Showing all posts by Elija

In Reflexion

In the school of the Fathers of the desert (II): The combat in what we speak

Author ElijaPosted on

In today’s meditation, we continue the theme we had begun yesterday, in memory of Saint Anthony Abbot. Let us listen again to the words of this father of the desert, to continue to describe the combat that we Christians are called to wage:

“He who sits in the desert and seeks to be calm of heart, has been spared from three combats: the combat of listening, the combat of speech and the combat of sight. He has only one battle left to fight: the battle against impurity”.

Yesterday we had reflected on listening; today we will meditate on the combat in speaking. St. Anthony, being in the desert, learned to be silent. But, according to his words, he also cultivated a calmness of heart, by which he means an inner recollection, a peace that grows as we live in trusting dialogue with God and focus totally on Him.

Read More

In 3 Minutes for God the Father

VICTORIOUS LOVE

Author ElijaPosted on

“Do not despair when others reject or even hate you. Remain in love, as I have always been. Then you may win them over.” (Inner Word)

It is certainly difficult to bear when other people reject us. For we were brought into being out of love by our Heavenly Father, and we were created for love. On this path of love, our lives unfold in true harmony. In a way, the rejection and hatred of others call our very existence into question. And this is even more intense when it comes from people who are close to us or once were close to us.

Read More

In 3 Minutes for God the Father

THE POWER THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN

Author ElijaPosted on

“It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven.” (1 Maccabees 3:19)

In the militant Church, we are indeed a small flock that must defend itself against the attacks and assaults of evil. Is this a reason to give up? No, because the above verse from the Book of Maccabees is preceded by the following: “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.”

Read More

In Reflexion

In the school of the desert fathers (I): The combat in what we hear  

Author ElijaPosted on

Eph 6:10-13,18

Reading corresponding to the memorial of St. Anthony Abbot

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Read More

In Reflexion

The Franciscan Protomartyrs

Author ElijaPosted on

St. Francis had sent six of his friars to preach the Gospel in Saracen lands. He himself had tried to convert the Sultan of Egypt, but had failed.

The superior of the six missionaries fell ill, so the remaining five left for Spain. Their names were Berardo, Otto, Peter, Acursio, and Adyuto. Their mission was to proclaim the message of Christ to the Muslims living in Spain. Their first destination was Seville, which at that time was under Muslim rule, as was the entire southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Read More

In Biblical Meditations

Believing, listening and doing God’s will

Author ElijaPosted on

Mk 1:40-45 (Reading from the Novus Ordo)

And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”  Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.  And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

Read More

In Biblical Meditations

Prayer and inner cell

Author ElijaPosted on

Mk 1:29-39 (Reading from the Novus Ordo)

And at once on leaving the synagogue, he went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed and feverish, and at once they told him about her. He went in to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to serve them. That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were sick with diseases of one kind or another; he also drove out many devils, but he would not allow them to speak, because they knew who he was. In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, ‘Everybody is looking for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go elsewhere, to the neigh-bouring country towns, so that I can proclaim the message there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out devils.

Read More