Participation

The piercing of St. Padre Pio of
Pietrelcina, one of a few saints to
endure such a participation in the cross.

You may wish you could work miracles, but you might pause to consider if you are strong enough to suffer that much. There are certainly things I wish i could cure, starting with relatives and friends who are suffering grievously. It is hard to stand by and watch other people so close to you suffering the injustice and indignity of life at the hands of others, and be unable to change a thing.

Brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, spouses and friends all suffer before our eyes, and unless God opens us, we cannot feel what they are enduring, and can only feel the aching love trying to reach across our abyss.

It is certain that the proud will likely be indifferent, not caring that they do not feel ,and do not care to feel the slightest discomfort.

But to even see the pain transpiring, you must stand before the cross of Christ itself, and that risks really feeling. To feel that much, can be devastating, and profoundly affect your ability to function at all. But for the sake of those I know and those I don't, I stand at arm's length before the cross. That means participating in His passion, according to the seasons of the year; some are harder than others.

The level of self reveals itself in the willingness to enter where He urges you to go. It is one thing to stand apart and see the tears; it is another thing to participate in something that goes completely contrary to one's own preferences. It is amazing to see how selfish we can be, and how childish our preferences are. We usually think we are pretty sophisticated, and even proud we may be at what we can endure, but if it comes from the Lord, it can easily surpass our all entirely.

Listen, and in the darkness, in the solitude within, approach Him when He asks you to come forward, and let your spirit rest in His arms. The world cannot continue on its same old way when people react that way. Wars can be stopped dead in their tracks. The reason currents wars have not been stopped does not lie in our imagination, but in our willingness to fall into His arms and be penetrated by the nails.

Participation

The piercing of St. Padre Pio of
Pietrelcina, one of a few saints to
endure such a participation in the cross.

You may wish you could work miracles, but you might pause to consider if you are strong enough to suffer that much. There are certainly things I wish i could cure, starting with relatives and friends who are suffering grievously. It is hard to stand by and watch other people so close to you suffering the injustice and indignity of life at the hands of others, and be unable to change a thing.

Brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, spouses and friends all suffer before our eyes, and unless God opens us, we cannot feel what they are enduring, and can only feel the aching love trying to reach across our abyss.

It is certain that the proud will likely be indifferent, not caring that they do not feel ,and do not care to feel the slightest discomfort.

But to even see the pain transpiring, you must stand before the cross of Christ itself, and that risks really feeling. To feel that much, can be devastating, and profoundly affect your ability to function at all. But for the sake of those I know and those I don't, I stand at arm's length before the cross. That means participating in His passion, according to the seasons of the year; some are harder than others.

The level of self reveals itself in the willingness to enter where He urges you to go. It is one thing to stand apart and see the tears; it is another thing to participate in something that goes completely contrary to one's own preferences. It is amazing to see how selfish we can be, and how childish our preferences are. We usually think we are pretty sophisticated, and even proud we may be at what we can endure, but if it comes from the Lord, it can easily surpass our all entirely.

Listen, and in the darkness, in the solitude within, approach Him when He asks you to come forward, and let your spirit rest in His arms. The world cannot continue on its same old way when people react that way. Wars can be stopped dead in their tracks. The reason currents wars have not been stopped does not lie in our imagination, but in our willingness to fall into His arms and be penetrated by the nails.

Humbled

Gospel Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

+

You were not left defenseless.

We should not live life as if to obtain all benefits for ourselves, with no consideration for our brothers. There will be no more splendid appearance than the risen bodies we inherit from Christ, whose own Body was so marred and disfigured by selfishness and hate.

If someone succeeds, rejoice with them, and do not give in to the temptation of pride, for if you fall to that temptation, the harm you bring into the world might be beyond remediation.

Wars have broken out through all time simply over envy of brothers for what each has. There is no more evil activity in the world than to go to war for the sake of one man's egotistical vanity. Such things are hateful to the Lord, and will be punished. 

Remember how great civilizations flourished for a time, but all were knocked down to be hidden in dust by the wind. Remember as well, that the flesh limits our pain and suffering in this life because it is not designed to feel the full depths of suffering; that ability happens in death when sinners are cleansed in the fires of purgatory.

It is preferable to suffer a little here, than to spend any time at all in purgatory, praying for relief of the agony of our falling short of the glory of God. To so intensely feel love and the coldness of our sins without limitation is not pleasant, though it is better than the full fires of hell from which there is no escape. Pray for the souls in purgatory, and if you suffer, offer it for the relief of the souls in purgatory who long so for the slightest kindness.

Is it not more than enough to suffer alone, hidden and unknown? The homeless are driven mad for lack of sleep, food and warmth until they die from the neglect of the human race which is so uncaring.

Let not Jesus go back to the cross to be nailed to it all over again whilst no one is aware, no one sees, and those who have the most grace ought to see, and be overwhelmed and not indifferent to the holes in the Saviors hands and feet, and the terrible gaping wound in His Heart to ensure His death.

To be forgotten in indifference is the great agony of this age. Souls can hardly walk or raise their voices, and if they could, everyone would be stopping their ears with their hands, if only not to hear. Yet there is no remedy for indifference but suffering. Do not ask why misfortune has come your way. If you had reached out to embrace the Savior instead of panting after every pleasant thing, lamentation would be forgotten, and no one would remember how they suffered before, because brothers and sisters would unite themselves to Him on the cross if only to sop up His Blood with the bread of their souls.

It is only the cross and Christ's crucifixion that can remedy the great wound of the people, the wars and revolutions, the insurrections and unwanted deaths of millions. Choose to love the Lord your God as your most beloved lover, and wash away the past with the Savior's tears. Then perhaps you may understand that love is the summation of time and space and all things that happened. Only love can redeem. The time is here when we should love beyond ourselves.

Humbled

Gospel Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

+

You were not left defenseless.

We should not live life as if to obtain all benefits for ourselves, with no consideration for our brothers. There will be no more splendid appearance than the risen bodies we inherit from Christ, whose own Body was so marred and disfigured by selfishness and hate.

If someone succeeds, rejoice with them, and do not give in to the temptation of pride, for if you fall to that temptation, the harm you bring into the world might be beyond remediation.

Wars have broken out through all time simply over envy of brothers for what each has. There is no more evil activity in the world than to go to war for the sake of one man's egotistical vanity. Such things are hateful to the Lord, and will be punished. 

Remember how great civilizations flourished for a time, but all were knocked down to be hidden in dust by the wind. Remember as well, that the flesh limits our pain and suffering in this life because it is not designed to feel the full depths of suffering; that ability happens in death when sinners are cleansed in the fires of purgatory.

It is preferable to suffer a little here, than to spend any time at all in purgatory, praying for relief of the agony of our falling short of the glory of God. To so intensely feel love and the coldness of our sins without limitation is not pleasant, though it is better than the full fires of hell from which there is no escape. Pray for the souls in purgatory, and if you suffer, offer it for the relief of the souls in purgatory who long so for the slightest kindness.

Is it not more than enough to suffer alone, hidden and unknown? The homeless are driven mad for lack of sleep, food and warmth until they die from the neglect of the human race which is so uncaring.

Let not Jesus go back to the cross to be nailed to it all over again whilst no one is aware, no one sees, and those who have the most grace ought to see, and be overwhelmed and not indifferent to the holes in the Saviors hands and feet, and the terrible gaping wound in His Heart to ensure His death.

To be forgotten in indifference is the great agony of this age. Souls can hardly walk or raise their voices, and if they could, everyone would be stopping their ears with their hands, if only not to hear. Yet there is no remedy for indifference but suffering. Do not ask why misfortune has come your way. If you had reached out to embrace the Savior instead of panting after every pleasant thing, lamentation would be forgotten, and no one would remember how they suffered before, because brothers and sisters would unite themselves to Him on the cross if only to sop up His Blood with the bread of their souls.

It is only the cross and Christ's crucifixion that can remedy the great wound of the people, the wars and revolutions, the insurrections and unwanted deaths of millions. Choose to love the Lord your God as your most beloved lover, and wash away the past with the Savior's tears. Then perhaps you may understand that love is the summation of time and space and all things that happened. Only love can redeem. The time is here when we should love beyond ourselves.

Glory

 Feast of All Saints
Gospel
Mt 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."

+

When he descended, Moses' face was
so full of God's light, he had to wear a
veil to conceal it from the Israelites.

When God gave Moses the tablets of the ten commandments, He did so  atop a mountain, and when He spoke the beatitudes to the Apostles, He likewise did so from a mountain top. Mystics, when they are favored by the Lord revealing Himself to them, speak of being lifted up by God in exaltation, and if they are bidden to speak, find great difficulty in describing something so utterly different from the ordinary reality.

It is a bread so different, that no one can describe its savor, and some saints were surrounded by indescribably beautiful perfumes. It is not that we have never smelled such aromas, but they are not like ordinary perfume, so as to signify the divine pleasure with the beloved, and to signify the holiness of God which is beyond any virtue of men.

God dwells in His own realm, separate and different from where we live. Therefore, He is not to be found in the depths of pleasure or infatuation with self. When we realize we are in His presence, we know it is He because He has revealed Himself differently from any ordinary reality, and wherever He is, there is also peace, and joy, and holiness which delight.

We do not enjoy such a moment often, nor easily, and sometimes it transcends ordinary experience so much, it cannot be taken in altogether at once. Neither do ordinary men wish to leave or forsake such bliss, to return to the ordinary existence of men. Some have made it their life's journey, to experience that goodness again, and some had to wait until they died to find their fulfillment. Some would say it is worth any struggled to experience again.

All the saints experienced the otherness of God in themselves and in life, and they were so captivated that they were recognized as holy, "saints", from the Latin word "Sanctus".

Today we celebrate these things, and I hope whoever you are, reading what I write, can recognise that summit experience in your own life. It is a blessing.

Glory

 Feast of All Saints
Gospel
Mt 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."

+

When he descended, Moses' face was
so full of God's light, he had to wear a
veil to conceal it from the Israelites.

When God gave Moses the tablets of the ten commandments, He did so  atop a mountain, and when He spoke the beatitudes to the Apostles, He likewise did so from a mountain top. Mystics, when they are favored by the Lord revealing Himself to them, speak of being lifted up by God in exaltation, and if they are bidden to speak, find great difficulty in describing something so utterly different from the ordinary reality.

It is a bread so different, that no one can describe its savor, and some saints were surrounded by indescribably beautiful perfumes. It is not that we have never smelled such aromas, but they are not like ordinary perfume, so as to signify the divine pleasure with the beloved, and to signify the holiness of God which is beyond any virtue of men.

God dwells in His own realm, separate and different from where we live. Therefore, He is not to be found in the depths of pleasure or infatuation with self. When we realize we are in His presence, we know it is He because He has revealed Himself differently from any ordinary reality, and wherever He is, there is also peace, and joy, and holiness which delight.

We do not enjoy such a moment often, nor easily, and sometimes it transcends ordinary experience so much, it cannot be taken in altogether at once. Neither do ordinary men wish to leave or forsake such bliss, to return to the ordinary existence of men. Some have made it their life's journey, to experience that goodness again, and some had to wait until they died to find their fulfillment. Some would say it is worth any struggled to experience again.

All the saints experienced the otherness of God in themselves and in life, and they were so captivated that they were recognized as holy, "saints", from the Latin word "Sanctus".

Today we celebrate these things, and I hope whoever you are, reading what I write, can recognise that summit experience in your own life. It is a blessing.

Accusation

Ex 22:20-26
Thus says the LORD:
"You shall not molest or oppress an alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.
If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me,
I will surely hear their cry.
My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword;
then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.
"If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him.
If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body.
What else has he to sleep in?
If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."

Gospel Mt 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,

they gathered together, and one of them,

a scholar of the law tested him by asking,

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him,

"You shall love the Lord, your God,

with all your heart,

with all your soul,

and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

+

The brazen serpent was a source of redemption,
prefiring the crucifixion.

Jesus did not kill the Pharisees for their errors, neither did He annihilate the Sadducees for their errors. It is clear they committed errors, for He says they did. Their errors remained as long as they were held. They were virtuous in that they cherished what they believed as what God taught, but what they believed was not what God taught, and Jesus came to set the record straight.

To this point, it is plain, that errors in religious thinking are not cause or license to commit genocide, and those who do will be punished. The wrong committed by those who insist on thinking the way they do, if in error, will not be expunged, and the lives disrupted will not go into eternity without remedy. Therefore, in order to have peace in life, you must avoid these errors, and the killing conducted by those in error will be accounted.

By the same token, do not think that if you are in great pain or distress, that you have committed any sin, for Jesus was sinless, and died by crucifixion nonetheless, and those who love Him often are caught up, by virtue of their great love, in a fiery trial which will only benefit the sufferer.

In the fire of that trial, I know all too well that He nevertheless lifts me up out of myself so my suffering is crushing, and though there seem to be no reason to weep, I cannot help but weep, even within myself in darkness, silence and solitude, as Jesus experienced it. But by allowing myself to be immersed in suffering this way, His love all the sweeter for it, and I know He holds good things in store for those imitators of Himself who dare all for His love's sake.

In the room of suffering there is heard the lamentation of those in woe, but as well, the songs of angels who worship God and His love, so evident there.

In the garden, in the evening, the darkness settles gently over it, the Lord is suddenly present, and the fragrance of His holiness is everywhere to comfort those who love Him, and to immerse the beloved in love in which one learns to forget altogether. In this is my hope, for I have spent more than enough evenings in the throes of His love, even in spite of my sins and faults.

Trust the judgement of the Lord; though you may think you have sinned, and are accused of wrong, it is the Lord who chooses to believe in your innocence, so you may approach Him fearlessly and in bliss, redolent of His love. If you have wronged, He will speak to you so you may be forgiven and judgement never enter into the picture. Blessed the person who allows the Lord to believe in them. Blessed the Lord who desires us to be blameless and does not hold our errors against us. Bear the cross as it is, and believe that your time on it is measured, and when it it is appropriate, will end.

Can I be mistaken in what I perceive and feel in my hands and feet or in my heart? I feel His wounds and I feel His pain and I love Him as He is in all His endeavors. It comes when I am free to suffer for Him and do not have to deal with the world at the moment, and so I am at peace that enduring the pain is of value to the Lord as an occupation in itself since He is finished with the cross, and only allows Himself to be fixed to it again in order to be about the business of the salvation of His children.

I know there is evil in the world, and its intent is nothing laudable. But I also know the Lord is victorious and completes all His initiatives. The world will be freed of evil, and though demonic beings roam through the world lost forever, I think they are here for longer than three days of darkness, and we ought to enclose ourselves in His love to worship Him until we are free to roam about the world ourselves. Great damage and destruction may be done, but remember that He created the universe in its entirety, and can do it again as well. One day the lion will lay down with the lamb and not fear the terrible teeth of the beasts. Believe in His good deeds and look forward to all He does for us until the ending is upon us. Trust in Him that all things will be arranged as He likes.