“Always wait until things are clear to you, and don’t rush into anything!” (Inner Word)
Showing all posts by Elija
GREAT DECEPTIONS: “Self-Deception (I)”
As I have done in recent years, I will occasionally use the daily meditations to explore important topics for our spiritual journey. In this case, we will begin a series on the topic of self-deception, though I will expand on it later, since we are currently facing so many deceptions in the world—and, unfortunately, also within the Church—that we cannot ignore them.
To address the topic of self-deception, I will draw on some passages written by Father Paulus Sladek, OSA. After true knowledge of God, self-knowledge is an indispensable pillar on the path of following Christ. Father Sladek’s texts highlight important aspects that can help us personally and help others who are living in self-deception or are blinded by it, at least in part. In any case, we must be clear that this is no easy task, as many obstacles seek to prevent us from awakening from self-deception.
“THE GLORY OF GOD OUTSHINES EVERYTHING”
“If I were to list all the signs of Your love, I would fail. Even if I had the tongues of all people and angels, I could not describe the gifts of nature, grace, or glory that flow from You” (St. Bonaventure).
THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: “The Magnificat” (II)
Luke 1:46–55
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.” Read More
“ALL THINGS WILL SUCCEED IN THE LORD”
“You can do everything in Me, and everything will work out if only you remain in Me and live this love.” (Inner word)
THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: “A Glimpse of Saint Elizabeth! (Part 1)”
NOTE: According to the traditional liturgical calendar, today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will therefore hear the Gospel account of her wonderful encounter with Saint Elizabeth.
Luke 1:39-47
In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
SOLEMNITY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE LORD: “Purified by His Blood”
NOTE: According to the traditional liturgical calendar, today the Solemnity of the Most Precious Blood is celebrated. We will therefore hear the Gospel reading designated for this day.
Jn 19:30-35
When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth—that you also may believe.
“ON THE OCCASION OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD”
Preliminary note: Today, I would like to extend my greetings and gratitude to our new Brazilian collaborators who, starting today, will help us continue to share my meditations and the “3 Minutes for Abba” in Portuguese.
“I have chosen this day to begin My work among men because today is the feast of the Precious Blood of My Son Jesus. I intend to bathe in this Blood the work I am beginning, so that it may bear great fruit among all mankind.” (Message from God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio)
Faith can calm storms
Mt 8:23-27
Then he got into the boat followed by his disciples. Suddenly a storm broke over the lake, so violent that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But he was asleep. So they went to him and woke him saying, ‘Save us, Lord, we are lost!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith?’ And then he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. They were astounded and said, ‘Whatever kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’
“Whatever kind of man is this?” In the light of faith, it is easy for us to answer this question, “This man is the Son of God, therefore He has authority over everything created, even over the winds and the sea.”
“BEARING WITNESS TO THE TRUTH”
“Every hour in which the poison of false teaching and false practice works unnoticed poisons the Body of the Lord.” (Inner Word)