Apr. 22 - Where are we, "Interiorly"?

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Perhaps it is better to ask ourselves – each of us individually – where am I in the deepest center of my soul? Am I so “consumed” by worry over Covid-19 or the economic crisis we (or I) may be facing so that we have little time for God?

It is a legitimate question, it seems to me. If you remember the first question in the Baltimore Catechism many of us learned in childhood:

Q: Why did got make you?
A: God made me to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next.

In today’s Mass readings we can hear God speaking to us, especially in the Responsorial Psalm and in the Gospel:

Our Response to the psalm is "“The Lord hears the cry of the poor” (Ps 34)
The Gospel for today:

God so loved the world that He gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through Him.
Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Fathful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, pray for us that we may keep our eyes on Jesus as you did. Intercede for us that by God’s Grace we may grow in the Supernatural Gifts of Faith, Hope and above all Divine Charity given to us in Baptism.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie and QuietTrad,

Thanks for your hearts, to let us know you read the Scriptures and listened to God’s Word, calling us – out of darkness and into light. It is sad to see both outside and inside the Church in every country people who seem to prefer darkness to light.

Nevertheless, We have been given the clear Light of Christ, through the Scriptures, and if we are truly listening, we can be grateful:

…" that the light came into the world…" and
…" whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. ( Jn 3:16-21)

St. Paul recorded those words for all of us to hear:

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Cor 12:9)

How many are trusting in Christ’s power today? How many truly believe in God’s Indwelling? How many are attentive to Him; praying to Him? How many are seeking to know Him by listening to Him? How can we love Someone we do not know? Come Holy Spirit, teach us to know Jesus Who is Truth!
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Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 

[Katie777]

That my Dear Maria Christie is one of the best questions I have heard lately.

My dh is a knight and they rank – God, family and then all else. Including Corona virus.
God and His Blessed Mother are for Eternity. They guide us in all things
My family would be different if Our Lady did not nudge my judgements.

I am a person deeply interior although i do have my moments. True peace comes to me in interior prayer.
Many times my dh asks why i am crying. I read prayer intentions and cant help it. I feel Our Lady Guides me . I love Her so much…I studied many times St. Theresa s interior castle. Its second to my Bible.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Katie,

Thanks so much for your reply to this thread; it is an encouragement for me as there seem to be so few who even “mention” Mary, and yet the Church teaches she is “intrinsic” to Christian worship – we simply cannot do without Mary – because God chose to come to us through her by the power of the Holy Spirit and He continues to do so.

Unless the LORD build the house,
they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch…Ps 127

Yes, I too have read and re-read St. Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle” and her other works as well. Jesus from His Cross told us:

“Behold your Mother!”

If we do not, Listen to Jesus, and obey Him as John did, hearing those words on Calvary, and taking Mary into our lives, ary, how can we truly know Jesus? Mary knew Him as no other human person on this earth knew Him! She is with Him now united with Him in His Love for us.

Truly I do not think there is a saint in heaven who did not find Jesus as the Wise men found Him: “with His Mother”!

Please let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy through Mary!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Confirmed, Cath, and Mary,

Thank you all for your “hearts”, I missed returning to this thread last night, but I’m happy to see that more persons were here to read and ponder the importance of our “interior” lives and how by God’s Grace we are seeking to grow closer to Jesus through Mary! Let us continue to listen with Mary to all Jesus says and does, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may do His Will as Mary did, always!