The wondrous beauty of the state of Grace

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BarbaraTherese

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Pondering today how some of the saints have seen Hell and the horrible state of the soul in mortal sin…and it came into my mind that equally we do not understand the great beauty and splendour of a soul in the state of Grace. We tend to make much I think of mortal sin and the horror of it…and give little reflection to the great beauty and splendour of the soul in Grace taking possibly our own state of Grace simply for granted and little reflect on it.

My director (priest) said something profound I thought on my last visit: “Why do we not have Stations of The Resurrection?”…and the more I reflect on what he said, the more profound for me it becomes.

Blessings…Barb:)
 
Wow. I never thought of this! :doh2:

Have to think about it… :hmmm:
*“Dear God, do You know the greatest grief one of Your creatures can bear? It is the thought that she can never love You enough. ” *- St. Gemma Galgani
 
I don’t know if my thinking makes any sense, but here is my thinking:

There are Stations of the Cross because Jesus’ Passion is a journey.
It is a journey of obedience, humility, sacrifice, suffering and love, a journey leads toward resurrection.

There are Stations of the Cross so we may stop to lament, to reflect, to experience, to accompany, and to honor the Lord’s Passion.

We die to our sins with Christ’s Crucifixion so we may resurrect with Him.

Resurrection, however, is bestowed by the Father.
It happens when the Father makes it happen.
Resurrection itself is not a journey. Therefore, there is no “Stations” of Resurrection.

Christ’s Passion and Resurrection brought us eternal life.
We did nothing, Christ did it all.
We can only thank, praise, and glorify God. That is grace.
 
Father Pablo Straub gave and really good retreat on EWTN on what a soul is like when it is in a state of grace. Also, Ven. Louis of Granada talks about it in his book The Sinner’s Guide.
 
InLight247 said:
I don’t know if my thinking makes any sense, but here is my thinking:

There are Stations of the Cross because Jesus’ Passion is a journey.
It is a journey of obedience, humility, sacrifice, suffering and love, a journey leads toward resurrection.

There are Stations of the Cross so we may stop to lament, to reflect, to experience, to accompany, and to honor the Lord’s Passion.

We die to our sins with Christ’s Crucifixion so we may resurrect with Him.

Resurrection, however, is bestowed by the Father.
It happens when the Father makes it happen.
Resurrection itself is not a journey. Therefore, there is no “Stations” of Resurrection.

Christ’s Passion and Resurrection brought us eternal life.
We did nothing, Christ did it all.
We can only thank, praise, and glorify God. That is grace.
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Howdy InLight…You have made some truly beautiful points about the Stations of The Cross.
My director and I had been discussing how I find it a huge emotional leap from Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday (and sometimes I can’t quite make it, still in shock over Good Friday)and due to the fact that my investment in Good Friday is emotional…but the crucifixion is not the end of the story. The end of the story is the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus and that the cross is Triumph. Too often one can become stuck in the cross as suffering and not insight that it is to embrace Glory and probably without the resurrection, the cross would not have been Triumphant in Glory and Father commented “Why do we not have Stations of The Resurrection?” enabling us to reflect on the incidents that occured as the followers of Jesus become aware that He has indeed Risen. When we embrace The Cross in our lives it is a matter of Joy and Triumph for we are embracing in fact the whole story which does not even end in the Glory of the Resurrection…the story continues today. We embrace the whole of life with life as Triumphant through The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.
I have put my reflections into writing with great stumbling and most inadequately and I am quite eager to get to my next appointment and discuss with Father my ponderings. I can distinctly feel that what I have written is not quite ‘there’, not quite saying what I want to say and I am still pondering daily what Father and I did discuss last appointment and I am hoping for more clarity of thought with another discussion with him. Probably this will be a journey for me. I do know that after I wrote the Post last night, I was flooded with joy and consolation for some reason… my heart “went through the roof”.

I read somewhere or other that there is no such thing as suffering…there is only perspective and attitude. And it is our perspective and attitude towards difficulties and sufferings that creates the suffering. This, I dont think, is to be applied quite literally across the board and found to be faulted for there is a very real element of truth in it.

Blessings this Easter…Barb:)
 
Tim_c said:
Father Pablo Straub gave and really good retreat on EWTN on what a soul is like when it is in a state of grace. Also, Ven. Louis of Granada talks about it in his book The Sinner’s Guide.
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Thanks Tim for sharing. The Sinner’s Guide is going on my “to get” list…and I must do something about this computer so I can watch programs on it and with speakers. I am almost daily aware of all I miss through not having such. My son will be home from interstate this weekend and I will ask him about these things.
Blessings this Easter…Barb:)
 
I think the Mass could very well be seen as the stations of the Resurrection - we gather to do as the disciples did on the Road to Emmaus that first Easter - hear and reflect upon the scriptures and recognise Him in the breaking of the bread. :getholy:
 
LilyM said:
I think the Mass could very well be seen as the stations of the Resurrection - we gather to do as the disciples did on the Road to Emmaus that first Easter - hear and reflect upon the scriptures and recognise Him in the breaking of the bread. :getholy:
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Well said…The Mass is the Sacrifice of the Risen Christ where we hear and reflect on The Word of God and recognize Him in the Breaking of Bread…hence The Mass centres on the Cross and Resurrection of Christ.
I can still insight why Father said to me what he did re the Stations of The Resurrection. The bloody and cruel crucifixion of Jesus is not the end of the story by a very long shot indeed…hence, why cannot we have also the Stations of The Resurrection. Mind you, Father is not advocating a new devotion at all. Rather he was making a point to me.
Undoubtedly, the cross could have been triumphant if Jesus had rose from the dead and then immediately ascended to The Father sending The Holy Spirit to the disciples at Pentecost…but God chose that Jesus should rise and be seen by the disciples and those who had followed him. That Jesus should move among them prior to the Ascension. The Resurrection is a community event ordained by The Father. This should tell us something of the vital importance of community and mutual respect and love. We are an Easter Community who ideally are marked by Joy and by Love.
Father and I had also been reflecting on that type of individualistic spirituality which is almost totally negative and almost morbid…and the place of an active shared Joy in spirituality. That type of sprituality that is steeped in the cross (which incidentally will make for a great saint) but cannot look forward in great hope and longing to the Resurrection transcending current problems - and with great shared and focused Joy.
Blessings at Easter…Barb:)
 
BarbaraTherese said:
Too often one can become stuck in the cross as suffering and not insight that it is to embrace Glory
I do know that after I wrote the Post last night, I was flooded with joy and consolation for some reason… my heart “went through the roof”.

I read somewhere or other that there is no such thing as suffering…there is only perspective and attitude. And it is our perspective and attitude towards difficulties and sufferings that creates the suffering. This, I dont think, is to be applied quite literally across the board and found to be faulted for there is a very real element of truth in it.

Blessings this Easter…Barb:)
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Oh, boy! Are you right on that (getting stuck in suffering and not looking for the Glory! It makes perfect sense to me that you received consolations when you realized that!👍

I try to remember that sufferings have to do with our perspective and attitudes, however I don’t think I do it very well. I seem to like to “wallow” too much and looking for the Glory doesn’t fit with that very well.😊 🤷
 
BarbaraTherese said:
The Resurrection is a community event ordained by The Father. This should tell us something of the vital importance of community and mutual respect and love. We are an Easter Community who ideally are marked by Joy and by Love.
Father and I had also been reflecting on that type of individualistic spirituality which is almost totally negative and almost morbid…and the place of an active shared Joy in spirituality. That type of sprituality that is steeped in the cross (which incidentally will make for a great saint) but cannot look forward in great hope and longing to the Resurrection transcending current problems - and with great shared and focused Joy.
Blessings at Easter…Barb:)
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Our Holy Father, during his visit here (US), esp. as the visit proceeded, was a perfect example of obviously “looking forward in great hope and longing to the Resurrection transcending current problems - and with great shared and focussed Joy.”
 
brigid12 said:
Oh, boy! Are you right on that (getting stuck in suffering and not looking for the Glory! It makes perfect sense to me that you received consolations when you realized that!👍

I try to remember that sufferings have to do with our perspective and attitudes, however I don’t think I do it very well. I seem to like to “wallow” too much and looking for the Glory doesn’t fit with that very well.😊 🤷
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I get the same “stuck” in the wallow too, Brigid, and this is why I think my director has lead me along the train of thought that he has. I was thinking this morning too in connection with what St. Paul said about the glory that awaits us in Heaven and that any difficulties here on earth are worth it all, that our saints reflect the death and resurrection of Jesus and what happened after. The lives they led have lead them to be ‘raised to the altars’ (reflecting death and resurrection) and the following by the faithful that comes after their being made saints reflects how after Pentecost many were lead to The Lord who continually sends The Holy Spirit “send forth Thy Spirit and Thou shalt be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth”. This lead me to reflect on the words of St. Therese that her very best work would be done from Heaven. The death and resurrection and Pentecost of The Holy Spirit after the Ascension is now ‘built in’ to the life of Grace in the faithful in very many ways.
Many Graces I am convinced are probably won by some unknown humble contemplative joyfully (hard feat!) scrubbing the refectory floor somewhere…some Dad getting up in the middle of the night to a crying baby, despite work on the morrow, so his wife can have a good nights sleep…and all such like matters…hence we can never know the good we may be doing through our own lives and the duties of them embraced for love of God***…“one man sows and another reaps”.
I hope that makes sense…as I said in another Post, I think probably Father is leading me on a journey of realization on that level that will become a sense of knowledge and experience. Hope so! Spiritual direction can be entirely unpredictable. But in truth I am journeying and the end point is not yet realized if it ever can be here. I have a renewed sense of the importance of community as willed by God for and in the life of Grace. I am no longer an “I” but now an “us” with an active and focused investment in “us” transcending the “I”.
I am rambling … major!!!
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_13_4.gif…Blessings - Barb:o

*** One does not have to consecrate every single duty at the time to God - the general intention renewed as often as one may thinkof it suffices, which is why I love The Morning Offering prayed with application. The Holy Spirit will bring to our minds what is necessary, as Jesus promised.
 
brigid12 said:
Our Holy Father, during his visit here (US), esp. as the visit proceeded, was a perfect example of obviously “looking forward in great hope and longing to the Resurrection transcending current problems - and with great shared and focussed Joy.”
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Well, for sure, if our Holy Father thinks along these lines, I feel safe as I journey!😃
 
BarbaraTherese said:
Thanks Tim for sharing. The Sinner’s Guide is going on my “to get” list…and I must do something about this computer so I can watch programs on it and with speakers. I am almost daily aware of all I miss through not having such. My son will be home from interstate this weekend and I will ask him about these things.
Blessings this Easter…Barb:)
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Definitely watch that retreat. It was for Holy Week this year. And definitely get The Sinners Guide! Its on my top 5 books that I would recommend to someone. I started it for Lent but never got to finish it because of school. Finals are next week so I plan on starting over. It is a must read!
 
Tim_c said:
Definitely watch that retreat. It was for Holy Week this year. And definitely get The Sinners Guide! Its on my top 5 books that I would recommend to someone. I started it for Lent but never got to finish it because of school. Finals are next week so I plan on starting over. It is a must read!
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I really value recommendations as the amount of money I can spend on books, and reading is a great occupation of mine, is very limited. When my son is here if he has the time as it is only really a quick visit, I’ll get him to fix up this computer so I can watch programs etc. and have audio on this computer.

Best of luck and God’s Blessings on your Finals!🙂 …Barb
 
BarbaraTherese said:
the following by the faithful that comes after their being made saints reflects how after Pentecost many were lead to The Lord who continually sends The Holy Spirit “send forth Thy Spirit and Thou shalt be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth”. This lead me to reflect on the words of St. Therese that her very best work would be done from Heaven.
I will need to read this again and cogitate on it to really absorb what’s obviously here
The death and resurrection and Pentecost of The Holy Spirit after the Ascension is now ‘built in’ to the life of Grace in the faithful in very many ways.
Built in and so taken for granted by many, you think?
Many Graces I am convinced are probably won by some unknown humble contemplative joyfully (hard feat!) scrubbing the refectory floor somewhere…some Dad getting up in the middle of the night to a crying baby, despite work on the morrow, so his wife can have a good nights sleep…and all such like matters…hence we can never know the good we may be doing through our own lives and the duties of them embraced for love of God***…“one man sows and another reaps”.
I hope that makes sense…
**This sounds like more of St. Therese:) **
…as I said in another Post, I think probably Father is leading me on a journey of realization on that level that will become a sense of knowledge and experience. Hope so!
Seems like your spiritual direction is bearing fruit.
Spiritual direction can be entirely unpredictable. But in truth I am journeying and the end point is not yet realized if it ever can be here.
The end point can’t be realized here, on earth, IMHO, since it’s closeness to Him!
I have a renewed sense of the importance of community as willed by God for and in the life of Grace. I am no longer an “I” but now an “us” with an active and focused investment in “us” transcending the “I”
The idea of community has seemed pretty much lost for me over the years, although my yearning for it has always been there. But it seems like you’re becoming more aware of our spiritual communion - our communion with the Saints?.
I am rambling … major!!!
I like to get to be part of your "ramblings"
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_13_4.gif…Blessings - Barb:o

*** One does not have to consecrate every single duty at the time to God - the general intention renewed as often as one may thinkof it suffices, which is why I love The Morning Offering prayed with application. The Holy Spirit will bring to our minds what is necessary, as Jesus promised.
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Barb, this is really an awesome topic for thought. And you’re so right. In addition to keeping the horror of sin, before us… we should also think about the holy state of grace. Because this is what our Heavenly Father created us for.

I sometimes ask Our Lord to show me the true state of my own soul, because I worry. I was telling this to my sister… and she replied… “NOOOOO” in a horrified manner. I’m not sure if she was referring to me… or her… or both of us. lol. But no matter. Her reply underscored the seriousness of sin, and how it can effect the soul. It was a humbling moment.

Perhaps if we had a glimpse into the crystalline beauty of a soul in the state of grace… we would work much harder to get there ourselves. I would recommend contemplation of Our Blessed Mother, for starters. Herself, a mere human… but preserved from all sin.

God bless you. This is a great thought for the week!
 
MarieVeronica said:
Barb, this is really an awesome topic for thought. And you’re so right. In addition to keeping the horror of sin, before us… we should also think about the holy state of grace. Because this is what our Heavenly Father created us for.

I sometimes ask Our Lord to show me the true state of my own soul, because I worry. I was telling this to my sister… and she replied… “NOOOOO” in a horrified manner. I’m not sure if she was referring to me… or her… or both of us. lol. But no matter. Her reply underscored the seriousness of sin, and how it can effect the soul. It was a humbling moment.

Perhaps if we had a glimpse into the crystalline beauty of a soul in the state of grace… we would work much harder to get there ourselves. I would recommend contemplation of Our Blessed Mother, for starters. Herself, a mere human… but preserved from all sin.

God bless you. This is a great thought for the week!
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Hi again Marie Veronica…Just finished explaining (culture divide:o ) what “dobbing” is in the inspirational stories thread.

I had been pondering with considerable trembling the vision of St. Teresa of Avila and also St. Faustina of Hell and how dreadful it would be to see something like that, when it popped into my head that the state of Grace, which guarantees us Heaven, would be the diametrical opposite of the horror I felt (since Heaven is the diametrical opposite of Hell)and suddenly my heart seemed to shoot through my head - I almost had an urge to hang on to the top of my head:D . Since my director and I are discussing why an intense spirituality can often make such a ‘groan’ of a person, very serious and not particuarly good company, which may reflect a spirituality prevalent in past ages, I am reflecting on the disposition of Joy and laughter in spirituality and reasons for it…St. Teresa we know had an excellent and wicked sense of the funny and must have been great company I think. St. Faustina, from her diaries, seems to have been a very serious personality. Although the actual pictures of her reveal that she knew how to laugh I think.
St. Teresa in her reformed Constitution instructs that there are to be no games at recreation, since she says The Lord will send into the community members who can amuse during recreation. St. Teresa incidentally knew the game of Chess really well, which in our day would be like a prioress knowing how to play poker and roll the dice.
I think probably we dont reflect often enough of what we are headed for in the state of Grace…and if one cannot imagine it, then to ponder the diametrical opposite of any notion of Hell will give a glimpse I think. Laughter is a human emotion and a gift of God and it reflects a disposition of Joy…healthy laughter that is.
If any person should be in doubt about what state they may actually be in, a talk with Father in Confession simply stating that will bring I am sure much consolation and Peace. The Graces through Confession are endless, endless.
I love the Hour of Compline (Night Prayer which is very short) which ends in a hymn to Mary in which I ask her special protection. The same for Vespers (Evening Prayer) which includes the Magnificat. These Hours I particularly pray through Our Lady for all. Night is a time when Satan is particularly active, coward that it is.

Blessings this Easter…drawing to a close…Barb:)
 
Hi Barb. I did not know that, about St. Teresa! I will have to do a little more reading on her. I consider her my spiritual “grandmother”… because she was the patroness of my patroness (Therese of Lisieux).

Interesting ideas… indeed. In a way, satan rather kicks himself in the seat… with his activities… does he not? Because when we are so able to see his wickedness… we know that there is fully a Truth… which he did never, and will never understand. Otherwise, he would not try so hard… to convince us of his evil ways. Sadly, so many are convinced. 😦

I know what you mean, too… about the activity of the evil… in the night hours. Prayer is one of our weapons! For anyone who is afraid, I recommend keeping a small, blessed Crucifix on or under your pillow. I believe this is a practice of the Carmelites (probably other Orders, as well). It is such a comfort… after a bad dream to be able to place your hand on that Precious Reminder of Jesus Love for us.

(P.S. Thanks for the explanation of dobbing. lol.)
 
Quoting Maria Veronica
Hi Barb. I did not know that, about St. Teresa! I will have to do a little more reading on her. I consider her my spiritual “grandmother”… because she was the patroness of my patroness (Therese of Lisieux).
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You will pick up on St. Teresa’s ability to play the game of Chess in The Interior Castle. I am not too sure where I heard that playing Chess was considered more than distasteful (more like sinful!) in her day. Could have been from talking with someone in the know, although I think St. Teresa does allude to it in The Interior Castle. I have a shocking memory.
Interesting ideas… indeed. In a way, satan rather kicks himself in the seat… with his activities… does he not? Because when we are so able to see his wickedness… we know that there is fully a Truth… which he did never, and will never understand. Otherwise, he would not try so hard… to convince us of his evil ways. Sadly, so many are convinced.
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Sure thing, if you ever hear from the monster and I pray not, tell the thing that if it exists so does God and one has no intention of living with it for the rest of eternity!!! It is devoid of hope and all is transcended by hatred and evil and nothing it likes better than to reduce one, if possible, to a state of lack of hope and total despair driving one to either suicide or hatred or some form of evil.
I know what you mean, too… about the activity of the evil… in the night hours. Prayer is one of our weapons! For anyone who is afraid, I recommend keeping a small, blessed Crucifix on or under your pillow. I believe this is a practice of the Carmelites (probably other Orders, as well). It is such a comfort… after a bad dream to be able to place your hand on that Precious Reminder of Jesus Love for us.
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Night time (I live alone) I dread…or at least the falling asleep part…I live in a high crime area with many house invasions and I can’t afford security protection of any kind, and I fear probably human evil almost as much as pure spiritual evil though they can dwell together. So I usually drift off praying which takes my mind (and active imagination) off the unnecessary. Satan dreads and fears Our Lady. I have a crucifix and statue of The Sacred Heart opposite my bed with my Rosary.
Oh dear, what a subject!

Anyway, here in Austrarlia we also sau ‘snitch’ for one who accuses. Incidentally, Satan is a rat, a snitch and a dobber, since day and night it accuses us to God of all our faults and failings. It rather makes me think that since its own sin has condemned it, it thinks God should condemn us too. How wondrous is the Incarnation and the abundance that flows from Jesus.
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And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels: 8 And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night. *

Apolgies for dragging in such a dreadful subject into a thread about spiritual beauty. But Satan does exist and we know it and should not refrain from stating it. Though it is a distasteful even fearful reality, it is reality nonethless. Sadly we now know that most of the artwork depicting Hell, Satan and its angels has nothing to do with reality…and in throwing out ‘the bathwater, we have thrown out the baby as well’ and many understanding artwork has nothing to do with reality, have lost touch with the fact of the reality the artwork was trying to depict.

*Barb:) *
 
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