See

Even the cold water is made beautiful, to
remind you of Himself.

Trials come and go, and as they approach we can be struck with fear and longing for the embrae of our Lord. Do not let the troubles take the place where He will embrace you, but live apart from that, always open to Him, in spite of the sorrows that may be. He will not withhold His love or affection. Do not grow cold or sad because you do not always rest in Him. One way or another, we do rest in Him, so long as we do not invite anything else to take His place. Even as difficult as it can be, do not fasten on the pain that throbs in your soul, because in the pain is His love, full of love and loving you like any little child. 

See how He loves you, and how He looks for you from a distance. It is no coincidence that in the midst of your suffering, longing for His presence beside you, He is in the pain and embracing one embraces the other, so that that which is lesser falls aside to leave you open to Him. Do not fret that there is pain in the love, for love is a flame that burns with a purifying pain and mingled in the sweetness of the Lord, warm and reassuring.

See, even if the earth were swallowed up, you will not be separated from Him, and the dread of sin leaves the soul pristine, like a first snow fall.

That which we will become is not yet clear enough set forth for us to guess what it is. But everything that transpires until the moment we are free to be one with Him, we are continually amazed because He reveals Himself to us in His work. If we recognize His work, we will not be alone, but be close to Him no matter where we are.

I tell you this from solitude, and the very solitude gives way to peace in Him so we do not forget nor grow cold waiting. Soon enough we will be with Him and marvel at His grace. In His embrace is peace and rest and comfort that does not end. A sunny day often gives way to gathering clouds, yet the sun still shines until the earth herself turns away. Then in the dark we may converse with Him, and pour out all our misgivings to Him. Be at peace that He is even now providing for you so that you do not approach Him without company of your angel.

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 Watched a video about St. Padre Pio again. I was struck by the thought that he was incredibly gentle with people, while he was treated harshly by the Lord in piericng his body with the wounds of His passion. Many people who inflict pain on others do so willfully and with great enjoyment. Padre Pio is striking for his humility and simplicity, in essence, the love of God. Let us be clear; the woundsof Jesus penetrated the palms of his hands, the instep of his feet, and his side. If he held up his hnds, it was possible to see through them. The membrane covering the wounds was open for Mass, and at other times it reappeared. So often in movies about St. Padre Pio, they appear as a red patch on his hands. The wounds were not mere discolourations, but injuries that bled constantly when the wounds were open. He bore them well.

Same Sky

 The same sky that is over me, is over you. Far more than you know, we are at the mecry of our environment, which includes the private lives of everyone. The stupidity of sanctions and tarriffs is that everyone goes without and suffers.

What does finally show up, is that animosities have been growing and seething until now ; it has finally burst open like a tumor. 

Let no one think that the Lord does not know; He sees far better than us, and is aware. But if we insist on acting like naughty children, He will apply the necessary corrections until we get it right. There are ways to live in this world in spite of troubles, and He has shown the way.

They invite death upon themselves with their contempt and arrogance. Stay a safe distance from them by seeking the Lord. Even if your way is dark as night, keep moving closer to Him, as to  your safe place, for He is your safety. But those who doom themselves cannot escape punishment. Destruction is the price of their arrogance, for God is Lord alone.

Pain

 

God's gift to me is pain, not given as a punishment, but as a way to get to seeing as He does. What does He do with so much suffering? Souls, even our own, are saved by Him from the tragedy of never seing Him and not spending eternity appreciating Him. If you have endured, you have participated in salvation. That is a mighty deed 🙂 +

Light

Rue the darkness or embrace the light.

In these times, it is inappropriate to say that things have gotten really bad and are likely heading to even deeper depraved depths. But the fact is, God is not punishing us for anything new, He has let us have our own way for long enough that the corruption was bound  to show up sooner or later, and that later is now.

In these times, there are demons loose in the world, darkness in human souls and suffering of unprecedented scale wherever you look because of our impropriety and stupid selfishness. Yet He is still sovereign ruling over all. He has told us He will save us and protect us, but our notions of safety and protection do not equate to the Divine safety and protection. People can still die, be injured, suffer strokes or battle cancer, but it is not running rampant everywhere. These possibilities have always existed because we are part of nature suffering with us from weakness and flaws that have a way of allowing us to live while suffering as we do. Jesus takes up the suffering and allows it to crucify Him, so it does not need to be any worse.

So what would be the worst thing that could happen to us? To be blind to Christ and unable to feel His love and His presence and His light in one long nightmare without end, resolution or change to any state in which all things are finally at rest in Him.

We ought to pray for that equilibrium, and offer our sufferings, since He is eager to take them to Himself if that is the only way to rescue us. so do not weep or tremble afraid, or toss and turn in your bed at night that nothing is improving. You haven't lived long enough yet to possibly have the insight you need to see beyond. Once you do, you will not care, and you will permit any misery if only to be in His loving embrace one more minute :)

Hidden

How can aything so luminous be hidden
from sight? If we shine like the sun,
even in ecclipse, we shall be seen by God.

Some people are called by God, and are supposed to do His Will. That call is a summons to service, not a position of privilege. If that position IS used as a means to assert authority over others, it needs close scrutiny. Since we are all under the same scrutiny, there is no license to lord it over anyone else. Those who do try to oppress others will be punished, and they may have a long life in which to atone for any oppression.

If a person is called to priesthood or a monastic setting, there will be expectations in the heart of God for them. Good shepherds will have a following, and their prayers and appreciation will be felt far and wide.

Likewise, any oppression will be felt in the divine Heart, and the lives of those affected by the oppression.

So, let us pray that we draw very close to His divine Heart, and love each other as He expects.

Light

 God put us in a habit for a REASON - to be SEEN. People look for Christianity in other people, and scoff and reject them when they don't measure up. Others themselves don't measure up, and make excuses to try to prevent a person being seen.

God's light is a blinding light, at lest in thebeginning when He reveals Himself in love and consolation. But we can never get enough. But in the clearing of the picture, so much is there to be seen, and so few are inclined to put themselves selves out to look and see.

Christians are hidden in their own light which is but a reflection. He is not loathe to reveal Himself in glory, but we are weak and not grown enough to endure any further revelation. Time will reveal Him to us. He is always happy to admire us; if we grow enough to see His admiration, the whole picture changes.

Becoming one who sees light can have astonishing consequences.

In the Center

 

There is very little of comfort in having your own way. All too often, someone else was hurt in the process, but greedy men don't notice. The victims, of course, notice, and struggle against the pain the the rest of their lives.If He gives you what you want, give thanks that He found such good in it that it merited to be granted you. 

Blessed is the day when you meet companion souls who are like God, and delight in discovering how much they are like God. 

Ask His forgiveness of your sins and faults, and do penance to make amends. Give thanks that you resemble Him, however faintly. Give thanks for the trials that brought you close, and praising Him, give thanks and seek His Will.

If you are given peace in which to consider His bounty, you are blessed. If He affirms you, give thanks, and if He burdens you in suffering, have the grace to embrace it and give thanks for the trial by which He cleanses you and perfects you for the day you meet Him.

If things do not go as planned, something better was given instead. Have the gratitude to thank Him.

Let us resolve to amend our selfhish ways and find the center in which He dwells forever.