Today the Lord impressed upon my soul the need in these times for profound inner conversion and transformation. Too often we think that we should be evangelists, missionaries or ambassadors for Christ and all of that is good if we have received a call from the Lord to enter the public square. Too often the question we ask is 'what can I do for the Lord' yet in reality it is what we let him do to us that really matters. An open heart and willingness to surrender our lives and will to the risen Lord produces more fruit than any amount of sermons we could preach in a lifetime. Our soul is a garden. Christ wants to reside there to find rest. Let us cultivate the garden of our souls through prayer, contemplation and the sacraments and throw open wide the doors of our hearts to allow the Risen Lord to enter there and find His rest. Let us empty ourselves of all vain glory and worldly ambition, let go of the shackles of pride and spiritual gluttony and prostrate ourselves before the author of Life in heartfelt repentance. Let us expel all rivals from our hearts to allow the King of Kings to triumph within. May our hearts become a tabernacle for Jesus to dwell in splendour within as 'Emmanuel' God is With Us as in the womb of Mary so that we too will be full of grace and truth. May the triumph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary begin this day in each one of our hearts. Amen. Footnote: Called the greatest saint of modern times by Pope St. Pius X, Thérèse of Lisieux lived a hidden life in a Carmelite monastery and died at only 24 years of life.
This is so true. Depending where one is at in our prayer life, we often get caught up in the sensationalism of what is going on in the world. It becomes a pastime and as observers we can forget that our prayer life can effect the outcome of so many of the coming evils if we do not get caught up in endless discussions of things surrounding us as the storm approaches. I for one have watched little TV or listened to radio talk shows these days because it is a distraction to inner peace. If we want to have and retain peace of heart we need to keep from the noise around us.
You speak Truth, well typed it anyway, garabandal. I think these are very wise words. Fatima I also agree that the time to evaluate the daily news and dissect it is past and a distraction. I only read some things now just to keep a watchful eye for when its time to go to the mats
Those rock star saints, through the grace of God, were able to touch the core of spirituality. Even though we can all have the Holy Spirit living in us. Most of us do not understand what that entails. Most of us ordinary saints begin to feel the power of the Holy Spirit and think God is calling us to do extraordinary things. But in truth...God is calling us to clean our temple so He can dwell inside. Most of us here have the Holy Spirit inside of us but sin blocks His full potential. Eventhough everything is from the Grace of God. Each and everyone of us most work hard at keeping the temple clean so that the Holy Spirit is not dwelling in a dirty temple. Once we start clearing out layers...the Holy Spirit becomes stronger and stronger. But like a onion we need to peal layer after layer until WE become nothing and the Holy Spirit becomes everything. In a sense it is very easy...but in realty, to give up oneself completely, is a lifes journey. Once we have reached full union with Our Lord Jesus...then everything we do is Gods Will. Washing dishes, gardening, camping, driving a car, brushing teath, walking to work will become Gods Will and inturn become Holy acts. May Gods Will be Done.
fallen saint, Great post. My only reservation is the highlighted segment. It seems you are close to saying a person would have to experience something akin to the dark night of the soul to be really fruitful. Or to put it in Theresa of Avila's terminology, one would have to reside in the seventh mansion to be truly fruitful. I assume you mean that full union is our life's goal. But, certainly there can be life-changing fruit along the way? Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Mario, You are correct...even at the start of our journey, God provides fruits along the way. And yes, full Union is never perfected until God allows us into the beatific vision. And i have never read from the church fathers or superstar saints... that they have reached perfect union. That would be a lack of humility, very close to the fall of pride. And me personally, not having reached that level, it is really hard to even understand the depths of Gods mysteries. But through Gods grace...i have been lucky enough to scratch the surface. Sometimes, a ordinary saint can try to break through the wall. It is up to God's grace how far it will lead. You are correct in your statements...and i thank you for your comments. It helps me (i also enjoy)...contemplating all these things. Its good for the soul to have friends correct or expand ones thoughts. Its funny, it was Aquinas who stated at the end of his journey: "All that I have written appears to be as so much straw after the things that have been revealed to me."? I pray that my spiritual thoughts always lead us to God. And in the big picture its not my thoughts but 2000 years of our Church Fathers teaching and tradition. Your Friend, Brother al
