|
|
The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for others to see by. The
saint is the one who walks through the dark paths of the world, being him- or herself a light.
- Felix Adler (Spend some time thanking God for all the men and women through history who have been such lights to you and to the
world.)
|
|
Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 Lk 12:35-38 Jesus said to his disciples:
"Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his
arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared
in this way,
blessed are those
servants."
|
|
|
Please help grow this newsletter by forwarding it to others, encouraging them to sign up.
Christianity and Spirituality monthly forum
Thursday, November 2, 2023 is canceled.
December 7, 2023: 7:30 - 8:30 CST is still on.
Open Forum: send your questions and comments in advance,
or bring them to the forum session.
Free sign-up for Zoom link
Reflection on the Scriptures
|
Jesus' parable also has an important lesson for each one of us as well. Just as Jesus was faithful and ready to obey his Father in everything - even to the point of laying down his life for us on the cross, we, too are called to be faithful and ready to do whatever our heavenly Father commands us. How can we serve as Jesus served and be faithful to the end of our days? Only
love - the love which God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5) - can transform us and fill us with joy and courage in offering our lives in humble service to God and one another. The Lord Jesus sets us free from fear and pride so we can love and serve one another as he has loved and served each one of us (Ephesians 5:2). Ask the Lord to give you a servant heart and a willing spirit that is ready to listen and eager to
obey.
Lord Jesus, you loved me first and you gave your life for me. Fill me with a joyful heart and a generous spirit that is ready to serve and to do whatever you command.
|
|
|
|
|
The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St. John of the Cross E. Allison Peers Translation. Paperback, Kindle, Audio Book.
Click here to purchase on Amazon.com BOOK THE THIRD Which treats of the
purgation of the active night of the memory and will. Gives instruction how the soul is to behave with respect to the apprehensions of these two faculties, that it may come to union with God, according to the two faculties aforementioned, in perfect hope and charity.
Chapter 17 (skipped a few chapters on purgation of memory) Which begins to treat of the first affections of the will.
Describes the nature of joy and makes a distinction between the things in which the will can rejoice. 2. Joy may arise from six kinds of good things or blessings, namely: temporal, natural, sensual, moral, supernatural and spiritual. Of these we shall speak in their order, controlling the will with regard to them so that it may not be encumbered by them and fail to place the strength of its
joy in God. To this end it is well to presuppose one fundamental truth, which will be as a staff whereon we should ever lean as we progress; and it will be well to have understood it, because it is the light whereby we should be guided and whereby we may understand this doctrine, and direct our rejoicing in all these blessings to God. This truth is that the will must never rejoice save only in that which is to the honour and glory of God; and that the greatest honour we can show to Him is that
of serving Him according to evangelical perfection; and anything that has naught to do with this is of no value and profit to humanity.
|
|
|
|
