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In his great love, God was unwilling to restrict our freedom, even though he had the power to do so. He has left us to come to him by the love of our heart alone.
- Isaac of nineveh, Ascetic treatises, #81 -
(Free to choose God/love this day! Pray for the grace to do so.)
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IS 48:17-19; PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
MT 11:16-19
Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces
and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
USCCB Lectionary
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Matthew 11:16-19 (The fickleness of the crowds)
It is impossible to please everybody, Jesus learns. Some consider Jesus too liberal in his following of the Law, and they
condemn him. These critics are probably the same people who criticized John for being too strict. But Jesus does not cater to public opinion. He is intent only on doing the will of his Father.
* How do the opinions of others influence you? Do you find it easy to go against the crowd? When do you usually find this
necessary?
* How do you feel about people who are nonconformists for noble reasons? Why?
Paperback, Kindle
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The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Treats of these last words of the Paternoster: "Sed libera nos a malo. Amen." "But deliver us from evil. Amen."
Well, sisters, Our Lord seems not to want me to write any more, for, although I had intended to go on, I can think of nothing to say. The Lord has shown you the road and has taught me what I wrote in the book which, as I
say, I have already written. This tells you how to conduct yourselves on reaching this fount of living water and what the soul experiences when there, and how God satiates it and takes away its thirst for earthly things, and makes it grow in things pertaining to God's service. This will be very helpful to those who have reached the fount, and will give them a great deal of light.
Before you see this
book I shall give it to my confessor, Father Presentado Domingo Báñez of the Order of Saint Dominic. If he thinks you will benefit by it, and gives it you to read, and if you find it of any comfort, I, too, shall be comforted. If he gives you this book, he will give you the other as well. Should it be found unsuitable for anyone to read, you must take the will for the deed, as I have obeyed your command by writing it. I consider myself well repaid for my labour in writing, though it has
certainly been no labour to me to think about what I have been going to say, as the Lord has taught me the secrets of this evangelical prayer, which has been a great comfort to me. Blessed and praised be the Lord, from Whom comes all the good that we speak and think and do. Amen.
- Chapter 42
End of book
(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)
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