All people must realise that they have a most loving Father. This is the objective reality on which their lives are founded. Only by internalising this truth can they awaken to the fullness of life (cf. Jn 10:10b).
It is the Heavenly Father who can heal all our wounds and make us discover the loving meaning of our existence by making Himself known to us. Herein lies man’s true happiness! Read More
As we progress on our path of discipleship and the Lord sees that we take it seriously and strive for holiness, He responds to our efforts by sending us so-called “passive purifications”.
There are those who are frightened just by hearing this word. They are not aware that it is a sign of great love and care on the part of our Father. Purification means that our capacity to love is to be awakened and strengthened and, at the same time, that we are to rid ourselves of all that hinders us from responding fully to God’s love. Therefore, purification is a grace, which usually goes hand in hand with the intensification of inner prayer and the passage into contemplation.
When His hour had come, Jesus turns to the Father and commends His own to Him and assures Him: “[They] have indeed accepted it and know for certain that I came from you, and have believed that it was you who sent me” (Jn 17:8b). Read More
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
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
“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.
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
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.
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.
“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).
