Gratitude & Thanksgiving

Peace belongs only to those  who will to have it.  If there is no peace in the world today,  it is not because Christ did not come;  it is because we did not let Him in. Archbishop Fulton Sheen  (Simple Truths)

  A lovely passage attributed to Pope Francis (but i didn’t verify). So many “wow” gems to mull on, sentence by sentence until we interiorise them.... Rivers do not drink their own water;  trees do not eat their own fruit;  the sun does not shine on itself  and flowers do not spread their fragrance  for themselves.  Living for others is a rule of nature.  We are all born to help each other.  No matter how difficult it is… Life is good when you are happy ;  but much better  when others are happy because of you . Let us all remember then  that every changing colour of a leaf is beautiful   and every changing situation of life is meaningful ,  both need very clear vision.  So do not grumble or complain ,  let us instead remember that  Pain is a sign that we are alive,  Problems are a sign that we are strong   and Prayer is a sign we are not alone.  If we can acknowledge  these truths ...

* As I pray for others The Lord impresses upon me There are three of us In a love encounter; A flowing of love among three. There are three in the Holy Trinity The Father, Son and Holy Spirit This is the source of true love . There are three among us Jesus, the person I hold, and myself And there is a giving and receiving of true love . There are three movements within each of us Loving God, loving one another, loving ourself This is how we are called to truly love. And so I am led into a deeper experiencing  As I holds others in prayer I encounter the blessedness of true love.  Within and without, There are three. * The Painting that inspired this reflection.   It was on the wall of the Mervent Cave at Montfort Centre, right there as I gazed up from where I sat for a quiet afternoon of prayer and contemplation, on day 5 of a most blessed silent retreat (11-17 Dec 2020)

Today’s first reading: Num 24 - The Oracle of Balaam. Today’s Gospel reading: Mat 21:23-27 - The chief priests and scribes questioning Jesus’s authority. ———————— Fr Edward Seah pointed out that the two passages spoke about discernment of truth and one’s response.   He contrasted the two responses in the two passages: Balaam chose to respond with his eyes opened to the truth , turning his intended curse into a blessing The chief priests and elders chose to remain blinded to the truth , saying “we do not know” Fr went on to point out two contradictory virtues  Absolute detachment - giving up of everything earthly Absolute love - suffering for love’s sake And two rules to perfection Acting in Union with Chris t Mortifying one’s senses At the evening of life,  we shall be judged on our love.    (St John of the Cross 1542-1591) In striving towards perfection - to be free to: love without selfishness suffer without grudges renounce without remorse rejoice without ...

From a Spiritual Canticle of St John of the Cross (1542-2591) -  Recognising the mystery hidden within Christ Jesus (Taken from the 2nd reading of the Office of Readings, 14 Dec 2020 Monday (Feast of St John of the Cross) Though holy doctors have uncovered many mysteries and wonders, and devout souls have understood them in this earthly condition of ours, yet the greater part still remains to be unfolded by them, and even to be understood by them. We must then dig deeply in Christ.  He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit.  Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides. For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ:  In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God.   The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exter...

I was told that that the La Salle schools had a beautiful tradition: Every hour on the hour, a bell would ring, and an announcement: “ Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.”     The entire school would stop, and all would keep a minute of silence.... Prayer is simple attention * To become aware Of who we are with God And who we are with one another (*Rev Fr Edward Seah told how an elderly La Salle brother, Br  William, defined prayer.)

As part of Rev Fr Edward Seah’s homily on Gaudate Sunday, he pointed to a lovely excerpt from the homily given by  St Pope John Paul II  on 18 Dec 2002... “We must understand  that our whole life should be an "advent",  In vigilant expectation  of Christ's final coming.  To prepare our hearts  to welcome the Lord who,  as we say in the Creed,  will come one day  to judge the living and the dead. We must learn to recognize his presence  in the events of daily life.  Advent is then  a  period of intense training   that directs us decisively to the One who has already come ,  who will come  and who continuously comes .”

A wonderful, wise reminder, that there  is meaning in all that happen in this life. “ Who are you?” By  Saint John Henry Newman († 1890) 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 have my mission—I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.  Somehow I am necessary for his purposes, as necessary in my place as an archangel in his—if, indeed, I fail, God can raise another, as he could make the stones children of Abraham.  Yet I have a part in this great work; 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. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, though not intending it, if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling. Therefore I will trust him.  Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.  If I am in ...

Lord Help me to take this moment  to think of the many gifts  you have given to me,  the many ways your grace  has blessed my life.   Help me to remember  that each gift is a tiny mirror  of the generosity I see  so clearly  in your life  and of the many ways  you shower me  with such lavish and undeserved love.  Let me sit here for just a moment  and feel that joy in my heart.  Thank you.   (Bread4life, Novena Reflection)

Blessed words from Bishop Fulton Sheen....Wisdom to see this earthly life in context to our greater purpose and the eternity...  “We are made for God, we are made to share eternity with Him,  He is waiting for us This life is but a passage way...” “This world is a nursery... A cradle in which We are rocked to eternity.” “This life is a continuum... We are to use the time here To profit our souls And to be willing instruments of God To profit others...”

Came across a beautiful reminder that can be put into practice to draw us back to what is central to our lives.... Take some time Perhaps 15 minutes in a day To slow down To quiet down To breathe... Become aware Of the presence of God Waiting for us -  To tell Him All that is in our heart... And to listen For God to share What is in His heart.

Lovely morning read - about Contentment, by one of my favourite spiritual writers, Bishop Fulton Sheen.   Just three pages but so much to mull on - wisdom that promises to bring inner peace to every soul , if only we choose to take time to understand and contemplate.  Shalom 🙏💕♥️ Having a spirit of Contentment is not something to be taken for granted.  It is nurtured by resolution and diligence, conquering desires. Also on this page an interesting take on the difference between envy and jealousy We are each already at the best place we can be, God chosen according to our nature and ability. In order to possess a quiet spirit and a happy heart, we need to learn to master the art of making the limits and bounds of our circumstances the cure of our restlessness,.... i reckon that’s partly why bishop Fulton said that to the spirit of Contentment needs work on our part, it is to be nurtured by resolution and diligence. All evils become lighter if we endure them patiently... ...