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"There once was in the human race a true happiness of which now remains only the mark and empty trace, which we in vain try to fill from all our surroundings, seeking from things absent the help we do not obtain in things present. But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself."
- Blaise Pascal -
(God is your true joy, ever enough . . . Let this be your focus today.)
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AM 5:14-15, 21-24; PS 50:7-13, 16BC-17; MT 8:28-34
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Hear, my people, and I
will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I."
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for
your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
"For mine are all the animals of the forests,
beasts by the thousand on my mountains.
I know all the birds of the air,
and whatever stirs in the plains, belongs to me."
"If I were hungry, I should not tell you,
for mine are the world and its fullness.
Do I eat the flesh of strong bulls,
or is the blood of goats my drink?"
"Why do you recite my
statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
USCCB Lectionary
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Jesus took pity on these men who were overtaken by a legion of evil spirits. The destructive force of these demons is evident for all who can see as they flee and destroy a herd of swine. After Jesus freed the demoniacs the whole city came out to meet him. No one had demonstrated such power and authority against the forces of Satan as Jesus did. They feared Jesus as a result and begged him to leave them. Why would they not want Jesus to stay? Perhaps the price for such liberation from
the power of evil and sin was more than they wanted to pay. Jesus is ready and willing to free us from anything that binds us and that keeps us from the love of God. Are you willing to part with anything that might keep you from his love and saving power? "Lord Jesus, unbind me that I
may love you wholly and walk in the freedom of your way of love and holiness. May there be nothing which keeps me from the joy of living in your presence." DailyScripture.net
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Describes the nature of the Prayer of Recollection and sets down some of the means by which we can make it a habit.
At first you will think this irrelevant -- I mean the use of this figure to explain my point -- but it may prove very useful, especially to persons like yourselves. For, as we women are not learned or fine-witted, we need all these things to help us realize that we actually have something within us incomparably more precious than anything we see outside. Do not let us suppose that the interior of
the soul is empty. . . If we took care always to remember what a Guest we have within us, I think it would be impossible for us to abandon ourselves to vanities and things of the world, for we should see how worthless they are by comparison with those which we have within us. What does an animal do beyond satisfying his hunger by seizing whatever attracts him when he sees it? There should surely be a great difference between the brute beasts and ourselves, as we have such a
Father.
- Chapter 28 (Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in
a cloistered contemplative order.) Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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