“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.” (From God the Father’s message to M. Eugenia Ravasio).
What does such a friendship, to which the Divine Father calls us, look like?
“What we see is beautiful, what we recognize is even more beautiful, but what we cannot comprehend is far more beautiful still.” (Nicolaus Steno)
We, too, can view this world in the same way as that great Danish scholar Nicolaus Steno, who later joined the Catholic Church because of his convictions and even held the office of bishop.
“May my guidance always order everything in wisdom” (Inner Word)
Our divine Father not only gives us general guidance in our lives through His commandments and His holy word, as well as through the circumstances of life in which He has placed us. God also wants to take direct control of our lives. This becomes easy to understand when we realize that our Father sees our entire life before Him and has given it meaning and a purpose from the very beginning. Ephesians 2:10 states: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
“Never let yourself be intimidated by the schemes of demons.” (Inner Word)
We cannot and must not ignore this anti-God dimension on our spiritual journey. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux says, it is true that cowardly demons cannot harm us if we live in a state of grace. The Lord has also given his followers power over demons (Mark 3:15). Yet, Scripture warns us: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“Every battle you take on, and every one we fight and win, contributes to the salvation of humanity.” (Inner Word)
When we allow this statement to sink in, many things change. Of course, inner struggles are burdensome, and they remain so until the very end. After all, no one enjoys it when the flesh rebels against the Spirit, and everyone longs for the day when this will finally cease in eternity.
“He shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zech. 9:10).
True peace has come to us in the Son of the Most High, who calls all nations to this peace. Our heavenly Father emphasizes that peace comes when people recognize, worship, and love Him. Inner and outer peace can arise only when we live according to God’s instructions.
“When a person is cautious in speech, he becomes gentle, mild, and modest. For when he controls his tongue and does not speak until he has examined, weighed, and considered his words, whether they should be said and to whom, he is indeed practicing modesty, gentleness, and patience.” (Saint Ambrose of Milan)
Avoiding missteps in speech and thus in one’s words is no easy task.
“God enters the house when the soul not only meditates on His love, but also works in it day and night.” (Saint Bridget of Sweden)
“My dear children, I have lavished these gifts upon you with special graces for twenty centuries, but with what miserable results!” Read More
“Only those who have experienced it know the benefits and divine bliss that solitude and silence in the wilderness bring to those who love them.” (Saint Bruno, the Carthusian)
While these words certainly apply first and foremost to those who follow the call to solitude in order to serve the Lord there and dwell in His presence, they are also words that can be adapted to other circumstances in life. Read More
