Ijournal entry 062915 #26. June ~ Month of the Sacred Heart. Quotes from St. Katharine Drexel, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and Abba Poemen. St. Mother Theodore Guerin -Biography. Article: Lord, help me”, by St. Jose Escriva. Fr. Michael Payyapilly Video- "Suffering Gives Endurance".
June ~ Month of the Sacred Heart
“O Jesus, a soldier opened Your side with his lance, so that, through the gaping wound, we might know the charity of Your Heart, which loved us unto death, and that we might enter into Your unutterable love through the same channel by which it came to us. Approach, then, O my soul, the Heart of Christ, that magnanimous Heart, that hidden Heart, that Heart which thinks of all things and knows all things; that loving Heart, all on fire with love. Make me understand, O Lord, that the door of Your Heart was forced open by the vehemence of Your love. Allow me to enter into the secret of that love which was hidden from all eternity, but is now revealed by the wound in Your Heart”. By St. Bernardine of Siena
“O Jesus, a soldier opened Your side with his lance, so that, through the gaping wound, we might know the charity of Your Heart, which loved us unto death, and that we might enter into Your unutterable love through the same channel by which it came to us. Approach, then, O my soul, the Heart of Christ, that magnanimous Heart, that hidden Heart, that Heart which thinks of all things and knows all things; that loving Heart, all on fire with love. Make me understand, O Lord, that the door of Your Heart was forced open by the vehemence of Your love. Allow me to enter into the secret of that love which was hidden from all eternity, but is now revealed by the wound in Your Heart”. By St. Bernardine of Siena
Cheese & Crackers
🔵 The patient and humble endurance of the cross—whatever nature it may be—is the highest work we have to do." By St. Katharine Drexel
🔴 "He who bears God in his heart, carries his paradise with him everywhere". By St. Ignatius of Loyola
⚫️ “Emotions function in four stages: First in the heart, second in facial expression, third in speech, and fourth in action. If your heart is pure, your face will show it. If your facial expression reveals your rising passion, avoid saying anything. If words come from your mouth, stop speaking as quickly as you can, otherwise, you may repay evil for evil.” By Abba Poemen
The Veggies
If it was a crime that another ebook was purchased for my E-library, incarceration would be my lot. The new book is entitled: "Through Wind and Waves", by Fr. Francis Fernandez-Carvajal. Reading something a few days ago gave me a different perspective in regards to an encounter with someone a while back. As there are two sides to a coin, this discovery can be the flip side of the coin for support when interacting with those who are resistant to fraternal correction and quick to recall the following scripture:
Matthew 7:4-5 "How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye, ’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye"
It is very convenient for resisters to use this passage to dismiss an issue. It's about playing a card that can put them one up as they dislike being corrected due to a lack of interest in changing their behavior and addressing the situation at hand.
In the learning process that progresses in increments for us, as we live out our daily lives, much can be gleaned by being attentive to the Holy Spirit. One finding is that it is best to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, when attempting to correct someone. If it is not present, then it's better to pray. What is best, is to offer sacrifices so that graces may be poured out and truth revealed, so it can triumph over error to the glory of God. Without the backing of the Holy Spirit and Divine timing, so futile is every effort on our own.
It is very convenient for resisters to use this passage to dismiss an issue. It's about playing a card that can put them one up as they dislike being corrected due to a lack of interest in changing their behavior and addressing the situation at hand.
In the learning process that progresses in increments for us, as we live out our daily lives, much can be gleaned by being attentive to the Holy Spirit. One finding is that it is best to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, when attempting to correct someone. If it is not present, then it's better to pray. What is best, is to offer sacrifices so that graces may be poured out and truth revealed, so it can triumph over error to the glory of God. Without the backing of the Holy Spirit and Divine timing, so futile is every effort on our own.
Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces"
The following excerpt from Fr. Francis's book supports the flip side of meeting resistance in regards to fraternal correction. In my opinion, we should never fail in addressing error, even if we are not the perfect specimen of "Christian Perfection", as some might have us be before accepting our counsel. Any difference of opinion? Speak up, and let truth unfold to the glory of God.
"Take into account all the grace God pours into souls and realize that one can prescribe the opportune medicine in each case, even in areas of the ascetical struggle that perhaps one has not yet conquered in oneself. Like a good doctor, he or she can cure others even when suffering from the same illness. “Can’t a doctor who is sick cure others, even if his illness is chronic? Will his illness prevent him from prescribing proper treatment for other patients? Obviously not. In order to cure others, all he needs is to have the necessary knowledge and to apply it with the same concern as he would in his own case.
However, a doctor would be unable to cure others if his own sickness were to get in the way of treating the patient’s malady and prescribing the right remedies— that is, if he were to view as normal, because he himself suffers from it, what is also a grave infection in the one seeking help. In that case, his own sickness would become contagious. The doctor himself would need to “take a break,” seek another specialist to heal his own illness, and send his patient to another doctor".
Now armed with more weapons in the arsenal, it's to go forth undeterred by deceptive tactics, and to follow in peace the lead of the Holy Spirit in performing the spiritual works of mercy.
The following excerpt from Fr. Francis's book supports the flip side of meeting resistance in regards to fraternal correction. In my opinion, we should never fail in addressing error, even if we are not the perfect specimen of "Christian Perfection", as some might have us be before accepting our counsel. Any difference of opinion? Speak up, and let truth unfold to the glory of God.
"Take into account all the grace God pours into souls and realize that one can prescribe the opportune medicine in each case, even in areas of the ascetical struggle that perhaps one has not yet conquered in oneself. Like a good doctor, he or she can cure others even when suffering from the same illness. “Can’t a doctor who is sick cure others, even if his illness is chronic? Will his illness prevent him from prescribing proper treatment for other patients? Obviously not. In order to cure others, all he needs is to have the necessary knowledge and to apply it with the same concern as he would in his own case.
However, a doctor would be unable to cure others if his own sickness were to get in the way of treating the patient’s malady and prescribing the right remedies— that is, if he were to view as normal, because he himself suffers from it, what is also a grave infection in the one seeking help. In that case, his own sickness would become contagious. The doctor himself would need to “take a break,” seek another specialist to heal his own illness, and send his patient to another doctor".
Now armed with more weapons in the arsenal, it's to go forth undeterred by deceptive tactics, and to follow in peace the lead of the Holy Spirit in performing the spiritual works of mercy.
In regards to oneself, these scriptures that are listed below should stand foremost in one's mind:
1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway"
Matthew 5:20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven"
Luke 12:48 "but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more"
In conclusion we must strive to be well balanced:
1 Peter 5:8 (AMP) it says: “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour. “
The Potatoes
Roxanne shared this writing from St. Mother Theodore Guerin with me, thanks so much for the right nourishment for such a time as this.
Mother Theodore Guerin (1798-1856)
"We are not called upon to do all the good possible, but only that which we can do. Occupy yourself less about yourself and more about God. It is not enough to acknowledge our faults; we must correct them. Profit by the experiences of the past for the future. You will be happy in making others happy. In the accomplishment of good we must show forth in our every act a perfect justice. Do not require of everybody the same virtues and qualities. Bear with the defects of others. Endeavor not to cause others to suffer and you yourself try to endure the little annoyances which are unavoidable in the necessary relations with others. Charity does not consist in loving one or two persons and being indifferent to all the rest. If we love our Lord with our whole heart, if we serve him faithfully, we shall be happy even in this life. To love in the right way is to accomplish the whole Law; it is to begin that happy life which will have its perfection only in heaven, where we shall live forever with a holy and perfect love"
The above inspired me to seek further information about St. Mother Théodore Guérin
Théodore Guérin (1798-1856) - BiographyInfi from this site: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20061015_guerin_en.html
"Mother THÉODORE—ANNE-THÉRÈSE GUÉRIN—was born Oct. 2, 1798, in the village of Etables, France. Her devotion to God and to the Roman Catholic Church began when she was a young child. She was allowed to receive her First Communion at the age of 10 and, at that time, told the parish priest that someday she would be a nun.
The child Anne-Thérèse often sought solitude along the rocky shore near her home, where she devoted hours to meditation, reflection and prayer. She was educated by her mother, Isabelle Guérin, who centered lessons on religion and Scripture, thus nurturing the child’s love of God. Anne-Thérèse’s father, Laurent, who served in Napoleon’s navy, was away from home for years at a time. When Anne-Thérèse was 15 years old, her father was murdered by bandits as he traveled home to visit his family. The loss of her husband nearly overwhelmed Isabelle and, for many years, Anne-Thérèse bore the responsibility of caring for her mother and her young sister, as well as the family’s home and garden.
Through those years of hardship and sacrifice, indeed through all the years of her life, Mother Théodore’s faith in God neither wavered nor faltered. She knew in the depths of her soul that God was with her and always would be with her, a constant companion.
Anne-Thérèse was nearly 25 years old when she entered the Sisters of Providence of Ruillé-sur-Loir, a young community of women religious serving God by providing opportunities for education to children and by caring for the poor, sick and dying.
While teaching and caring for the sick in France, Mother Théodore, then known as Sister St. Theodore, was asked to lead a small missionary band of Sisters of Providence to the United States of America, to establish a motherhouse, to open schools and to share the love of God with pioneers in the Diocese of Vincennes in the State of Indiana. Humble and prone to feelings of unworthiness, Mother Theodore could not imagine that she was suitable for such a mission. Her health was fragile. During her novitiate with the Sisters of Providence, she became very ill. Remedies cured the illness but severely damaged her digestive system; for the remainder of her life she was able to consume only soft, bland foods and liquids. Her physical condition added to her doubts about accepting the mission. Nevertheless, after hours of prayer and lengthy consultations with her superiors, she accepted the mission, fearing that if she did not, no one would venture to the wilderness to share the love of God.
Equipped with little more than her steadfast desire to serve God, Mother Théodore and her five companion Sisters of Providence arrived at the site of their mission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, the evening of October 22, 1840, and immediately hastened along a muddy, narrow path to the tiny log cabin that served as the chapel. There, they knelt in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for their safe journey and to ask for God’s blessings for the new mission. Here, on this hilly, ravine-cut, densely forested land, Mother Théodore would establish a motherhouse, a school and a legacy of love, mercy and justice that continues to this day. Throughout years of sorrow and years of peace, Mother Théodore relied upon God’s Providence and her own ingenuity and faith for counsel and guidance. She urged Sisters of Providence to “Put yourself gently into the hands of Providence.” In letters to France, she stated, “But our hope is in the Providence of God, which has protected us until the present, and which will provide, somehow, for our future needs.”
In the fall of 1840, the mission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods consisted only of a tiny log cabin chapel that also served as lodging for a priest, and a small frame farmhouse, where Mother Théodore, the sisters from France and several postulants lived. During that first winter, harsh winds blew from the north to rattle the little farmhouse The sisters were often cold and frequently hungry. But they transformed a porch into a chapel and were comforted by the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the humble motherhouse. Mother Théodore said, “With Jesus, what shall we have to fear?” During the early years at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Mother Théodore encountered numerous trials: prejudice against Catholics and, especially, against Catholic women religious; betrayals; misunderstandings; the separation of the Congregation in Indiana from the one in Ruillé; a devastating fire that destroyed an entire harvest leaving the sisters destitute and hungry, and frequent life-threatening illnesses. Still she persevered, desiring only that “In all and everywhere may the will of God be done.” In correspondence to friends, Mother Théodore acknowledged the tribulations. She wrote: “If ever this poor little Community becomes settled, it will be established on the Cross; and that is what gives me confidence and makes me hope, sometimes even against hope.”
Less than a year after arriving at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Mother Théodore opened the Congregation’s first Academy and, in 1842, established schools at Jasper, Indiana, and St. Francisville, Illinois By the time of her death on May 14, 1856, Mother Théodore had opened schools in towns throughout Indiana, and the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence was strong, viable and respected. Always, Mother Théodore attributed the growth and success of the Sisters of Providence to God and to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to whom she dedicated the ministry at Saint Mary-of-the- Woods.
Mother Théodore’s holiness was evident to people who knew her, and many described her simply as “saintly”. She possessed the ability to draw out the best in people, to enable them to attain more than they thought possible. Mother Théodore’s love was one of her great hallmarks. She loved God, God’s people, the Sisters of Providence, the Roman Catholic Church and the people she served. She did not exclude anyone from her ministries or her prayers, for she dedicated her life to helping people know God and live better lives. Mother Théodore knew that alone she could do nothing, but that all things were possible with God. She accepted trials, trouble and occasions when she was treated unjustly as part of her life. In the midst of persecution, Mother Théodore remained true, a faithful woman of God. Mother Théodore died sixteen years after she arrived at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. During those fleeting years, she touched a countless number of lives—and continues to do so today.The gift she gives to each succeeding generation is her life as a model of holiness, virtue, love and faith"
The Meat
"Lord, help me”, by St. Jose Escriva
Info from this site : http://opusdei.us/en-us/dailytext/lord-help-me/
"These are the unmistakable signs of the true Cross of Christ: serenity, a deep feeling of peace, a love which is ready for any sacrifice, a great effectiveness which wells from Christ's own wounded Side. And always - and very evidently - cheerfulness: a cheerfulness which comes from knowing that those who truly give themselves are beside the Cross, and therefore beside Our Lord. (The Forge, 772)If you want to learn from the experience of a poor priest whose only aim is to speak of God, I will tell you that when the flesh tries to recover its lost rights or, worse still, when pride rears up and rebels, you should hurry to find shelter in the divine wounds that were opened in Christ’s Body by the nails that fastened him to the Cross and by the lance that pierced his side. Go as the spirit moves you: unburden in his Wounds all your love, both human and... divine. This is what it means to seek union, to feel that you are a brother to Christ, sharing his blood, a child of the same Mother, for it is She who has brought us to Jesus.
Be eager to adore, yearn to make reparation, suffering quietly and calmly. Then Jesus’ words will come alive in your lives: ‘he who does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me’. Our Lord becomes more and more demanding with us. He asks us to make reparation, to do penance, and the time comes when he makes us experience a fervent desire to want ‘to live for God, nailed on the Cross with Christ’. But ‘we have this treasure in vessels made of clay’, which is fragile and brittle, ‘to show that the power that shines through us is not ours but God’s’.
‘We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not without hope,’ or sustenance; ‘we are persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; we carry about continually in our bodies the dying state of Jesus.’
We may even imagine that Our Lord does not hear us; that we are being deluded, that all we hear is the monologue of our own voice. We find ourselves, as it were, without support on earth and abandoned by heaven. Nevertheless, we have a real and practical horror of sin, even venial sin. With the stubbornness of the Canaanite woman, we go down on our knees as she did, adoring him and imploring ‘Lord, help me.’ The darkness will vanish, vanquished by the light of Love". (Friends of God, 301-303)
The Dessert
Fr. Michael Payyapilly - "Suffering Gives Endurance"
Video link:
http://youtu.be/bjum3o-pwWk
w乇 do んム√乇 a liレ イノme, 乃uイ ノイ's oん 丂o 丂んo尺イ
丂oo刀 i乇'レレ 乃e ん乇ム√乇nレy cou尺イ a丂 a coんo尺イ
g乇イ wノイん ノt, 尺乇キo尺m, 丂イ乇ア uア 2 イんe アレaイ乇
Aイ d乇aイん ノイ's フu丂イノc乇, oアイ 4 m乇尺cリ 乃4 ノイ's 2 レムイe
✞ⓂⓂ/℘✞L̶o̶r̶d̶
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