A bit ago, I wrote how one cannot have discussions with some in the Church anymore as people have moved so far away from Catholic doctrine that they no longer are using words correctly. Definitions mean something.
I recall almost nine years ago being in a classroom in a course on Aristotle, as an observer. After twenty minutes of discussion in which the students were discussing a key idea, I raised my hand. "No one has defined the term yet, and definitions precede discussion." The professor agreed, stopped the discussion and suggested to the class that the real definition by Aristotle himself had to be the starting place for any work on the idea.
Definitions mean something. The word Incarnation means something specific. The word mercy, or the word justice denote something. Connotations follow denotations.
The word Trinity means something specific, as do the words male and female, or life and death.
When key definitions become lost, forgotten, or ignored, chaos results.
Too many Catholics in the pew simply do not know doctrines, dogmas, definitions give to us by God through Scripture and Tradition. Basic definitions and even more complicated ones seems to be overlooked in favor of "personal interpretations".
To be a Catholic means something. We define ourselves, hopefully, as Catholics, a word which has a definition.
Catholic, with a capital "C" means being a member of the Catholic Church. Membership connotes active participation in something. If one buys a membership to a gym and never goes to work out, one may call one's self a "member" but the definition has been changed to mean either financially or legally a member, but not a member who is working out, exercising three days a week, or uses the facilities in a regular manner.
"Yes, I am a member of ...., but I have not been to work out in a year" indicates that a person simply is not interested, or committed to exercise.
Definitions mean something.
"I am a contracepting Catholic" or "As a Catholic, I support same sex marriage" seem to be phrases which change the definition of Catholic, just like the woman who tells me that she is a member of the .....Club, but she never uses the pool, never works out, never has a party in the clubhouse and so on.
Until we take definitions seriously, definitions such as marriage, confusion will reign supreme.
Language must be precise to be a useful means of communication. And, the Catholic Church has precise definitions for almost anything one can imagine.
When we call Christ "The Word of God", we mean that He is the specific Logos which is God's Will in the world. He is God, a Divine Person, which is the ancient meaning of Logos. The Word made Flesh means that Christ is Incarnated. He is the Revelation of God to the material world.
Definitions mean something. And, we can be assured, by looking towards the Teaching Magisterium of the Church, that we are getting the correct, God-given definitions, given to the Church for our salvation. To change definitions of grace, salvation, and sacrament spells danger for the Catholic.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Mystici Corporis Christi Again
I wanted to do an in-depth study of this encyclical, but honestly do not have the time right now, as I am working on an important project tba.
This is not a paid project.
However, I can share this section from the encyclical which applies to us now, and to encourage readers to go to the Vatican website and read the work. http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_29061943_mystici-corporis-christi.html
43. That is why We are deeply pained when We hear that not a few of Our Brother Bishops are being attacked and persecuted not only in their own persons, but - what is more cruel and heartrending for them - in the faithful committed to their care, in those who share their apostolic labors, even in the virgins consecrated to God; and all this, merely because they are a pattern of the flock from the heart [66] and guard with energy and loyalty, as they should the sacred "deposit of faith"[67] confided to them; merely because they insist on the sacred laws that have been engraved by God on the souls of men, and after the example of the Supreme Shepherd defend their flock against ravenous wolves. Such an offence We consider as committed against Our own person and We repeat the noble words of Our Predecessor of immortal memory Gregory the Great: "Our honor is the honor of the Universal Church; Our honor is the united strength of Our Brethren; and We are truly honored when honor is given to each and every one." [68]
This is not a paid project.
However, I can share this section from the encyclical which applies to us now, and to encourage readers to go to the Vatican website and read the work. http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_29061943_mystici-corporis-christi.html
43. That is why We are deeply pained when We hear that not a few of Our Brother Bishops are being attacked and persecuted not only in their own persons, but - what is more cruel and heartrending for them - in the faithful committed to their care, in those who share their apostolic labors, even in the virgins consecrated to God; and all this, merely because they are a pattern of the flock from the heart [66] and guard with energy and loyalty, as they should the sacred "deposit of faith"[67] confided to them; merely because they insist on the sacred laws that have been engraved by God on the souls of men, and after the example of the Supreme Shepherd defend their flock against ravenous wolves. Such an offence We consider as committed against Our own person and We repeat the noble words of Our Predecessor of immortal memory Gregory the Great: "Our honor is the honor of the Universal Church; Our honor is the united strength of Our Brethren; and We are truly honored when honor is given to each and every one." [68]
A superb statement on the male and female principle in our religion
On Catholic view of male and female...Why we refer to God as male, the Father, and why we know the Incarnation is the Son of God...from a comment on another blog....(not by me, btw).
Destroying Truth
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/11664436/Suicide-bomber-attacks-Egypts-Luxor-temple-tourist-site.html. They destroy history because history upholds the Judeo-Christian Revelation of the Old and New Testament.
And, would these teachers go to a Catholic TLM? Just wondering....
http://www.wnd.com/2015/06/teachers-bow-to-allah-celebrate-islam/
Two Little Lights from A Little Jewel
, from the Maritains, some words on purification and prayer--""Contemplation is the fruit of the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity in the soul and of the invisible mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit."
and
"Serious advance is indeed impossible without passing one way or another through the purification of the Nights."
Lot's Lot = Our Lot?
Romans 8:35-37Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
35 Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger? or persecution? or the sword?
36 (As it is written: For thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.)
37 But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us.
From today's Divine Office...
The life of Lot could be summarized as one of prosperity followed by pain. When he came into the Promised Land with Abraham, his uncle, their hired men began to fight with each other. Abraham prayed and decided to offer Lot a different "estate" for people and flocks. In other words, the tribe would be split. Lot chose an area which led to his life of success. Five cities grew up around this same area, to the south, the Five Cities which God set out to destroy because of the sin of sodomy, one "which cries out to God for vengeance". Ultimately, despite some begging and haggling in prayer by Abraham with God., God mysteriously went to Sodom and Gomorrah. We know the story of the visit when poor Lot had to protect either two angels, in the guise of handsome men, or even, as some commentators state, Two Members of the Trinity, as God the Father was with Abraham, who was still pleading.
The phrase "Angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament does not necessarily mean an angel, such as Gabriel, who the commentators of the Talmud claim is the destroying angel, who brought punishment on the Egyptians, but God Himself revealing Himself to a chosen few in some aspect. We know the Trinity visited Abraham, and after this visit, God punished four of the five cities.
Lot had to flee with his daughters, wife, and sons-in law, who laughed at Lot's prediction of destruction, and stayed, thereby dying with the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, his wife, and two daughters fled, but we also know, that Lot's wife disobeyed the Angels, (who I believe were Christ and the Holy Spirit), looked back in longing for her old way of life, witnessed the destruction, and was turned into a pillar of salt.
Lot and his daughters have other adventures, but we shall leave the scene of destruction in order to reflect upon the pericope above from today's Divine Office.
Some of us are living in Sodom and Gomorrah. Some of us have heard God say, "leave" years ago, and some have. I have tried to leave, without success, as here I am back in the land where same-sex marriage is "legal".
Remembering that God sees sodomy as one of the four sins which cries out to God for vengeance, still a teaching of the Catholic Church, and noted in the CCC, (1867 The catechetical tradition also recalls that there are "sins that cry to heaven": the blood of Abel,139 the sin of the Sodomites,140 the cry of the people oppressed in Egypt,141 the cry of the foreigner, the widow, and the orphan,142 injustice to the wage earner), one must take into consideration that God will punish again those areas in which people have decided to live in vice rather than virtue. Part of the time of tribulation, which is fast coming upon us, as noted here for four years, will be purification of the Elect, and punishment for the Damned.
Make no mistake about this fact, those who live in Sodom and Gomorrah and refuse to leave, either leaving figuratively, by not supporting evil, or physically leaving in order to live among those who are the Faithful, will experience grave punishment.
God does not create a bubble of protection around those in trial. When Jeremiah warned the Israelites not to make treaties with the enemies of God, the Chosen People refused to listen, a fact leading to the complete destruction of Jerusalem, and the long years of exile for the Jews who survived death.
Jeremiah 34 Douay-Rheims
34 The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, (when Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth, that were under the power of his hand, and all the people fought against Jerusalem and against all the cities thereof,) saying:
2 Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel: Go, and speak to Sedecias king of Juda, and say to him: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I will deliver this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
3 And thou shalt not escape out of his hand: but thou shalt surely be taken, and thou shalt be delivered into his hand: and thy eyes shall see the eyes of the king of Babylon, and his mouth shall speak with thy mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.
4 Yet hear the word of the Lord, O Sedecias king of Juda: Thus saith the Lord to thee: Thou shalt not die by the sword.
5 But thou shalt die in peace, and according to the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings that were before thee, so shall they burn thee: and they shall mourn for thee, saying: Alas, Lord: for I have spoken the word, saith the Lord.
6 And Jeremias the prophet spoke all these words to Sedecias the king of Juda in Jerusalem.
7 And the army of the king of Babylon fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Juda that were left, against Lachis, and against Azecha: for these remained of the cities of Juda, fenced cities.
8 The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, after that king Sedecias had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem making a proclamation:
9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, go free: and that they should not lord it over them, to wit, over the Jews their brethren.
10 And all the princes, and all the people who entered into the covenant, heard that every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant go free, and should no more have dominion over them: and they obeyed, and let them go free.
11 But afterwards they turned: and brought back again their servants and their handmaids, whom they had let go free, and brought them into subjection as menservants and maidservants.
12 And the word of the Lord came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying:
13 Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying:
14 At the end of seven years, let ye go every man his brother being a Hebrew, who hath been sold to thee, so he shall serve thee six years: and thou shalt let him go free from thee: and your fathers did not hearken to me, nor did they incline their ear.
15 And you turned to day, and did that which was right in my eyes, in proclaiming liberty every one to his brother: and you made a covenant in my sight, in the house upon which my name is invocated.
16 And you are fallen back, and have defiled my name: and you have brought back again every man his manservant, and every man his maidservant, whom you had let go free, and set at liberty: and you have brought them into subjection to be your servants and handmaids.
17 Therefore thus saith the Lord: You have not hearkened to me, in proclaiming liberty every man to his brother and every man to his friend: behold I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine: and I will cause you to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth.
18 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, and have not performed the words of the covenant which they agreed to in my presence, when they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts thereof:
19 The princes of Juda, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land that passed between the parts of the calf:
20 And I will give them into the hands of their enemies, and into the hands of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the earth.
21 And Sedecias the king of Juda, and his princes, I will give into the hands of their enemies, and into the hands of them that seek their lives, and into the hands of the armies of the king of Babylon, which are gone from you.
22 Behold I will command, saith the Lord, and I will bring them again to this city, and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Juda a desolation, without an inhabitant.
Do you honestly think that God will stand by and watch America, as well as other countries of the West, which have heard the teaching of the Bible, and which have been given natural law when we begin to live in legal Sodom and Gomorrah?
Do you think that God will ignore gross sins, such as abortion and greed, which cause people to live in poverty?
Do you think that you and I will not experiencing purification, either willingly or unwillingly?
The days can be numbered until the decision of the SCOTUS. Pray, fast, beg God like Abraham for a turning of the hearts of the judges.
Otherwise, you and I will be living in Sodom and Gomorrah and we shall have to all suffer the consequences of God's Justice.
Blogging Later Today
Thanks for being patient.
“When one loves, one does not calculate.”
― Thérèse de Lisieux
“When one loves, one does not calculate.”
― Thérèse de Lisieux
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Eastern vs. Western Philosophy
I cannot sufficiently cover this topic on a blog, as one could teach an entire college semester course on the comparisons between Eastern and Western philosophies.
Some people who are Catholic do not care about philosophy, as they do not understand that how we think, the method of thinking and the basis for thinking must precede moral decisions as well as theology. This forms one of the reasonings behind all seminarians being required to take philosophy before they take theology.
Even if I use the simple, wiki definition of philosophy, one can see how this study involves most aspects of both the material and spiritual life.
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values,reason, mind and language
In a discussion with someone about Tai-Chi, the problem of interpretation of so-called arts, whether military or not, from the East, must involve a discussion of the philosophy behind activities.
Yes, Eastern philosophies are not compatible with Western views of reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, the mind and language.
Obviously, unless one understands that philosophical ideas created an invisible thread tying together religion and all aspects of life, one will fall into either cynicism or New Age fantasies regarding life.
God created Western Civilization through Revelation and the cultures of Judaic, Greek and Roman peoples. God, in His Wisdom, could have created His plan for reaching Him through other philosophies, but He did not. There are complicated reasons for understanding that our religion of Catholicism, although originating in the Middle East, is absolutely not an "Eastern Religion".
How we think about ourselves and the world around us determines how we worship God. God demands that we worship Him in spirit and truth, not in fallacies or confusion about the material world.
The more one accepts Eastern religions and even alternative medicines, the more one moves away from the revealed truth from God as found in the Scriptures, and in Catholic Tradition.
Remember, confusion is never from God, never.
More on this later...I am going out for a bit.
Pray for Me Today, Especially Please
I have an arduous task to complete today which is a necessity.
I would really appreciate your prayers.
Thank you, STM
Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen
I would really appreciate your prayers.
Thank you, STM
Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen
Hymns of Hope and Beauty
"My brothers, I put (the pearl) in the palm of my hand, to be able to look at it closely.
"I observed it from one side and then the other: It had only one appearance from all sides.
"(Such) is the search for the Son, inscrutable, for he is luminous."
Today is the Feast of St. Ephrem, Doctor of the Church. You can read his notes on perfection in my series on the Doctors. http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2013/02/on-being-bridefrom-st-ephrem-and.html
Today, I want to highlight his hymnody. A fantastic book may be found online regarding this saint's hymns on the saints in heaven. Only selections of this book are online.
http://www.stanselminstitute.org/files/Eph_%20Hymn%20on%20Paradise%20VII[1]%20%281%29.
In these days of growing discouragement, I suggest reading and meditating on this hymn today, a praise of all the saints who have gone before us.
As a poet myself, I appreciate the Pope Emeritus' comments in 2007 on St. Ephrem's works.
"Poetry allowed him to deepen his theological reflections through paradoxes and images. His theology became both liturgy and music at the same time: He was indeed a great composer and musician."
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/church-s-roots-aren-t-european-says-pope
"I observed it from one side and then the other: It had only one appearance from all sides.
"(Such) is the search for the Son, inscrutable, for he is luminous."
Today is the Feast of St. Ephrem, Doctor of the Church. You can read his notes on perfection in my series on the Doctors. http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2013/02/on-being-bridefrom-st-ephrem-and.html
Today, I want to highlight his hymnody. A fantastic book may be found online regarding this saint's hymns on the saints in heaven. Only selections of this book are online.
http://www.stanselminstitute.org/files/Eph_%20Hymn%20on%20Paradise%20VII[1]%20%281%29.
In these days of growing discouragement, I suggest reading and meditating on this hymn today, a praise of all the saints who have gone before us.
As a poet myself, I appreciate the Pope Emeritus' comments in 2007 on St. Ephrem's works.
"Poetry allowed him to deepen his theological reflections through paradoxes and images. His theology became both liturgy and music at the same time: He was indeed a great composer and musician."
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/church-s-roots-aren-t-european-says-pope
Monday, 8 June 2015
UPDATE info request
The USCCB had originally declared June 21 to July 4th as fourteen days for prayer and penance for religious freedom.
However, if someone could help me clarify this, I heard this morning after Mass that the Bishops have asked for special prayers this Saturday, June 14th, as the decision from the Supreme Court is expected on Monday.
I have not been able to find this morning an article on this special call to prayer. If anyone knows of this, please let me know so I can post this.
However, if someone could help me clarify this, I heard this morning after Mass that the Bishops have asked for special prayers this Saturday, June 14th, as the decision from the Supreme Court is expected on Monday.
I have not been able to find this morning an article on this special call to prayer. If anyone knows of this, please let me know so I can post this.
Fotos from First Mass
Fr. Trevino's First Mass yesterday on the Feast of Corpus Christi....plenary indulgence for all who attended if they went or go to Confession within two weeks either side of the Mass and said prayers for the intentions of the Pope...Benediction followed after the Corpus Christi procession--The Benediction "foto" is first.
more later.....
more later.....
From Today's Office of Readings
Second Reading
The letter of St Ignatius of Antioch to the Romans
Let me not only be called a Christian, but prove to be one
You have never begrudged the martyrs their triumph but rather trained them for it. And so I am asking you to be consistent with the lessons you teach them. Just beg for me the courage and endurance not only to speak but also to will what is right, so that I may not only be called a Christian, but prove to be one. For if I prove myself to be a Christian by martyrdom, then people will call me one, and my loyalty to Christ will be apparent when the world sees me no more. Nothing you can see is truly good. For our Lord Jesus Christ, now that he has returned to his Father, has revealed himself more clearly. Our task is not one of producing persuasive propaganda; Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world.
I am writing to all the churches to declare to them all that I am glad to die for God, provided you do not hinder me. I beg you not to show me a misplaced kindness. Let me be the food of beasts that I may come to God. I am his wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become Christ’s pure bread.
I would rather that you coaxed the beasts to become my tomb and to leave no scrap of me behind; then when I have died I will be a burden to no one. I shall be a true disciple of Christ when the world no longer sees my body. Pray to Christ for me that by these means I may become a sacrifice to God. I do not give you orders like Peter and Paul. They were apostles, I am a condemned criminal; they were free, I am still a slave. But if I suffer, I shall become the freedman of Jesus Christ and I shall rise again to freedom in him.
Now as a prisoner I am learning to give up my own wishes. All the way from Syria to Rome I am fighting wild beasts, by land and by sea, by day and by night, chained as I am to ten leopards, I mean the detachment of soldiers who guard me; the better you treat them, the worse they become. I am more and more trained in discipleship by their ill usage of me, but I am not therefore justified. How happy I will be with the beasts which are prepared for me! I hope that they will make short work of me. I shall even coax them to devour me quickly and not to be afraid of touching me, as sometimes happens; in fact, if they hold back, I shall force them to it. Bear with me, for I know what is good for me. Now I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing visible or invisible rob me of my prize, which is Jesus Christ! The fire, the cross, packs of wild beasts, lacerations, rendings, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs, crushing of the whole body, the horrible tortures of the devil – let all these things come upon me, if only I may gain Jesus Christ!
The Vision of The Principle
For centuries, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church have likened the two wives of Jacob to the active or contemplative life. In modern times, in order not to make active women feel bad about their lives, priests have not quoted these passages comparing Leah to the active life and Rachel to the contemplative life.
I remember reading about this many, many decades ago. To make the distinction is not to dis women in the active life, (I was a single mum, working, homeschooling, keeping the books, etc. and I did not feel dissed), but to reflect on the two ways which must both end up in the same place, perfection.
Aquinas, again quoted by the Maritains, states, "Absolutely speaking and in itself, the contemplative life is better than the active. The Philosopher proves this by eight reasons."
Here theses are with more explanation as to the comparison of Rachel to Leah.
One, "The contemplative life is suitable to man in regard to his most perfect possession, the intellect, and in relation to the proper objects of that faculty, namely the intelligibles, while the active life is concerned with exterior things. Wherefore the name of Rachel, who represents the contemplative life, means the vision of the principle, the active life being represented by Lia, who suffered from weak eyes..." Maritains quoting St. Gregory here.
Rachel was the great beloved wife of Jacob who bore him his favorite sons, Joseph and Benjamin. His long time of labor in order to "pay" for her to her father, Laban, represents the long journey of purgation in the Dark Nights, purging one of sins.
Laban tricked Jacob, (a punishment from God for Jacob tricking his own father), and gave Leah to him first. Finally, Jacob won Rachel, the desire of his heart, and his soul mate.
Rachel came to represent the contemplative life, not only because of her name, but because she represented the true desire, the purer love. of Jacob's heart.
Our truest desire is for God alone. That is the key to following the contemplative life. Being back in the States, I have seen the terrible distractions and waste of energy for so many things which are not necessary to the spiritual life.
The second point, Two, has been discussed by those in monasteries.
"The contemplative life can be more continuous (though this continuity cannot be referred to the supreme act of contemplation); this is why Mary, who symbolises contemplative life, s shewn us as always at the feet of the Lord.:
Three, "The delectation of the contemplative life is greater than that of the active; this is the meaning of S. Augustine's saying that Martha was worried while Mary was feasting."
Four, "In the contemplative life man is more self-sufficient for he depends in this exercise less on external things; wherefore it is said in Luke IV, 'Martha, Martha, thou are troubled and worried about many things."
I remember reading about this many, many decades ago. To make the distinction is not to dis women in the active life, (I was a single mum, working, homeschooling, keeping the books, etc. and I did not feel dissed), but to reflect on the two ways which must both end up in the same place, perfection.
Aquinas, again quoted by the Maritains, states, "Absolutely speaking and in itself, the contemplative life is better than the active. The Philosopher proves this by eight reasons."
Here theses are with more explanation as to the comparison of Rachel to Leah.
One, "The contemplative life is suitable to man in regard to his most perfect possession, the intellect, and in relation to the proper objects of that faculty, namely the intelligibles, while the active life is concerned with exterior things. Wherefore the name of Rachel, who represents the contemplative life, means the vision of the principle, the active life being represented by Lia, who suffered from weak eyes..." Maritains quoting St. Gregory here.
Rachel was the great beloved wife of Jacob who bore him his favorite sons, Joseph and Benjamin. His long time of labor in order to "pay" for her to her father, Laban, represents the long journey of purgation in the Dark Nights, purging one of sins.
Laban tricked Jacob, (a punishment from God for Jacob tricking his own father), and gave Leah to him first. Finally, Jacob won Rachel, the desire of his heart, and his soul mate.
Rachel came to represent the contemplative life, not only because of her name, but because she represented the true desire, the purer love. of Jacob's heart.
Our truest desire is for God alone. That is the key to following the contemplative life. Being back in the States, I have seen the terrible distractions and waste of energy for so many things which are not necessary to the spiritual life.
The second point, Two, has been discussed by those in monasteries.
"The contemplative life can be more continuous (though this continuity cannot be referred to the supreme act of contemplation); this is why Mary, who symbolises contemplative life, s shewn us as always at the feet of the Lord.:
Three, "The delectation of the contemplative life is greater than that of the active; this is the meaning of S. Augustine's saying that Martha was worried while Mary was feasting."
Four, "In the contemplative life man is more self-sufficient for he depends in this exercise less on external things; wherefore it is said in Luke IV, 'Martha, Martha, thou are troubled and worried about many things."
One reason I love going to Europe is that I can walk and not have to drive or have a car, eat much more simply, get to daily Mass and Adoration easily, and have a lower lifestyle. Americans have fallen into Satan's trap of complicating their lives by desires for novelties and more and more things. When one settles for less, one is freer to meet God daily.
Five, "The contemplative life is loved for its own sake, while the active life is ordained for something beyond itself; wherefore it is said in Ps. 26, (translated) ' One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.'"
I shall continue with the next three points later. I am still looking for the small place where I can pray and for two women, two only, to join me in contemplation, and, thankfully, after slightly over two weeks of being here, starting tomorrow, I can go back into my monastic schedule. Thank God.
May I add that since the late 1970s, when some mothers had to go to work, that I thought this was a lie from Satan to destroy the contemplative atmosphere of a disciplined, well-ordered home, where the mother was the quiet center of life and order.
When there is no home-centered woman, it is much harder to have daily rosary or novenas in the home, or other times of meditation.
Home schooling moms of my generation, even those with many children. created that quiet atmosphere of prayer and study, very monastic, very simple, thus leading themselves and their children into a place of contemplation. Consumerism and financial lies about "having it all" caused some of the chaos. Women's lib created some of the deceit that a mother's role at home had no value. Of course, without that still center, families cannot easily come to listen and know God or the life of virtue. A home can be active and yet quiet...like the old Montessori schools wherein we whispered and the children worked in a quiet hum of activity.
to be continued....
Five, "The contemplative life is loved for its own sake, while the active life is ordained for something beyond itself; wherefore it is said in Ps. 26, (translated) ' One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.'"
I shall continue with the next three points later. I am still looking for the small place where I can pray and for two women, two only, to join me in contemplation, and, thankfully, after slightly over two weeks of being here, starting tomorrow, I can go back into my monastic schedule. Thank God.
May I add that since the late 1970s, when some mothers had to go to work, that I thought this was a lie from Satan to destroy the contemplative atmosphere of a disciplined, well-ordered home, where the mother was the quiet center of life and order.
When there is no home-centered woman, it is much harder to have daily rosary or novenas in the home, or other times of meditation.
Home schooling moms of my generation, even those with many children. created that quiet atmosphere of prayer and study, very monastic, very simple, thus leading themselves and their children into a place of contemplation. Consumerism and financial lies about "having it all" caused some of the chaos. Women's lib created some of the deceit that a mother's role at home had no value. Of course, without that still center, families cannot easily come to listen and know God or the life of virtue. A home can be active and yet quiet...like the old Montessori schools wherein we whispered and the children worked in a quiet hum of activity.
to be continued....
Aquinas on Contemplation from The Maritains
This quotation is so beautiful, I just have to share it with you.....
From the same little book I have been using for the past few days, Prayer and Intelligence, by Jacques and Raissa Maritain.
"The contemplative life consists in a sort of leisure, a repose....a liberty of spirit" in which man,"burns with a desire of seeing the beauty of God"....and offers him, "his soul in sacrifice", it has its beginning and end in love, it is "directly and immediately concerned with the love of God himself, "it is ordained not to any kind of love of God, but to the perfect love of Him" and constitutes in a certain sense a commencement of beatitude...."
The burning desire for God makes one desire silence in order to hear the Bridegroom speak in the soft, love voice of love.
Again, I cannot stress the important of choosing simplicity of lifestyle. One can choose to eliminate so many unnecessary things, events, thoughts, which crowd out the voice of Christ.
Simplicity means choosing the smallest, the simplest, the plain, over the complicated.
Remember, without a schedule, one cannot become holy, and without simplicity, one cannot hear God.
From the same little book I have been using for the past few days, Prayer and Intelligence, by Jacques and Raissa Maritain.
"The contemplative life consists in a sort of leisure, a repose....a liberty of spirit" in which man,"burns with a desire of seeing the beauty of God"....and offers him, "his soul in sacrifice", it has its beginning and end in love, it is "directly and immediately concerned with the love of God himself, "it is ordained not to any kind of love of God, but to the perfect love of Him" and constitutes in a certain sense a commencement of beatitude...."
The burning desire for God makes one desire silence in order to hear the Bridegroom speak in the soft, love voice of love.
Again, I cannot stress the important of choosing simplicity of lifestyle. One can choose to eliminate so many unnecessary things, events, thoughts, which crowd out the voice of Christ.
Simplicity means choosing the smallest, the simplest, the plain, over the complicated.
Remember, without a schedule, one cannot become holy, and without simplicity, one cannot hear God.
What a Treat!
Heard this one while blogging in the evening on Sunday.
And, my friend has these in her backyard...
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