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“I shrink every time I look at the cross because I feel I could die thinking of the pain of it, yet, in spite of this deep repugnance of mine, my heart welcomes all the sufferings it entails and in these I
find all my delight.”
- Gemma Galgani - (If we can find joy amidst our sufferings, we have nothing to fear. How does the cross help you to realize this
possibility?)
Christianity and Spirituality monthly forum March 7: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. CST
Topic: "The Four Biases"
Presenter: Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP
See link below for more info
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Jas 1:1-11; Ps 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76 Mk 8:11-13 The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to
test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
"Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."
Then he left them,
got into the boat again,
and went off to the other
shore.
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Reflection on the Scriptures
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The Lord reveals himself and makes his presence known to us in many ways - in his "word" (the good news he came to give us) and in the "breaking of the bread" in the Eucharist (he is the Bread of Life), in his church - the Body of Christ, and in his creation (he is the Word who created all things). And even in the daily circumstances of our lives the Lord Jesus continues to
speak to us and guide us. If we seek the Lord Jesus, we will surely find him. And we can be confident that he will give us whatever we need to carry out his will for our lives. Most of all the Lord Jesus assures us of his daily presence with us and the promise that he will never leave us. Theresa of Avila's prayer book contained a bookmark which she wrote: Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you; All things pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God
lacks nothing, God alone suffices. Is God enough for you? Lord Jesus, may I always recognize your saving presence in my life and never forget your promises when I encounter trials and difficulties. Give me a faith that never wavers, a hope that never fades, and a love that never grows cold.
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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 23 Of the benefits which the soul receives from not setting its rejoicing upon the good things of nature. 4. There is another benefit of no less importance to those that have become proficient in the mortification of this kind of rejoicing, which is that evil things and the knowledge of them neither make an impression upon them nor stain them as they do those to whom they still give any delight. Wherefore the renunciation and mortification of this rejoicing result in spiritual cleanness of soul and body;
that is, of spirit and sense; and the soul comes to have an angelical conformity with God, and becomes, both in spirit and in body, a worthy temple of the Holy Spirit. This cannot come to pass if the heart rejoices in natural graces and good things. For this reason it is not necessary to have given consent to any evil thing, or to have remembrance of such; for that rejoicing suffices to stain the soul and the senses with impurity by means of the knowledge of evil; for, as the Wise Man says, the
Holy Spirit will remove Himself from thoughts that are without understanding -- that is, without the higher reason that has respect to God.
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