Showing all posts by Elija

In Reflexion

A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Sufferings in Prayer (Part II)  

Author ElijaPosted on

Prayer is one of the glories we can already enjoy in this life, for it is a ladder by which God descends to us and we ascend to Him. However, even in our prayer life we are not exempt from the stresses that correspond to our earthly existence and we have to endure all kinds of disturbances. But God, in His wisdom, makes use of it all.

Yesterday we had begun to speak about the so-called “sufferings in prayer”, among which we had mentioned distractions and dryness of feeling. Today we want to continue with some others…

  • Aversion to prayer

When an intense prayer life is cultivated, it is possible that there appears an aversion or a dislike to prayer, to the Word of God, and to religious things in general. Everything seems meaningless! This can have different causes. On the one hand, the Devil is always interested in dissuading us from advancing in the spiritual life and he acts by means of suggestions, wanting to influence our thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, reluctance can also come from our human nature, which rebels against the demands of faith and, in one way or another, says: “I don’t want any more”.

This situation must be faced with wisdom. We can simply confess our love to God, tell Him that we do not want such feelings, even though we feel them within ourselves. Here we make a clear distinction: If I do not consent with my freedom to negative thoughts and feelings, I am offering them resistance, even with the “tip” of my will. In this case, the aversion is not consented to, so that it cannot unfold its destructive potential either.

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In 3 Minutes for God the Father

“GETTING TO KNOW THE FATHER MORE DEEPLY”

Author ElijaPosted on

Furthermore, isn’t it true that you would love Me as children who are deeply devoted to Me if you truly knew what kind of Father you have! (Little Book of the Father)

Much depends on our true knowledge of God. For this reason, our divine Father revealed Himself to Madre Eugenia and inspired her to write the Little Book of the Father, from which this text is taken. Knowing is connected to loving. The more deeply I come to know God, the more I love Him because I encounter His very being. Thus, we encounter Love itself.

When this love is understood more deeply and enters our hearts, transforming them, we naturally love our Father “as affectionate children do.” In doing so, we fulfill our Father’s desire, awakening to Him with our whole being. But this love will also pour out onto others, all of whom are called to know what a wonderful Father we have.

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In 3 Minutes for God the Father

“A DIFFERENT QUALITY OF LIFE”

Author ElijaPosted on

“I am among you. Happy are those who believe this truth and who take advantage of this time.” (Book of the Father)

How would life change if we put these words of our Father into practice? Believing in God’s general presence in this world and that He holds all things in His hands is important, but it is not enough.

This statement also refers to God’s concrete and loving guidance in the life of every person. Through faith, a glimpse already opens up—one that will become full vision in eternity. And that has a profound impact. Read More

In Reflexion

A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: “Sufferings in Prayer” (Part I)

Author ElijaPosted on

Given the extraordinary importance of a regular prayer life, we will now begin with two parts from a 2024 series on prayer.

Anyone who seriously undertakes a life of prayer – that is, who does not only pray occasionally or when going through great anguish – will realize that it is not always an easy path; rather, there are sufferings that can make prayer even wearisome for us. Therefore, we will have to fight against the laziness of our human nature, go through processes of purification and, of course, confront various temptations, which want to discourage us. It can even go so far as to make us doubt the meaning of prayer, because it would seem that God does not listen to it and that it does not bring us any satisfaction. Thus, the soul is in danger of throwing in the towel and abandoning these “tiring” dealings with God.

First of all, it should be said that a person must become accustomed to prayer. There may be stages in which we find it easy to pray and we take pleasure in that “coming home” we experience; stages in which we are granted religious feelings that fill us with joy. But, in the long run, it takes discipline and endurance to lead a regular prayer life. Certainly there are exceptions to this, and there may be people who generally find it easy to pray. But normally it is usually as we have just said.

The abbot of a Trappist monastery once said to me, “It is easier to summon monks for work than for prayer!”

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In Biblical Meditations

FEAST OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW, THE APOSTLE: “Proclaiming the Gospel Fearlessly”

Author ElijaPosted on

John 1:45–51

Philip found Nathan′a-el, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathan′a-el said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathan′a-el coming to him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathan′a-el said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathan′a-el answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

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In 3 Minutes for God the Father

“A GLIMPSE OF GOD’S SPECIAL GOODNESS”

Author ElijaPosted on

“How wonderful heaven must be, that God undertakes such a meticulous purification of souls!” (Catherine of Siena)

These words come to us from St. Catherine of Siena, who would know, for she was deeply united with our Lord and was elevated to the rank of Doctor of the Church.

She approaches the topic of necessary purification before death in the right way, with an eye toward eternity. In order to enter the glory of Heaven, we must be completely purified—nothing of the filth of sin and its consequences can or should be taken into the Kingdom of Eternal Love.

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In Biblical Meditations

God’s wisdom in everything  

Author ElijaPosted on

Rom 11:33-36

O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen.

This exclamation springs from the depths of St. Paul’s heart, as he recognises God’s marvellous designs in spite of the obstinacy of the people of Israel, most of whom did not recognise the Messiah. Paul was granted a profound knowledge of God, and to prevent him from falling into presumption the Lord allowed him to undergo a certain suffering, which he himself describes as a “thorn” in his flesh (cf. 2 Cor 12:7).

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In 3 Minutes for God the Father

“ANOTHER FORM OF MARTYRDOM”

Author ElijaPosted on

“Martyrdom is not only dying for the faith. Martyrdom also consists in serving God with love and purity of heart every day of one’s life.” (St. Jerome)

With these words of St. Jerome, we are all invited to undergo—or rather, to carry out—the martyrdom of love every day, if you will. Not only does the highly esteemed martyrdom of blood for the holy faith shine with a bright light, but so does the hidden life in Christ, which we call the path to holiness. This holds true even when no one takes notice, for our heavenly Father sees our efforts very clearly, supports them, and inspires them with His grace.

It is a path that requires perseverance and constant encouragement when we recognize the limits of our capacity for love. Recognizing them is helpful, but dwelling on disappointment is wrong.

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In 3 Minutes for God the Father

“THE NEWNESS OF GRACE”  

Author ElijaPosted on

“Let us begin a new life every day.” (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Edith Stein)

What might the saint have meant by this?

She likely understood that every day we consciously live with our Heavenly Father is what is known as a kairos. To put it simply, this refers to the hour of grace that we are to seize.

After all, there are quite a few moments in life when we get the impression that we’d like to start a new life. Maybe things have slipped out of our control, and we repent and want to start anew. Or maybe we’ve finally made a long‑overdue decision. Or maybe we have overcome something that has held us back for a long time.

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In Biblical Meditations

A lesson in humility    

Author ElijaPosted on

Mt 23:1-12

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.  For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them. And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes. And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues, and salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi.  But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren.  And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters; for one is your master, Christ. He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Read More