“Most people have no idea what God could make of them if only they would place themselves at His disposal” (St. Ignatius of Loyola).
Showing all posts by Elija
THE PALACE OF THE GREAT KING
“If I had understood then, as I do now, how this great King really dwells within this little palace of my soul, I should not have left Him alone so often” (St. Teresa of Avila).
St. Teresa arrives at an essential conclusion, which we should also immediately adhere to. In fact, this reality applies to every soul in a state of grace. The Blessed Trinity dwells in it and makes it His temple. If we accept the constant invitation of the Great King, His indwelling will become a constant source of life in us. In the depths of our soul we will listen attentively to our Father, we will dialog with Him, we will cultivate love…. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 7: “The Word of God is our light”
In both the Traditional Rite and the Novus Ordo today’s reading proclaims this passage from the Prophet Isaiah about the Word of God:
“As the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before having watered the earth, fertilising it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat, so it is with the word that goes from my mouth: it will not return to me unfulfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do” (Is 55:10-11).
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 6: “Shepherds for the sheep”
The reading read today at the Traditional Mass (Ez 34:11-16) is preceded by the Lord’s accusation against the shepherds of Israel: “For lack of a shepherd they have been scattered, to become the prey of all the wild animals; they have been scattered” (v. 5). There were no shepherds left to tend the flock. Those who had been appointed only shepherded themselves (v. 8).
GIVE ME YOUR HEART
“God does not say, ‘Give me a heart like that of the angels’; rather, ‘Give me your heart.’ What He wants is your own heart; give it to Him as it is. He asks nothing more than what we are and what we have” (St. Francis de Sales).
Our current journey companion addresses us today with a comforting phrase, inviting us to approach our Father as we are. We do not need to artificially humble ourselves or present ourselves as great religious champions. We can and should come to Him as we really are and give Him our hearts. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and with our cooperation, the Father will make it into a heart like His own. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 5: “Rejecting the devil”
Among the various adversities and attacks that we face on our journey, it is fitting that, on this holy itinerary, we should specifically take into consideration the lurking of the devil. Today’s Gospel describes them in the temptations of Jesus in the desert (Mt 4:1-11).
THE TRANSFORMATION OF SUFFERING
“Suffering, considered in itself, is a terrible thing. But when we look at it in the Will of God, it becomes love and sweetness” (St. Francis de Sales).
Accepting suffering as coming from the hands of our Father is one of the most difficult lessons we have to learn on our journey of following Christ. This is not surprising, since suffering and death are the consequences of original sin and the loss of paradise. It is still alien to us and, considered in itself, suffering is a terrible thing, as our present companion on the way, St. Francis de Sales, tells us. Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 4: “Serenity in adversity”
Marked with the cross of ashes, we advance on this holy Lenten journey towards deeper conversion. With fasting we provide good wood for the fire of love and in everything we keep our gaze fixed on God, without seeking the praise of men.
THE LITTLE HALF HOUR
“I would also like your superiors to allow you to spend your free time with Me, so that you can console Me and love Me for half an hour each day” (Message from God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
GOLDEN OBEDIENCE
“Be convinced: heaven and earth will pass away before the Lord will lose sight of you if you remain obedient, or at least if you are determined to be obedient” (St. Francis de Sales).