S
Sirach2
Guest
Sounds like a winning statement on a solid track to perfection.
*
- Status
*
S
simple_soul
Guest
Cool! Now to pray I keep up the struggle of staying on that trackSounds like a winning statement on a solid track to perfection.
H
hazcompat
Guest
H
hazcompat
Guest
Saint Albert the Great
On Cleaving to God
This is what is referred to in Matthew 6.6, ‘When you pray, enter into your inner chamber,’ that is, your inner heart, ‘and having closed the door,’ that is of your senses, and there with a pure heart and a clear conscience, and with faith unfeigned, ‘pray to your Father,’ in spirit and in truth, ‘in secret.’ This can be done best when a man is disengaged and removed from everything else, and completely recollected within himself. There, in the presence of Jesus Christ, with everything, in general and individually, excluded and wiped out, the mind alone turns in security confidently to the Lord its God with its desire. In this way it pours itself forth into him in full sincerity with its whole heart and the yearning of its love, in the most inward part of all its faculties, and is plunged, enlarged, set on fire and dissolved into him.
saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Albert%20the%20Great%20-%20On%20Cleaving%20to%20God%20-%20De%20Adhaerendo%20Deo%20-%20Latin%20and%20English%20Edition.pdf
peace
On Cleaving to God
This is what is referred to in Matthew 6.6, ‘When you pray, enter into your inner chamber,’ that is, your inner heart, ‘and having closed the door,’ that is of your senses, and there with a pure heart and a clear conscience, and with faith unfeigned, ‘pray to your Father,’ in spirit and in truth, ‘in secret.’ This can be done best when a man is disengaged and removed from everything else, and completely recollected within himself. There, in the presence of Jesus Christ, with everything, in general and individually, excluded and wiped out, the mind alone turns in security confidently to the Lord its God with its desire. In this way it pours itself forth into him in full sincerity with its whole heart and the yearning of its love, in the most inward part of all its faculties, and is plunged, enlarged, set on fire and dissolved into him.
saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Albert%20the%20Great%20-%20On%20Cleaving%20to%20God%20-%20De%20Adhaerendo%20Deo%20-%20Latin%20and%20English%20Edition.pdf
peace
S
simple_soul
Guest
*I beleive it is like Jesus is giving an invitation us to give ourselves and everything He has given us to Him completely and join Him in pouring ourselves out, into Himself, for the Life of the world.
The fact that He has found us worthy of this…I believe no words can adequately describe but just pray we always continue to say yes… *
The fact that He has found us worthy of this…I believe no words can adequately describe but just pray we always continue to say yes… *
O
Oneofthewomen
Guest
J
JReducation
Guest
I want to go back to that comment about St. Paul. It’s important not to miss the boat here. We should not be looking to be traditional. That’s a movement. Like all movements, that one will also pass. We must look to the Tradition of Detachment and Holy Indifference. Therefore, we don’t stop at Paul. We actually take the whole of scripture and the life of the Church as one unit. If we follow that, then we will get to picture of how the Tradition of Detachment and Holy Indifference looks and is lived out in different contexts.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
T
TrueLight
Guest
Hopefully it won’t pass until it accomplishes what it is here to do. That is to remind Catholics, that we have a rich history and past that should not be shunned for modernism.We should not be looking to be traditional. That’s a movement. Like all movements, that one will also pass. We must look to the Tradition of Detachment and Holy Indifference. T
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
When the majority of the Church is orthodox again, then maybe we won’t need the traditional “movement.”
T
TrueLight
Guest
Sometimes we don’t realize how attached we are to something until we have an opportunity to contemplate losing it. And then because there is so much distress at the prospect of losing it, we begin to realize how attached we are to it.
C
CatholicFireman
Guest
How true. :sad_yes:
A
asd72
Guest
Thanks for the recommendation of ‘The Fire Within’. I have read ‘Deep conversion, deep prayer’, and it really spoke to me, so looking forward to The fire within.One of the best books on the spiritual life is The Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay.
Father Gallagher is absolutely awesome. If you can’t tune in to the series, I believe that EWTN sells the DVD.
Read the writings of Brother Lawrence.
Also, read Come Be My Light. The spiritual journey of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Very powerful!!!
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
J
JReducation
Guest
I think that this is where a solemnity like Christ the King helps us. I was at mass and I was praying over the different concerns in my life and those that people ask me to pray for. As I was kneeling there, the priest elevated the consecrated host and I was struck by one single thought. That being, that as St. Theresa of Avila would say, “Only His Majesty can change things.” So, I feel that detachment must be preceded by an awareness and conviction that we are subjects not monarchs. We do not control very much at all, except the choices we make. Once we make them, the outcome is really in the hands of the king.
For us to be comfortable in this life, we have to accept the kingship of Christ. He is the king and he will rule on the outcome. Like good and trusting subjects, we bring out concerns to the king and we leave without looking back.
I’m reminded of what St. Clare said to St. Francis as his body was carried past her on the way to his funeral. She did not allow herself to attend that funeral. They brought his body for her to view one last time. She gently kissed his stigmatized hand and said, “Run Francis and don’t look back.”
It’s the ultimate act of detachment, letting go of a loved one, a friend, a father and a guide, while accepting that you are not alone, because Christ is king and he has you in the palm of his hands. She not only lets go of the man who had fueled and watered her spiritual life, but she also lets go of any anxiety about the future without him. The King is still very much alive and in control…
Todays’ solemnity sends out such a powerful message that the saints understood so profoundly. That’s why St. Pio always said, “Pray and don’t worry,” and Bl. John Paul said, “Be not afraid.” The person who is detached is not anxious. The King is alive and well. He alone controls the outcome. We just have to be concerned about the choices that we make.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
H
hazcompat
Guest
Amen. In the office of readings for the Solemnity the second reading is Origen on prayer. He reminds us when we say “Thy Kingdom come”, into our hearts is where we are asking the Father to put the kingdom as “The kingdom of heaven is within you”. If Jesus Christ reigns in our heart, He will banish our imperfections even if it takes a hundred years. The Light of His presence will evaporate our venial sins, and incinerate our mortal sins. The King of our hearts will make us a perfect offering to the Glory of God the Father. BE NOT AFRAID.I think that this is where a solemnity like Christ the King helps us. I was at mass and I was praying over the different concerns in my life and those that people ask me to pray for. As I was kneeling there, the priest elevated the consecrated host and I was struck by one single thought. That being, that as St. Theresa of Avila would say, “Only His Majesty can change things.” So, I feel that detachment must be preceded by an awareness and conviction that we are subjects not monarchs. We do not control very much at all, except the choices we make. Once we make them, the outcome is really in the hands of the king.
For us to be comfortable in this life, we have to accept the kingship of Christ. He is the king and he will rule on the outcome. Like good and trusting subjects, we bring out concerns to the king and we leave without looking back.
I’m reminded of what St. Clare said to St. Francis as his body was carried past her on the way to his funeral. She did not allow herself to attend that funeral. They brought his body for her to view one last time. She gently kissed his stigmatized hand and said, “Run Francis and don’t look back.”
It’s the ultimate act of detachment, letting go of a loved one, a friend, a father and a guide, while accepting that you are not alone, because Christ is king and he has you in the palm of his hands. She not only lets go of the man who had fueled and watered her spiritual life, but she also lets go of any anxiety about the future without him. The King is still very much alive and in control…
Todays’ solemnity sends out such a powerful message that the saints understood so profoundly. That’s why St. Pio always said, “Pray and don’t worry,” and Bl. John Paul said, “Be not afraid.” The person who is detached is not anxious. The King is alive and well. He alone controls the outcome. We just have to be concerned about the choices that we make.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
peace
T
TimothyH
Guest
I think that fits in nicely with this thread. It is a wonderful observation.
Beatitude - the beatific vision - union with the Trinity. That is what the beatidues help us to achieve. Detachment, willingness to let go of anything which hinders union with the Trinity, and being comfortable with God’s plan for us (as Br. JR says), is part of the what the Beatitudes are about. The beatitudes are a series. One builds on the the other. It is a path to happiness, a path to beatitude, a path to the beatific vision, union with God.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Knowledge of who God is, and who we are in relation to God, that God is the creator of the universe and holds us in existence and that we are his creation, that we don’t even exist without God, and are nothing without God. That is the first step. Holy humility, knowing our place in creation relative to God.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
When we come to the realization of who God really is and who we are in relation to God, we will mourn for how we have treated God. We will mourn our sins against the creator who holds us in existence.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Those who have humbled themselves, and who have mourned for their sins, become meek, not in the modern sense of the word - weaklings and victims - but pliable in God’s hands, docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our daily activites, and teachable. When we mourn for our sins, we begin to be open to God’s purpose for our lives, and become teachable. This is very imporant, and where many people become derailed by pride.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Once we are docile to the movements and promptings of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit begins to work in our lives, we begin to hunger for it more. Like exercise, the more we do it, the more we enjoy it. We are taught what to do and we respond appropriately to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and God’s desire for us in little ways, and God says, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in small matters. I will give you great responsiblity. Come, share your master’s joy.” We hunger for more, and it builds exponentially.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Christ said to the pharisees, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” We are taught, we hunger for righteousness, and we show mercy to others, as Christ shows to us. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Christ teaches us, through the Holy 'Spirit, how to be merciful, how to forgive others, and then God’s forgiveness and mercy can enter our lives.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Sin is purged. St. Francis de Sales wrote beautifully of purgation of both sin, and more importantly, of the desire to sin. Purging the sin is not enough. When we no longer desire the sin, we are pure in heart. “I’d punch that guy in the nose if it wasn’t a sin!” That’s not mercy. Forgiving others, showing mercy to others, is an excellent means of purifying us of the desire to sin.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Those who show mercy and who are pure of heart, put all of their own desires aside - detach - for the sake of peace between men. Brother JR wrote in a post a while back about St. Anthony of Padua, who did not engage in arguments with heretics, but simply set up shop in another part of town and spoke about the truth, and in so doing, won back many of those whom the heretics had proselytized.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
My Godfather was a pilot in Vietnam. He used to say, “You know you are over the target when you start taking flak”
The beatitudes were radical when Christ said it. In many ways, the people who heard him were not ready to accept it and Christ almost backtracks, knowing that what he said sounded like a radical contradiction to the eye-for-an-eye mentality of the Mosaic law. He starts telling them that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill, etc, in order that they better understand what he is trying to say.
The Church’s teaching on happiness is sublime. Personal gratification is the lowest type of happiness. Then comes personal acomplishment. Then philanthropy. But real, lasting happiness is found in beatitide - union with God. The beatitudes are a path there, give to us by Christ.
-Tim-
H
hazcompat
Guest
The beatitudes are a stumbling block to those who reason without the Lamp of Faith
1 Corinthians 2:[5] That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. [6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought; [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But to us God hath revealed them, by this Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of a man that is in him? So the things also that are of God no man knoweth, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things that are given us from God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the learned words of human wisdom; but in the doctrine of the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.
drbo.org/chapter/53002.htm
The flesh is of no avail. Detach your hands from the rudder of the flesh and let Our King and Lord chart your course toward the infinite shores. Be indifferent to winds and waves. He who has begun this thing in you, will see it to fruition. Jesus I Trust in You.
peace
1 Corinthians 2:[5] That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. [6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought; [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But to us God hath revealed them, by this Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of a man that is in him? So the things also that are of God no man knoweth, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things that are given us from God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the learned words of human wisdom; but in the doctrine of the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.
drbo.org/chapter/53002.htm
The flesh is of no avail. Detach your hands from the rudder of the flesh and let Our King and Lord chart your course toward the infinite shores. Be indifferent to winds and waves. He who has begun this thing in you, will see it to fruition. Jesus I Trust in You.
peace
T
TrueLight
Guest
God bless you for this, Tim.I think that fits in nicely with this thread. It is a wonderful observation.
Beatitude - the beatific vision - union with the Trinity. That is what the beatidues help us to achieve. Detachment, willingness to let go of anything which hinders union with the Trinity, and being comfortable with God’s plan for us (as Br. JR says), is part of the what the Beatitudes are about. The beatitudes are a series. One builds on the the other. It is a path to happiness, a path to beatitude, a path to the beatific vision, union with God.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Knowledge of who God is, and who we are in relation to God, that God is the creator of the universe and holds us in existence and that we are his creation, that we don’t even exist without God, and are nothing without God. That is the first step. Holy humility, knowing our place in creation relative to God.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
When we come to the realization of who God really is and who we are in relation to God, we will mourn for how we have treated God. We will mourn our sins against the creator who holds us in existence.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Those who have humbled themselves, and who have mourned for their sins, become meek, not in the modern sense of the word - weaklings and victims - but pliable in God’s hands, docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our daily activites, and teachable. When we mourn for our sins, we begin to be open to God’s purpose for our lives, and become teachable. This is very imporant, and where many people become derailed by pride.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Once we are docile to the movements and promptings of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit begins to work in our lives, we begin to hunger for it more. Like exercise, the more we do it, the more we enjoy it. We are taught what to do and we respond appropriately to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and God’s desire for us in little ways, and God says, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in small matters. I will give you great responsiblity. Come, share your master’s joy.” We hunger for more, and it builds exponentially.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Christ said to the pharisees, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” We are taught, we hunger for righteousness, and we show mercy to others, as Christ shows to us. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Christ teaches us, through the Holy 'Spirit, how to be merciful, how to forgive others, and then God’s forgiveness and mercy can enter our lives.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Sin is purged. St. Francis de Sales wrote beautifully of purgation of both sin, and more importantly, of the desire to sin. Purging the sin is not enough. When we no longer desire the sin, we are pure in heart. “I’d punch that guy in the nose if it wasn’t a sin!” That’s not mercy. Forgiving others, showing mercy to others, is an excellent means of purifying us of the desire to sin.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Those who show mercy and who are pure of heart, put all of their own desires aside - detach - for the sake of peace between men. Brother JR wrote in a post a while back about St. Anthony of Padua, who did not engage in arguments with heretics, but simply set up shop in another part of town and spoke about the truth, and in so doing, won back many of those whom the heretics had proselytized.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
My Godfather was a pilot in Vietnam. He used to say, “You know you are over the target when you start taking flak”
The beatitudes were radical when Christ said it. In many ways, the people who heard him were not ready to accept it and Christ almost backtracks, knowing that what he said sounded like a radical contradiction to the eye-for-an-eye mentality of the Mosaic law. He starts telling them that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill, etc, in order that they better understand what he is trying to say.
The Church’s teaching on happiness is sublime. Personal gratification is the lowest type of happiness. Then comes personal acomplishment. Then philanthropy. But real, lasting happiness is found in beatitide - union with God. The beatitudes are a path there, give to us by Christ.
-Tim-
A
anotherr
Guest
looks I like that
T
TrueLight
Guest
This is very helpful to me. My daughter is applying to college now and I have to admit, that I am anxious.Todays’ solemnity sends out such a powerful message that the saints understood so profoundly. That’s why St. Pio always said, “Pray and don’t worry,” and Bl. John Paul said, “Be not afraid.” The person who is detached is not anxious. The King is alive and well. He alone controls the outcome. We just have to be concerned about the choices that we make.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
J
JReducation
Guest
I think that it’s natural for any parent to feel a certain degree of anxiety when a child first steps out of the nest. I believe that the anxiety has two levels to it, one obvious and the other less so.
The obvious one is that we have always been our children’s guides and protectors. As they step out, it’s going to be more difficult to be there to guide and protect. That’s very scary.
At another level, I believe that we are also afraid for ourselves. As our children transition from childhood to adulthood, it’s like being terminated at work. We have identified with the role of provider, protector, teacher, disciplinarian and more. Should I say, that these parental functions have identified us?
As these functions gradually come to an end, it’s like being unemployed. At some subconscious level, it frightens us. Our relationship with our children has to be redefined. We have to take a second look at our identity and ask ourselves, if being a parent all there is to who we are.
I believe that the CCC says it very well.
2230 When they become adults, children have the right and duty to choose their profession and state of life. They should assume their new responsibilities within a trusting relationship with their parents, willingly asking and receiving their advice and counsel. Parents should be careful not to exert pressure on their children either in the choice of a profession or in that of a spouse. This necessary restraint does not prevent them - quite the contrary from giving their children judicious advice, particularly when they are planning to start a family.
This is a whole new role for the parent and the child. I compare it to the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. It’s still the same covenant, but it’s not, if that makes any sense. In other words, the old covenant between the parent and child, like the covenant between YHWH and Israel has been fulfilled; but there is no gap or interruption. The new covenant flows smoothly out of the old one. So too, should this new covenant between parent and child flow smoothly from their former covenant.
Detachment here consists in letting go of the old covenant in order to take on the responsibilities and limits of the new covenant. This requires trust in God, trust that we did the best we could under the circumstances and trust that our children will take some of the good that we taught them along for their life journey.
At first, it may not be apparent. They may look rebellious and they may make irresponsible choices and even damaging choices. But if we planted the seed and watered it, the Divine Gardner will tend to it and it will bloom when the child is ready.
We do as the CCC says and the rest we place in the hands of Our Lady. Who else can be a better model of motherhood? I can’t think of a more difficult adult child than Jesus. Not because he was rotten, but because his path was not typical of other Jewish young men. Mary had to adjust as he went along. She had to know when to speak and when to give him space to be the man that the Father intended him to be.
Mary offers the most powerful lesson in parental detachment.
I know that I constantly ask her to teach me what to do next or not do with my adult children.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
T
TrueLight
Guest
Very beautiful, Brother JR.I think that it’s natural for any parent to feel a certain degree of anxiety when a child first steps out of the nest. I believe that the anxiety has two levels to it, one obvious and the other less so.
The obvious one is that we have always been our children’s guides and protectors. As they step out, it’s going to be more difficult to be there to guide and protect. That’s very scary.
At another level, I believe that we are also afraid for ourselves. As our children transition from childhood to adulthood, it’s like being terminated at work. We have identified with the role of provider, protector, teacher, disciplinarian and more. Should I say, that these parental functions have identified us?
As these functions gradually come to an end, it’s like being unemployed. At some subconscious level, it frightens us. Our relationship with our children has to be redefined. We have to take a second look at our identity and ask ourselves, if being a parent all there is to who we are.
I believe that the CCC says it very well.
2230 When they become adults, children have the right and duty to choose their profession and state of life. They should assume their new responsibilities within a trusting relationship with their parents, willingly asking and receiving their advice and counsel. Parents should be careful not to exert pressure on their children either in the choice of a profession or in that of a spouse. This necessary restraint does not prevent them - quite the contrary from giving their children judicious advice, particularly when they are planning to start a family.
This is a whole new role for the parent and the child. I compare it to the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. It’s still the same covenant, but it’s not, if that makes any sense. In other words, the old covenant between the parent and child, like the covenant between YHWH and Israel has been fulfilled; but there is no gap or interruption. The new covenant flows smoothly out of the old one. So too, should this new covenant between parent and child flow smoothly from their former covenant.
Detachment here consists in letting go of the old covenant in order to take on the responsibilities and limits of the new covenant. This requires trust in God, trust that we did the best we could under the circumstances and trust that our children will take some of the good that we taught them along for their life journey.
At first, it may not be apparent. They may look rebellious and they may make irresponsible choices and even damaging choices. But if we planted the seed and watered it, the Divine Gardner will tend to it and it will bloom when the child is ready.
We do as the CCC says and the rest we place in the hands of Our Lady. Who else can be a better model of motherhood? I can’t think of a more difficult adult child than Jesus. Not because he was rotten, but because his path was not typical of other Jewish young men. Mary had to adjust as he went along. She had to know when to speak and when to give him space to be the man that the Father intended him to be.
Mary offers the most powerful lesson in parental detachment.
I know that I constantly ask her to teach me what to do next or not do with my adult children.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
But I’m afraid I wasn’t clear. I am anxious about her getting into the right schools, being able to afford schools etc.
In all honesty, I am counting the days till they are all over 18, so I guess I am pretty detached when it comes to that.
- Status