Ora et Labora

Today is Wednesday, but I can't shake a feeling of dread. There has been so much negative news, that it is difficult to maintain your head above water, and I am telling you, that you must speak to the Lord for assistance, and set aside time in your day for Him alone, and probably, you would feel better if you did so more than once a day.

It is like my potted plants. None of them are blooming, because it is not the season for blooms, but they should be appreciated whether they bloom or not, and it is important to water them regularly so  that when the season arrives for blossoming, the flowers will reward me.

In my case, for the moment, I am satisfied that He has me in a good place and I feel reassured that I please Him and I will be safe. That is important, because the evil in the world hates peace and quiet, and will do whatever is necessary to stir up a person's emotions in order to take attention off of Jesus, even though it cannot abide His presence at all. Since God is everywhere even though He does not affect what is real, from our perspective, it is like an itch you cannot reach. 

Every time there is a general election, the republican party threatens retired people with a reduction in their Social Security benefits. This is an evil and pernicious tactic by ignorant and heartless people. The benefits came from wages and was set aside for elderly retirement, and is not welfare item; it was actually acquired because the person worked for wages, and the benefit was set aside so people could retire.

No doubt, republicans would be upset if they lost their jobs or their businesses failed, so it is a small mind that could conceive of reducing what people need to live since everything is going up in price.

I am careful with my money and I do not go into debt with a credit card. But food and rent take up so much, that there is nothing extra or left over. Doubtless, if the congressmen were to be fired and denied benefits, they would be dismayed. If they had any greatness at all, they would recognize that the elderly person and the congressman are in reality in the same position and ought to be careful that they don't bring harm on one another by their actions.

Ora et Labora

Today is Wednesday, but I can't shake a feeling of dread. There has been so much negative news, that it is difficult to maintain your head above water, and I am telling you, that you must speak to the Lord for assistance, and set aside time in your day for Him alone, and probably, you would feel better if you did so more than once a day.

It is like my potted plants. None of them are blooming, because it is not the season for blooms, but they should be appreciated whether they bloom or not, and it is important to water them regularly so  that when the season arrives for blossoming, the flowers will reward me.

In my case, for the moment, I am satisfied that He has me in a good place and I feel reassured that I please Him and I will be safe. That is important, because the evil in the world hates peace and quiet, and will do whatever is necessary to stir up a person's emotions in order to take attention off of Jesus, even though it cannot abide His presence at all. Since God is everywhere even though He does not affect what is real, from our perspective, it is like an itch you cannot reach. 

Every time there is a general election, the republican party threatens retired people with a reduction in their Social Security benefits. This is an evil and pernicious tactic by ignorant and heartless people. The benefits came from wages and was set aside for elderly retirement, and is not welfare item; it was actually acquired because the person worked for wages, and the benefit was set aside so people could retire.

No doubt, republicans would be upset if they lost their jobs or their businesses failed, so it is a small mind that could conceive of reducing what people need to live since everything is going up in price.

I am careful with my money and I do not go into debt with a credit card. But food and rent take up so much, that there is nothing extra or left over. Doubtless, if the congressmen were to be fired and denied benefits, they would be dismayed. If they had any greatness at all, they would recognize that the elderly person and the congressman are in reality in the same position and ought to be careful that they don't bring harm on one another by their actions.

Trust

We have had a long and stormy winter, and spring waiting unpent in time. These storms are reflected  in our souls, and we can only marvel at the twists and turns involved. TSo do otherwise would be to weaken resolve and test faith when it was  unnecessary. God's Will will be done, and we ought to seek Him out while it is possible.

He insists that His Will be done, not for the sake of domination, but for the sake of the salvation of  our souls. We are blind when it comes to trying to see spiritual realities, and  our guides are  uncertain, and God never waivers. Certainty is elusive, so we dare not place our faith anywhere but God.

Anyone who is doubtful or lacks trust, should ask earnestly for  it, and stay very near Him. This is accomplished by merely desiring it, for He wishes us to trust Him. He will set our feet on solid grounds and our keep us safe from false paths, so we follow Him with fidelity.

How shall we proceed  on  life otherwise, with the horizon forever at a distance from us and subject to the mists of time? Is there any certainty in life without Him?

We were born into life from our mother's womb, and we felt certainty in her embrace, so that we learned that to become fully human we must watch her every move and always seek our comfort at her breasts. As we grew up, we learned to trust our parents and be  unafraid of things harmful in the world. As we have been reborn we must learn to trust.

Seek the garden of His solitude, and listen in the silence as you have always done, and your hands will be strong enough  to share in His passion.

Trust

We have had a long and stormy winter, and spring waiting unpent in time. These storms are reflected  in our souls, and we can only marvel at the twists and turns involved. TSo do otherwise would be to weaken resolve and test faith when it was  unnecessary. God's Will will be done, and we ought to seek Him out while it is possible.

He insists that His Will be done, not for the sake of domination, but for the sake of the salvation of  our souls. We are blind when it comes to trying to see spiritual realities, and  our guides are  uncertain, and God never waivers. Certainty is elusive, so we dare not place our faith anywhere but God.

Anyone who is doubtful or lacks trust, should ask earnestly for  it, and stay very near Him. This is accomplished by merely desiring it, for He wishes us to trust Him. He will set our feet on solid grounds and our keep us safe from false paths, so we follow Him with fidelity.

How shall we proceed  on  life otherwise, with the horizon forever at a distance from us and subject to the mists of time? Is there any certainty in life without Him?

We were born into life from our mother's womb, and we felt certainty in her embrace, so that we learned that to become fully human we must watch her every move and always seek our comfort at her breasts. As we grew up, we learned to trust our parents and be  unafraid of things harmful in the world. As we have been reborn we must learn to trust.

Seek the garden of His solitude, and listen in the silence as you have always done, and your hands will be strong enough  to share in His passion.

Herz

You who wish to cleanse yourself of sin,

draw near my heart of burning love

and be made whole again.

I received a phone call right after I got into bed and had finished my Rosary. My friend had called to return my call, but when I tried to tell him what I wanted, I could not think or speak, I was suddenly overcome with an upwelling of love that prevented thought or speech. 

It blows my mind that people do not believe God loves that way, or that mysticism is true and real; it is about the loving of God, that He loves us so much, and we return so little to Him.

If you tried to spend some time just with Him, you might be overwhelmed as well. It is so freeing not to need to say anything or need to do anything special except merely love.

All philosophy and all theology are wiped away and annihilated by the simple fact of the presence of divine love. So many times, I have been floored with that love, and it coincided so perfectly with pain strong enough to immobilize me. Nevertheless, I did not mind it at all, and curiously, I was willing to endure as much of it as was wanted.

Why would anyone, realizing they could love that way too, dismiss the Lord if He approached and made known His love or a simple desire to be near us, or to be near someone else suffering at the same time. Two   people, in different places at the same time both overcome with pain and love at the same time, unmistakably suffused with divine affection.  A moment in time yet  outside it, and whose love is unquenchable, and the sadness of the pain is suffused with the gratitude of a soul come down from the cross to give thanks to God for their healing and relief.

If you started praying today, I could not guarantee that you would experience what I have related. Yet it would not take much persuasion to be encouraged to prayer for the joy of a few moment's peace that rests every corner of your being. 

People have trekked into high mountains exposed to the tremendous storms and violence of the Himalayas for the opportunity to at least seek that peace and to afford it for everyone who is willing to turn to the Lord silently, within themselves.

People have fought with temptations and distractions for the opportunity of losing the world long enough to hear His passing and what He has to say. Others found out and began trekking up the mountain to a man's cave for the privilege of simply being bear the being who lives within, to the point he might have to trek farther up into some place even more obscure to fast and pray so as to gain control of their thoughts and feelings so they may be disregarded.

So if you ever wondered what the hermits in the mountain caves were on to, you might be surprised if you were to make the effort to go find him. In their quest for God.

The universe obeys its own rules, but it does not feel anything; we might be called the feeling part of it, and yet in its obedience, people get annihilated by storms and volcanoes and cold and heat. Those who might be called saints figured out that being still in the presence of the Lord is all that is necessary to live a religious life, a life seeking God. Add to that a little fasting and a little solitude and some silence, and you would be included too in the brotherhood of those seeking God and finding HIm, who found the cave and the mountain were only a coincidence that just so happened to coincide with when His Heart burst open inside you to fill you with the fire of His love.

Herz

You who wish to cleanse yourself of sin,

draw near my heart of burning love

and be made whole again.

I received a phone call right after I got into bed and had finished my Rosary. My friend had called to return my call, but when I tried to tell him what I wanted, I could not think or speak, I was suddenly overcome with an upwelling of love that prevented thought or speech. 

It blows my mind that people do not believe God loves that way, or that mysticism is true and real; it is about the loving of God, that He loves us so much, and we return so little to Him.

If you tried to spend some time just with Him, you might be overwhelmed as well. It is so freeing not to need to say anything or need to do anything special except merely love.

All philosophy and all theology are wiped away and annihilated by the simple fact of the presence of divine love. So many times, I have been floored with that love, and it coincided so perfectly with pain strong enough to immobilize me. Nevertheless, I did not mind it at all, and curiously, I was willing to endure as much of it as was wanted.

Why would anyone, realizing they could love that way too, dismiss the Lord if He approached and made known His love or a simple desire to be near us, or to be near someone else suffering at the same time. Two   people, in different places at the same time both overcome with pain and love at the same time, unmistakably suffused with divine affection.  A moment in time yet  outside it, and whose love is unquenchable, and the sadness of the pain is suffused with the gratitude of a soul come down from the cross to give thanks to God for their healing and relief.

If you started praying today, I could not guarantee that you would experience what I have related. Yet it would not take much persuasion to be encouraged to prayer for the joy of a few moment's peace that rests every corner of your being. 

People have trekked into high mountains exposed to the tremendous storms and violence of the Himalayas for the opportunity to at least seek that peace and to afford it for everyone who is willing to turn to the Lord silently, within themselves.

People have fought with temptations and distractions for the opportunity of losing the world long enough to hear His passing and what He has to say. Others found out and began trekking up the mountain to a man's cave for the privilege of simply being bear the being who lives within, to the point he might have to trek farther up into some place even more obscure to fast and pray so as to gain control of their thoughts and feelings so they may be disregarded.

So if you ever wondered what the hermits in the mountain caves were on to, you might be surprised if you were to make the effort to go find him. In their quest for God.

The universe obeys its own rules, but it does not feel anything; we might be called the feeling part of it, and yet in its obedience, people get annihilated by storms and volcanoes and cold and heat. Those who might be called saints figured out that being still in the presence of the Lord is all that is necessary to live a religious life, a life seeking God. Add to that a little fasting and a little solitude and some silence, and you would be included too in the brotherhood of those seeking God and finding HIm, who found the cave and the mountain were only a coincidence that just so happened to coincide with when His Heart burst open inside you to fill you with the fire of His love.

Come What May

We do not need soothsayers or protective amulets to protect us from evil; God will protect us so that no true harm will come to us.

We should not treat religion like a shield of armor from magic spells and potions; that is not prayer and therefore not the way we should act.

What are we telling Jesus if we take every promise He made to be a means of fending off disasters, even wars? Do you love God or not? If you do, direct your aspirations toward God. Approach God in humility and love, letting Him fill your mind and heart with His love, and do not worry about things which are less than Him. Everything is less than God. After catastrophes, the power of God is evident to all, and one needs no degree in theology to see His passing by.

The messages of prophets and seers are, more than anything else, a call to God, "Come close and speak to me because I love you and miss the sound of your voice."

Youtube is full of videos about God's promises, warnings of disasters to come, and wars to be fought, even threats if you do not watch a specific video. That is not the behavior of mature Christians who love God, respect Him for who He is, and desire with everything they have, to love Him more perfectly day by day.

The weather here has been stormy, windy and cold for weeks, but we have had no snow such as California has been having, where ten feet or more of snow has piled up everywhere, stranding people under many feet of snow so that it is impossible to drive. God is still there, the same as He was before, snd the water held in monumental snow drifts will be necessary for the summer months, when things can be like the Sahara desert.

God is still there. When Elijah went into the cave to seek God, terrible things were happening outside, rocks were being broken by the wind, but he says in Scripture, "God was not in the wind". When the Lord passed by in a whisper, that is when Elijah knew the Lord was near, and not in the disasters.

We will leave this world, this body, this universe to be in God forever, if we have striven all our lives to love Him more. How could it be otherwise? Loving HIm more and more is something which continues, and should be the direction of our lives.

Do not be afraid if God is warning you to cease sinning, repent of sin and make atonement by your love, especially the love you lavish on others. Simplicity and humility go together well with silence and solitude. and from them the world should be able to see the goodness of God shining irresistibly from us, drawing us to the Lord.

The man who stops sinning and asks to be forgiven and repenting, seeks the Lord as a friend, is one who will know happiness as the outcome of his life. It is never too late to seek God or to repent so as to be able to love God as He deserves to be loved.