In the last two meditations we have considered the advice of the Desert Fathers to practise fasting and night vigils in order to reach union with God more quickly with an agile spirit. This guideline, applied with due moderation, is excellent advice for growing in the spiritual life and for effectively resisting the powers of evil. Read More
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MEDITATIONS FOR LENT: Other aspects of fasting
In yesterday’s meditation we had begun to reflect on fasting and vigils as spiritual means of becoming more united to God, or as the Desert Fathers around St. Anthony used to say, “to unite ourselves more quickly to God with an agile spirit”. A more intimate union with the Lord is an essential help to counter the devil’s insidious attacks and to be prepared for spiritual warfare.Today, let us look more closely at the subject of fasting. Read More
SUPREME WISDOM
“To listen to the Spirit is supreme wisdom; to live in intimacy with Him is a source of joy” (Inner Word).
The Father and the Son have not left us orphans (Jn 14:18), but have sent us the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in all things. He is the Teacher and sure guide of our spiritual life. If we do not abandon or relativise the authentic doctrine and moral teaching that the Church has always handed down to us, then we fulfil the conditions for our Master to teach us ever more deeply.
TRUTH AND FREEDOM
“As long as man does not live in the truth, he cannot taste real freedom” (Message of God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
True freedom consists in living according to God’s Will. Anything that separates us from Him inevitably leads to a lack of freedom because, as the Father says in His message, we are then outside the true law, for obedience to which He created us. Consequently, we live in opposition to the deepest meaning of our existence and cannot enjoy the fruits of true freedom, which our Father can only give us in fullness if we live according to His Will.
MEDITATIONS FOR LENT: Fasting and vigils
Having talked about prayer and having looked at three very effective forms of spiritual combat – the prayer of the heart, the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic adoration – we now return to that little meeting of some of the Desert Fathers around St Anthony Abbot with which we began our Lenten meditations. It was from this conversation that we drew the concept of ‘discretion’, which means ‘discernment of spirits’. Inspired by this concept, we looked at the situation in the Church and in the world. As a conclusion, it became clear that the faithful must enter into the spiritual battle because the leaders of the Church are spreading grave errors.
In this context, I would like to recall the series on “The Five Wounds of the Church” (https://en.elijamission.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-5-Wounds-of-the-Church.pdf), which will help us to understand more deeply the existential crisis of the Church. It is important that the faithful wake up and realise that they cannot simply “go with the flow” and follow the direction set by the current hierarchy without being dragged down by its errors.
MEDITATIONS FOR LENT: Eucharistic Adoration (Part II)
The following topic is also very important in preparing for spiritual warfare: Eucharistic adoration and inner healing. Indeed, if we have many inner wounds, blockages and barriers, which we may not even be aware of, it will be more difficult for us to fight the battle. Let us not forget that healing the sick was part of our Lord’s ministry, and continues to be so through Eucharistic adoration if we accept His offer. That is why I thought it fitting to include in our Lenten series this meditation from last year.
Also important is the relationship between Eucharistic adoration and spiritual growth, which we will discuss in the second part of this meditation. Let us remember that the more deeply we are united to the Lord, the more He can work and offer His love to people through us. And in the presence of Christ’s true love, the devil will have to flee.
THE GREAT FREEDOM OF LOVE
‘A person who loves is practically beyond all other jurisdiction. Love and do what you will’ (St Augustine).
This is a famous and bold exclamation of St Augustine. To give it its true meaning, it should be placed in the context of the first part of the sentence: “A person who loves is practically beyond all other jurisdiction. This is already a limitation, since it is clear that we are dealing with a love that is not so easily attained.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET GO OF HIS HAND
“Raise your eyes to God again and again to see if your actions and ways are right in His eyes. Above all, be careful not to let go of His hand” (St. Francis de Sales).
This advice of St. Francis de Sales can become a good habit for us, leading to a living dialogue with our Father. We can also ask Him concretely and with a free heart if there is anything between Him and us, and if so, ask Him to show it to us. Our Father will answer us and help us to remove any obstacles so that love can flow freely. In this way a deeper relationship of trust will emerge, marked by an increasing naturalness, and any fears we may still have will disappear.
MEDITATIONS FOR LENT: “Eucharistic Adoration” (Part I)
As we have often recalled, the aim of our Lenten meditations is to strive to be better disciples of the Lord. This call is addressed to us in difficult times, both in the Church and in the world, as we have noted at length in the light of the discernment of spirits. Therefore, spiritual warfare is inevitable. In this regard, we have reflected on the various elements of the spiritual armour described by the Apostle Paul with which we must clothe ourselves in order to go into battle. His advice ends with the exhortation to “pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph 6:18), and so in the last few meditations we have talked about prayer of the heart and the Holy Rosary. Today and tomorrow we want to go deeper into Eucharistic adoration: another effective weapon in the spiritual battle.
Remaining in silence before the Blessed Sacrament, whether the Blessed Sacrament is exposed or simply present in the Tabernacle, has a great effect on the deepening of prayer. Therefore, in the context of these meditations on the theme of prayer, it is fitting that we dedicate two days specifically to Eucharistic Adoration.
A CHANGE FOR THE WORLD
“Change can only come through true conversion and the observance of my commandments” (Inner Word).
The solution for this world to be saved is divinely simple. Yet this very requirement seems so difficult for people. How could change come about except by turning to God? To whom else could they turn? To man, to nature, to themselves?