Ijournal entry 113015 #48. November, Month of The Holy Souls. GO SAINTS! Advent, week I. Quotes from Diary of Divine Mercy, St. John Bosco, and St. Claude de la Colombiere. Article: "HE WHO HEARS YOU,HEARS ME" - Luke 10:16, EWTN library. "The Three Comings of the Lord", by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Audio RETREAT GUIDE FOR ADVENT: "THE ART OF WAITING", by Fr. John Bartunek
“I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU VISITED ME . . .” The voice of Jesus made itself heard in my soul, very clearly and intimately: I want you to pray for these holy souls in purgatory, for my divine Heart is burning with love for them. I ardently desire their liberation, to be able to finally unite them to me totally! Pray for them, and write all that will be revealed to you. Do not forget my words: “I was in prison and you visited me.” Apply them to these holy souls: it is me that you are visiting in them, with your prayers and your deeds in their favor and for their intentions. Look at their perfection, which should serve as a lesson to you: suffering the most terrible pains, they do not look, however, at their torments, for they are totally abandoned to my Love and to the Will of my Father. Their only concern is our Glory. Learn from these holy souls the purity of love which gazes only at my Heart. Be at peace, my child, and do what I am asking of you." By St. Catherine of Genoa
Advent, Week I
Advent, Week I
🔴 My Secretary, write that I am more generous toward sinners than toward the just. It was for their sake that I came down from heaven; it was for their sake that My Blood was spilled. Let them not fear to approach Me; they are most in need of My mercy (Diary of Divine Mercy -1275).
🔵 "Do not try to excuse your faults; try to correct them". By St. Don Bosco
⚪️ "Men may deprive me of property and honour; sickness may take away my strength and other means of serving You; I may even lose Your grace by sin; but never, never will I lose my hope in You. I will cherish it unto that dreadful moment when all hell will be unchained to snatch my soul away. "No one has hoped in the Lord and has been confounded". By St. Claude de la Colombiere
🔵 "Do not try to excuse your faults; try to correct them". By St. Don Bosco
⚪️ "Men may deprive me of property and honour; sickness may take away my strength and other means of serving You; I may even lose Your grace by sin; but never, never will I lose my hope in You. I will cherish it unto that dreadful moment when all hell will be unchained to snatch my soul away. "No one has hoped in the Lord and has been confounded". By St. Claude de la Colombiere
Woke up with this coming to mind one morning: He who hears you hears me. The truth of that statement is supported by the following Scriptures:
📖 Luke 10:16 "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me"
📖 Exodus 16:8 "Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.
📖 John 13:20 "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
📖 1 Thessalonians 4:8 "Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit"
If indeed the message being proclaimed is one of the truths of Jesus Christ and is in adherence to the teachings of the Magesterium of the church, and is being rejected, then it is Jesus who is being rejected. If Jesus is being rejected, without a doubt, the domino effect ensues. The Godhead's rejection is not the messenger's business, God will handle everything. Once the mission to inform is completed, the baton is now in the hands of The Lord. There is no need for the message bearer to get upset, bent out of shape, or lose the precious gift of peace given by the Prince of Peace. Preaching to myself, if to no one else.
📖 John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"
God is in control, we are just co-workers. After the active work is done, the job assignment is not over. Employment continues in the department of intercession; a task of no lesser value or importance, it's one that is vital for ourselves and also for others.
📖 1 Corinthians 3:9 "For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building"
My lessons continues as the Holy Spirit would be kind enough to see to it that a quote from St. Bernadette cross my path. St. Bernadette said, ”My job is to inform, not to convince”. The saints so gets it right, they're on the money, on target, every single time.
Personally we are unscathed by the responses of those we bear the message to, so it's to act accordingly. What is done to the least, is done to The Lord, and be assured Jesus do have His way of handling things.
📖 Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"
Something recently was given to Mae that addresses His "MO" in dealing with us fallen sinners, and that way is to drench us in mercy. Impeccable timing for Mae to share her contemplation. One night this just came to her mind and she got out of bed and wrote it down:
"They only need the time and the grace to be reprieved for their actions. They deserve to be forgiven, that is why Jesus came & died for our sins"
It turns out that a situation would come up in her life where this would contribute to a valuable spiritual life lesson by the Holy Spirit, and now it is serving a purpose in my spiritual life.
The situation in Mae's life revolved around the recent elections. In discussing candidates with a neighbor, she started the ball rolling in ripping into a certain candidate. She said she became very negative and realized it was the results of personal animosities against the father of the candidate from years gone by. She said that negative tone she began, spread like wildfire. All of a sudden she was convicted by the Holy Spirit as she realized it was she who set this wildfire ablaze, that was now raging. Remorseful she apologized and came home very sorrowful for being the instigator. She repented and begged God's forgiveness.
The contemplation came and it helped her to see her error and proceed with a forgiving spirit. It invoked in her a love for the offender, in spite of the undue trouble experienced years ago. Even though he was wrong, she knew forgiveness was due. The realization really did hit home that people do only need the time and the grace to be reprieved for their actions. They do deserve to be forgiven, for that is why Jesus came and died for our sins. She then reconciled everything and was in sweet communion with God again.
That is a trait so admirable in Mae, her super sensitive soul. So easily she sees her errors, quickly begs forgiveness, expresses sorrow, and always asks for the grace to grow in forsaking sin more each day.
In Holy Hour one day these scriptures were a part of my daily readings and it was like a cherry to top what was given Mae:
📖 Wisdom 11:23 "But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance.
📖 Wisdom 11:26 "But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Ruler and Lover of souls"
What can be a better response than to give a big heartfelt thanks to Our God for His mercy? Thanks be to God for the ocean of mercy that covers us from head to toe, and for a love that fills an empty heart to overflowing.
📖 Luke 10:16 "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me"
📖 Exodus 16:8 "Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.
📖 John 13:20 "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
📖 1 Thessalonians 4:8 "Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit"
If indeed the message being proclaimed is one of the truths of Jesus Christ and is in adherence to the teachings of the Magesterium of the church, and is being rejected, then it is Jesus who is being rejected. If Jesus is being rejected, without a doubt, the domino effect ensues. The Godhead's rejection is not the messenger's business, God will handle everything. Once the mission to inform is completed, the baton is now in the hands of The Lord. There is no need for the message bearer to get upset, bent out of shape, or lose the precious gift of peace given by the Prince of Peace. Preaching to myself, if to no one else.
📖 John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"
God is in control, we are just co-workers. After the active work is done, the job assignment is not over. Employment continues in the department of intercession; a task of no lesser value or importance, it's one that is vital for ourselves and also for others.
📖 1 Corinthians 3:9 "For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building"
My lessons continues as the Holy Spirit would be kind enough to see to it that a quote from St. Bernadette cross my path. St. Bernadette said, ”My job is to inform, not to convince”. The saints so gets it right, they're on the money, on target, every single time.
Personally we are unscathed by the responses of those we bear the message to, so it's to act accordingly. What is done to the least, is done to The Lord, and be assured Jesus do have His way of handling things.
📖 Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"
Something recently was given to Mae that addresses His "MO" in dealing with us fallen sinners, and that way is to drench us in mercy. Impeccable timing for Mae to share her contemplation. One night this just came to her mind and she got out of bed and wrote it down:
"They only need the time and the grace to be reprieved for their actions. They deserve to be forgiven, that is why Jesus came & died for our sins"
It turns out that a situation would come up in her life where this would contribute to a valuable spiritual life lesson by the Holy Spirit, and now it is serving a purpose in my spiritual life.
The situation in Mae's life revolved around the recent elections. In discussing candidates with a neighbor, she started the ball rolling in ripping into a certain candidate. She said she became very negative and realized it was the results of personal animosities against the father of the candidate from years gone by. She said that negative tone she began, spread like wildfire. All of a sudden she was convicted by the Holy Spirit as she realized it was she who set this wildfire ablaze, that was now raging. Remorseful she apologized and came home very sorrowful for being the instigator. She repented and begged God's forgiveness.
The contemplation came and it helped her to see her error and proceed with a forgiving spirit. It invoked in her a love for the offender, in spite of the undue trouble experienced years ago. Even though he was wrong, she knew forgiveness was due. The realization really did hit home that people do only need the time and the grace to be reprieved for their actions. They do deserve to be forgiven, for that is why Jesus came and died for our sins. She then reconciled everything and was in sweet communion with God again.
That is a trait so admirable in Mae, her super sensitive soul. So easily she sees her errors, quickly begs forgiveness, expresses sorrow, and always asks for the grace to grow in forsaking sin more each day.
In Holy Hour one day these scriptures were a part of my daily readings and it was like a cherry to top what was given Mae:
📖 Wisdom 11:23 "But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance.
📖 Wisdom 11:26 "But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Ruler and Lover of souls"
What can be a better response than to give a big heartfelt thanks to Our God for His mercy? Thanks be to God for the ocean of mercy that covers us from head to toe, and for a love that fills an empty heart to overflowing.
Article: "HE WHO HEARS YOU,HEARS ME", Luke 10:16, EWTN library
Info from this site: https://www.ewtn.com/library/SCRIPTUR/LK1016.TXT
"HE WHO HEARS YOU,HEARS ME", Luke 10:16: Is it legitimate to use these words of Jesus to support the teaching commission of the Church? Vatican II said yes strongly, in "Lumen gentium" P20: "This sacred Council teaches that the Bishops, from divine institution, have taken the place of the Apostles, as the pastors of the Church: he who hears them, hears Christ; he who spurns them, spurns Christ, and Him who sent Christ". The Council even taught that the Bishops in unison with the successor of Peter and with each other can even teach infallibly. Pius XII in "Humani generis" (DS 3855) said the same thing about Lk 10:16: "Nor should we think that the things taught in Encyclical letters do not of themselves call for assent, on the plea that in them the Pontiffs do not exercise the Supreme power of their Magisterium. For these things are taught with the ordinary Magisterium, of which it is also correct to say: 'He who hears you,hears me.'" Pius XII went on to explain that this does not apply to everything in Encyclicals: it applies only when the Popes in their "Acta" expressly make a judgement on something that was debated up to then among theologians. Then it is removed from debate, and falls under the promise of Christ.
An objector asserts: "The Scripture clearly states that Jesus said these words to the 72 Disciples, among whom were women, and there is no evidence that any of the 72 were from among the 12 Apostles - no evidence Peter was among them." One will look in vain to see where the Scripture "clearly states" that there were women among that group. And while it does not mention the 12 or Peter specially, it is unthinkable that they would not be among the 72 since they were the chosen core of all the followers of Jesus. So our objector thinks it quite clear Jesus gave authority to women, but there is no evidence He gave it also to the Apostles! In reply we note that according to Vatican II: "Since Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted by the Same Spirit by whom it was written, to rightly draw out the sense of the sacred texts, one must look not less diligently at the content and unity of the whole of Scripture, taking into account the Tradition of the whole Church, and the analogy of faith." So, if we look at the passage in question narrowly, ignoring what Vatican II calls for, we would say that Jesus indeed did speak to the 72.
But there is much more. We know that Jesus Himself wanted only a gradual revelation of Himself and of His Church and mission. He did not at once say: "Before Abraham was, I am." Rather, He let the truths be seen gradually, a bit at a time. The fullness of this revelation was to come with the descent of the Holy Spirit, as He Himself said in John 16:13: "When He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will lead you into all truth." So here in this Lucan text Jesus begins, but does not complete His commission. He does, on a trial mission, give a teaching authority to the 72 so that he who hears them, hears Jesus. He completed that commission later to Peter and the Twelve, especially in the words recorded in Matthew 16:19:to Peter alone: "Whatever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed also in Heaven.
Two fine Protestant scholars, W. F. Albright (in his day often called the Dean of American Scripture scholars) and C. S. Mann, in "Anchor Bible, Matthew," p. 198, write: "Peter's authority to 'bind' or 'release' will be a carrying out of decisions made in Heaven. His teaching and disciplinary activities will be similarly guided by the Spirit to carry out Heaven's will." For those words, binding and loosing,were well known in the teaching of the rabbis of the time. Their usual meaning was to impose or remove an obligation by an authoritative decision or teaching. These words of Mt 16:19 were repeated to all what seems to be the twelve in Matthew 18:18. That they were not meant for all disciples but just for the Apostles is confirmed by Mt 28:16-29, explicitly to the Twelve. Earlier, at the Last Supper, in John 13:20 Jesus said to the Twelve: "Amen, amen I say to you, he who receives the one I send, receives me; he who receives me, receives the One who sent me." More of the context of the whole of Scripture is this: at once after the ascension, the Apostles began their mission of teaching In Acts 1:15-26 a replacement for one of the Twelve is chosen, Matthias. Acts 2:42 reports that the people "devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles" and in Acts 5:13: "No one of the rest dared to join himself to them [the Apostles] but the people magnified them." So all did understand from the start that it was the Apostles, and they alone who had the commission from Christ to teach.
St. Paul constantly teaches with authority. Pope St. Clement I, in an Epistle to Corinth c. 95 AD, intervened with authority. He said: "Our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over the name of Bishop. As a result, having received full foreknowledge, they appointed those we have mentioned, and meanwhile added a provision that if these would fall asleep [die] other approved men should receive their ministry." St. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons, who had listened to St. Polycarp telling of the preaching of St. John the Apostle, wrote that since it was long to go through the succession of Bishops in all the churches, he would speak of Rome, "founded by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul, which holds the tradition and faith announced by the Apostles, coming down by the succession of Bishops even to us.....It is necessary that every church...agree with this church because of its more important principality...in which the tradition coming from the Apostles has always been kept...." At the early Council of Ephesus, in 431 A.D. even though it was an Eastern error in question, the Pope sent delegates, who asserted without being contradicted by anyone there: "There is no doubt, it has been known to all centuries, that the holy and blessed Apostle Peter, the prince and head and pillar of the faith and foundation of the Catholic church, received the keys of the kingdom from our Lord Jesus Christ.... He [Peter] lives even to this time, and always in his successors gives judgment."
Twenty years later the Council of Chalcedon on hearing the letter of Pope Leo exclaimed: "This is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith of the Apostles. We all believe thus.... Peter has spoken through Leo." The General Council of Constantinople in 870 taught (DS 661): "Since we believe that the word of the Lord, which Christ said to the holy Apostles and his disciples, "He who receives you, receives me" and "he who spurns you, spurns me"was said to all those too who after them became Supreme Pontiffs and shepherds in the Catholic Church...we define that no one at all of the potentates of the world should dishonor or move them from their sees, but should judge them worthy of all reverence and honor...." We conclude,that Vatican II, and Pius XII and the General Council of Constantinople were well justified in taking Luke 10:16 as the foundation of the teaching authority of the Apostles and their successors. It was part of His gradual revelation of self and of His Church, it was a start of the trajectory that was to be made clearer as time went on,as we have seen.. As for women, Scripture consistently forbids them to teach with authority. 1 Cor 14:34 says "the women must be silent in the Church". First Timothy 2:12 insists: "I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man but to be in silence." So, to suppose that of course women received the teaching authority in Lk 10:16 and to add that there is no sign it applied to Peter and the Apostles - this is merely completely biased special pleading."
Info from this site: https://www.ewtn.com/library/SCRIPTUR/LK1016.TXT
"HE WHO HEARS YOU,HEARS ME", Luke 10:16: Is it legitimate to use these words of Jesus to support the teaching commission of the Church? Vatican II said yes strongly, in "Lumen gentium" P20: "This sacred Council teaches that the Bishops, from divine institution, have taken the place of the Apostles, as the pastors of the Church: he who hears them, hears Christ; he who spurns them, spurns Christ, and Him who sent Christ". The Council even taught that the Bishops in unison with the successor of Peter and with each other can even teach infallibly. Pius XII in "Humani generis" (DS 3855) said the same thing about Lk 10:16: "Nor should we think that the things taught in Encyclical letters do not of themselves call for assent, on the plea that in them the Pontiffs do not exercise the Supreme power of their Magisterium. For these things are taught with the ordinary Magisterium, of which it is also correct to say: 'He who hears you,hears me.'" Pius XII went on to explain that this does not apply to everything in Encyclicals: it applies only when the Popes in their "Acta" expressly make a judgement on something that was debated up to then among theologians. Then it is removed from debate, and falls under the promise of Christ.
An objector asserts: "The Scripture clearly states that Jesus said these words to the 72 Disciples, among whom were women, and there is no evidence that any of the 72 were from among the 12 Apostles - no evidence Peter was among them." One will look in vain to see where the Scripture "clearly states" that there were women among that group. And while it does not mention the 12 or Peter specially, it is unthinkable that they would not be among the 72 since they were the chosen core of all the followers of Jesus. So our objector thinks it quite clear Jesus gave authority to women, but there is no evidence He gave it also to the Apostles! In reply we note that according to Vatican II: "Since Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted by the Same Spirit by whom it was written, to rightly draw out the sense of the sacred texts, one must look not less diligently at the content and unity of the whole of Scripture, taking into account the Tradition of the whole Church, and the analogy of faith." So, if we look at the passage in question narrowly, ignoring what Vatican II calls for, we would say that Jesus indeed did speak to the 72.
But there is much more. We know that Jesus Himself wanted only a gradual revelation of Himself and of His Church and mission. He did not at once say: "Before Abraham was, I am." Rather, He let the truths be seen gradually, a bit at a time. The fullness of this revelation was to come with the descent of the Holy Spirit, as He Himself said in John 16:13: "When He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will lead you into all truth." So here in this Lucan text Jesus begins, but does not complete His commission. He does, on a trial mission, give a teaching authority to the 72 so that he who hears them, hears Jesus. He completed that commission later to Peter and the Twelve, especially in the words recorded in Matthew 16:19:to Peter alone: "Whatever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed also in Heaven.
Two fine Protestant scholars, W. F. Albright (in his day often called the Dean of American Scripture scholars) and C. S. Mann, in "Anchor Bible, Matthew," p. 198, write: "Peter's authority to 'bind' or 'release' will be a carrying out of decisions made in Heaven. His teaching and disciplinary activities will be similarly guided by the Spirit to carry out Heaven's will." For those words, binding and loosing,were well known in the teaching of the rabbis of the time. Their usual meaning was to impose or remove an obligation by an authoritative decision or teaching. These words of Mt 16:19 were repeated to all what seems to be the twelve in Matthew 18:18. That they were not meant for all disciples but just for the Apostles is confirmed by Mt 28:16-29, explicitly to the Twelve. Earlier, at the Last Supper, in John 13:20 Jesus said to the Twelve: "Amen, amen I say to you, he who receives the one I send, receives me; he who receives me, receives the One who sent me." More of the context of the whole of Scripture is this: at once after the ascension, the Apostles began their mission of teaching In Acts 1:15-26 a replacement for one of the Twelve is chosen, Matthias. Acts 2:42 reports that the people "devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles" and in Acts 5:13: "No one of the rest dared to join himself to them [the Apostles] but the people magnified them." So all did understand from the start that it was the Apostles, and they alone who had the commission from Christ to teach.
St. Paul constantly teaches with authority. Pope St. Clement I, in an Epistle to Corinth c. 95 AD, intervened with authority. He said: "Our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over the name of Bishop. As a result, having received full foreknowledge, they appointed those we have mentioned, and meanwhile added a provision that if these would fall asleep [die] other approved men should receive their ministry." St. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons, who had listened to St. Polycarp telling of the preaching of St. John the Apostle, wrote that since it was long to go through the succession of Bishops in all the churches, he would speak of Rome, "founded by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul, which holds the tradition and faith announced by the Apostles, coming down by the succession of Bishops even to us.....It is necessary that every church...agree with this church because of its more important principality...in which the tradition coming from the Apostles has always been kept...." At the early Council of Ephesus, in 431 A.D. even though it was an Eastern error in question, the Pope sent delegates, who asserted without being contradicted by anyone there: "There is no doubt, it has been known to all centuries, that the holy and blessed Apostle Peter, the prince and head and pillar of the faith and foundation of the Catholic church, received the keys of the kingdom from our Lord Jesus Christ.... He [Peter] lives even to this time, and always in his successors gives judgment."
Twenty years later the Council of Chalcedon on hearing the letter of Pope Leo exclaimed: "This is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith of the Apostles. We all believe thus.... Peter has spoken through Leo." The General Council of Constantinople in 870 taught (DS 661): "Since we believe that the word of the Lord, which Christ said to the holy Apostles and his disciples, "He who receives you, receives me" and "he who spurns you, spurns me"was said to all those too who after them became Supreme Pontiffs and shepherds in the Catholic Church...we define that no one at all of the potentates of the world should dishonor or move them from their sees, but should judge them worthy of all reverence and honor...." We conclude,that Vatican II, and Pius XII and the General Council of Constantinople were well justified in taking Luke 10:16 as the foundation of the teaching authority of the Apostles and their successors. It was part of His gradual revelation of self and of His Church, it was a start of the trajectory that was to be made clearer as time went on,as we have seen.. As for women, Scripture consistently forbids them to teach with authority. 1 Cor 14:34 says "the women must be silent in the Church". First Timothy 2:12 insists: "I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man but to be in silence." So, to suppose that of course women received the teaching authority in Lk 10:16 and to add that there is no sign it applied to Peter and the Apostles - this is merely completely biased special pleading."
The Three Comings of the Lord, by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Info from this site: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/321/Three_Comings_of_the_Lord__St._Bernard.html
Excerpts from a sermon by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
"We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.
In case someone should think that what we say about this middle coming is sheer invention, listen to what our Lord himself ways: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. There is another passage of Scripture which reads: He who fears God will do good, but something further has been said about the one who loves, that is, that he will keep God’s word. Where is God’s word to be kept? Obviously in the heart, as the prophet says: I have hidden your words in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
Keep God’s word in this way. Let it enter into your very being, let it take possession of your desires and your whole way of life. Feed on goodness, and your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread, or your heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength.
Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last. In the first, Christ was our redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation
If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with the Father will come to you. The great Prophet who will build the new Jerusalem will come, the one who makes all things new. This coming will fulfill what is written: As we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly man. Just as Adam’s sin spread through all mankind and took hold of all, so Christ, who created and redeemed all, will glorify all, once he takes possession of all"
Info from this site: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/321/Three_Comings_of_the_Lord__St._Bernard.html
Excerpts from a sermon by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
"We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.
In case someone should think that what we say about this middle coming is sheer invention, listen to what our Lord himself ways: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. There is another passage of Scripture which reads: He who fears God will do good, but something further has been said about the one who loves, that is, that he will keep God’s word. Where is God’s word to be kept? Obviously in the heart, as the prophet says: I have hidden your words in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
Keep God’s word in this way. Let it enter into your very being, let it take possession of your desires and your whole way of life. Feed on goodness, and your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread, or your heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength.
Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last. In the first, Christ was our redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation
If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with the Father will come to you. The great Prophet who will build the new Jerusalem will come, the one who makes all things new. This coming will fulfill what is written: As we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly man. Just as Adam’s sin spread through all mankind and took hold of all, so Christ, who created and redeemed all, will glorify all, once he takes possession of all"
Audio presentation: "THE ART OF WAITING - A RETREAT GUIDE FOR ADVENT", by Fr. John Bartunek
Audio link:
https://soundcloud.com/rcspirituality-org/the-art-of-waiting-audio
Audio link:
https://soundcloud.com/rcspirituality-org/the-art-of-waiting-audio
It really matters, so B very careful about wat U read
Carefully nourish & daily UR mind do feed
Holiness will sprout if U plant da right spiritual seed
Holy Scripture & Christian Classics will 4 sure meet dat need
A Great way 2 avoid overgrowth & every troublesome weed
\☀/
| http://gigapostolate.weebly.com/ / \ tmm/PTL
Carefully nourish & daily UR mind do feed
Holiness will sprout if U plant da right spiritual seed
Holy Scripture & Christian Classics will 4 sure meet dat need
A Great way 2 avoid overgrowth & every troublesome weed
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| http://gigapostolate.weebly.com/ / \ tmm/PTL