Prayer is one of the glories we can already enjoy in this life, for it is a ladder by which God descends to us and we ascend to Him. However, even in our prayer life we are not exempt from the stresses that correspond to our earthly existence and we have to endure all kinds of disturbances. But God, in His wisdom, makes use of it all. Read More
Showing all posts by Elija
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Sufferings in Prayer (Part I)
Anyone who seriously undertakes a life of prayer – that is, who does not only pray occasionally or when going through great anguish – will realize that it is not always an easy path; rather, there are sufferings that can make prayer even wearisome for us. Therefore, we will have to fight against the laziness of our human nature, go through processes of purification and, of course, confront various temptations, which want to discourage us. Read More
THE FATHER IS OUR CONFIDANT
121st Meditation on God the Father
“If you wish to test the power of this spring about which I am talking, first learn to know Me better and to love Me to the extent that I desire, that is, not only as a Father, but as your Friend and Confidant” (Father’s message to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio).
“O Lord, you search me and know me, you know when I sit, when I rise, you understand my thoughts from afar. You watch when I walk or lie down, you know every detail of my conduct. A word is not yet on my tongue before you, O Lord, know all about it” (Ps 138:1-4). Read More
THE FATHER IS OUR FRIEND
120th Meditation on God the Father
“It is not enough for Me to have shown you My love; I also want to open up My Heart to you, whence a refreshing spring will issue and where all men will quench their thirst (…) If you wish to test the power of this spring about which I am talking, first learn to know Me better and to love Me to the extent that I desire, that is, not only as a Father, but as your Friend and Confidant” (Father’s message to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio). Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Preparation for Prayer
The best preparation for prayer, which at the same time is its very fruit, is the focus of our life on God. This means, in the first instance, living in a state of grace; that is, in conformity with the divine will.
Only under this condition can prayer be profoundly effective and can God penetrate our hearts. We will then become more and more capable of listening to God, of understanding Him and of seeking Him deeply. We will not have to begin each time by removing fundamental obstacles that impede the exchange with God. Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Introduction to Prayer
NOTE: We have decided to extend the series on the spiritual life, hoping it will be of benefit to our listeners, so that they can get a more complete idea of the path of following Christ. As far as possible, we will continue to offer the links where you might find a meditation from previous years based on the reading or the gospel of the day. Those who are interested can simply review the written text, where you will find the links at the end, as long as we have them available. Read More
THE LORD RENEWS HIS LOVE
119th Meditation
“The Lord your God is in your midst, the warrior-Saviour. He will rejoice over you with happy song, he will renew you by his love, he will dance with shouts of joy for you” (Zeph 3:17).
Our Heavenly Father addresses these words to His chosen people and particularly to Jerusalem. He wants to have compassion and renew His love, in spite of all the transgressions of the people. Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: The Virtue of Justice
“Justice is the constant and firm will to give to each one what is his due.”
(St. Thomas Aquinas)
In this simple definition we find the basis for the practice of this cardinal virtue. Justice is directed, in the first place, to God Himself, for there is nothing more just than to render to Him the worship that corresponds to Him as Creator and Father: adoration, honor, glory, gratitude, trust, faithful fulfillment of His commandments, humble and dedicated service to Him… Read More
ABYSS OF LOVE
118th Meditation
“My children, I am the source of all graces and benefits; but, even more, I am an abyss of love. Have you contemplated the immense Ocean of My mercy? Come, see and immerse yourselves in the immensity of My love” (Message of the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
The Father invites us again and again to immerse ourselves in His love. All the mystics speak of it and long to be enveloped and transformed by this love. Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: The Virtue of Prudence
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
(Prov 2:6)
The virtue of prudence is usually considered as the “auriga virtutum”; that is, the moderator or conductor of the other virtues, because it helps us to apply the virtue that corresponds to the given circumstances, in a wise and sensible way. With it we learn to discern things properly, and it teaches us to give the correct response in each situation. Read More