“One effect of the joyful guidance of the Father of Lights is that He guides the soul through impulses that come from within, which gently trickle into the soul and fall there like rain.” (St. Francis de Sales)
Showing all posts in 3 Minutes for God the Father
“TRUE FAITH DOES NOT ERR”
“Human reason is weak and may be deceived; but true faith cannot be deceived.” (Thomas à Kempis)
These words of warning from the spiritual teacher Thomas à Kempis remind us of something very essential. As much as reason is a good gift from God, it has nevertheless been affected by original sin. Among the consequences of original sin are:
- the darkening of the intellect
- the weakening of the will
- the inclination toward evil
- suffering
- physical death.
“OUR HEARTS ARE MADE FOR LOVE”
“Let us love, for that is what our hearts are made for.” (Thérèse of Lisieux)
With her simple yet unerring insight, the so-called “Little Thérèse” amazes us once again by getting right to the heart of the matter. We are created for love, and only when we love do we awaken to our true nature. Is that surprising?
“GOD’S SHAPING LOVE”
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten” (Rev 3:19).
The Word teaches us that in everything He does or permits, our Father always has in mind the lofty goal toward which He wishes to lead us: into eternity, which we are to spend with Him and in His presence in infinite bliss. This goal far surpasses our earthly aspirations, and we must learn to understand it. Our perspective is usually dominated by the pursuit of fleeting happiness, and that is what we strive for, whether consciously or unconsciously. This is why such a word may sound threatening to us. However, we have our lack of understanding and our emotions to blame for this because they are often still too strongly bound to the earthly dimension of life.
“OUR LOVE FOR GOD NEEDS PURIFICATION”
“I am coming to proclaim Myself the Father of all and the most tender of fathers, in order to transform your love, which has become distorted by fear.” (From the message from God the Father to M. Eugenia Ravasio)
Here, our Heavenly Father cites a fundamental reason why He addresses people directly through the message to Madre Eugenia. This text is preceded by His remark that people do not yet know Him as He truly is. The reason is stated here: There is still a distorted image of our Father, one that may be marked by fear.
“EVERYTHING HAS MEANING”
“Everything, my son, has meaning. Every word, every gesture, every deed.” (Inner Word)
Becoming aware of this is a path to maturity. It is a final awakening to the reality of God. This certainly does not mean anxiously worrying about whether you are doing something wrong, because that would cause you to become inwardly tense. Our Heavenly Father certainly would not have wanted that, and it would run completely counter to His caring love for us.
“EVEN ELIJAH WAS WEAK”
“Even Elijah was weak and needed My strength to continue his ministry” (Inner Word)
Who could forget the great prophet Elijah, who guided his people back to God through great miracles? Was it not he who stood up to King Ahab when the king did things incompatible with God? Was it not he who incurred the hatred of Queen Jezebel, who worshiped Baal and persecuted him when he had her priests put to death, not without first proving that he was acting on behalf of the Most High!
“LOVE GUIDES EVERY STEP AND ACTION”
“May my love find such a home within you that it guides all your steps and determines your actions.” (Inner word)
“FIRST, THE FATHER!”
“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Col 1:12)
This is how the praise of God begins in the so-called Christ Hymn in the Letter to the Colossians. It serves as a reminder that all the graces we are privileged to receive through the Son of God come from our Heavenly Father. Therefore, it is right that we not overlook this, but, just as the prayers in the Holy Mass are always addressed to our divine Father, turn back to God our Father in joy, praise, and thanksgiving for everything.
“EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT”
“Surrender yourself completely to me, your loving God and Father. Then everything will work out.” (Inner Word)
What does our Heavenly Father mean by these words?