring of da will in us comes under da Lord's inspiration. He brings us along da road 2 salvation either Himself, by way of da exhortation of some man, or through necessity. & our virtues are perfected also as a gift from Him. Our task is, laxly or zealously, 2 play a role which corresponds 2 His grace & our reward or our punishment will depend on whether we strove or neglected 2 be at one, attentive & obedient, with da kindly dispensation of His providence toward us."
(MC=My Comments- When members of the body of Christ are healthy, spiritual synchrony occurs and we soar to greater spiritual heights. It is then possible to respond to the exhortation of others as inspired by the Holy Spirit if we are indeed operating in the Holy Spirit. Oh God, help me 2 not be fading in & out, but to remain rooted in you. Many times it is not u leaving me, but me leaving u, catering 2 my own understanding that creates a void. Purify me, distill my thoughts, words & deeds to ur great pleasure, & please do so 4 other desirous souls. It is certainly better to respond to a feather than 2 a two by four. Read again the latter part of what was said by St. John Cassian: “If it is by laxity or zealousness that we respond to grace, then accordingly will be our reward or punishment”. It will definitely make a big difference in the end if we now strive or neglect 2 be at one, attentive & obedient to Lord. 2 discern and see if what is coming our way via others is really God in disguise, helps to perfect our spiritual walk. That we all might be empower to use every grace wisely to conquer self.)
40. Fr. Tadeusz Dacjzer: "If you feel dat U are sinful & weak, you have a special right to Jesus' arms because He is da Good Shepherd, who looks for lost sheep and those who are weak and helpless and who can't keep up with the flock. Allow Jesus to take you upon His shoulders. Allow Him 2 love. Believe in His love”.
(MC=My Comments- Check out the cross, extended arms, all are welcome. Jesus is the answer, kind of like one size fits all. May we receive comfort, help, strength, & healing, peace, and happiness in the portion most suitable for each person, & at just da right time so that we not lose heart)
39. Pope Benedict XVI: “I would put it the other way around: faith gives joy. When God is not there, the world becomes desolate, and everything becomes boring, and everything is completely unsatisfactory. It’s easy to see today how a world empty of God is also increasingly consuming itself, how it has become a wholly joyless world. The great joy comes from the fact that there is this great love, and that is the essential message of faith. To that extent it can be said that the basic element of Christianity is joy. Joy not in the sense of cheap fun, which can conceal desperation in the background…. Rather, it is joy in the proper sense. A joy that exists together with a difficult life and also makes this life liveable. The history of Jesus Christ begins, according to the Gospel, with the angel saying to Mary, “Rejoice!” On the night of nativity the angels say again: We proclaim to you a great joy. And Jesus says, “I proclaim to you the good news.” So the heart of the matter is always expressed in these terms: I proclaim to you a great joy, God is here, you are beloved, and this stands firm forever.”
(MC=my comments- mo of God, mo happiness, mo peace, & mo joy. Get God! The time in now, better get whe the getting is good. Tomorrow may be 2 late)
38. By a person going under the moniker"One View": "The wisdom of keeping our eyes on Jesus at all times is a needed reminder. Somehow I see this wisdom as 1 of many graces that is coming from da scandal & all that has been swirling around it. Satan is about division. Jesus is about unity. Satan is about fear. Jesus is about trust. Satan is about accusation. Jesus is about forgiveness. Satan is about puffing up with pride. Jesus is about emptying oneself for others. Lord Jesus, give me the grace each day 2 keep my eyes on you"
(MC=My Comments- Playing the spin Dr. to ease da pain of the ill, in needed please swallow this pill if you will: Jesus is about unity, Lucifer is about division. Jesus is about trust, he is about fear. Jesus is about forgiveness, he is about accusation. Jesus is about emptying oneself for others, he is about puffing up with pride. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner, and Holy Spirit heal me with your love. Jesus, I surrender myself to you, please give me da grace each day 2 keep my eyes on you, & take care of everything, yes Jesus, take care of everything.What is ur spin?)
37. Dr.Kevin Vost: “We learn new things by comparing & contrasting them with things we already know, thereby widening da channels of our knowledge, bit by bit. We see this, 4 example, in da way we 1st learn da names of numbers &how 2 count before we move 2 addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division, &onto higher mathematical functions such as algebra, geometry, & such. Who could possibly survive da deep seas of calculus without having reached it via those ever-widening streams? Further, we navigate these streams & reach broader, deeper channels by following da guidance of our teachers, who have traveled much farther upstream than we have. As St. Thomas Aquinas have said: to set about acquiring the treasure of knowledge, namely, you should choose 2 enter by small rivers, & not go straight in2 da sea; 4 difficult things should b reached by way of easy things. Such is therefore my advice on ur way of life”
(MC=My comments- No wonder we do not grow & master da spiritual life, we are far away from practicing or knowing the basics. Lord have mercy on us, the bottom line is not our will but God’s, we are here to serve ¬ 2be served, total happiness reigns in heaven not on earth, & 2 seek first da kingdom of God. Let not our pursuits be all about building our own kingdom according 2 our exclusive wishes and desires, let’s live according to the spirit & not da flesh)
36. St. Alphonsus Liguori: ”In this valley of tears, every man is born 2 weep, @ all must suffer, by enduring da evils that take place every day. But how much greater would b da misery of life, if we also knew da future evils that await us! 'Unfortunate, indeed, would b da situation of some 1 who knows da future', says da pagan Roman philosopher Seneca; 'he would have 2 suffer everything by anticipation'. Our Lord shows us this mercy. He conceals da trials dat await us so that, whatever they may b, we may endure them only once. But he didn’t show Mary this compassion. God willed her 2 b da Queen of Sorrows, & in all things like his Son. So she always had 2 see b 4 her eyes, & continually 2 suffer, all da torments that awaited her. & these were da sufferings of da passion & death of her beloved Jesus. For in da temple, St. Simeon, having received da divine Child in his arms, foretold 2 her that her Son would b a sign for all da persecutions & oppositions of men. ... Jesus our King & his most holy mother didn’t refuse, 4 love of us, 2 suffer such cruel pains throughout their lives. So it’s reasonable that we, @ least, should not complain if we have 2suffer something"
(MC=My Comments- How true this is as evidenced by the flowing scripture: “Therefore do not b anxious 4 tomorrow; 4 tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.Darkness leads us 2delve into da future, whereas da wisdom of God leads 2 livin da present moment)
35. Dr. Thomas Neal’s grandfather “Keep your friends close & your enemies closer, as your critics & opponents do you da great favor of drawing out your hidden faults & exposing your defenses effectively & efficiently. Long ago, Socrates learned this secret from da oracle of Delphi”
(MC=my comments-Well, definitely know da truth regarding this. Da Lord brings 2 mind quite often how da people who are da most aggravating, are really da ones whose praises should be sung by me. Why? Because they are really aids 2 get me heaven. How often would efforts be put forth 2 stretch & grow if not tested & tried by those who work on your last nerve? We do need our “Aces” by our side 2 support us as we all keep going & run da race of excellence. What wonderful sources supplying comfort & joy, but there is definite a place for those who grate. So thank you Jesus 4 every single person crossing my path, everything works 4 good 4 those who luv you & labor according 2 your promises)
34. Saint Dorotheos of Gaza: "Who hated sin more than da saints? But they did not hate da sinners @ da same time, nor condemn them, nor turn away from them. But they suffered wit them, admonished them, comforted them, gave them remedies as sickly members, & did all they could 2 heal them."
(MC=my comments- That we all might follow in da footsteps of da saints, da world would be totally transformed, Heaven on earth. Let us begin our journey here & now, let’s change & start livin mo, & more in spirit & truth. Yes, it takes 1 to change, than another & another, that’s how we renew da face of da earth 4 Christ)
33. Michael Fontecchio: “In da person of Mary, in fact, da 2nd Eve will, in no manner, be imprudent & foolish as was da 1st Eve. Da 2nd Eve will be prompt 2 consecrate herself faithfully 2 da plan of salvation according 2 da will of God. Da 2nd Adam, then, in da person of Jesus will join 2 himself da 2nd Eve 4 da sake of a universal salvation, in contrast with da 1st Adam who was bound by da sin of da 1st Eve, seduced by da serpent in Eden. As da 2nd Vatican Council affirms, da New Eve, namely Mary of Nazareth, rooted in da will of God by her personal Fiat, “consecrated herself totally as Handmaid of da Lord 2 da person and work of her Son, under him & with him cooperating in da mystery of redemption”
(MC=My Comments- Da choice is ours, we’re either modeling da 1st Eve
or da 2nd, either da 1st Adam or da 2nd. In this case it's a good thing 2 come in 2nd & not 1st)
32. Ann Voskamp: "The brave who focus on all things good & all things beautiful & all things true, even in da small, who give thanks 4 it & discover joy even in da here & now, they are da change agents who bring fullest light to all da world"
(MC=My Comments- Why do U suppose dat is so? 4 me it seems dat much like our Blessed Lady, our "Fiat" brings harmony & peace in spite of da surrounding circumstances, because we act in accordance 2 our belief. Dat belief is dat God is our all in all. There 4, let it B done always according 2 thy will O Lord)
31. Ann Voskamp: "The seed breaks to give us the wheat. The soil breaks to give us the crop, the sky breaks to give us the rain, the wheat breaks to give us the bread. And the bread breaks to give us the feast. There was once even an alabaster jar that broke to give Him all the glory.”
(MC=My Comments- Now why do u think a certain trial is allowed in our lives? 4 me, trials may serve me a stepping stones to a bigger more glorious mansion above. If left 2 me , do u think there would ever be an opportune time 2 go thru difficulties? Either u believe dat scripture is tru or it's not. If 1 truly believe, then it's 2mlive like it, if not it's living like a fool. For scripture says in:
📖 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all"
What type of mansions do u think da martyrs have? If u aren't clueless, then you'll kind of know what our troubles are worth on the scale, if endured as coming from the hands of God, not from our foolishness or errors merit for us.)
30. Blessed Thomas of Cori: “The Divine Office should be recited slowly &reverently, for if da heart does not pray, da tongue works in vain”
(MC=my comments- Feeling so charged after reading this, and saying: Oh thank you God, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit, for letting me see this. Validation, halleluia!)
29. Ralph Waldo Emerson: ”For every minute U are angry, U lose 60 seconds of happiness”
(MC=my comments- With vices we always end up in the red because their deposits in our lives, really are withdrawals in disguise. In regards to the soul, they R not economical in da least)
28. St. Bernard “Virtue is often false, and the true metal in it is not to be distinguished from the dross until persecution has applied the touchstone, and proved the temper. We know not what we are till we have been tried. It costs nothing to say we love God above all things, and to show the courage of martyrs at a distance from the danger; but the love that is sincere is that which has stood the proof. “Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor”
(MC=my comments- Yes we can think we are 1thing & in da eyes of God b quite another. We can appear 2 others one way, but appear 2 God totally different. Therefore let the saints be our rule of thumb 2 which we match up, then we’ll know we’re on da rite track. Don’t want 2 go dat route, then let adversity tell loud & clear what time it is. We’ll soon find out dat we R a day late & a dollar short most of da time. Me myself, always begging 4 mercy, cause know operating on thin, thin, thin ice)
27. Fr. Raoul Plus: "In da beginning, it was a woman who, by abusing her freewill, lost supernatural grace for the whole of mankind. It was a woman who — at what price we shall now tell — submitted her will to God by a moving act of heroism, and thus paved the way for the restoration of grace"
(MC=My Comments- God continues 2B da equalizer, He always has a plan. All dat is out of order or out of control, He has a way da leads 2 perfect Divine order or control. Strategically placed are people, places, & things dat work in our favor, but da key is dat all opens 2 victory in God's glorious time. Our Blessed Lady was central 2 da plans in da beginning wit Jesus & will cont. 2 play an important role. 2 da end. Want 2 say 2 those in need dat Habbakuk 2:3 is da word 2B heard: "4 da revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of da end & will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come &will not delay".Let da whole world say AMEN!!! )
26. St. John Bosco: "Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book"
(MC=My Comments- We kno da path da saints traveled on, led to their canonization, so why venture 2 da right or left? It makes no sense going about how & where we so desire. Summer reading time folks, so recommending a few books that are on my summer list. My fav 5 in iBooks, Kindle, and 1 from Kobo, Nook, and Google Playbook. It's not the quantity of pages u read, but that U read. Once read a page or more a day, & finished St. John Cassian's Institutes & Conferences in a bit over 2 yrs. Inspired to let da summer texts b from something read in one of these books unless led to share something else. A sure way of getting to these books, of course the daily staple is always reading from Scripture
Ibooks
1. St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations, by St. Therese of Lisieux
2. The glories of Divine Grace: A Free rendering of the original treatise of P. Eusebius Niermberh, S.J., by amateurs Scheeben
3. When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart by Fr. Gaston Courtois
4. Under the Gaze of the Father by Concepcion Cabrera de Armida & Servant of God Archbishop Luis Martínez
5. Self Knowledge and Self Discipline by Fr. Basil Maturin (free)
My fav 5 in kindle:
1. Mystics in Spite of Themselves: Four Saints and The World's They Didn't Leave, by R. A. Herrera
2. Our thoughts Determine Our Lives, The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica , translated by Ana Smiljanic
3.With God in America, by Fr. Walter Ciszek
4. The Business of Heaven , by C.S. Lewis
5. The Divine Symphony: An Exordium To The Theology Of The Catholic Mass, by David Gray
Fav In Kobo
1. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller
Fav In Nook
1. The Science of the Cross, by Edith Stein( St. Benedicta of the Cross
To make a baker's dozen choosing from Google Playbook
1. Audi, Filia, St. John of Avila
25. St. Mechtilde “God is not merely a benefactor 2 whom we go wit requests, a sort of supreme infirmarian 2 whom we go 4 remedies whenever we are in need; He is above all da sovereign Majesty &, as St. Ignatius always says when he mentions God, “our Lord & our God.”
(MC=My Comments-How important it is 2 foster da relationship of creator & creature, Master & slave. But check out da graciousness of God who calls us not slave but: 📖”So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; & since U are his child, God has made U also an heir”. We owe da debt of worship & praise,so let’s seek da Lord God not just 4what He can give, but 2 give not counting da cost”)
24. Mark Mallett: “God sends trials, not 2 harm us, but 2 purify & shake us from da clasp of sin & its destructive powers: Da book of Sirach 2:1-6’My child, when U come 2 serve da Lord, prepare yourself 4 trials. B sincere of heart &steadfast, & do not b impetuous in time of adversity. Cling 2 him, do not leave him, dat U may prosper in ur last days. Accept whatever happens 2 U; in periods of humiliation b patient. 4 in fire gold is tested, & da chosen, in da crucible of humiliation. Trust in God, & he will help U; make ur ways straight &hope in him’.
If we have not been sincere of heart & steadfast; if we have been impetuous & rebellious; if we have not clung 2Him or accepted our trials; if we have not been patient or humble; if we have not straightened our old ways &habits…. thanks b 2 God, we still can. Even if grey hair crowns ur head, with God, we can always begin anew. Jesus 2 St. Faustina,in da book Divine Mercy in My Soul; ‘&Let no soul fear 2 draw near 2 Me, even though its sins b as scarlet… da greater da misery of a soul, da greater its right 2 My mercy… I cannot punish even da greatest sinner if he makes an appeal 2 My compassion, but on da contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable & inscrutable mercy… Da flames of mercy R burning Me—clamoring 2 B spent; I want 2 keep pouring them out upon souls; souls just don’t want 2 believe in My goodness… A soul’s greatest wretchedness does not enkindle Me wit wrath; but rather, My Heart is moved towards it with great mercy.Were a soul like a decaying corpse so dat from a human standpoint, there would b no [hope of] restoration & everything would already b lost, it is not so wit God. Da miracle of Divine Mercy restores dat soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of da miracle of God’s mercy!’
That is why Jesus gave us da Sacrament of Reconciliation—dat He may restore us even when we have gone terribly astray.But then, we must also leave da confessional wit a sincere heart & steadfast resolution: dat our righteousness will, at last, surpass da Pharisees.
(MC=my comments-Preparation,acceptance,patience, these 4 me means this:
#1. U kno all dat glitters isn’t gold, so be prepared not surprised.
#2. If you happen 2 “meet it”, then “greet it” prayerfully and carry on robed in trust.
#3. It is 2kno dat u kno that u kno: God’s gonna work it out, now & 4 ever, without a doubt, “He’s got dat”. There4 in due season, in due time, it all boils down 2 one thing: everything is gonna b alright)
23. Archbishop Martinez: “Jesus Sacred Heart, this luv is a singular love, because each soul is 4 God ‘one beyond compare’…. No 2 loves are da same, 4 each soul has its own special character…. God created each soul precisely dat way in order dat each soul mite luv Him wit a luv which is never duplicated.”
(MC=my comments- This shows da urgency wit which we should fly 2 fulfill da desire of God. He so wishes dat He find in each heart, a love of His own. If we fail, no one else can uniquely fulfill our role. Hold not back, let us luv He who loves us wit an everlasting luv.
22. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen: “Indeed, no 1 has collaborated mo wit Christ in saving da human race. Hers was an intimate & profound collaboration, 4 by her blood, she supplied da Son of God wit da humanity which made it possible 4 Him, da eternal Word, 2 become 1 of us, & 2 suffer & die 4 us on da Cross. Mary’s collaboration was of da highest value, since she was willingly, knowingly da Mother of da Savior. She gave her consent, knowing well from da Sacred Scriptures dat da Messiah was 2 B da Man of Sorrows, immolated 4 da redemption of da world. By consenting 2 become His Mother, she thereby consented 2 link her fate wit His & share in all His sufferings. 2 give a Redeemer 2 da world, 2 B willing 2 C her beloved Son die in torment, was Mary’s sublime apostolate, born of her immense love of God. Da greater da luv 4 God, da greater & mo effective da apostolate which is derived from it. Da reverse is equally tru. Every apostolic work which is not animated by charity is nothing. “If I should distribute all my goods 2 feed da poor,” says St. Paul, “& if I should deliver my body 2 b burned, & have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”, 1 Corinthians 13:3”
(MC=my comments-Can u come up wit 1 who collaborated mo wit Christ in saving da world? If not, Blessed Mother Mary can b considered da highest honor of our human race. For 2 not honor her is 2 break from da command which calls us 2 honor father & mother. Our heavenly mother, mo than that Jesus’ mother, do we get it or what? Well thanks b 2 God we can delight Him by honoring her)
21. A Benedctine Oblate: “When God chooses 1 out of many—when He chooses an Abraham or a Moses, da blessed Virgin Mary, or da founders of monastic movements & religious congregations—He always does so in order 2 bless a multitude, fashion a people, form a nation. He does something extraordinary 4 one, so dat His word may radiate outward 2 countless souls & His grace b sought wit renewed eagerness. He chooses da 1 not as an isolated exception or arbitrary preference, but as da humble centre around which a great circle will b drawn, a blazing hearth around which many can gather, b warmed, & find fellowship.”
(MC=My Comments- Our Blessed Mother Mary was chosen 2 give birth 2 Jesus physically, we 2 have been called 2 bear Jesus 2 all who cross our path. Each of us have been called by name, whether we R deaf 2 da call or not. Let us pray dat all mite b awakened 2 da personal call on our lives & fulfill our mission, b it great R small in order 2 bless a multitude, fashion a people, & form a nation like only we can do, 1 person @ a time. Don't underestimate ur value 2 God in His kingdom. Why do u tink u were created? Realy ponder this? Come up wit sum answers. There were bout 2million eggs 2start off wit & @ around 20 yrs of age da count decreases 2 about 300,000 & da decline starts. Unbelievable dat we made da cut, how special is dat? 4 those coming from a sm fmly, really how narrow was da cut. Special people go out 2 day & "work it" 4 da kingdom of God!)
20. Book: Saints Guide To The Immaculate Conception: “2 increase her merit, God allowed St. Ann 2 undergo grievous trials during her pregnancy. Although Satan didn't kno dat her daughter was 2 B da Mother of da Saviour, he perceived dat a strong spiritual influence proceeded from Ann, & there 4 he did his best 2 tempt & disturb & harm her. But she resisted all his attacks wit humble fortitude, patience, & prayer. Then da enraged Devil tried 2 make St. Joachim's house crash 2 da ground but Mary's protecting angels prevented such an accident from happening. Next, Satan incited some of St. Ann's women friends to treat her with open scorn and mockery because of her late pregnancy. St. Ann did not permit herself 2 B upset by this injustice, but in all meekness & humility she bore da insults and acted wit still greater kindness 2ward these women. In da end, as a result of her prayers, they amended their ways”
(MC=my comments- This excerpt speaks volumes from many different angles. Choosing da strong spiritual influence 2 comment on, because of being so full of grace, Our Blessed Mother was filled with the Ho,y Spirit. No doubt da effect of dat is still present 2 day. So let us find refuge in Our Lady 4 assurance 2 safely journey 2wards Jesus, who is our all in all. Blessed Lady, journey with us through thick & through thin.)
19. Fr. Walter Ciszek: "God’s infinite love, power, wisdom, & mercy have been revealed 2 us in His incarnate divine Son, da greatest of all mysteries. & it was Mary who was chosen as His Mother 2 bring about da birth of Christ in 2 this world. She was blessed amongst all women because she was full of grace. Dat is, already being wit God while living in this world & enjoyin da heavenly vision of God while experiencing fully @ da same time both da earthly & heavenly life. This was given her simply because God willed it so. Becoming da Mother of God’s Son, she became also da Mother of all mankind thru da fullness of grace operating in her. She became Heaven’s choice gift 2 us, & our boast"
(MC=My Comments- Our Dear Blessed Mother was good enough 4 God da Father 2 entrust His only Begotten Son 2 her, so shouldn't she be good enuf 4 creatures 2 honor in imitation of Jesus? Come, let us reason together. A formal thanks 2 God 4 da gift of Our Blessed Lady, Queen of heaven & earth.)
18. Caesarius of Arles (470-542 AD),an early church bishop in Gaul: "Peace, indeed, is serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, simplicity of heart, da bond of love, da fellowship of charity. It removes hatred, settles wars, restrains wrath, tramples on pride, loves da humble, pacifies da discordant & makes enemies agree. 4 it's pleasing 2 every 1. It does not seek what belongs 2 another or consider anything as its own. It teaches people 2 luv because it doesn't know how 2 get angry, or 2 extol itself or become inflated wit pride. It is meek & humble 2 every, possessing rest & tranquility within itself. When da peace of Christ is exercised by a Christian, it's brought 2 perfection by Christ. If any 1 luvs it, he will b an heir of God, while any 1 who despises it rebels against Christ. When our Lord Jesus Christ was returning 2 da Father, he left his peace 2 his followers as their inherited good, teaching them & sayin,'My peace I give 2 U, my peace I leave wit u.' Any 1 who has received this peace should keep it, & 1 who has destroyed it should look 4 it, while any 1 who has lost it should seek it. 4 if any 1 is not found wit it, he will b disinherited by da Father & deprived of his inheritance"
(MC=My Comments-Of my goodness this is like spiritual candy 2 me, can suck on this lollipop 4 days, months, & years. Old school is like a straight jacket 4 holiness, do luv truth dat is distilled in it's finest. May is da month of Our Blessed Mother & she constantly preaches Peace from Medjugorge. Time to redefine da peace we profess 2. Can u place a check mark by all of the above mentioned by Pontus of Caesarius of Arles, if not, indeed time 2 go 2work. Lord so far away from the peace dat passes all human understanding, Maranatha, come Lord Jesus Christ, come. Enlighten my/our minds & strengthen my/ our wills, bending them 2 tru peace. How clueless we are 2 da depths of truly thriving spiritually within da realms of excellency)
17. Casey Cole, OFM: "When we stop 4 a moment da desire 2 convince God 2 give us what we want & simply encounter God—2 aim our full attention @ da light itself rather than using it 2 C what we want—our focus becomes clear. All of a sudden, we C ourselves & da world da way God does ... & 4 da 1st time kno dat things are not da way dat they should b. Something needs 2 change. Often, dat something is us”
(MC=My Comments- Always we are in need of changing, how else will we b able 2 go from glory 2glory. Da world will never change unless it happens 1 by 1. It started wit 12 Apostles & now we are Christians. Take heart, let's open our hearts so dat a work can b done in us, Lord have mercy)
16. St. John Paul II: "This miracle of mercy has radically changed humanity's destiny. It is a miracle in which is unfolded da fullness of da love of da Father who, 4 our redemption, does not even draw back B 4 da sacrifice of his Only-begotten Son. In da humiliated & suffering Christ, believers & non-believers can admire a surprising solidarity, which binds him 2 our human condition beyond all imaginable measure. Da Cross, even after da Resurrection of da Son of God, "speaks & never ceases 2 speak of God da Father, who is absolutely faithful 2 his eternal love 4man.... Believing in this love means believing in mercy"
(MC=My Comments- How beautiful R da feet of him who brings Goodnews. Magnificent, the breaks mercy gives us day in and day out. Let us rejoice & B glad. Most of all let us be giving & give back 2 God in thanksgiving da one thing that is not His, our wills)
16. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "If you’ve ever really 4given somebody, forgiven some real wrong, all forgiveness is suffering. If U say I forgave & I didn’t suffer, it wasn’t really dat serious a wrong. But if U have ever really truly been wronged, & you have 4given it, then U have suffered. Because all forgiveness is a form of suffering. If someone has wronged U deeply, there is an indelible sense of debt, an injustice, a feeling U can’t just shrug off. And once U sense this deep injustice, this debt, there are only 2 things U can do. One is U can make da perpetrator pay, U can find ways 2 make da perpetrator suffer & pay down da debt, or Two, U can forgive"
(MC=My Comments- It seems da hurt from being wronged is like dat of experiencing a robbery. 1 feels dat da offending party must b incarcerated &/or pay da debt dat is owed. Prolonging da balance due in installments, R keeping da case alive isn't worth it. Find it's freeing 2 da self ifda high road is taken & a pardon extended. Da alternate is not very attractive, dat of being wedded to taking da easy low road, wearing da suffeRING💍)
15. Brother Anthony Freeman, LC “If U are holy, U will change da world. If not, da world will change u"
(MC=My Comments-If some1 can't C da truth of dat & fail 2 work by grace 2 live holy, then they R blind in da mind. Lord have mercy! It is imperative 2 learn well our faith in truth, then no 1 , or no half truth, can turn us around.)
14. Fr. Romano Guardini: "One of these image-objects strikes me, & I think most people, as having more than ordinary force & beauty. It is dat of a lighted candle. There it rises, firmly fixed in the metal cup on da broad- based, long-shafted candlestick, spare & white, yet not wan, distinct against whatever background, consuming in da little flame dat flickers above it da pure substance of da wax in softly-shining light. It seems a symbol of selfless generosity. It stands so unwavering in its place, so erect, so clear & disinterested, in perfect readiness 2B of service. It stands, where it is well 2stand, before God. It stands in its appointed place, self-consumed in light &warmth. Yes, of course da candle is unconscious of what it does. It has no soul. But we can give it a soul by making it an expression of our own attitude. Stir up in yourself da same generous readiness 2B used. "Lord, here am I." Let da clean, spare, serviceable candle bespeak ur own attitude. Let ur readiness grow in2 steadfast loyalty. Even as this candle, O Lord, would I stand in ur presence. Do not weaken in or try 2evade ur vocation. Persevere. Do not keep asking why &2 what purpose. 2B consumed in truth & love, in light & warmth, 4God, is da profoundest purpose of human life"
(MC=My Comments- This year da sight of da new Paschal Candle will mean mo than it ever did. It will personally signify my resolve 2go forth in a new resurrected way 2shine in selfless generosity, unwavering, erect, clear, disinterested, in perfect readiness 2B of service, 2stand before God in my appointed place, self-consumed in light & warmth, & in readiness 2grow in 2 steadfast loyalty. Of course da flame will flicker & grow dim @ times, but my God, my God, will allow nothing or no one 2succeed in snuffing out da fire of desire 2B consumed by Him &Him alone. What is ur Easter resolve, or do u will 2resolve?)
13. Servant of God Fr. Don Dolindo: "Da beatitudes lift us 2 da heroism of holiness on earth, give da soul da blessedness of loving union with God, & in paradise eternal happiness by means of da perfection of union wit God & of enjoyment of God. It's necessary 2 acknowledge & confess that on da part of Christians, da great ignorance of da action of da Holy Spirit in their souls, is da principal cause 4 which da spirit of da world prevails in them. Virtue is almost totally neglected; holiness is rare, very rare, even in souls consecrated 2 God, & da decay of da spirit is general & worrisome. Nature has prevailed in every area & sadly triumphed. Da energies expended 2 restore da Christian spirit R sterile, because these consist mostly of propaganda activity, instead of profound transformation & sanctification. Souls are held 2 mo R less artificial rules of da spiritual life, & ignore da sublime rule of da action of da Holy Spirit, da only Person who possesses da great secret of supernatural fruitfulness. It's 4 this reason dat we feel da need 2 deepen further understanding of da path of da beatitudes,which brings us 2 da heroism of da virtues & 2 tru perfection & sanctity.”
(MC=My Comments-Da saints definitely kno da score. This translated means: Da Beatitudes R important. How many of da beatitudes can we name? Now da bigger question is: "How many R we living?". Practice makes perfect, so not knowing R no conscious awareness of every single 1,means we are falling short. Serious Students let's get on it, come out of da closet! Start 2 day,make an effort 2 practice @ least 1. An interactive text mess 2 day, b4 da day is over,how many can u name &do u know how many there R?Trust me,practicing what is being preached,cause it's not coming from me,da apostolate is about sharing my spiritual journey. Bet between us all,we can come up with all of them. If u care 2participate in this spiritual exercise, share da ones u come up wit,& God willing 2 morr will share the original Beatitudes &hopefully as da body of Christ we'll have covered them all. Together we'll enter & C da face of God, u helpin me & my efforts assisting U. Completing da assignment by counting & naming da Beatitudes & will attempt 2live @least 1of them daily)
12. Boniface @Unam Sanctam Catholicam:”The universal call 2 holiness means we are all capable, wit great efforts done in grace, of attaining some degree of holiness; 2 often it is taken 2 mean dat we R already basically holy. Instead of making the world holy, holiness is made worldly. We ought 2 B exceptions 2 this. We know da path -& we know, based on da Church's tradition, dat da path is objective; some things will lead us 2 holiness better than others, regardless of our intention. There is nothing wrong with watching a football game. But it is a holier thing 2 renounce watching football 4 da love of God than 2 read a book entitled Finding God in Football in order 2 convince urself dat ur merely acceptable recreation is actually an act of piety. We know da acts of tru piety, & da Church's tradition presumes they R objectively standardized & dat those who do them in da rite disposition will b holier than those who don't. Period. Let us, then, follow da path dat has been blazed 4 us, & begin by resolving 2 follow God's will perfectly in a spirit of humility & penitence. The way is not easy, but putting us souls under da discipline will render da yoke easy & da burden light. Let us have great confidence in our Lord 2 complete da good work He has begun in us (Php. 1:6) & remember dat "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Php.4:13)”
(MC=my comments- It’s up 2 us 2really want it or delude ourselves dat we want it.Our willingness 2fully embrace truth & change is da proof of da pudding.Lord have mercy on me,da spirit is willing but da flesh is weak.Nonethless, not giving up & will fight da good fight, as grace will always b da game changer, praise da Lord)
11. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: Wherever applause breaks out in da liturgy because of some human achievement, it's a sure sign dat da essence of liturgy has totally disappeared & been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. Such attraction fades quickly — it cannot compete in da market of leisure pursuits, incorporating as it increasingly does various forms of religious titillation.”
(My Comments-Yes,it seems what is instinctively surfacing when you really start allowing da Holy Spirit 2 pin prick ur soul, God will confirm sooner or later. Much SECA (spiritual extracurricular activities, my label) inserted in2 da Mass in our age is so out of place. Becoming mo & mo aware of this, we have 2 pray & speak up. People R speaking up with diminishing comments,so let us speak up 4 God's glory, which is da primary reason behind all good actions. 4 instance people in the some congregations informing priests that praying Eucharistic Prayer number One is 2 long (ridiculous,is ur favorite program 2long?). It makes sense, when da Mass is now in da category of religious entertainment subliminally, as 1 ceases 2b amused, da next step is to tunes out. Da Holy Liturgy can't compete, 4 there is no diehard allegiance and what results seems 2 B it's relegation 2 just another slice of da pie, but it is The Pie of all times Catholic Christians. Just learned how we R also b influenced supraliminally, Lord have mercy, no wonder we are in da state that we are in. Believe with my whole heart so right is BDXVI, that revival will flourish with the recovery of true authentic liturgy celebrated in spirit & truth)
10. St. Charles Borromeo: "If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within U, do not expose it 2 da wind, 4 it may get blown out…Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter… Do not give yourself 2 others so completely dat U have nothing left 4 yourself."
(My comments- Knowing when, where, & how 2nhold-em or fold-em takes U a long way in maintaining peace & being authentic & tru 2 urself. Da Saints knew balance and they lived by da power of da Holy Spirit, which is no cowardly spirit. Let us try 2 do da same. Lord have mercy on us all, bring healing to our bodies, minds, souls, & spirits)
9. St. John Vianney: "There is no doubt about it: a person who loves pleasure, who seeks comfort, who flies from anything dat might spell suffering, who is over-anxious, who complains, who blames, & who becomes impatient @ da least little thing which does not go his way - a person like dat is a Christian only in name; he is only a dishonor 2 his religion, 4 Jesus Christ has said so: 'Any 1 who wishes 2 come after Me, let him deny himself & take up his cross every day of his life, & follow Me.'"
(MC=My Comments- Plain & simple 4 da 1st time 2me: There will b a cross 2 carry every single day. There4, there is no need 4me 2spout da following phrase:"Lord have mercy, always something". Better said is: Lord have mercy, please give me grace, strength, & courage, and see me through)
8. St. Aurelius Augustine "All who do not love God are strangers and antichrists. They might come to the churches, but they cannot be numbered among the children of God. That fountain of life does not belong to them. A bad person can have baptism and prophecy. King Saul had prophecy: even while he persecuted the holy David, he was filled with the Spirit of Prophecy, and began to prophesy. [1 Sam. 19] A bad person can receive the sacrament of the body and blood of the Lord, for is said, “All who eat and drink unworthily, eat and drink judgment on themselves.” [1 Cor. 11:29] A bad person can have the name of Christ and be called a Christian. Such people are referred to when it says, “They polluted the name of their God.” [Ezek. 36:20] To have all these sacraments is, as I say, possible even for a bad person. But to have love and be a bad person is impossible. Love is the unique gift, the fountain that is yours alone. The Spirit of God exhorts you to drink from it, and in so doing to drink from himself"
(MC=My Comments- No wonder St. Augustine said: "Love and do what you will".Love have a 1 track mind, & dat is allegiance 2 all things Godly. Found out that St. Augustine's first name was Aurelius)
7. Cardinal John Henry Newman: "God's presence is not discerned @ da time when it is upon us, but afterwards, when we look back."
(MC=My Comments- Second guessing, hindsight, nothing like living da present moment fully in da Holy Spirit, then whatever unfolds is 4 our good & 4 God's glory. This quote confirms what Blessed Pope Paul VI wrote about in Humanae Vitae. Read where @da time he wrote correctly about da dangers of contraception, he was indeed a prophet and a saint. Da last miracle needed 4 him 2 B proclaimed a saint is now confirmed. He so rightly proclaimed:
1) An increase in marital infidelity.
2) A general lowering of moral standards.
3) A loss of respect for women (man would “reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires”).
4) Governments would coerce people into using contraception and intervene"
6. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger: “Worship gives us a share in heaven’s mode of existence, in the world of God, and allows light to fall from that divine world into ours”
(MC=My Comments- This just demonstrates 2 me how God is always giving. Even when we think we R giving, we are actually receiving. God is always doing something 4 us out of His good pleasure. When we really & truly realize that God is 4 us & not against, we will not be rattled when things are not going along how we would expect them 2. We say we trust, but what we sometimes mean is that we trust that we don't trust as we should. Well maybe dat "we" is "me", but workin on me, definitely working on it!)
5. MARK 4:35-41"On that day, when evening had come,he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"(MC=My Comments- When reading the above scripture passage, it was da questions dat stood out:"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?", causing me to ponder, knowing these same questions are applicable in regards to various situation in our lives. The answers 2da why are: Being afraid stems from a lack of trust dat all is working 4good & dat God is in total control willing, allowing, or permitting. Da next point 2mind is dat it's a fact, we either have fear or we have faith. Impossible 2 have da cake & eat it 2. No "and's" here, we R dealing with an "either/or" proposition, 2B or not 2B. Time 2 face reality & reassess, no need 2 B a fool thinking we living in faith pleasing God when dat is simply not true, a mirage, Lord have mercy on us, dat we might clearly see. We read to feed, other wise we R spending da spiritual coins of time & not getting our money's worth)
4. Fr. Richard Frederick Clarke: “I will glance over my past life and try to recall a few of my many offences. What a career mine has been! What ingratitude to God! What selfishness, what uncharitableness to others, what meanness, what unfaithfulness to grace, what impurity, what low motives of action, what forgetfulness of God, what idle words, what waste of time, what continual following of my own inclinations ! How can I hope to escape the just judgments of God ?Pray for shame and contrition at the sight of your sins.”
(MC=My Comments- This might not appear good "2U", but it's definitely good "4U". Aren't we all striving 4 heaven & not just earthly satisfaction? Does it make sense to be grasping for things that are passing away or what we'll end up leaving behind?)
3. Dom Augustin Guillerand: "The human heart is a city; it was meant to be a stronghold. Sin surrendered it. Henceforth it is an open city, the walls of which have to be built up again. The enemy never ceases to do all he can to prevent this. He does this with his accustomed cleverness and strength, with stratagem and fury ... he succeeds all along the line to distract us and entice us away from the divine presence. We must always be starting again. These continual recoveries, this endless beginning again, tires and disheartens us far more than the actual fighting. We would much prefer a real battle, fierce and decisive. But God, as a rule, thinks otherwise. He would rather we were in a constant state of war."
(MC=My Comments- The Monks, da best hoodies wearers in da world. Their path is da road less traveled, let join them in trekking towards total surrender, which results in true holiness. A constant state of war to me represents being armed & geared up defensively at all times, what does it mean to u?)
2. Fr. Walter Ciszek: "God is taking care of U in da many difficulties U experience. Yet, U seem not 2 realize this truth in all its spiritual meaning; it takes time 2 do so. From your frequent contacts wit God in prayer, U should slowly become more enlightened in da ways of God, which R hidden & difficult 2 understand until prayer removes da shades from our darkened mind"
(MC= My Comments- We can confidently & most definitely say God's "got it" this year, next year, & every year dat is 2 come. Let us pray so that da shades may b removed, God always have a master plan that nets a win 4 us in da end. Believe dat!)
1.Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdelen: "To live a serious interior life, one that is wholly concentrated on seeking God, it is necessary to prevent the outside world from entering the soul and filling it with distractions and noise; it is necessary, therefore, to guard its doors assiduously. The senses are precisely the doors which open to earthly things: sight permits its images to enter; hearing, its sounds, and so forth, so that, without a discreet mortification of the senses, the soul, the living temple of the Blessed Trinity, becomes like a market-place, open to all kinds of traffic, open to every wind of rumor. Then Jesus might well say to us what He once said to the profaners of the temple, “Make not the house of My Father a house of traffic” (John 2:16). A temple of the Blessed Trinity by Baptism, the consecrated soul is doubly so by reason of its vows and promises, and is, therefore, doubly obliged to guard the recollection of its spirit, in order to make it really a “house of prayer.” According to St. Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Jesus, “It suffices to keep well closed the outside doors, that is, the senses, so that the soul and the heart cannot go elsewhere than to their center, which is God.” This was her method: “I shall fix my gaze on my heart and I shall raise my heart to God” (Spirituality of St. Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Jesus). Mortification of the senses should not be limited to Carthusians and to those in cloisters, as it is an indispensable exercise for all souls, that they may become recollected and wholly concentrated upon God"
(MC=My Comments- Out with the old & in with the new. Let us pray that we can find ways for better guarding our senses and that of those entrusted and assigned to us? If we don't who will?)