If we were to think each day that we had to die that day we would never sin at all. If in the morning we imagined that we would never last till evening, and if at evening we thought that we would never see morning, we would never sin .~~Saint Athanasius
Advent is such a beautiful season. It is time for renewal, it is especially a time for forgiveness, because brings this forgiveness o us in the shape of his Son. ~~Catherine de Hueck Doherty
In our daily work, let us practice charity, affection, and humility through the accomplishment of our normal duties, and then let us come to the feet of Jesus with all that. He will know how to see all, to accept all, and will transform what needs to be improved in us.
~~Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur~~
It is commonly in a somewhat cynical sense that Men have said, "Blessed is she that expecteth nothing, for he shall not be disappointed." It was in a wholly happy and enthusiastic sense that Saint Francis said, "Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall enjoy everything." It was by this deliberate idea of starting from zero, from the dark of nothingness of his own deserts, that he did come to enjoy them.SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
The Gift of God
This is what I have seen to be good. It is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the tois with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is ou lot. Like wise all to whom God give wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil--this is the gift of God. For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives,because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Prayer
Lord, our days are short, but we have done nothing to deserve even the few years of live that you give us. Teach is to be grateful for small things--food and drink and work--by remembering you servant Saint Francis, who truly expected nothing and enjoyed everything he had.
Advent Action
Each time you sit down to eat today, pause a little long than you normally do. Meditate on the words from Ecclesiastes, "it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment." allow yourself to fill with thanks, to be thank-full.
Jesus come, my feet are dirty. You have become a servant for my sake, so fill your basin with water; come, wash my feet. I know that I am bold in saying this, but your own words have made me fearful. "If I do not wash your feet, you will have no companionship with me." Wash my feet, then, so that I may be your companion. But what am I saying: "Wash my feet"? Peter could say these words, for all that needed washing were his feet. For the rest, he was completely clean. I must be made clean with that other washing of which you said: "I have a baptism with which I must be baptized." (Origen, Third Century)
God's Self-Revelation in LovePlace your mind before the mirror of eternity!
Place your soul in the brilliance of glory!(Heb 2:3)
Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance (1Cor 3-18)
and, through contemplation,
transform your entire being into the image
of the Godhead Itself,
so that you too may feel what friends feel
in tasting the hidden sweetness (Ps 31:20; 1Cor 2:9)
that, from the beginning,
God Himself has reserved for His lovers.
And, after all who ensnare their blind lovers
in a deceitful and turbulent world
have been completely passed over,
may you totally love Him
Who gave Himself totally for your love,
At Whose rewards and their uniqueness and
grandeur have no limits;
I am speaking of Him,
the Son of the Most High,...
St. Clare of Assisi,
"The Third Letter to Agnes of Prague." 51
Christ's Eternal Love That Fills Us With the Presence of God
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask of imagine to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. AmenEphesians 3:16-21Prayer
Our Lord, you are not a distant god. Rather, you loved us so much that you drew near to us by becoming one of us. You revealed yourself to us through the gift of your Son two thousand years ago, and you continue to reveal yourself to us in the loving union and friendship we share with him today. Be near to us. Show yourself to us. Fill us with your love.
Lenten Action
Spend time with or contact a friend perhaps one with whom you may have fallen out of touch. Reflect upon who close God is to you and how God's friendship with and love for you is deeper than any friendship or love that you can experience in your earthly life.
SustainmentTo take the holy scriptures and read them is the first thing we have to do to open ourselves to God/s call. Reading the scriptures is not as easy as ti seems...We tend to make anything and everything we read subject to analysis and discussion. But the word of God should lead us first of all to contemplation and medication. Instead of taking the words apart, we should bring them together in our innermost being; instead of wondering if we agree or disagree, we should wonder which words are directly spoken to us and connect directly with our personal story. Instead of thinking about the words as potential subjects for an interesting dialogue...we should be willing to let them penetrate into the most hidden corners of our hearts, even to those places where no other word has yet found entrance.
Henri J. M. Nouwen, Reaching Out:
The Three Movements of the Spiritual LifeThe authority of the Word
Jesus said to them..."The Fathers loves the Son and show him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son give life to whomever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, So that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my work and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life."John 5:19-24Prayer
Steadfast God, grant me the openness to read and accept the words of your holy Scriptures as truth from my inner being, as a springboard for meditation, as urgent messages directed to the hidden places of my heart. Also grant me the willingness to listen and connect with your teachings. Keep me from stumbling over their simplicity. Amen.
Lenten Action
Choose a passage from holy Scripture that is significant to you and memorize it.
Riddles of GodThis, I say, is the first fact touching the speech; the fine inspiration by which God comes in at the end, not to answer riddles, but to propound them. The other great fact which, taken together with this one, makes the whole work religious instead of merely philosophical is that other great surprise which makes Job suddenly satisfied with the mere presentation of something impenetrable. Verbally speaking the enigmas of Jehovah seem darker and more desolate that the enigmas of Job; yet Job was comfortless before the speech of Jehovah and is comforted after it. He has been told nothing, but he feels the terrible and tingling atmosphere of something which is too good to be told. The refusal of God to explain His design is itself a burning hinge of His design. The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man."Introduction to the Book of Job," G. K. C. as M.C.
Out of the Whirlwind
Then the Lord answered job out of the whirlwind;
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without
knowledge?
Gird up our loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements--surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning starts sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?"
Job 38: 1-7Prayer
God almighty, maker of heaven and earth, have mercy on me for my lack of faith, for too easily grumbling and grousing about your governance of the universe. Something the injustice the cruelty, and the insanity of our world overwhelms me--and I freeze. Grand me an obedient heart more willing to submit to you, more willing to offer myself in significant ways as part of the solution to my own prayers.
Lenten Action
Take a walk or hike today. Try to peer into the depth and intricacy of the created order. Admit in prayer all the things you cannot fathom. Humble yourself, thanking God for the mystery of the universe.
A Meditation
by John Henry Newman
God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work
to me which He has not committed to another I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection
between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good.
I shall do His work.
Visit and enjoy the entire offering. Then take time to reflect.
~~~~~~~
I have been remiss is my journaling here. I will make every effort to improve on this during the Season of Advent. It is a time of reflection and soul searching. It is a wonderful time to remember the past, live in the present, and hope for the future. Through the grace of God I will walk this road.