|
Title: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 29, 2010, 12:34:18 AM Is there some particular area that needs work that you are particularly focusing on now?
What is it? Let's all speak a little about where our focus is and pray for each other to succeed in the place we are working on for our soul's improvement. Right now I am working on increasing my mortification. When I hear about how the saints live, and how little comfort they took, and what great pains, and how they bore with crosses or rather pursued crosses rather than fled them, I see I do not do this and need to be less weakly reliant on my environment being comfortable for my happiness.. I would like to be able to serve God well and do what I need to do even while uncomfortable, tired, troubled, etc. and to embrace this rather than constantly trying to escape and shake it off, or make it an excuse for not doing much. So say a prayer for me for this please! It is a large thing! But nothing ventured, nothing gained! Even trying and failing is better than nothing at all. How about you? Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: martin on April 29, 2010, 07:49:23 AM That I be humble.
That I be wise. That I be pure of heart. That I be chaste in mind I pray daily to St Joseph for a share in all his virtues. That I be a just person in all my dealings. That I be chaste in mindand body. That I be on fire with the love of God. As for progress in these areas I sometimes feel I’m not making any headway but looking back over the months I can see yes that there has been improvement and it usually starts with a new awareness of my sinfulness that I see more clearly the need to do something about it. We discussed before Shin about TV and I put it down to the help of St Joseph that I was able to see it for what it was and as you said about making such a difference to your spiritual progress I can totally identify with that. Now I can see it even more clearly with the passing of time just how big a waste of time it was and the rewards for this small act have so out-weighed the sacrifice that I blush even to call it a sacrifice. At Mass this morning (being the feast of St Catherine of Sienna) the priest invited the congregation to come forward after the final blessing to receive a blessing with a 1st class relic of the Saint which he had obtained. What a most holy woman she was. I feel such an affiliation with you all on this forum who take their faith so seriously. The presence of the saints here is almost tangible. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 29, 2010, 01:52:37 PM Great to read. :D
Yes, there are other areas in my life that I suspect can be compared to sacrificing TV too, that might well wind up with that same before and after perspective that you have. But TV is so fundamental for us often enough. It gives us a lesson we can see may well apply in so many other places. The more I can focus my activities always on a more spiritual level the better. The mental barrier, the spiritual pressure against giving these things up.. is stronger than I think whatever you actually get out of them as well. Which in the end is often far more a lot of nothing than one might at first suspect! :o I think part of it is the difference between living in the moment with God and living in whatever you are using for entertainment or distraction. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on April 29, 2010, 02:24:07 PM As I think everyone on this forum knows by now :D , I need a lot of confidence in God. I tend to get anxious about the unknown future and I need God's grace to overcome that.
Secondly, I need grace to mortify myself more as regards to fasting. Always have a tough time with that and I know that fasting (even from little goodies) holds the key to many graces. Third and probably most importantly, I need to forgive people who I thought were very close but have shown their true colors after my husband's death. In particular , one person who never ceases to get on my nerves and keeps hurting me over and over again ever since the death. I think I have forgiven him and then he does something else that opens up old wounds. Please pray that I may be given patience to deal with this person and grace to forgive him completely. One good grace that I think came after Lent is I am not inclined to watch tv anymore. I used to watch a lot of news before, but now I just turn the tv off. But I do end up watching when the kids are around and watching their shows. I have suggested to them to have Wednesday as official ' No T.V. day' in honor of St. Joseph. Let see how that goes. My teenager protested , but my son seems receptive to the idea. I hope I'm not adding to the technical problem by posting such a long post. Let me know if I am. :confuzed: Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 29, 2010, 02:27:10 PM Oh, please, no worries. :) Post as much as you want.
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 29, 2010, 03:12:37 PM I have to go with what Patricia said - trust and confidence in Him is a real biggy for me. It leads me to depression and anxiety, both. The unknown future on earth really gets me all the time. I trust in Him for my eternal future and His Love about that, though. It's all so confusing. :-\
Plus, my desires to give up on prayer (meditation and contemplation) due to my aridity and mental distractions are another one. I just feel like giving up, but it has been such a big part of my life for years. (Luckily I'm bullheaded. :-[ ) Some inclinations towards being pharisaical are another one that bothers me right now. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on April 29, 2010, 04:02:07 PM Being Martha, "anxious about many things." When your confessor gives you a penance of doing something nice for yourself, you know you are worrying too much and taking too much of the world on your shoulders (another form of pride, by the way ;D).
Procrastinating the mortification of doing jobs I hate doing; sometimes hanging around here to much to do so..... shame on me! :brickwall: Patricia, forgiveness doesn't necessitate allowing someone to stay in your life who repeatedly hurts you, verbally or otherwise. You can forgive someone and set your boundaries. That's self-respect. :thumbsup: Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 29, 2010, 04:39:51 PM Procrastination and aridity in prayer and so the temptation to slack off.. I know these problems too well!
This reminds me of something I read in a spiritual diary: "On one of his trips, St. Francis de Sales went to visit St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who was eagerly awaiting him in order to confer with him about her spiritual needs. It had been three years and a half since they had spoken together because of the great many things occupying his time. Upon seeing her, the holy prelate asked: "My dear Mother, since we now have a few free hours, which one of us will speak first?" "'I will," she immediately answered, "because my soul certainly needs guidance." Whereupon, in order to correct her anxiety to speak to him, which she revealed by her quick answer, he said: "Why, Mother, do you still have desires and preferences? I thought I would find you more supernatural. Let us, then, defer speaking of you until we are in Annecy, and for now discuss the affairs of our Congregation." The good, holy Mother, therefore, without a word, set aside her personal matters and, with perfect tranquility, discussed the affairs of the Congregation with the Saint for about four hours. Then he left." Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: martin on April 29, 2010, 04:48:24 PM As I think everyone on this forum knows by now :D , I need a lot of confidence in God. I tend to get anxious about the unknown future and I need God's grace to overcome that. Secondly, I need grace to mortify myself more as regards to fasting. Always have a tough time with that and I know that fasting (even from little goodies) holds the key to many graces. Third and probably most importantly, I need to forgive people who I thought were very close but have shown their true colors after my husband's death. In particular , one person who never ceases to get on my nerves and keeps hurting me over and over again ever since the death. I think I have forgiven him and then he does something else that opens up old wounds. Please pray that I may be given patience to deal with this person and grace to forgive him completely. One good grace that I think came after Lent is I am not inclined to watch tv anymore. I used to watch a lot of news before, but now I just turn the tv off. But I do end up watching when the kids are around and watching their shows. I have suggested to them to have Wednesday as official ' No T.V. day' in honor of St. Joseph. Let see how that goes. My teenager protested , but my son seems receptive to the idea. I hope I'm not adding to the technical problem by posting such a long post. Let me know if I am. :confuzed: Read this today from St Pio so passing it on to you. :) In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 29, 2010, 05:16:35 PM martinfegan posted:
Quote Read this today from St Pio so passing it on to you. In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart. I think I'll make copies of that quote of St. Pio's and put it all around my place. Bailey2 - On one hand I know that anxiety (and depression) are forms of pride, but I don't act on that at all. :brickwall: :confuzed: Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 29, 2010, 05:21:40 PM martinfegan posted: Quote Read this today from St Pio so passing it on to you. In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart. I think I'll make copies of that quote of St. Pio's and put it all around my place. Bailey2 - On one hand I know that anxiety (and depression) are forms of pride, but I don't act on that at all. :brickwall: :confuzed: I'm glad you reminded me about that. And that is truly a quote to remember! Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: AutumnRose on April 29, 2010, 05:41:48 PM I am working on fulfiling my calling in the home, by trying every day, with God's help to cultivate a servant heart, and to be a better wife, mother and grandmother. By putting my selfish needs aside and focusing on others I hope each day to imitate Mary, but of course fail on a daily baisis. So each day is a recommitment and a chance to die to self anew. It will take me until eternity to perfect it!
I too have to work on daily mortification, Shin, as I am a lover of comfort. To deny ourselves those little comforts and offer it up as a prayer for others is something we can all do :) God has made so many little ways to draw closer to Him in holiness, if only we would look around and recognise them ;) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on April 29, 2010, 06:08:12 PM Bailey2 - On one hand I know that anxiety (and depression) are forms of pride, but I don't act on that at all. :brickwall: :confuzed: I didn't get this at all! I get the anxiety and depression partially due to pride (mild to slightly moderate only, dear) but the rest? Was that a joke or serious or what? ??? Oh (to bring a little humor), someone up there mentioned TV...... OK, hockey playoff season...... absolutely NO mortification there is allowed. I already explained this to God and He said it was OK. ;D Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 29, 2010, 06:40:33 PM Bailey2 - On one hand I know that anxiety (and depression) are forms of pride, but I don't act on that at all. :brickwall: :confuzed: I didn't get this at all! I get the anxiety and depression partially due to pride (mild to slightly moderate only, dear) but the rest? Was that a joke or serious or what? ??? Oh (to bring a little humor), someone up there mentioned TV...... OK, hockey playoff season...... absolutely NO mortification there is allowed. I already explained this to God and He said it was OK. ;D Serious - unfortunately. My pride is really big and even knowing the connection, I continue to think with anxiety and depression. :-[ Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on April 29, 2010, 07:03:36 PM Serious - unfortunately. My pride is really big and even knowing the connection, I continue to think with anxiety and depression. :-[ Welcome to the club! ::) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 29, 2010, 07:04:21 PM Serious - unfortunately. My pride is really big and even knowing the connection, I continue to think with anxiety and depression. :-[ Welcome to the club! ::) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on April 29, 2010, 10:11:30 PM Quote Read this today from St Pio so passing it on to you. In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart. Thanks Martin and thank you Padre Pio! O:) How reassuring are the Saints words of comfort that touch our hearts even today. Quote Patricia, forgiveness doesn't necessitate allowing someone to stay in your life who repeatedly hurts you, verbally or otherwise. You can forgive someone and set your boundaries. That's self-respect. thumbs up You're right , Bailey. I've been told to be more assertive, but this person is a close family member and an elderly person. He is not verbally abusive , quite the opposite , its the secretive scheming ( money, accounts etc ) that gets to me. Also emotional manipulation and I know I will have to speak up firmly at some point. I could tell him off, but it would just cause unnecessary drama and tears which I'm trying to avoid for the sake of the whole family. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 30, 2010, 01:18:28 PM As for progress in these areas I sometimes feel I’m not making any headway but looking back over the months I can see yes that there has been improvement and it usually starts with a new awareness of my sinfulness that I see more clearly the need to do something about it. We discussed before Shin about TV and I put it down to the help of St Joseph that I was able to see it for what it was and as you said about making such a difference to your spiritual progress I can totally identify with that. Now I can see it even more clearly with the passing of time just how big a waste of time it was and the rewards for this small act have so out-weighed the sacrifice that I blush even to call it a sacrifice. At Mass this morning (being the feast of St Catherine of Sienna) the priest invited the congregation to come forward after the final blessing to receive a blessing with a 1st class relic of the Saint which he had obtained. What a most holy woman she was. I feel such an affiliation with you all on this forum who take their faith so seriously. The presence of the saints here is almost tangible. The beginnings of the Communion of the Saints I pray! :D Certainly they should be more present where so much of their work is. I was reading about the Purgative, Illuminative and Unitive way in the Catholic Encyclopedia briefly the other day and reminded again of the giving up of the television. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 30, 2010, 03:15:22 PM Quote Read this today from St Pio so passing it on to you. In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart. Thanks Martin and thank you Padre Pio! O:) How reassuring are the Saints words of comfort that touch our hearts even today. Quote Patricia, forgiveness doesn't necessitate allowing someone to stay in your life who repeatedly hurts you, verbally or otherwise. You can forgive someone and set your boundaries. That's self-respect. thumbs up You're right , Bailey. I've been told to be more assertive, but this person is a close family member and an elderly person. He is not verbally abusive , quite the opposite , its the secretive scheming ( money, accounts etc ) that gets to me. Also emotional manipulation and I know I will have to speak up firmly at some point. I could tell him off, but it would just cause unnecessary drama and tears which I'm trying to avoid for the sake of the whole family. My (personal) experience with an elderly relative was that that sort of thing became much more prevalent with age. I had to learn not to take anything they did personally (hard for me - especially since this person was dear to me) then finally tell them what I'd seen without feelings being apparent. It had been years, even a couple decades coming and I was totally fed up. They weren't used to me saying anything negative to them and did (even at 97) change. I'll pray for you in this. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on April 30, 2010, 03:55:00 PM (I agree with Brigid above)
Well everyone, speaking of worrying. Todays gospel! "Do not worry......" Then, a person doing work for me says, "Don't worry...." Then, I find a book on amazon, which has St. Jane Francis Chantal's direction advice by St. Francis de Sales. What is on the "look inside this book?" Why a lecture by St Francis to St. Jane Francis about her worrying too much. OK, do ya think God is trying to tell me something? ::) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 30, 2010, 03:59:21 PM (I agree with Brigid above) Well everyone, speaking of worrying. Todays gospel! "Do not worry......" Then, a person doing work for me says, "Don't worry...." Then, I find a book on amazon, which has St. Jane Francis Chantal's direction advice by St. Francis de Sales. What is on the "look inside this book?" Why a lecture by St Francis to St. Jane Francis about her worrying too much. OK, do ya think God is trying to tell me something? ::) Yup :D, and maybe telling many reading the posts here? Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on April 30, 2010, 05:34:42 PM Quote My (personal) experience with an elderly relative was that that sort of thing became much more prevalent with age. I had to learn not to take anything they did personally (hard for me - especially since this person was dear to me) then finally tell them what I'd seen without feelings being apparent. It had been years, even a couple decades coming and I was totally fed up. They weren't used to me saying anything negative to them and did (even at 97) change. I'll pray for you in this. Thanks, Brigid. I must give him the benefit of doubt because of age. He is 70. Considering that I may get senile by that age and have my near and dear ones complain about me, you never know. :D Quote Well everyone, speaking of worrying. Todays gospel! "Do not worry......" Then, a person doing work for me says, "Don't worry...." Then, I find a book on amazon, which has St. Jane Francis Chantal's direction advice by St. Francis de Sales. What is on the "look inside this book?" Why a lecture by St Francis to St. Jane Francis about her worrying too much. OK, do ya think God is trying to tell me something? Roll Eyes Do not worry. Sums it all up. :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on April 30, 2010, 06:49:33 PM Francis De Sales, Jane De Chantal: Letters of Spiritual Direction (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)
I tried to cut and paste a line or two from the public section on Amazon but of course it won't let me. I highly recommend you go to amazon.com and punch in the title above. There is a "look inside this book" and it has a few pages of St Francis's advice to a woman (not St Jane as I originally thought). When reading it I thought of Maryslittleflower and you too Brigid because of some posts. But I think it is a well worth read for all; they have about 3 pages to see and it is rich, rich, rich. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on April 30, 2010, 06:59:57 PM That's a good one , Bailey. It would be worth buying the book.
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on April 30, 2010, 07:21:39 PM Francis De Sales, Jane De Chantal: Letters of Spiritual Direction (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback) I tried to cut and paste a line or two from the public section on Amazon but of course it won't let me. I highly recommend you go to amazon.com and punch in the title above. There is a "look inside this book" and it has a few pages of St Francis's advice to a woman (not St Jane as I originally thought). When reading it I thought of Maryslittleflower and you too Brigid because of some posts. But I think it is a well worth read for all; they have about 3 pages to see and it is rich, rich, rich. That looks really, really good! I'll look for that. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on April 30, 2010, 07:45:07 PM That's a good one , Bailey. It would be worth buying the book. I did. :silent: I'm impulsive in case you didn't notice! ::) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on April 30, 2010, 07:50:46 PM Quote I'm impulsive in case you didn't notice! Roll Eyes We love you, Bailey, impulse, spunk and all. :flower: Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Shin on April 30, 2010, 08:34:54 PM That's a good one , Bailey. It would be worth buying the book. I did. :silent: I'm impulsive in case you didn't notice! ::) Reminds me of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Joan of Arc! :D Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on May 01, 2010, 11:57:50 AM Reminds me of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Joan of Arc! :D Oooo Shin, Joan of Arc? Do you know how she ended up?! :speachless: I'll stick with Teresa Avila, thank you. O:) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on May 01, 2010, 12:59:53 PM Quote Oooo Shin, Joan of Arc? Do you know how she ended up?! speachless :rotfl: Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on May 01, 2010, 05:55:05 PM Does He want resignationto His Will or does He want acceptance of His Will? And if the latter is the case, then does that need more humility or more trust than humans normally have (except some children with terminal illnesses that people hear about)? ???
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on May 01, 2010, 06:13:40 PM What is the difference between resignation and acceptance of His Will? I seems to me the same. ???
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on May 01, 2010, 07:20:52 PM What is the difference between resignation and acceptance of His Will? I seems to me the same. ??? To me the difference is resignation would be like saying, "Well, okay, if You insist". Acceptance would be like saying, "Oh, goody, something I can do for You". Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on May 01, 2010, 08:31:10 PM What is the difference between resignation and acceptance of His Will? I seems to me the same. ??? To me the difference is resignation would be like saying, "Well, okay, if You insist". Acceptance would be like saying, "Oh, goody, something I can do for You".Maybe acceptance also means to receive the good things with joy and not to try to push them away for the sake of "mortification." If all is gift, than maybe we are to resign ourselves to things we dislike and accept that which we like or enjoy. "There's a time for porridge and a time for penance." St. Teresa Avila And maybe both require humility and trust; to accept the good takes humility because we don't pretend we are better than needing good things. It takes trust to believe good and fun things are from God too. And when it is bad things we resign ourselves to we know it is the way of things because we are only human (humility) and it is trust because we trust God has planned something wonderful for us. My two cents. :shrug: :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 02, 2010, 01:55:07 PM I'm trying to remember to always offer up my sufferings for souls. I'm also trying to love suffering and the opportunity it gives me to gain merit for souls.
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 02, 2010, 01:58:08 PM I pray for all of you who post on this forum every day and hope that our Lord helps you with whatever it is you are working on spiritually right now.
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on May 02, 2010, 02:00:03 PM I pray for all of you who post on this forum every day and hope that our Lord helps you with whatever it is you are working on spiritually right now. Thank you most sincerely, Therese. I really need your prayers to do His Will. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on May 02, 2010, 02:03:19 PM Thank you, Therese.
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 02, 2010, 02:44:14 PM You are both most welcome, Brigid and Patricia. :)
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 03, 2010, 11:39:34 AM I'm trying to remember to always offer up my sufferings for souls. I'm also trying to love suffering and the opportunity it gives me to gain merit for souls. In the morning the first thing I do is offer up everything to God (including my sufferings), but during the day, when I am experiencing suffering, I sometimes find myself not profitting in the least bit by the suffering and find myself doing nothing with the suffering but experiencing it's pain - not abandoned to God's will. Please pray that I will always profit by my sufferings and will immediately offer them up to God for souls, abandoned to his will for me the moment they come. That way every moment of suffering will be the perfect opportunity for me to turn to God and to experience greater graces for myself and for souls. If a person offers up his sufferings in the beginning of the day, but during the day when he experiences them doesn't respond in a virtuous way to them, how good is that? I know it still is virtuous that he did his offering in the morning, but how much is he truly offering up of his morning offering when he his fighting/resisting his sufferings all throughout the day? Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on May 03, 2010, 12:07:26 PM Quote Please pray that I will always profit by my sufferings and will immediately offer them up to God for souls, abandoned to his will for me the moment they come. I will pray , Therese that you will profit by every cross that comes your way. Also please remember my little family when you think of souls. That my children may successfully receive all sacraments, become good and faithful Catholics and see salvation. There are many obstacles in their way. Quote If a person offers up his sufferings in the beginning of the day, but during the day when he experiences them doesn't respond in a virtuous way to them, how good is that? I know it still is virtuous that he did his offering in the morning, but how much is he truly offering up of his morning offering when he his fighting/resisting his sufferings all throughout the day? I'm not sure Therese, since I'm not an expert in these matters. You could check with your superior. But isn't it why it is called suffering. It is something human beings naturally rebel against or prefer to stay away from if given the choice. Even Our Lord experienced this in the Garden in His Agony. You have already offered it up to the Lord in the morning and He accepts it all, even the imperfections of how you handle the suffering He sends. What is generous is that you have made the offering. He sees that. :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on May 03, 2010, 01:13:52 PM Quote Please pray that I will always profit by my sufferings and will immediately offer them up to God for souls, abandoned to his will for me the moment they come. I will pray , Therese that you will profit by every cross that comes your way. Also please remember my little family when you think of souls. That my children may successfully receive all sacraments, become good and faithful Catholics and see salvation. There are many obstacles in their way. Quote If a person offers up his sufferings in the beginning of the day, but during the day when he experiences them doesn't respond in a virtuous way to them, how good is that? I know it still is virtuous that he did his offering in the morning, but how much is he truly offering up of his morning offering when he his fighting/resisting his sufferings all throughout the day? I'm not sure Therese, since I'm not an expert in these matters. You could check with your superior. But isn't it why it is called suffering. It is something human beings naturally rebel against or prefer to stay away from if given the choice. Even Our Lord experienced this in the Garden in His Agony. You have already offered it up to the Lord in the morning and He accepts it all, even the imperfections of how you handle the suffering He sends. What is generous is that you have made the offering. He sees that. :) Patricia, I will pray for your family/children. :+: :+: Therese, I must admit to agreeing with Patricia on this. Seems to me that maybe you are being harder on yourself than He might be on you. :-\ Now certainly humility is needed however I am reminded in this discussion of the nun in "The Song of Bernadette" (the old movie) who, after hearing of Bernadette's diagnosis and great suffering, went to the chapel and in talking to Jesus, was totally ashamed of herself in having worked so hard at being perfect and found out that Bernadette, who didn't seem to be perfect at all while being just humble in everything was much closer to the Lord. I am not equating that nun with you at all, but this discussion just reminded me of that nuns actual pride :shrug:. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 03, 2010, 01:44:06 PM Quote Please pray that I will always profit by my sufferings and will immediately offer them up to God for souls, abandoned to his will for me the moment they come. I will pray , Therese that you will profit by every cross that comes your way. Also please remember my little family when you think of souls. That my children may successfully receive all sacraments, become good and faithful Catholics and see salvation. There are many obstacles in their way. Quote If a person offers up his sufferings in the beginning of the day, but during the day when he experiences them doesn't respond in a virtuous way to them, how good is that? I know it still is virtuous that he did his offering in the morning, but how much is he truly offering up of his morning offering when he his fighting/resisting his sufferings all throughout the day? I'm not sure Therese, since I'm not an expert in these matters. You could check with your superior. But isn't it why it is called suffering. It is something human beings naturally rebel against or prefer to stay away from if given the choice. Even Our Lord experienced this in the Garden in His Agony. You have already offered it up to the Lord in the morning and He accepts it all, even the imperfections of how you handle the suffering He sends. What is generous is that you have made the offering. He sees that. :) I'll remember your little family when offering up my sufferings, Patricia. You're right about my morning offering being pleasing to God, despite the imperfections of how I handle the suffering he sends. Thanks! :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on May 03, 2010, 04:32:51 PM OK, did I miss something? Theresa, are you a nun? ???
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on May 03, 2010, 04:37:36 PM I think she is going to be a nun, am I right Therese? What do you do in training? ( I don't know the right word...is it novitiate?)
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 03, 2010, 06:20:29 PM No, I am not called to be a nun. I am a candidate with the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order.
When I wanted to be a nun I read a lot of St. Alphonsus de Liguori and he talked about the virtue found in loving sufferings (for Jesus, of course). I know it sounds strange because on the natural level suffering is our least favorite thing to do, but like I told Patricia in a personal message I think it was St. Padre Pio who said that if we only knew the value of suffering we'd all be asking for more suffering in this life. St. Teresa of Avila said: "To suffer and not to die" and Jesus loved His cross. I'm just trying to love mine and I am trying to actually love suffering/the cross like the saints were able to because all suffering comes from God for our sanctification and when patiently and lovingly borne gains great merit for ourselves and for others - and is actually not a bad thing other than the fact that it is painful. It brings us closer to the Lord and makes us more like him. And if it didn't hurt how could it be redemptive? When I'd get lonely or irked by cold, hard people I would suffer a great deal from these things, but now I am tryiing to detatch myself and move myself, despite the pain, to be thankful for the suffering because it is giving me something to offer up for the Kingdom (for souls) and is forcing me to grow and be exercised in charity, patience, humility, detachment, etc.. All good things. I just want to love the cross and not hate it anymore. :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Patricia on May 03, 2010, 06:42:01 PM Oh, I don't know why I was under the assumption that you were going to be a nun. ???
You're absolutely right, Therese. I think there is nothing more valuable in the Christian life than the cross that the Lord lovingly sends His friends for their own good and sanctification. If only we learned to carry it more lovingly and joyfully for His Name's sake. :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Brigid on May 03, 2010, 06:44:44 PM No, I am not called to be a nun. I am a candidate with a Discalced Carmelite Secular Order. When I wanted to be a nun I read a lot of St. Alphonsus de Liguori and he talked about the virtue found in loving sufferings (for Jesus, of course). I know it sounds strange because on the natural level suffering is our least favorite thing to do, but like I told Patricia in a personal message I think it was St. Padre Pio who said that if we only knew the value of suffering we'd all be asking for more suffering in this life. St. Teresa of Avila said: "To suffer and not to die" and Jesus loved His cross. I'm just trying to love mine and I am trying to actually love suffering/the cross like the saints were able to because all suffering comes from God for our sanctification and when patiently and lovingly borne gains great merit for ourselves and for others - and is actually not a bad thing other than the fact that it is painful. It brings us closer to the Lord and makes us more like him. And if it didn't hurt how could it be redemptive? When I'd get lonely or irked by cold, hard people I would suffer a great deal from these things, but now I am tryiing to detatch myself and move myself, despite the pain, to be thankful for the suffering because it is giving me something to offer up for the Kingdom (for souls) and is forcing me to grow and be exercised in charity, patience, humility, detachment, etc.. All good things. I just want to love the cross and not hate it anymore. :) What a wonderful way of putting it. It seems as if "loving suffering" is the same thing as accepting with open arms what He decides to send as Bailey2 was saying. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 03, 2010, 06:52:11 PM Yes, Patricia and Brigid.
I meant to say that I am a candidate with the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order, not a Discalced Carmelite Secular Order. I trust you knew what I meant. :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 23, 2010, 06:53:38 AM St. Teresa of Avila said: "To suffer and not to die" St. Teresa actually said "Either to suffer or to die." The point is she welcomed suffering so much even to the point of death. Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Bailey2 on May 23, 2010, 04:14:13 PM Quote St. Teresa actually said "Either to suffer or to die." The point is she welcomed suffering so much even to the point of death.............I just want to love the cross and not hate it anymore. Smiley I am far from this; but I take comfort in the fact that St. Teresa took a long time to come to this and....... she stopped praying for a long time after she almost died of illness. At that time, the illness didn't bring her closer to Christ but further away....... as I said, great comfort to know it takes time........ :) Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: Therese on May 23, 2010, 08:06:02 PM Quote St. Teresa actually said "Either to suffer or to die." The point is she welcomed suffering so much even to the point of death.............I just want to love the cross and not hate it anymore. Smiley I am far from this; but I take comfort in the fact that St. Teresa took a long time to come to this and....... she stopped praying for a long time after she almost died of illness. At that time, the illness didn't bring her closer to Christ but further away....... as I said, great comfort to know it takes time........ :) I didn't know this about St. Teresa, Bailey2. Very interesting! Do you know how she finally go closer to God after her illness? Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: eschator83 on June 01, 2021, 03:06:35 PM This is a wonderful thread. I hope it's all right for me to bring it forward both to give me more time (and reminder) to read. I found it while thinking about Shin's quote about seeking a peaceful mind? Shame on my tired memory. It was tonight's quote, St Theodore Studite, I was trying unsuccessfully to find a thread on his life. But I found 14 great references to him, almost all quotes. Curiously my regular search yield nothing, but the revised search yielded 14.
Title: Re: What are are you working on in your spiritual life? Post by: eschator83 on June 05, 2021, 05:09:51 PM In my previous post I referred imperfectly to the 5/31 quotation from St Thalassios that a life of inward stillness needs, curiously, "weapons" of self-control, love, prayer, and spiritual reading. I am accustomed to discussion of our interior life as basically separate from our exterior life, and yet I think the two must be very closely interrelated.
From my long ago days in RCIA I recall there were Life in the Spirit programs; I think both weekend retreats and multi-week programs. Although many friends of ours participated in them, we were told it would be better to focus on RCIA, and join Life in the Spirit later. I just searched the web for current Life programs, and will keep reading for specific ideas and suggestions. My current schedule of prayer, meditation, and Saints reading, plus writing and posting seems substantial, but Heaven knows I could more pure. |