“Do not be afraid of what may happen to you” (Inner Word).
Showing all posts in August 2024
The life of the righteous
Wis 3:1-9
A reading from the memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be an affliction,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of men they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
UNDER THE GAZE OF THE FATHER
“Your life is completely in my hands and I decide what and when it happens” (Inner Word).
The Word of God
Ezek 2:8–3:4
But you, son of man, hear what I say to you; be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth, and eat what I give you.” And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and lo, a written scroll was in it; and he spread it before me; and it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. Read More
SURRENDER TO THE FATHER WITHOUT RESERVE
“Give me, o Lord, what you command, and command what you will” (St. Augustine).
With our eyes fixed on our heavenly Father, we can confidently utter this prayer, which moves us to give ourselves completely to the Lord and to refuse Him nothing. Often we are still reluctant to entrust ourselves unreservedly to our Father, clinging to the seemingly solid foundation of our natural inclinations. Perhaps there is even a certain fear that our Father will ask something of us that we are not ready to give Him. Read More
True freedom
Mt 17:22-27
When the disciples were together with Jesus in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of man is going to be delivered into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised up again.’ And a great sadness came over them. When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel came to Peter and said, ‘Does your master not pay the half-shekel?’ ‘Yes,’ he replied, and went into the house. But before he could speak, Jesus said, ‘Simon, what is your opinion? From whom do earthly kings take toll or tribute? From their sons or from foreigners?’ And when he replied, ‘From foreigners,’ Jesus said, ‘Well then, the sons are exempt. However, so that we shall not be the downfall of others, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself.’ Read More
THE RUDDER OF THE DAY
“The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day” (St. Augustine).
Do not falter along the way
1 Kgs 19:4-8
In those days, Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you.” And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. Read More
To hate one’s own life in this world
Jn 12:24-26
Reading for the Feast of St. Lawrence
At that time Jesus said to his disciples: “In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me, must follow me, and my servant will be with me wherever I am. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him”. Read More
NEVER GIVE UP
“As long as we live, we will fight. As long as we fight, it is a sign that we are not defeated and that the good Spirit dwells in us. If death does not find you a victor, may it at least find you a fighter” (St. Augustine).
A wise and helpful saying of St. Augustine! Indeed, we must never lose heart, even if we experience defeats in our journey of following Christ or in our apostolic endeavors. Read More