Tales from the Desert Fathers - God and Repentance

[Shin]

Hmm, abiding sorrow for sin as the key.. as he describes it properly practiced..

I must study how it is practiced and attempt it..  

[Shin]

Here's the little booklet for those interested.

[Shin]

You know I think awareness of weakness is a true key towards humility. And honesty and truth.

We normally think we are more capable than we actually are, and ascribe our strengths to the wrong source. This self deceit does real harm.

[Brigid]

You know I think awareness of weakness is a true key towards humility. And honesty and truth.

We normally think we are more capable than we actually are, and ascribe our strengths to the wrong source. This self deceit does real harm.

I heartily agree with this observation, Shin! You've got it nailed, I think.

[Shin]

Thank you for the quotes!

I bless you always and give You the glory for ever.
Dear Lord and God! O Holy One, O Lover of my soul!
when You come to my heart,
all that is within me will leap up for joy.

The Imitation of Christ

[Brigid]

Amen.

[Shin]

BTW Martin have you figured out how to practice what that little booklet instructs yet at all? I could use suggestions!

[Brigid]

If I were to say to myself: I have acquired a certain virtue, and I am certain I can practice it .... this would be relying upon my own strength, and when we do this, we run the risk of falling into the abyss. However, I will have the right of doing stupid things up until my death, if I am humble and if I remain little. Look at little children: they never stop breaking things, tearing things, falling down, and they do this even while loving their parents very, very much. When I fall in this way, it makes me realize my nothingness more, and I say to myself: What would I do, and what would I become, if I were to rely upon my own strength?


St. Therese of Lisieux


Lord,
I well confess my weakness to You.
Often it is such a small thing
that makes me downcast and sad.
I make up my mind to act boldly,
and when a temptation comes,
I suffer anguish out of all proportion.
Sometimes it is quite an unimportant thing
that gives rise to serious temptation;
and just when I think I am safe for a while,
before I realize what is happening,
a little gust of wind almost has me over.
Great God of Israel, lover of faithful souls,
take pity on the labors and sorrows of Your servant,
and be at his side wherever he goes.


The Imitation of Christ

[Shin]

If I were to say to myself: I have acquired a certain virtue, and I am certain I can practice it .... this would be relying upon my own strength, and when we do this, we run the risk of falling into the abyss. However, I will have the right of doing stupid things up until my death, if I am humble and if I remain little. Look at little children: they never stop breaking things, tearing things, falling down, and they do this even while loving their parents very, very much. When I fall in this way, it makes me realize my nothingness more, and I say to myself: What would I do, and what would I become, if I were to rely upon my own strength?


St. Therese of Lisieux


Lord,
I well confess my weakness to You.
Often it is such a small thing
that makes me downcast and sad.
I make up my mind to act boldly,
and when a temptation comes,
I suffer anguish out of all proportion.
Sometimes it is quite an unimportant thing
that gives rise to serious temptation;
and just when I think I am safe for a while,
before I realize what is happening,
a little gust of wind almost has me over.
Great God of Israel, lover of faithful souls,
take pity on the labors and sorrows of Your servant,
and be at his side wherever he goes.


The Imitation of Christ

I think this little quote above could be a major key to the spiritual life Brigid thank you! I must read more about it!

[Shin]

'See, My daughter, whether thou canst find a father whose love for his only son has prompted him to take care of him or to show him such tender proofs of his love as I have given and will yet give thee of Mine; for from thy earliest years My love has borne kindly with thee, and has trained and formed thee after My own Heart, awaiting thee patiently without growing weary of all thy resistance. Know, therefore, that if ever thou shouldst forget the gratitude thou owest Me and shouldst not refer the glory of everything to Me, thou wouldst thereby, as regards thyself, dry up this inexhaustible source of all good.'

The Lord, to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

[martin]

What profound quotes Brigid and Shin.

I'll need to read all this again.