“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk 12:32).
Showing all posts in 3 Minutes for God the Father
GOD’S BELOVED FOREVER
“Oh, my good Lord, if only my soul could be called Your beloved” (Blessed Henry Suso).
In these words from the German mystic, we hear the longing of a soul that loves God. This longing has become so intense that it begs for the most intimate union with God. It is the desire of souls who have begun to love the Lord and recognize, in the light of this love, that they can and want to love Him more. Thus, this longing arises from the depths of the heart.
PRAYER INSTEAD OF SWORD; HUMILITY INSTEAD OF ORNAMENTS
“Arm yourself with prayer, not with the sword; clothe yourself with humility, not with fine clothes” (St. Dominic of Guzman).
Undoubtedly, St. Dominic’s advice is still valid today, although in his time he was probably referring to a material sword and not to the sword of the Spirit recommended to us by St. Paul in the Letter to the Ephesians: “Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17). This sword is directly related to prayer, as the following verse makes clear: “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (v. 18).
INNER RESISTANCE TO SIN
“I am the resistance against sin within your heart” (Interior Word).
It is said that St. Catherine of Siena suffered terrible temptations against purity at one stage of her life. She then spoke to Jesus and asked Him where He had been while she was going through these attacks, which she found unbearable. Jesus answered that He had worked the repugnance to such impurity in her heart.
THE ENEMIES OF GOD ARE OUR ENEMIES
“Be wise in your dealings with the world and with the world within the Church — they are at enmity with Me” (Interior Word).
Are we sufficiently aware of this reality? Do we truly understand that we no longer live in an environment marked by the Christian faith?
EVERY DAY IS IMPORTANT
TRUST IN OUR FATHER IN ALL THINGS
“I trust in God, my Creator, in all things. I love Him with all my heart” (St. Joan of Arc).
True love for our Father, which grows day by day, leads us to abandon ourselves to Him in everything. It is not a lethargic attitude, nor does it resemble that mystical current known as “quietism.” The attitude of abandonment in God does not belittle human capacities, nor does it devalue our cooperation in God’s work. However, it decisively changes the focus. Our security and point of orientation are no longer built on ourselves, our faculties, or the various external circumstances, but on God’s love for us.
SACRED MUSIC
“For a dying person, music is like a sister. It is the first sweet sound of the hereafter, and the muse of song is the mystical sister who points to heaven” (St. Bonaventure).
With these words, St. Bonaventure must have been referring, above all, to the sacred music that, especially in times past, resounded in the monasteries. Inspired by the angels, sacred music resounds to the praise of God, thus proclaiming His glory.
THE SIMPLE PATH TO HOLINESS
“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will and being exactly what He wants us to be” (St. Therese of the Child Jesus).
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
“You must endure the dark hours and trials so that your trust may fully depend on me” (Inner Word).
This is one of the most difficult lessons we must learn on our way to eternity, but it is also one of the most important and fruitful. Our Father never actively desires evil or suffering. Why would He? However, evil entered the world as a consequence of man’s sin, bringing suffering and death with it, as our faith teaches us. We lost paradisiacal innocence, and now humanity lives under this shadow.