13 April 2021
On Patience
It
is patience that both commends us to God, and saves us for God. It is that same
patience which tempers anger, bridles the tongue, governs the mind, guards
peace, rules discipline, breaks the onslaught of lust, suppresses the violence
of pride, extinguishes the fire of dissension, restrains the power of the
wealthy, renews the endurance of the poor in bearing their lot, guards the
blessed integrity of virgins, the difficult chastity of widows, and the
indivisible love of husbands and wives. It makes men humble in prosperity,
brave in adversity, meek in the face of injuries and insults. It teaches us to
pardon our offenders quickly; if you yourself should offend, it teaches you to
ask pardon often and with perseverance. It vanquishes temptations, sustains persecutions,
endures sufferings and martyrdoms to the end. It is this patience which
strongly fortifies the foundations of our faith. It is this patience which
sublimely promotes the growth of hope. It directs our action, so that we can
keep to the way of Christ while we make progress o because of his forbearance.
It ensures our perseverance as sons of God while we imitate the patience of the
Father.
Saint
Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200-258)
12 April 2021
On Holy Communion
No one has been 'worthy' to receive communion, no one has been prepared for it. At this point all merits, all righteousness, all devotions disappear and dissolve. Life comes again to us as a Gift, a free and divine gift...Everything is free, nothing is due and yet all is given. And, therefore, the greatest humility and obedience is to accept the gift, to say yes - in joy and gratitude.
Alexander Schmemann
On Holy Communion
No one has been 'worthy' to receive communion, no one has been prepared for it. At this point all merits, all righteousness, all devotions disappear and dissolve. Life comes again to us as a Gift, a free and divine gift...Everything is free, nothing is due and yet all is given. And, therefore, the greatest humility and obedience is to accept the gift, to say yes - in joy and gratitude.
Alexander Schmemann
11 April 2021
Hidden Treasures
I pray God may open your eyes and let you see what hidden treasures he bestows on us in the trials from which the world thinks only to flee. Shame turns into honor when we seek God’s glory. Present affliction becomes the source of heavenly glory. To those who suffer wounds in fighting his battles God opens his arms in loving, tender friendship, which is more delightful by far than anything our earthly efforts might produce. If we have any sense, we shall yearn for these open arms of God.
Saint John of Ávila (1500-1569)
Hidden Treasures
I pray God may open your eyes and let you see what hidden treasures he bestows on us in the trials from which the world thinks only to flee. Shame turns into honor when we seek God’s glory. Present affliction becomes the source of heavenly glory. To those who suffer wounds in fighting his battles God opens his arms in loving, tender friendship, which is more delightful by far than anything our earthly efforts might produce. If we have any sense, we shall yearn for these open arms of God.
Saint John of Ávila (1500-1569)
10 April 2021
Thoughts of Impurity
In temptations against chastity, the spiritual masters advise us, not so much to contend with the bad thought, as to turn the mind to some spiritual, or, at least, indifferent object. It is useful to combat other bad thoughts face to face, but not thoughts of impurity.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Thoughts of Impurity
In temptations against chastity, the spiritual masters advise us, not so much to contend with the bad thought, as to turn the mind to some spiritual, or, at least, indifferent object. It is useful to combat other bad thoughts face to face, but not thoughts of impurity.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
9 April 2021
A Life of Gratitude
A life of faith is a life of gratitude – it means a life in which I am willing to experience my complete dependence upon God and to praise and thank him unceasingly for the gift of being. A truly Eucharistic life means always saying thanks to God, always praising God, and always being more surprised by the abundance of God’s goodness and love. How can such a life not also be a joyful life? It is the truly converted life in which God has become the center of all. Their gratitude is joy and joy is gratitude and everything becomes a surprising sign of God’s presence.
A Life of Gratitude
A life of faith is a life of gratitude – it means a life in which I am willing to experience my complete dependence upon God and to praise and thank him unceasingly for the gift of being. A truly Eucharistic life means always saying thanks to God, always praising God, and always being more surprised by the abundance of God’s goodness and love. How can such a life not also be a joyful life? It is the truly converted life in which God has become the center of all. Their gratitude is joy and joy is gratitude and everything becomes a surprising sign of God’s presence.
Henri
Nouwen (1932-1996)
8 April 2021
On SilenceOne of our main problems is that in this chatty society, silence has become a very fearful thing. For most people, silence creates itchiness and nervousness. Many experience silence not as full and rich, but as empty and hollow. For them silence is like a gaping abyss which can swallow them up.
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)
7 April 2021
Mother of GodWhy is it hard to believe that Mary gave birth in a way contrary to the law of natural birth and remained a virgin, when contrary to the law of nature the sea looked at Him and fled, and the waters of the Jordan returned to their source (Ps. 113:3). Is it past belief that a virgin gave birth when we read that a rock issued water (Ex. 17:6), and the waves of the sea were made solid as a wall (Ex. 14:22)? Is it past belief that a Man came from a virgin when a rock bubbled forth a flowing stream (Ex. 20:11), iron floated on water (4 Kings 6:6), a Man walked upon the waters (Mt. 14:26)? If the waters bore a Man, could not a virgin give birth to a man? What Man? Him of Whom we read: ‘…the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day; and they shall offer sacrifices, and shall vow vows to the Lord, and pay them’ (Is. 19:20).
In the Old Testament a Hebrew virgin (Miriam) led an army through the sea (Ex. 15:21); in the New testament a king’s daughter (the Virgin Mary) was chosen to be the heavenly entrance to salvation.”
St. Ambrose
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