Tears

There is so much suffering, so much sadness. When I see something that touches my heart, the tears well up in my eyes. Moments of exaltation wait in ambush everywhere. It is the way those suffering can catch a glimpse of God, like sunrise peeking over the horizon or a mountaintop to paint the sky.

Solitude is a magnificent thing all by itself, and it gets a bum rap from people intimidated by such austerity. Still, even in such solemnity, each such tearful moment is also a moment of gratitude to a God who invited me to the cross, then made me forget the pain by raising up my heart so it might fill with the tears to give the Lord, for the fruition of all solemn austerity is the offering of self to God.

It is like a little boy dancing to the drums and music with a beautiful lady, and receiving a hug for thanks.

In this time of winter approaching, perhaps bitterness will fill our hearts with sadness and the emptiness of solitude. Remember then, the heart filled with tears; in receiving your gift, He did not spill a single drop.

Tears

There is so much suffering, so much sadness. When I see something that touches my heart, the tears well up in my eyes. Moments of exaltation wait in ambush everywhere. It is the way those suffering can catch a glimpse of God, like sunrise peeking over the horizon or a mountaintop to paint the sky.

Solitude is a magnificent thing all by itself, and it gets a bum rap from people intimidated by such austerity. Still, even in such solemnity, each such tearful moment is also a moment of gratitude to a God who invited me to the cross, then made me forget the pain by raising up my heart so it might fill with the tears to give the Lord, for the fruition of all solemn austerity is the offering of self to God.

It is like a little boy dancing to the drums and music with a beautiful lady, and receiving a hug for thanks.

In this time of winter approaching, perhaps bitterness will fill our hearts with sadness and the emptiness of solitude. Remember then, the heart filled with tears; in receiving your gift, He did not spill a single drop.

Gold

 

Gold requires fire, to be free
from the rock it is in. 
Can you stand the fire?

All the terrifying visions which visited St. Francis and St. Padre Pio, did not visit St. John of the cross, in spite of his name. Yet the total sacrifice they desired did visit St. John of the Cross, and was not less violent than the bloody sacrifice of the others.

He was able to endure and withstand the violence of God's love and come away stammering to enchant the souls of visionaries everywhere. 

Who else might have grown up in poverty and simplicity which they espoused as the companions of their soul? How many other living torches have been enkindled with the love of God?

Look about you and see the gentle spirits that have tasted the cross and entered heaven. Look about you, and encourage the ones who are lost in pitiful pain, looking for their true Companion, and the way into the Garden to be with God. 

They are not afraid that anyone might hear them because they would be unable to understand what they heard, but it might drive them deeper into the furnace of His love.  If that were to happen, they would only stagger smoldering in love, lost and looking for the way. You cannot see beforehand, where He wants your steps to tend, but you will arrive where He intended, and be nourished by the Garden's rest.

Gold

 

Gold requires fire, to be free
from the rock it is in. 
Can you stand the fire?

All the terrifying visions which visited St. Francis and St. Padre Pio, did not visit St. John of the cross, in spite of his name. Yet the total sacrifice they desired did visit St. John of the Cross, and was not less violent than the bloody sacrifice of the others.

He was able to endure and withstand the violence of God's love and come away stammering to enchant the souls of visionaries everywhere. 

Who else might have grown up in poverty and simplicity which they espoused as the companions of their soul? How many other living torches have been enkindled with the love of God?

Look about you and see the gentle spirits that have tasted the cross and entered heaven. Look about you, and encourage the ones who are lost in pitiful pain, looking for their true Companion, and the way into the Garden to be with God. 

They are not afraid that anyone might hear them because they would be unable to understand what they heard, but it might drive them deeper into the furnace of His love.  If that were to happen, they would only stagger smoldering in love, lost and looking for the way. You cannot see beforehand, where He wants your steps to tend, but you will arrive where He intended, and be nourished by the Garden's rest.

Delights

 

One of the delights of the Christmas season is the anticipation. Anticipation of good things, warm hugs and splendid natural phenomena; heavy fluffy snow fall or fantastic frost crystal displays in the sky or on the trees.

Circumstances do not always cooperate with things and places to allow for the marvels, but for the Christian, the newness of life is springing up everywhere that humans dwell.

Celebrating the newness of life is an ancient pastime in the long dark winter nights. That time when for the new born, the body works perfectly and there are no deficiencies. Childhood is loved world-wide for its freedom from things that hurt and limit abilities. It is celebrated as a time when parents enjoy the beauty of their children and dream of the possibilities in the lives of their children. To live to see that flowering and the joy of wonder that is becoming. Parents do all they can to enable their children to do marvelous things, as a vicarious way of participating with them in experiences that are fantastic.

Not every childhood is so idyllic, and it does not take long before children notice the ugliness in life. People deliberately hurt one another, taking what is not lawfully theirs, and forcing others to do what they do not wish. 

Not everyone is born in perfection, and lives can be very short. There can be no word said that does not hurt some. Our enemies in the world are spiritual in nature and never learned the Divine gratitude, but were maimed by malignant selfishness that regards nothing in it native holiness.

That is why it is so important to celebrate Christmas and the season of it, defying evil's desires. The overcoming of evil in the world is celebrated by Christians and revealed in His glory. It is unthinkable that the Son of God should come into the world in so humble a manner without being recognized by someone and celebrated with high festivals, because of its gift - Salvation.

In every season, we recognize that victory of Jesus that is eternal life. Jesus depended on the Father to work a miracle, and lived to tell of it, rising into Heaven to return to His Father, waiting for a time to reveal the  plan of God for all. Alleluiah.

Delights

 

One of the delights of the Christmas season is the anticipation. Anticipation of good things, warm hugs and splendid natural phenomena; heavy fluffy snow fall or fantastic frost crystal displays in the sky or on the trees.

Circumstances do not always cooperate with things and places to allow for the marvels, but for the Christian, the newness of life is springing up everywhere that humans dwell.

Celebrating the newness of life is an ancient pastime in the long dark winter nights. That time when for the new born, the body works perfectly and there are no deficiencies. Childhood is loved world-wide for its freedom from things that hurt and limit abilities. It is celebrated as a time when parents enjoy the beauty of their children and dream of the possibilities in the lives of their children. To live to see that flowering and the joy of wonder that is becoming. Parents do all they can to enable their children to do marvelous things, as a vicarious way of participating with them in experiences that are fantastic.

Not every childhood is so idyllic, and it does not take long before children notice the ugliness in life. People deliberately hurt one another, taking what is not lawfully theirs, and forcing others to do what they do not wish. 

Not everyone is born in perfection, and lives can be very short. There can be no word said that does not hurt some. Our enemies in the world are spiritual in nature and never learned the Divine gratitude, but were maimed by malignant selfishness that regards nothing in it native holiness.

That is why it is so important to celebrate Christmas and the season of it, defying evil's desires. The overcoming of evil in the world is celebrated by Christians and revealed in His glory. It is unthinkable that the Son of God should come into the world in so humble a manner without being recognized by someone and celebrated with high festivals, because of its gift - Salvation.

In every season, we recognize that victory of Jesus that is eternal life. Jesus depended on the Father to work a miracle, and lived to tell of it, rising into Heaven to return to His Father, waiting for a time to reveal the  plan of God for all. Alleluiah.

Veni

DAY'S SAINTS
Blessed James of Viterbo, Hermit
Edburga of Thanet, Benedictine
Gospel LK 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

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He comes to you.

Perhaps the one most momentous statement of all Scripture, "for nothing is impossible for God."

Put your hopes in Him for protection and to prosper in heavenly ways, and fear nothing from God, for you have found favor with Him.

Ask for peace, and it will be given, and ask Him to receive your penances and sacrifices for your brothers and sisters, for He will not deny you.

You who are intent on pleasing the Lord can never displease Him, and He longs to hear your voice. Come alone to the garden, let the gardenia and the rose scent the air of evening as you wait for Him. 

In the midst of violence and din, dwell in peace, dwell in grace and forsake sin.

So as to silence those who do not believe the Lord, peace settles over the land, and the children of God rejoice at His coming disposing themselves utterly for Him, for He comes to those awaiting. He does not tarry, but as the light of day appears swiftly over the edge of the world, He comes and His angels prepare the way for His children.

Be at peace, for He dwells in peace.