Yesterday we had talked about the importance of a regular rhythm of prayer. If this becomes a norm for us, we will also have built a refuge to protect us from the temptations of the world, which want to draw us away from what is essential and drag us towards what is superficial. Read More
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JESUS TRANSMITS TO US THE WORDS OF THE FATHER
In His great prayer to the Father, Jesus can testify that His own, who were entrusted to Him by the Father, have kept His Word: “Now at last they have recognised that all you have given me comes from you, for I have given them the teaching you gave to me, and they have indeed accepted it” (Jn 17:7-8). Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 18: “Regular prayer”
“My Lord and my God, grant me everything that draws me closer to you.” – exclaims St. Nicholas of Flüe in the second part of his famous prayer.
In mystical theology this part of the spiritual path would be called the “illuminative way”. This means that after the intense processes of purification – both the active (of which we have already spoken a little) and the passive – we can know God better. In the illuminative way, Sacred Scripture begins to speak to us more clearly, our way of praying changes, we get more light for our way of following the Lord…. In short, the way becomes easier.
THE SON REVEALS THE FATHER
We continue to meditate in detail on the 17th chapter of John, which is an eminent expression of the profound relationship between the Father and the Son.
Raising His eyes to heaven, Jesus said to His Father:
“I have revealed your name to those whom you took from the world to give me. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (Jn 17:6). Read More
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 17: The virtue of fortitude and prudence
In dealing with the so-called “cardinal virtues”, one would normally begin with the virtue of prudence. However, since in the previous days we had discussed the ascetic struggle against the passions, it is appropriate that we first deal with the virtue of fortitude.
The virtue of fortitude
Indeed, we need this virtue in order not to give up in the struggle and to be able to endure all adversities, and sometimes even defeats. This is an important aspect of fortitude: it is the ability to endure something for the sake of a greater good and to be willing to endure suffering for it.
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 16: “Retrospection and perspective”
During the last days of our holy journey towards the Feast of the Resurrection, we have taken a look at the vices that besiege our soul and want to subjugate it. By resisting and fighting them, as the masters of the spiritual life vividly teach us, we are actively cooperating in the process of inner purification.
The struggle against vices does not cease throughout our lives, and in this way God forms us in the most diverse aspects. On our part, tenacity and perseverance are required, so that we never give in to our evil inclinations, for that would mean giving up.
THE GLORY OF JESUS
“Father, glorify me with that glory I had with you before ever the world existed” (Jn 17:5).
The time has come for Jesus to return to the Father. He has fulfilled His mission and has left to His own all that they need to advance towards eternity and to reach the eternal dwelling that He is preparing for them in His Father’s House (cf. Jn 14:2-3).
TO HONOUR THE FATHER
God longs for us men to love Him and that this love be also expressed in a special worship and veneration.
We can imagine what it is like when we ourselves are filled with love and want to share this love with others… And if we, who are so imperfect, are urged to transmit this love to others, how much more our Father, who is the very source of love! In fact, the worship and veneration that God the Father asks for, have as their profound aim that our hearts turn to Him and that we discover and correspond to the true sense of our existence.
LENTEN ITINERARY | Day 15: “The fight against pride”
The most difficult spiritual vice to overcome is undoubtedly pride. It takes a constant struggle and a strong grace from God to flee from pride and to live in that humility which counteracts and decisively weakens it.
John Cassian describes pride in these terms: “It is a cruel beast, which fiercely attacks even the perfect and can wound with deadly poison those who are close to perfection”.
GOD’S TREASURE IN US
God created us from nothing. His only motivation was His love for us. That is why He created man in the image of Himself (Gen 1:27) and clothed him with great dignity.
This is what the Father conveys to us in the Message to Mother Eugenia: