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Never believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary - and that God is listening while you tell it. -
William Penn
(And that would be the end of gossip!) |
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DT
4:32-40; PS 77:12-16, 21; MT 16:24-28
R. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
I remember the deeds of
the LORD; yes, I remember your wonders of old. And I meditate on your works; your exploits I ponder.
O God, your way is holy; what great god is there like our God? You are the God who works wonders; among the peoples you have made known your
power.
With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. You led your people like a
flock under the care of Moses and Aaron.
USCCB Lectionary
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Jesus asks the question: What will a person give in
exchange for his or her life? Everything we have is an out-right gift from God. We owe him everything, including our very lives. It's possible to give God our money, but not ourselves, or to give him lip-service, but not our hearts. A true disciple gladly gives up all that he or she has in exchange for an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God gives without measure. The joy he offers no sadness or loss can diminish.
True freedom and gain The cross of Christ leads to victory and freedom from sin, despair, and death. What is the cross which Jesus Christ commands me to take up each day? When my will crosses with his will, then his will must be done. Are you ready to lose all for Jesus Christ
in order to gain all with Jesus Christ?
"Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will, all that I have and possess. You have given them to me; to you, O Lord, I restore them; all things are yours, dispose of them according to your will. Give me your love and your grace,
for this is enough for me." (Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556) DailyScripture.net
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Continues the same subject. This is very suitable for reading after the reception of the Most Holy Sacrament.
Oh, we know not what we ask! How much better does His Wisdom know what we need! He reveals Himself to those who He knows will profit by His presence; though unseen by bodily eyes, He has many ways of revealing Himself to the soul through deep inward emotions and by various other means. Delight to remain with Him; do not lose such an excellent time for talking with Him as the hour after Communion. Remember that this is a very
profitable hour for the soul; if you spend it in the company of the good Jesus, you are doing Him a great service. Be very careful, then, daughters, not to lose it. If you are compelled by obedience to do something else, try to leave your soul with the Lord. For He is your Master, and, though it be in a way you may not understand, He will not fail to teach you. But if you take your thoughts elsewhere, and pay no more attention to Him than if you had not received Him, and care nothing for His
being within you, how can He make Himself known to you? You must complain, not of Him, but of yourself. This, then, is a good time for our Master to teach us and for us to listen to Him. I do not tell you to say no prayers at all, for if I did you would take hold of my words and say I was talking about contemplation, which you need practise only if the Lord brings you to it. No: you should say the Paternoster, realize that you are verily and indeed in the company of Him Who taught it you and
kiss His feet in gratitude to Him for having desired to teach you and beg Him to show you how to pray and never to leave you. - Chapter 34
(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.) Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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