Our Motive Places the Value of Our Life



The value of our whole life depends on the motive by which we act. 

Now it is certain that the highest motive is that of love. 

Once the soul has given herself out of love,

nothing stays her, neither sufferings, nor difficulties,

nor all that troubles us,

for “where there is love, labor is absent” (St Augustine). 

Try then to give yourself to Christ in this way without reserve,

for good and out of love. 

Then all will go well. 

Your life will be extremely pleasing to God and very meritorious. 

From:  Union with God: Letters of Spiritual Direction by Blessed Columba Marmion

Selected and Annotated by Dom Raymond Thibaut

Closer Friendship with God

My Child, I have said that the Kingdom of God is within you.  Turn to Me with your whole heart.  Do not think too much of this world, and your soul will find rest in Me.  Do not let this earthly life take all of your attention.  Think often of Me and of My Will in your life.  Then you will become more conscious of My presence in your soul.  I pring you the gifts of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  These gifts are not given to those who pay too much attention to this earthly life.

One who loves Me and lives My truth, is a supernatural person.  By My grace he becomes free from sinful and dangerous desires.  He can freely turn to Me.  He is able to rise above the visible world aroud him and enjoy My friendship. 

As iron, cast into the fire, loses its rust and becomes bright with the flame, so too a man who turns his whole heart to Me, is purified of all sluggishness and changed into a new man.

from My Daily Bread, A Summary of the Spiritual Life

by Anthony J. Paone, SJ

Striving for Compunction

My child, unless a man tries hard to acquire a holy sorrow for his sins, he is not worthy of My heavenly consolation.  Are you doing your best to acquire this compunction?

THis grace will reach you more easily if you will turn your back, for a while, on your daily distractions.  Come aside more often, to be alone with Me.  Reflect on My gifts and your misuse of them.  Be honest and face the truth.  Reading and reflecting will help you to realize the wickedness of all sins, even smaller ones.  Do not look for new theories and mere curiosities, but stick to solid everyday truth, truth which will improve your daily life.

In solititude and quiet you will discover the hidden treasures of Holy Scripture.  As you become more intimate with Me, your Creator, you will make great progess.  You will find tears to wash and purify your soul.  You will also have a deep interior joy as My holy angels and I draw near to you.  Learn to pray and labor unseen by the eyes of men.

Slowly, as the gift of compunction fills your soul, you will be filled with fresh vigor.  As you become more eager to make up for your sins, you will find hard things becoming easier.

from My Daily Bread, A Summary of the Spiritual Life

by Anthony J. Paone, S.J.

No Time for Meditation?

It is never true that we have not time to meditate; the less one thinks of God, the less time there will always be for Him.  The time one has for anything depends on how much we value it.  Thinking determines the uses of time; time does not rule over thinking.  The problem of spirituality is never, then, a question of time; it is a problem of thought.  For it does not require much time to make us saints; it requires only much love.

from God Love You

by Fulton Sheen

Being Joyful in Jesus

While it might sound paradoxical, we are called to find joy especially in Lent.  Why?  Jesus did not come to save the righteous but sinners.  Get it?  That's you and me!

Lent gives us a special opportunity each year to journey with Jesus in a unique way.  Do you think the apostles and disciples would have been accompanying Jesus if it was only difficulties and hardship?  Of course not!

The same is true today.  Drawing closer in our relationship with Jesus allows us to discover a special joy deep inside that no one can take from us.  We could be behind prison bars and be joyful and free if we have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.

What's motivating you today?  Is it fear?  Or is it desire to grow in relationship with Jesus?  He loves us passionately -- so much so that He willingly gave us His live so that we might enjoy life with Him forever. 

When we find that joy deep inside, then we are already enjoying a little piece of heaven here on earth.

Fiat!

The passage in St. Luke's Gospel announcing the Birth of Jesus is well known -- and every time we pray the Hail Mary we recall this wondrous event. 

Mary's response is one that we all need to make regarding God's will -- Fiat!  Yes, be it done unto to me!  Mary's fiat made her the mother of God.  What will our fiat mean? 

It may be that our fiat will see us becoming vowed religious.  Or it might make us a dedicated single or married and open to the gift of children that God may have in store for your future.  Regardless of the outcome, the only thing important is being open to God's will -- and following where He leads.

May we have the grace to answer as Mary, "Fiat!  Be it done unto me according to Thy will!"

I have glorified it and will glorify it again

Today's Gospel reading from St. John gives us words from the Father:  "I have glorified it and will glorify it again."  What is he glorifying? 

Jesus has just been anointed by Mary in Bethany at a dinner given for him by Martha, Mary and Lazarus and the next day he entered Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"  Now there were some Greeks who wanted to see him.  Unlike us, Jesus is not getting a big head.  He had already told his disciples to let Mary alone about the costly perfumed oil she used to anoint him, telling them:  Let her keep this for the day of my burial.  Jesus knows the course is set, and that He must follow it.

He tells them, Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.  A few verses later, He continues, it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.  Father, glorify your name.  It is then that we hear the Father's voice.  Jesus is united intimately with his Father -- and the will of the Father and the will of Jesus are one.

Are our wills united to the will of Jesus?  Today take a little time in prayer to listen for the Lord to speak in your hearts so that you may know his will for you.