Thoughts When We Were Young...

One day, one of my teachers at the Abbey asked me what I did on my free afternoons when I was alone.

I told her I went behind my bed in an empty space which was there, and that it was easy to close myself in with my bed curtain and that ‘I thought.’   “But  what do you think about?” she asked. ‘I think about God, about life, about ETERNITY…I think!’

I understand now that I was making mental prayer without knowing it and that God was already instructing me in secret.”

–Story of A Soul

Glory...

A few years ago I was attending a morning mass at St. Maria Goretti in Scottsdale, AZ.   There is a lovely window in the sanctuary that caught the sun at a interesting angle right after communion.

I snapped a quick picture (hope the Lord wasn't too offended by the disturbance). 

Perhaps a little glimmer of the wonder and glory of God...

Laudem Gloriae

At the end of her life, St. Elizabeth began to call herself "Laudem Gloriae." Elizabeth wanted that to be her name in heaven because it means "in praise of glory."

She said: "I think that in Heaven my mission will be to draw souls by helping them to go out of themselves in order to cling to God by a wholly simple and loving movement, and to keep them in this great silence within which will allow God to communicate Himself to them and to transform them into Himself."

A Little Cell...

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity once told a young girl she was looking after:

You must build a little cell within your soul as I do .  Remember that God is there and enter it from time to time; when you feel nervous or you're unhappy, quickly seek refuge there and tell the Master all about it...

Do you have a little cell prepared for God?

Am I Willing...

Found a little poem that a Carmelite friend wrote.  Some things to think about.


AM I WILLING TO SUFFER IN ORDER TO MOVE CLOSER TO GOD?

 

1. If I never experienced pain, how would I know He is a healer? 

2. If I never prayed, how would I know He is a deliverer? 

3. If I never had a trial, how could I call Him an overcomer? 

4. If I never felt sad, how would I know He is a comforter? 

5. If I never made a mistake, how would I know that He is a forgiver? 

6. If I knew everything, how would I know He will answer my question? 

7. If I was never in trouble, how would I know that He will rescue me? 

8. If I was never broken, how would I know He would make me whole? 

9. If I never had a problem, how would I know that He can solve them? 

10. If I never suffered, how would I know what He went through? 

11. If I had all things, how would I know to be appreciative to Him? 

12.If I was never corrected, how would I know His love? 

13. If I had all power, how would I know my need to depend on Him? 

14. If my life was perfect, how would I know my need for Him? 

15. If I never went through fire (purgation, purification) how could I be made more pure?

 

 

 

Behold. . .

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world...

 

 

Christ the Redeemer

During the recent 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro there was a lot of fanfare -- both good and bad.

The country of Brazil got some publicity surrounding the zika virus and other issues.

But on the positive side, the television media periodically panned to this wonderful statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Mount Corcovado. 

Airline travelers coming into Rio de Janeiro can't help but spot this landmark-- it's difficult to miss.

Come Lord Jesus.

If Only For the Gospel's Sake

With the Lord's help, I composed this little tune about 10 years ago.  Tried rearranging it a few times, adding more verses -- but eventually came back to a simple format with limited vocals.  Has kind of a "dreamy", contemplative feel.

The theme is based upon the famous words of St. Paul in Corinthians:

"To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win over the Jews... To the weak I have became weak, to win over the weak... I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel" (1 Cor 9). 

As I think about the lives of the saints, it's a reminder of what they did -- and what we are called to do...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbzLSHzFLSo

Praying With Mary

Think I read somewhere a while ago that all our prayers and supplications pass thru the hands of Our Blessed Mother... 

Maybe some saint wrote about this.  I don't remember.

While probably not a dogma or an official church teaching, it seems like a pious and lovely thought. And indeed, it seems reasonable. 

If God wished to redeem and save humanity with the help of Our Lady (Gen 3:15 ff), would not God let Mary participate in its day-to-day redemption as well? 

Mary always points to Jesus.