LIVING IN INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD THE FATHER

REMARK: When we put “Inner Word” as a reference, these are statements that Brother Elias perceived in prayer.

“Live in intimate friendship with me. This friendship will deepen more and more, until you are completely with me in eternity” (Inner Word).

Friendship with our Heavenly Father is one of the most beautiful experiences in life. Just as Jesus called His disciples “friends” (Jn 15:15) and treated them as such, so the Father invites us to live in close friendship with Him. The word “close” is meant to underline even more the intimacy of this relationship. Read More

THE FATHER HAS GREAT PLANS

406th Meditation

“In my love, I have projected great plans for you” (Inner Word).

Once our Father has subjected everything to His loving dominion, down to the smallest detail, He has great plans in mind for us human beings.

Indeed, it is not just a few people who are called to find the way of faith, but all. Not only some must learn that their Creator and Redeemer is the kindest of all fathers, but all mankind must know it and hear it. Not only the Church must know it, but the call of a Father full of love must resound to the ends of the earth and in every possible way. Read More

THE CARE OF GOD

405th Meditation

“Without temptations, we would not perceive God’s care for us, nor would we acquire confidence in Him, nor learn the wisdom of the Spirit, nor would the love of God be consolidated in the soul” (Isaac of Syria).

What we have said in the last meditations regarding the struggle against the powers of darkness, we can also apply to the struggle against temptations, to which we are inevitably exposed during our pilgrimage through this world. These are part of the struggle entrusted to us. Read More

THE STRUGGLE IN THE SALVIFIC PLAN OF GOD

404th Meditation

“In the salvific plan of my love, struggle occupies an important place” (Interior Word).

The struggle that the Lord wages for us and with us against the powers of darkness is not only unavoidable, but is part of the salvific plan of His love. Just as on the path of following Christ it is necessary to engage in spiritual combat in order to restrain our passions and resist the seductions of this world, it is also necessary to fight against the fallen angels. Indeed, it is they who besiege human beings, leading them astray and weaving a web of lies around them. Read More

THE LORD FIGHTS ON YOUR SIDE

403rd Meditation

“If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear” (Ps 26:3).

Although the armies advancing against us are not visible, they are no less real than those engaged in physical warfare. We are surrounded by invisible enemies, who want to divert us from the way of salvation and, if they do not succeed, at least try to hinder us. This is what the Apostle Paul describes in the Letter to the Ephesians:

“Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but (…) against the spirits of wickedness in the high places” (Eph 6:12). Read More

MAY MY HEART REPEAT THAT I LOVE YOU

402nd Meditation

“O my God, if my tongue is not able to say at every opportunity that I love You, at least I want my heart to repeat it to You as many times as I take a breath” (St. John Mary Vianney).

The Holy Curé of Ars was a soul inflamed with love, who wanted to correspond fully to the love of the Lord, a true example for all priests! His heart burned for God. What he would have wanted most of all was to enter a contemplative monastery in order to express all his love for the Lord. But God had other plans for him. Thus the Curé of Ars spent countless hours in the confessional, serving the Lord and the salvation of souls. Read More