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Let every person taken an accounting of the day’s and night’s doings, and if one has sinned, then one ought to stop sinning, and if one has not, then there should be no boasting of it . . . Let this observation be a safeguard
against sinning: let us note and write down our actions and impulses of the soul as though we were to report them to each other.
- St. Anthony of Egypt -
(This 3rd century counsel points up the foundational aspect of self-knowledge. How do you practice this in your
life?)
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PHIL 2:12-18; PS 27:1, 4, 13-14; LK 14:25-33
R. The Lord is my light and my
salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with
courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
USCCB Lectionary
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Jesus tells his would-be disciples that they, too, must count the cost if they want to succeed as his disciples. Jesus assures success for those willing to pay the price. All it cost is everything! What does Jesus have to offer that's worth giving up everything else? More than we can imagine! Jesus offers the gift of abundant life and everlasting peace and happiness with God. (See the parable of the
treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-45). It's natural to ask what will it require of me or cost me before I sign up or agree to pay for something. Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after him. There can be no room for compromise or concession with God. We either give our lives over to him entirely or we keep them for ourselves. Paul the Apostle says, "We are not our own. We were
bought with a price" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19b,20). That price is the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed for us upon the cross to redeem us from slavery to sin and death.
The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost.
Jesus' way to glory and power is opposite the world's way of glory, power, and success. The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him. Does the love of Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (see 2 Corinthians 5)?
"Lord Jesus, may your love transform me that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. May you always be first in my thoughts
and intentions, and in my words and actions."
DailyScripture.net
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Describes the importance of understanding what we ask for in prayer. Treats of these words in the Paternoster: "Sanctifocetur nomen tuum, adveniat regnum tuum." Applies them to the Prayer of Quiet, and begins the explanation of
them.
It looks as though I were going to say that we must be angels to make this petition and to say our vocal prayers well. This would indeed be our Divine Master's wish, since He bids us make so sublime a petition. You may be quite sure that He never tells us to ask for
impossibilities, so it must be possible, with God's help, for a soul living in that state of exile to reach such a point, though not as perfectly as those who have been freed from this prison, for we are making a sea-voyage and are still on the journey. But there are times when we are wearied with traveling and the Lord grants our faculties tranquillity and our soul quiet, and while they are in that state He gives us a clear understanding of the nature of the gifts He bestows upon those whom He
brings to His Kingdom. Those to whom, while they are still on earth, He grants what we are asking Him for receive pledges which will give them a great hope of eventually attaining to a perpetual enjoyment of what on earth He only allows them to taste.
- Chapter 30 (Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.) Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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