The great longing for peace which dwells in the hearts of so many people can be realised if they turn to the true source of peace. First of all, it is necessary to be at peace with God, living according to His will. This He offers us in His Son, through whom “He wanted to reconcile all things to him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, by making peace through His death on the cross” (Col 1:20). To his disciples He says: “My own peace I give you” (Jn 14:27).
Showing all posts in January 2024
Agnes in the wake of the Lamb (Part 1): Bride of Christ
The Struggle for Purity
During the last three meditations, we developed an indirect advice given to us by St. Anthony Abbot, a wise desert father. In this context, we reflected on the combat in what we hear, speak and look at, and saw how necessary it is to place these important areas of human life under God’s dominion and to defend them against multiple attacks.
ETERNAL LIFE
Raising his eyes to heaven, Jesus said: “Father, glorify your Son (…), so that, just as you have given him power over all humanity, he may give eternal life to all those you have entrusted to him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:2-3).
THE GLORIFICATION OF GOD
Over the next few weeks, we will meditate verse by verse on the 17th chapter of St. John, which is the supreme expression of the profound relationship between the Father and the Son.
“Jesus said, ‘Glorify your Son so that your Son may glorify you’ ” (Jn 17:1b).
The combat in what we look at
Let us meditate once more on these words of St. Anthony Abbot:
“He who sits in the desert and seeks to have a calm heart, has been spared from three combats: that of listening, that of speech and that of sight. He has only one battle left to fight: the battle against impurity”.
The last two days, we had reflected on the fight against what we hear and what we speak. Today, we will devote ourselves to the struggle in relation to what we look at.
The combat in what we speak
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”.
LOOKING AT THE FATHER WITH THE EYES OF JESUS
“Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Father…'” (Jn 17:1).
This is the predominant attitude of Jesus: raising His eyes to the Father. It expresses the very depths of His being, for He came into the world to do the will of the Father (cf. Jn 4:34). Nothing was more important to Him! His heart was at all time focused on the Father.
BLIND TRUST
“Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages!” (Rev 15:3c).
Who can understand and accept the ways of our Father? Sometimes we can understand them after the fact, but rarely at the time they happen.
The combat in what we hear
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