Before you go face any problem in life, pray for God's help and that he'll make you holier. This last part is important because you want to deal with the problem as the Lord would himself and he is most holy. Treat every problem as an opportunity for you to grow in holiness.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
How to Be at Peace
Being at peace with yourself is only possible if you are already at peace with God.
Invitation to Union
Thoughts while receiving the Holy Eucharist. How fortunate to receive the bread of heaven! The Lord was ready for union ~ was I ready? The desire was there, but I needed his help to make me worthy to accept his invitation.
Is the Lord a Fair Giver?
In today's Gospel reading from Matthew 13, we hear the Lord say: "To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Does this sound like "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer"? Actually, it's totally fair here because the one who has is the one open to the Lord's giving and the one who has not is closed to it. A small difference makes a big difference.
Obedience Is Beautiful
During prayer before Mass this morning, "obedience" struck me a a most beautiful word, because it can bring us into perfect harmony with God, leading us to perfect freedom.
God's Justice & Mercy
God also made it clear to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich about his justice and mercy in this vision.
She said, "Great is God's justice, but still more inconceivable is his mercy. He damns only those who are determined not to be converted; they who have a spark of good will are saved. Those who grieve for their sins, confess them sincerely, and trust confidently in the merits of their Savior; they are saved and their sins will no longer be remembered. It's true that they go to purgatory, but not to remain long. On the other hand, many stay long in purgatory who, although not great sinners, have lived tepidly. Through pride they would take no admonition or instruction from their confessor. The time was when the thought of only one poor sinner's condemnation grieved me so that I could not get over it; but on the present occasion, though many were condemned, I was perfectly calm, for I saw that God's justice called for it."
(Those last lines really helped me.)
The Value of Prayer
Anne Catherine Emmerich had already been officially investigated by and declared Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich by the Church, but Catholics are in no obligation to believe in any private revelations. Nevertheless, this following vision of hers is instructive to me.
She was taken to a place to be shown how it is with our prayers before God. They seemed to be inscribed on large white tablets which were divided into four classes: some were written in magnificent golden letters; others in shining silver; some in darker characters; and still others in black streaked lines. The guide explained to her: "What's written in gold is the prayer of those who have united their good works to the merits of Jesus Christ and often renew this union; they aim at observing his precepts and imitating his example.
"What's written in silver is the prayer of those who think not of union with the merits of Jesus Christ; but who are, notwithstanding, pious and pray in the simplicity of their hearts.
"What's written in darker colors is the prayer of those who have no peace unless they frequently confess, communicate, and daily say certain prayers; but who are, however, tepid and perform their good works through habit.
"Lastly, what's written in black streaked characters is the prayer of those who place all their confidence in vocal prayers and pretended good works, but who do not keep God's Commandments nor curb their evil desires. Such prayer has no merit before God."
(Again, you see that union with the Lord is best for us.)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Danger of Gratification
I continue reading The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich. Her charity, humility, obedience, and willingness to suffer are truly remarkable. She was favored with visions in her ecstasies. Here's a short one that's both meaningful and interesting.
Her angel led her across a narrow bridge safely and she saw on the bank a mousetrap around which a little mouse kept running and running, and at last slipped in to get the bait. Anne cried out, "You are sacrificing your liberty, your life for a mouthful!" ~ "Are men more reasonable," asked her angel, "when for a momentary gratification they endanger their soul's salvation?"
Think of God First
If you see someone sin against the Lord, think first how it must bring sorrow to him, then pray for that person.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)