Remaining in silence before the Blessed Sacrament, whether the Blessed Sacrament is exposed or simply present in the Tabernacle, has a great effect on the deepening of prayer. Therefore, in the context of these meditations on the theme of prayer, it is fitting that we dedicate two days specifically to Eucharistic Adoration. Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Sufferings in Prayer (Part II)
Prayer is one of the glories we can already enjoy in this life, for it is a ladder by which God descends to us and we ascend to Him. However, even in our prayer life we are not exempt from the stresses that correspond to our earthly existence and we have to endure all kinds of disturbances. But God, in His wisdom, makes use of it all.
Yesterday we had begun to speak about the so-called “sufferings in prayer”, among which we had mentioned distractions and dryness of feeling. Today we want to continue with some others…
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Sufferings in Prayer (Part I)
Anyone who seriously undertakes a life of prayer – that is, who does not only pray occasionally or when going through great anguish – will realize that it is not always an easy path; rather, there are sufferings that can make prayer even wearisome for us. Therefore, we will have to fight against the laziness of our human nature, go through processes of purification and, of course, confront various temptations, which want to discourage us. It can even go so far as to make us doubt the meaning of prayer, because it would seem that God does not listen to it and that it does not bring us any satisfaction. Thus, the soul is in danger of throwing in the towel and abandoning these “tiring” dealings with God. Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Preparation for Prayer
The best preparation for prayer, which at the same time is its very fruit, is the focus of our life on God. This means, in the first instance, living in a state of grace; that is, in conformity with the divine will.
Only under this condition can prayer be profoundly effective and can God penetrate our hearts. We will then become more and more capable of listening to God, of understanding Him and of seeking Him deeply. We will not have to begin each time by removing fundamental obstacles that impede the exchange with God.
Communication with God is a necessity of the soul. Read More
SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – Introduction to Prayer
Over the next few days we would like to offer our listeners a series of meditations on the theme of prayer. They can certainly be helpful in the spiritual life. If any of our listeners would like to continue listening to the Bible meditations for each day, they can follow the links at the end of the text.
Today will simply be an introduction, while in the next few days we will develop the preparation for prayer, the sufferings of prayer, the different forms of prayer, etc. I hope that the meditations that follow will help us to more deeply appreciate the value of prayer and encourage us to practice it. Read More
Look carefully then how you walk
Eph 5:15-20
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will ofthe Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with allyour heart, always andfor everything giving thanks in the name ofour LordJesus Christ to God the Father.
Obedience to the commandments of the Lord (Part II)
Today we want to return to the subject we began yesterday.
We know the serious problems of so many marriages, and we know that many of them were contracted in the most difficult circumstances. The Church, as a mother, also wants to turn to those who, for various reasons, have failed in their marriage and have begun a new relationship.
Indeed, it is the sick who need the doctor, not the healthy, as Jesus tells us in the Gospel (cf. Mt 9:12). Read More
Obedience to the commandments of the Lord (Part I)
At that time, pharisees came up to Jesus and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” He said to them, “For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. Read More
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, Spouse of the Holy Spirit”
Lk 11: 27-28
Gospel of the evening Mass of the Vigil of the Assumption
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the crowd, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
In addition to the infinite honour of being the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Virgin Mary these words of the Gospel we have just heard are fulfilled to perfection. Listening to the Word of God and putting it into practice is the deepest essence of Mary. This way of listening shows that the Blessed Virgin’s heart is undividedly centred on God and that whatever He entrusts to her, she carries out with joy. Read More
The life of the righteous
Wis 3:1-9
A reading from the memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be an affliction,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of men they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;