Thanks, Andy3. I have felt the call to the sacrament of confession so frequently this past Easter season. I really do believe that it will be a little place of refuge for all of us who are trying to maintain peace during the storm . Today, Pope Francis gave some good advice during his homily at Mass. He said "docility to the Spirit is a source of Joy". I thought back to what might have led to such a disruption of peace in me and I believe it began with me thinking that I have so much to do and I didn't know how to accomplish each task. And questioning whether or not these tasks were God's will, my will, or even the evil one's will. So, I was trying to run the universe again and was not at all being docile to the Spirit and trusting in God's timing and direction. Starting again today........patience, docility to the Spirit, and one step at a time.
I think a lot of my spiritual blahness really started for me when I was offered a higher position in my company back at the end of 2014. I had so much time prior to this to spend a lot of my day on spiritual matters. Since then, my job and worldly duties take so much more time. It was good for me and my family for this to happen and was a decision I really wrestled with because I loved my life at the time. I spent so much time with the Lord each day on a personal level. I would get to mass during the week so much more. Now it is a battle for finding the time in a way. I know I can invite him into every moment of my day and I try to remember to do so. I really need to get to a routine in my day at work. Get up and walk away from my desk more and just take a walk and be with the Lord like I used to so much.
Hey Andy, I find my self in a similar position. I don't know if this will help but a few things I try to do to help me focus on the most important aspects of life- Jesus and my family. I think it all starts when you first awake in the morning. Even if it's literally a minute or two, I find it helpful to offer God my day with all the mistakes and screwups that I will commit. And if you can find 5-10 minutes in the day just talk to God and offer up your work at a sacrifice to him and for him. I also suggest if you can find time at least once a month to grab an hour someplace quiet to pray, confess and meditate. Finally don't be too hard on yourself- God knows you, He sees your effort and He loves you so much.
See also the thread 'Fr Adam Skwarczyński' and the words allegedly received from Our Lord by Polish mystic Anna Argasińska (whose writings Fr Adam has edited/corrected) that I've just translated, addressed to those who slander Pope Francis. They're extremely direct. For your discernment.
Very direct and very serious. I hope all here take this into consideration when Padraig's two week moratorium on AL comments is up.
Padraig, what is to happen in 2 weeks? Your posts seem quite specific and serious. I pray that all will stand by our beloved Pope Francis. I remember reading somewhere that the Blessed Mother said obedience to the Pope was most important , and that even if he were the devil himself, it is better to obey. We will be blessed for our obedience. We are responsible for our own souls, and those that we may cause to have confusion and doubt because of our words.
Yes we must be obedient. As Jesus said: Matthew 23:2 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.… We must obey those who sit in the Chair of Moses. But do notice the rider at the end of Christ's directive. Also notice how St Paul acted when he thought St Peter was going off the rails and being a hypocrite. Galatians 2:11 Paul Confronts Peter 11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.… However I do understand there is a fine line in such matters which we should not cross.
..yes I do prayerfully believe God is about to directly intervene in the Church for it is the only thing that will save us. Clearly, if I wrote that it would be intow weeks I was worng in this But soon.
I will try to find it. I posted it a long time ago to Aviso. It was a message a saint received, maybe St Catherine .
Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom. He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope. I know very well that many defend themselves by boasting: “They are so corrupt, and work all manner of evil!” But God has commanded that, even if the priests, the pastors, and Christ-on-earth were incarnate devils, we be obedient and subject to them, not for their sakes, but for the sake of God, and out of obedience to Him.” St. Catherine of Siena, SCS, p. 201-202, p. 222, (quoted in Apostolic Digest, by Michael Malone, Book 5: “The Book of Obedience”, Chapter 1: “There is No Salvation Without Personal Submission to the Pope”)
Wow , seems strange since St Catherine encouraged a Pope to resign because he could be leading souls to hell. I guess it is all in how one resists error. Would you obey a Pope if it meant disobeying the last couple hundred popes?
Anna Argasińska, Divine Mercy Sunday 2016 https://wobroniewiaryitradycji.wordpress.com/ Receiving Holy Communion, I heard the voice of the LORD: Jesus: I ask you at the moment of transubstantiation to gather all human suffering and to offer it to the Father together with My Most Holy Sacrifice. Much human suffering is wasted out of a lack of human[s'] awareness that their sufferings are a medecine that I pour out on hardened hearts. To circles defaming the Holy Father Francis Jesus: You all who practice the grave sin of slandering Pope Francis, My Vicar, to whom the Holy Spirit directed the Church, will be called strictly to account at the Last Judgement for opposing the will of the Father, for setting yourselves above the Holy Spirit. For this reason also you have yielded to the enemies of the Church, who for centuries have been wanting to destroy My Church. Who does not respect My Vicar does not respect me also. [P.B. Emphasis mine. This just appeared on the website connected with Fr Adam Skwarczyński, who has followed and done editorial work on the writings of Anna Argasińska from Warsaw, whose ongoing alleged dialogues with Jesus date back to 1996. Having read much of this material, I personally rate it very highly and would place it in the same stylistic category as, for example, Lui et Moi of Gabrielle Bossis. Since the recent deaths of Alicja Lenczewska and 'Adam-Człowiek', Anna Argasińska would appear to be the Polish purported mystic most widely considered reliable. The description of sufferings as 'medecine' may appear shocking to some who may find this too 'dolorist', even 'masochistic' for their taste, but while this needs to be approached with sensitivity it also needs to be said that the offering up of suffering for the spiritual benefit of the world remains an absolutely consistent feature of modern Catholic mysticism; I would challenge anyone to find a serious source arguing to the contrary.] Peter B, Sunday at 3:43 AM
I would agree insofar as it is a valid Pope, which Francis is. However, there will soon by a false pope, a false prophet to arise on the scene to dissuade the many who were looking for change. They will follow him and we must not.
