It takes a lot of spiritual maturity to endure suffering. On the other hand, suffering helps us to mature. Arrested spiritual development is by far the most serious of all developmental issues. A parent may give their child every good thing, but if they do not ensure the gift of strong and mature faith, they have given their children nothing but sand slipping thorough their fingers.
Read rest here
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Friday, September 27, 2013
Humiliation
Pope Francis explained during his morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta that Christians are prone to falling into a state of 'spiritual well being' because the Church has many ways of helping people achieve salvation. He also praised those who really try to imitate Jesus, even during challenging times.
POPE FRANCIS
The Pope said that the sign of a true Christian is the ability to endure every humiliationand to carry one's daily Cross with joy and patience.
EXCERPTS FROM POPE'S HOMILY:
“It was the Holy Spirit that touched Peter's heart and inspired him to say who Jesus was. 'You are Christ, the son of God... it's a mystery. Who can explain this?... But he said it himself. And if each and everyone of us, when we pray, look towards the tabernacle, and say to the Lord: 'You are Christ, the son of God on earth'...first we cannot say that by our own inspiration, it must be the Holy Spirit who inspire us, and second, be ready, because He will answer: 'It's true.'
"And that is the temptation of falling into a state of 'spiritual well being'. We've got everything: the Church, Jesus Christ, the Sacraments, the Virgin Mary: everything. A good job from the Kingdom of Heaven. We are good, all of us. At least we must believe this, otherwise it would be a sin! But 'spiritual well being' isn't enough. Like the parable of the young rich man: he wanted to follow Jesus, but only up to a certain point. To be a real Christian you must receive the last anointment: the cross anointment, the anointment of true humiliation. He humiliated himself to the point of death. Even death on a cross. That is the cornerstone, the proof of our Christian reality: Am I a 'well being' Christian or am I a Christian that walks with Jesus towards the cross? It consists on being able to endure every single humiliation.
“The sign of a true Christian is his ability to withstand humiliations with joy and patience; and this is something we don't like... But there are many Christians that looking towards the Lord, they ask for more humiliations to be more like Him. This is the choice. Whether to be a Christian of well being -and you'll go to heaven, I'm sure you'll be saved- or a Christian close to Jesus, through His way.”
POPE FRANCIS
“And that is the temptation of falling into a state of 'spiritual well being'. We've got everything: the Church, Jesus Christ, the Sacraments, the Virgin Mary: everything. A good job from the Kingdom of Heaven. We are good, all of us. At least we must believe this, otherwise it would be a sin! But 'spiritual well being' isn't enough. Like the parable of the young rich man: he wanted to follow Jesus, but only up to a certain point. To be a real Christian you must receive the last anointment: the cross anointment, the anointment of true humiliation. He humiliated himself to the point of death. Even death on a cross. That is the cornerstone, the proof of our Christian reality: Am I a 'well being' Christian or am I a Christian that walks with Jesus towards the cross? It consists on being able to endure every single humiliation.”
The Pope said that the sign of a true Christian is the ability to endure every humiliationand to carry one's daily Cross with joy and patience.
EXCERPTS FROM POPE'S HOMILY:
“It was the Holy Spirit that touched Peter's heart and inspired him to say who Jesus was. 'You are Christ, the son of God... it's a mystery. Who can explain this?... But he said it himself. And if each and everyone of us, when we pray, look towards the tabernacle, and say to the Lord: 'You are Christ, the son of God on earth'...first we cannot say that by our own inspiration, it must be the Holy Spirit who inspire us, and second, be ready, because He will answer: 'It's true.'
"And that is the temptation of falling into a state of 'spiritual well being'. We've got everything: the Church, Jesus Christ, the Sacraments, the Virgin Mary: everything. A good job from the Kingdom of Heaven. We are good, all of us. At least we must believe this, otherwise it would be a sin! But 'spiritual well being' isn't enough. Like the parable of the young rich man: he wanted to follow Jesus, but only up to a certain point. To be a real Christian you must receive the last anointment: the cross anointment, the anointment of true humiliation. He humiliated himself to the point of death. Even death on a cross. That is the cornerstone, the proof of our Christian reality: Am I a 'well being' Christian or am I a Christian that walks with Jesus towards the cross? It consists on being able to endure every single humiliation.
“The sign of a true Christian is his ability to withstand humiliations with joy and patience; and this is something we don't like... But there are many Christians that looking towards the Lord, they ask for more humiliations to be more like Him. This is the choice. Whether to be a Christian of well being -and you'll go to heaven, I'm sure you'll be saved- or a Christian close to Jesus, through His way.”
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Evangelization
Relation ship heals wounds.
Many Catholics are stuck in a model of catechetical formation. This means they see the work of the Catholic Church is to hand over doctrines and teachings. While this is one important role, this isn't the mission of the Church. The mission of the Church is to make followers of Jesus. This is done by evangelization. Evangelization must be centered on relationships. Our relationship with another (through word and witness) helps someone form a relationship with Jesus. If some get the mission of the Church wrong, then they won't understand the focus Francis has on making disciples as one that is in the heart of the Church. Doctrinal formation necessarily must follow the proclamation of the Gospel. NOT the other way around.
Link
Many Catholics are stuck in a model of catechetical formation. This means they see the work of the Catholic Church is to hand over doctrines and teachings. While this is one important role, this isn't the mission of the Church. The mission of the Church is to make followers of Jesus. This is done by evangelization. Evangelization must be centered on relationships. Our relationship with another (through word and witness) helps someone form a relationship with Jesus. If some get the mission of the Church wrong, then they won't understand the focus Francis has on making disciples as one that is in the heart of the Church. Doctrinal formation necessarily must follow the proclamation of the Gospel. NOT the other way around.
Link
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Mass
Understanding what the mass truly is helps align one's suffering to Christ.
Mass Attendance
Q. Polls consistently report that only 20- 25 percent of those who identify themselves as Catholics regularly attend Sunday Mass. Consequently, many seem to be unaware of how HHS mandate provisions will impact religious liberty despite the USCCB and bishops being outspoken in their warnings. So even though bishops are trying to get the message out about impending dangers to the family, religious liberty, and so forth, how can they do so in such an environment? How can the lay faithful best assist? [Editor’s Note: The “ HHS mandate” is the mandate by the Health and Human Services department of the federal government that requires all health plans to provide coverage at no cost for contraceptives, abortion- inducing drugs, and sterilization as part of so- called “ preventative health services”for women.]
A. Sadly, in the time after the Second Vatican Council, there was a reform of the sacred liturgy which made it man- centered and banal. In some cases it actually became hard for people to bear because of illicit insertions, foreign agendas, and imposition of the personalities of priests and congregations into the liturgy to the point that people began to think that the Mass was some sort of social activity. If they did not find it acceptable, they did not go anymore.
If one understands what the Mass truly is — Christ Himself coming down from Heaven to renew the sacrifice of Calvary — how could you possibly not be there on Sunday? In the past people understood this and Mass attendance was in the 80- 90 percent range. We have to restore the sanctity of the celebration of Holy Eucharist so that those who have fallen away will return to the practice.
Secondly, when people are not coming to Mass in great numbers, as is the case, they do not hear the Sunday homily which is the principal means for instruction of faithful adults in the Church. In some places, even where people do attend Mass, they are not being instructed as they should be. The bishops first, and then the priests with them, must be clear and consistent in presenting the truth about the freedom of conscience and the evils of the health-care mandate.
Thirdly, in the situation as it is, which we simply must recognize, lay people giving witness to fellow lay people is the only solution. More and more sincere and informed Catholics must be ready to give an account of their Faith to others even if they are not the most eloquent and articulate. The very fact that they approach and speak with a fellow Catholic about a question like freedom of conscience will not go without a positive effect on that individual.
Mass Attendance
Q. Polls consistently report that only 20- 25 percent of those who identify themselves as Catholics regularly attend Sunday Mass. Consequently, many seem to be unaware of how HHS mandate provisions will impact religious liberty despite the USCCB and bishops being outspoken in their warnings. So even though bishops are trying to get the message out about impending dangers to the family, religious liberty, and so forth, how can they do so in such an environment? How can the lay faithful best assist? [Editor’s Note: The “ HHS mandate” is the mandate by the Health and Human Services department of the federal government that requires all health plans to provide coverage at no cost for contraceptives, abortion- inducing drugs, and sterilization as part of so- called “ preventative health services”for women.]
A. Sadly, in the time after the Second Vatican Council, there was a reform of the sacred liturgy which made it man- centered and banal. In some cases it actually became hard for people to bear because of illicit insertions, foreign agendas, and imposition of the personalities of priests and congregations into the liturgy to the point that people began to think that the Mass was some sort of social activity. If they did not find it acceptable, they did not go anymore.
If one understands what the Mass truly is — Christ Himself coming down from Heaven to renew the sacrifice of Calvary — how could you possibly not be there on Sunday? In the past people understood this and Mass attendance was in the 80- 90 percent range. We have to restore the sanctity of the celebration of Holy Eucharist so that those who have fallen away will return to the practice.
Secondly, when people are not coming to Mass in great numbers, as is the case, they do not hear the Sunday homily which is the principal means for instruction of faithful adults in the Church. In some places, even where people do attend Mass, they are not being instructed as they should be. The bishops first, and then the priests with them, must be clear and consistent in presenting the truth about the freedom of conscience and the evils of the health-care mandate.
Thirdly, in the situation as it is, which we simply must recognize, lay people giving witness to fellow lay people is the only solution. More and more sincere and informed Catholics must be ready to give an account of their Faith to others even if they are not the most eloquent and articulate. The very fact that they approach and speak with a fellow Catholic about a question like freedom of conscience will not go without a positive effect on that individual.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Follow Your Heart
Go where your heart takes you. Follow your heart. It's the true course because your heart is the real you, where your soul resides. Be true to it. Let it guide you. Too often we do the opposite; we replace the heart with the mundane, which can fashion pretense. This causes you tension. The greatest distance can be between your heart and your brain. You should go nowhere nor move anywhere nor strike up a close relationship with anyone unless your heart is in it; it knows secretly what is not in your "rational" consciousness. While there are certain obligations we must fulfill, in most cases we should not do anything unless our hearts are behind it. Don't define yourself to please others. Have a pure heart, a humble heart, and it will guide you. Try to escape problems and they will only repeat (until we repent, which means to change). Change only your facade and surroundings (try to run away) and God in His wisdom will continue to send you the same challenges no matter where you go until you work them out. Let your heart be the guide in finding the root of a problem, for it is often different than the problem it presents on the surface; a root cause might be called a plank in your eyes. "Beware of seeing yourself through other people's eyes," a woman seeking the Lord's words felt she heard. "There are several dangers to this practice. First of all, it is nearly impossible to discern what others think of you. Moreover, their views of you are variable: subject to each viewer's spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. The major problem with letting others define you is that it borders on idolatry. Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator. It is more real to see yourself through My eyes. My gaze upon you is steady and sure, untainted by sin. Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved. Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace. Respond to My loving Presence by worshipping Me in spirit and in truth.""Learn to love from your true center in Me. I reside in the deepest depths of your being, in eternal union with your spirit. It is at this deep level that My Peace reigns continually. You will not find lasting peace in the world around you, in circumstances, or in human relationships. The external world is always in flux -- under the curse of death and decay. But there is a gold mine of Peace deep within you, waiting to be tapped. Take time to delve into the riches of My residing Presence. I want you to live increasingly from your real center, where My Love has an eternal grip on you."One thing at a time. To thine own self be true. Look for progress with the eyes of the heart over time. Do not make haste to please the perceptions of others. Every day God will send you special little challenges that relate to your weaknesses and you must tackle each one with that frame of heart: everything He sends has the potential for advancement. Don't force things. Don't reach beyond your strength. Don't try to change who you really are; it is not possible; change who you are not. God works over time. He dissolves what is false and rebuilds us when we cooperate through free will oriented in prayer from the heart. What God looks for is persistence -- not an attempt to do everything at once, or be somebody else, but at making constant progress in union with our deep inner being. A conversion that is total is gradual in a natural flow over time with ease of the spirit like all things that God so profoundly does. Accept His Way, His design. In humility, use the normal course of daily events (problems and crises) as steppingstones to perfection. Chip away at each challenge, which will always come. Look at everything that happens as an opportunity. Great monuments were fashioned in this manner. So was the Grand Canyon. Be natural and gradual.As Jesus taught, the evil of the day is sufficient.
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