A
Andruschak
Guest
I believe that I have already stated that my preferred daily meditation reading is the IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD series by Francis Fernandez. Todays meditation is typical.
The Chapter title is “Joy In The Cross”.
The 1st subsection is titled “Joy is compatible with mortification and pain. Joy is the opposite of sadness, not pain”. A powerful reminder to us Franciscan penitents, right? I’m sure many would regard the term “joyful penance” as an oxymoran. Well, I don’t, but that is because I have sort of been down this road already.
In AA, we have to inform newcomers that life is not over when you give up alcohol. Sort of like penance, right? You are giving up something that used to give you pleasure. And without it, can life be joyful. Can it even be endured?
If you have not been down this road, if you have no idea why alcoholics and drug addicts have such a miserable time giving up their addictions, no matter how much harm they may have caused…be grateful. Be VERY grateful.
It comes as a surprise to most in AA that you can have a comfortable life, and even a JOYFUL life, without alcohol or drugs. To be able to enjoy sobriety.
And so it may be with penance. Can you understand that it may be joyful to do penance, to give up things, for the purpose of drawing closer to God?
That was the message in today’s meditation, and one of the reasons I recommend this book to everyone.
The Chapter title is “Joy In The Cross”.
The 1st subsection is titled “Joy is compatible with mortification and pain. Joy is the opposite of sadness, not pain”. A powerful reminder to us Franciscan penitents, right? I’m sure many would regard the term “joyful penance” as an oxymoran. Well, I don’t, but that is because I have sort of been down this road already.
In AA, we have to inform newcomers that life is not over when you give up alcohol. Sort of like penance, right? You are giving up something that used to give you pleasure. And without it, can life be joyful. Can it even be endured?
If you have not been down this road, if you have no idea why alcoholics and drug addicts have such a miserable time giving up their addictions, no matter how much harm they may have caused…be grateful. Be VERY grateful.
It comes as a surprise to most in AA that you can have a comfortable life, and even a JOYFUL life, without alcohol or drugs. To be able to enjoy sobriety.
And so it may be with penance. Can you understand that it may be joyful to do penance, to give up things, for the purpose of drawing closer to God?
That was the message in today’s meditation, and one of the reasons I recommend this book to everyone.