It seems like alot of secularism and materialism has crept into our American society. Here is a section from the SFO monthy ongoing formation project, the Monthy Dossier August edition. The section that I am pulling out is about our service in culture and hits home on some of the problems that we face in our culture today. The Church and state would do well to work together but rather in todays culture we are seeing alot of intentional ways to leave God out of the public and the schools. Although the paraphraph is about some of the challenges to the develpment of Christian culture it can go hand in hand with secularism as well.
Culture must represent a privileged area for the presence and commitment of the Church and individual Christians. The Second Vatican Council sees the separation of Christian faith and daily life as one of the most serious erros of our day (Guadium et Spes,43). Without a metaphysical perspective, the loss of a longing for God in self-serving narcissism and the varied means found in a consumeristic lifestyle; the primacy given to technology and scientific research as ends in themselves; the emphasis placed on appearance, the quest for an image, commmunication techniques; all of these phenomena must be understood in their cultural aspects and placed in relation to the central issue of the human person, of integral human growth, of the human capacity to communicate and relate with other people, and of the constant human search for an answer to the great questions that run throughout life. It must be kept in mind that "culture is that through which man, as man becomes more man, 'is' more, has more access to 'being'" [John Paul II address to UNESCO (2Junde 1980)].
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 24, 2010
Vainglory and Pride
St.Padre Pio says that vainglory is a tough sin to overcome because there is no opposite virtue that can defeat it because there is no opposite virtue for it. Vainglory can be found in the religious because it feeds on the more good works you do and how excellent you are for doing it. Simpleness and humilty may be the best response but even humility can be done with vainglory. Below is a very good link writen by St.John Climacus on vainglory, pride and more.
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/catholicteaching/vice/vainglory.htm
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/catholicteaching/vice/vainglory.htm
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Balance in our lives by Thomas Stobie SFO
Here is a good meditation about balancing our lives by Thomas Stobie, SFO. This writing for some is easier said than done. No matter what part of our lives whether it be work, play, or prayer is inseparable from God and God's presence. I find true that if our leisure, work, or prayer is overdone and out of balance (but especially with work and our work driven society) we start to become angry, irratable and uncharitable. Pray that we have the prudence and temperance so that we may joyfully live our lives in balance and in God's presence.
Meditation on Living our Lives in Balance
We are all called to live our lives in a balance of work, relaxation, and prayer. Our work can be to support ourselves, raise our children, take care of our physical body, learn new skills, care for our loved ones, or serve others. Our relaxation varies significantly and is necessary for our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Whereas we are called to lived our lives constantly in prayer, it is useful to devote special times for dedicated prayer and meditation and this is good for our spiritual well-beings. Within an area, a balance is also needed, so that a particular item does not became stale or boring, and so that we can live to the fullness of our humanity, letting all aspects of ourselves grow and prosper.
We need to avoid overdoing things. About they only thing we can not overdo is loving God and our neighbor. Everything else we can overdo and spend too much on it to our and our families' harm. We must come to realize what is sufficient in our work without the endless pursuit of perfection. Striving for perfection is not a bad thing, unless we overdo the effect and end up hurting ourselves and those around us.
In loving God and in loving our neighbor, we can always love more, but at times loving our neighbor and God means taking care of ourselves, getting the rest and relaxation that we require and satisfying our spiritual needs.
In our works, we need to strive for a balance among our different works. We can find more works to do than we have time for and if we apply ourselves on one particular work doing the same thing for extended periods of time, we can find the quality of work decreasing. We to mix our works so that they allow different aspects ourselves to get involve and provide a variety (freshness) to the things we do.
Depending on our work, our needs for relaxation will vary. Balancing the different areas for relaxation helps us to restore our energies in a healthy manner, physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
We can overdo dedicated prayer causing us to neglect or poorly perform our works and not get enough rest to rejuvenate ourselves. We all pray on how much dedicated prayer and mediation that God wants us to perform and to follow the guidance we receive, periodically checking to see if the amount needs to be changed. One factor to consider in dedicated prayer and mediation is to prayerfully examine what benefits are you receiving from it. It is important to note that some benefits of prayer are not seen by the individual and that during periods of spiritual dryness you may not observe any benefits from prayer.
There are times in our lives where we find ourselves out of balance. Some of those times it is possible to change and regain the balance in our lives. At other times, our responsibilities and limitations might force us to live more out of balance then we would like. We need to recognize what we can affect and what cannot. Striving to change what we have no control over causes much stress and pushes us further out of balance.
The exact balance for each person will vary by person and needs to be prayed upon and explored by each person to determine what is appropriate for them.
Prayer for Balance in our Lives
O Harmonious God, who in perfect Unity of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, love us infinitely,
We thank You for all the help You have given us in living our lives in balance, those people You have put in our lives who helps us maintain our balance, and for being with us in our work, relaxation, and prayer.
We ask you to show us the proper balance in our lives and in each area of our lives, to keep us from overdoing anything, and properly care of ourselves and those for whom we are responsible.
We ask you to guide us in our work, that our work may be the best we can do without overdoing it, and reflect well on Your glory. We ask You to help us balance our works that we will find them invigorating and meaningful.
We ask you to guide us in our rest and relaxation, that our rest and relaxation may keep healthy in mind and body and that our rest and relaxation may always be oriented towards You and Your will.
We ask you to guide us in our prayer, that our prayer may satisfy our spiritual needs and be fulfilling. We ask you to help select the forms of prayer and meditation that we need when we need it and allow ourselves to change forms when we need to.
We also ask you to help those around us live in a healthy balance as well.
Amen.
Meditation on Living our Lives in Balance
We are all called to live our lives in a balance of work, relaxation, and prayer. Our work can be to support ourselves, raise our children, take care of our physical body, learn new skills, care for our loved ones, or serve others. Our relaxation varies significantly and is necessary for our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Whereas we are called to lived our lives constantly in prayer, it is useful to devote special times for dedicated prayer and meditation and this is good for our spiritual well-beings. Within an area, a balance is also needed, so that a particular item does not became stale or boring, and so that we can live to the fullness of our humanity, letting all aspects of ourselves grow and prosper.
We need to avoid overdoing things. About they only thing we can not overdo is loving God and our neighbor. Everything else we can overdo and spend too much on it to our and our families' harm. We must come to realize what is sufficient in our work without the endless pursuit of perfection. Striving for perfection is not a bad thing, unless we overdo the effect and end up hurting ourselves and those around us.
In loving God and in loving our neighbor, we can always love more, but at times loving our neighbor and God means taking care of ourselves, getting the rest and relaxation that we require and satisfying our spiritual needs.
In our works, we need to strive for a balance among our different works. We can find more works to do than we have time for and if we apply ourselves on one particular work doing the same thing for extended periods of time, we can find the quality of work decreasing. We to mix our works so that they allow different aspects ourselves to get involve and provide a variety (freshness) to the things we do.
Depending on our work, our needs for relaxation will vary. Balancing the different areas for relaxation helps us to restore our energies in a healthy manner, physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
We can overdo dedicated prayer causing us to neglect or poorly perform our works and not get enough rest to rejuvenate ourselves. We all pray on how much dedicated prayer and mediation that God wants us to perform and to follow the guidance we receive, periodically checking to see if the amount needs to be changed. One factor to consider in dedicated prayer and mediation is to prayerfully examine what benefits are you receiving from it. It is important to note that some benefits of prayer are not seen by the individual and that during periods of spiritual dryness you may not observe any benefits from prayer.
There are times in our lives where we find ourselves out of balance. Some of those times it is possible to change and regain the balance in our lives. At other times, our responsibilities and limitations might force us to live more out of balance then we would like. We need to recognize what we can affect and what cannot. Striving to change what we have no control over causes much stress and pushes us further out of balance.
The exact balance for each person will vary by person and needs to be prayed upon and explored by each person to determine what is appropriate for them.
Prayer for Balance in our Lives
O Harmonious God, who in perfect Unity of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, love us infinitely,
We thank You for all the help You have given us in living our lives in balance, those people You have put in our lives who helps us maintain our balance, and for being with us in our work, relaxation, and prayer.
We ask you to show us the proper balance in our lives and in each area of our lives, to keep us from overdoing anything, and properly care of ourselves and those for whom we are responsible.
We ask you to guide us in our work, that our work may be the best we can do without overdoing it, and reflect well on Your glory. We ask You to help us balance our works that we will find them invigorating and meaningful.
We ask you to guide us in our rest and relaxation, that our rest and relaxation may keep healthy in mind and body and that our rest and relaxation may always be oriented towards You and Your will.
We ask you to guide us in our prayer, that our prayer may satisfy our spiritual needs and be fulfilling. We ask you to help select the forms of prayer and meditation that we need when we need it and allow ourselves to change forms when we need to.
We also ask you to help those around us live in a healthy balance as well.
Amen.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The gift of counsel and the Virgin Mary
I took this from St.Bonaventures writing on counsel which is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Counsel is the gift that destroys avarice and introduces mercy. I hope all have a Christ centered Christmas and and Blessed new year!
"3. The price of anyone is the glorious Virgin, and why? Because She brought forth, payed off and posseses our price for the world. A certain converso [conversus] was in the religion of the Cistercians [monachorum alborum]; he had a good will towards the glorious Virgin, every day he recited [persolvit] for Her a psalter of one hundred and fifty Ave Maria's; but he was stiff necked [durae cervicis]. On a certain day he became infirm and was carried to the abbey of the grange. On a certain night, when all were at Matins, he alone remained in the infirmary; and it seemed to him, that certain ones were carrying him into the greatest fore-court [aulam], in which he saw Christ and the Apostles and the assemblage [coetum] of the angels; and demons presented him to Christ. And he who was carrying him, said: "Thou art a just judge; that one is ours". The Blessed Virgin said: "He is Mine, because he served Me". A grave dispute broke out [facta est]. The enemy said: "Thou art a just judge, a non-acceptor of persons; I want, that you judge according to the truth". And Christ said: "Let us see whose he is". And all his defects written on the paper were place on one side of the balance, and on the other side of the balance were placed the good things, which he had done. And the side, in which his defects were, was bent down to the earth. And then the enemy said: "See, Lord, that that one is ours: I ask for justice". And then the Blessed Virgin said to Christ: "Thou art My Son; the blood, which Thou doest have, Thou hast from Me; I ask that Thou give Me one drop". And Christ said: "I cannot deny this to You". And then the Blessed Virgin placed the drop of Blood together with his merits; and immediately that side of the balance bend down to the earth. And the enemy said: "It is not good to fight with Thee". Nevertheless, because the Lord did not want to let the evil, which he had done, go unpunished; He gave the demons power over his body; and then they beat him most atrociously, so that there scarcely remained in him any member, which was not entirely beaten. And the Judge said: "It is sufficient". When the brothers returned from Matins, they found him as if dead. The abbot questioned and caused it to be inquired, who did this. No one was found, who knew anything concerning this. Afterwards he spoke and asked his abbot and confessed to him; and assumed by noble compunction, he migrated to the Lord, and that was his punishment in place of [pro] purgatory."
"3. The price of anyone is the glorious Virgin, and why? Because She brought forth, payed off and posseses our price for the world. A certain converso [conversus] was in the religion of the Cistercians [monachorum alborum]; he had a good will towards the glorious Virgin, every day he recited [persolvit] for Her a psalter of one hundred and fifty Ave Maria's; but he was stiff necked [durae cervicis]. On a certain day he became infirm and was carried to the abbey of the grange. On a certain night, when all were at Matins, he alone remained in the infirmary; and it seemed to him, that certain ones were carrying him into the greatest fore-court [aulam], in which he saw Christ and the Apostles and the assemblage [coetum] of the angels; and demons presented him to Christ. And he who was carrying him, said: "Thou art a just judge; that one is ours". The Blessed Virgin said: "He is Mine, because he served Me". A grave dispute broke out [facta est]. The enemy said: "Thou art a just judge, a non-acceptor of persons; I want, that you judge according to the truth". And Christ said: "Let us see whose he is". And all his defects written on the paper were place on one side of the balance, and on the other side of the balance were placed the good things, which he had done. And the side, in which his defects were, was bent down to the earth. And then the enemy said: "See, Lord, that that one is ours: I ask for justice". And then the Blessed Virgin said to Christ: "Thou art My Son; the blood, which Thou doest have, Thou hast from Me; I ask that Thou give Me one drop". And Christ said: "I cannot deny this to You". And then the Blessed Virgin placed the drop of Blood together with his merits; and immediately that side of the balance bend down to the earth. And the enemy said: "It is not good to fight with Thee". Nevertheless, because the Lord did not want to let the evil, which he had done, go unpunished; He gave the demons power over his body; and then they beat him most atrociously, so that there scarcely remained in him any member, which was not entirely beaten. And the Judge said: "It is sufficient". When the brothers returned from Matins, they found him as if dead. The abbot questioned and caused it to be inquired, who did this. No one was found, who knew anything concerning this. Afterwards he spoke and asked his abbot and confessed to him; and assumed by noble compunction, he migrated to the Lord, and that was his punishment in place of [pro] purgatory."
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Luminous Rosary Meditations
Today is me and my wife's 4th anniversay. I am such a blessed man to have such a wonderfull person in my life for 14 years. Yes, I have known my wife since I was 16 and stayed friends with her through the years. When I was praying the Rosary today I decided to meditate on the luminious mysteries in light of marriage. This is what I asked our Blessed Mother for while praying the five mysteries.
Wedding at Cana - I meditated on Jesus miracle at Cana and prayed to Mary that we as a married couple continue to give each other our selves and to do the little miracles of every day married life.
Jesus Baptism - I meditated Jesus baptism and our children and prayed that Mary intercede for us that we continue to raise our children devoutly in the faith.
Proclamation of the Kingdom - I meditated on Jesus proclaiming the kingdom and prayed to Mary that we as a married couple and family continue to evangelize to others by word and example.
Transfiguration - I meditated on Jesus transfiguration and that our love as a married couple last forever into eternity and heaven.
Institution of the Eucharist - I prayed to Mary that we continue to grow as a family through the Eucharist.
Wedding at Cana - I meditated on Jesus miracle at Cana and prayed to Mary that we as a married couple continue to give each other our selves and to do the little miracles of every day married life.
Jesus Baptism - I meditated Jesus baptism and our children and prayed that Mary intercede for us that we continue to raise our children devoutly in the faith.
Proclamation of the Kingdom - I meditated on Jesus proclaiming the kingdom and prayed to Mary that we as a married couple and family continue to evangelize to others by word and example.
Transfiguration - I meditated on Jesus transfiguration and that our love as a married couple last forever into eternity and heaven.
Institution of the Eucharist - I prayed to Mary that we continue to grow as a family through the Eucharist.
Friday, May 22, 2009
St.Bonaventure on Mystical Prayer
This is taken from "Journey to the Mind of God," a book written by St. Bonaventure which talks much about Franciscan contemplative prayer. This section below is a good summary of contemplative prayer. The Carmelites are masters in contemplative prayer as we see in the writings of St.Teresa of Avila and St.John of the cross. The Franciscan view of contemplative prayer is love of Christ and the following of His commandments.
"Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant, and the mystery hidden from the ages. A man should turn his full attention to this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on the cross, full of faith, hope and charity, devoted, full of wonder and joy, marked by gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then such a man will make with Christ a pasch, that is, a passing-over. Through the branches of the cross he will pass over the Red Sea, leaving Egypt and entering the desert. There he will taste the hidden manna, and rest with Christ in the sepulchre, as if he were dead to things outside. He will experience, as much as is possible for one who is still living, what was promised to the thief who hung beside Christ: Today you will be with me in paradise.
For this passover to be perfect, we must suspend all the operations of the mind and we must transform the peak of our affections, directing them to God alone. This is a sacred mystical experience. It cannot be comprehended by anyone unless he surrenders himself to it; nor can he surrender himself to it unless he longs for it; nor can he long for it unless the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent into the world, should come and inflame his innermost soul. Hence the Apostle says that this mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Spirit.
If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God’s grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of the will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research; seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man; darkness not daylight; and look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervour and glowing love. The fir is God, and the furnace is in Jerusalem, fired by Christ in the ardour of his loving passion. Only he understood this who said: My soul chose hanging and my bones death. Anyone who cherishes this kind of death can see God, for it is certainly true that: No man can look upon me and live.
Let us die, then, and enter into the darkness, silencing our anxieties, our passions and all the fantasies of our imagination. Let us pass over with the crucified Christ from this world to the Father, so that, when the Father has shown himself to us, we can say with Philip: It is enough. We may hear with Paul: My grace is sufficient for you; and we can rejoice with David, saying: My flesh and my heart fail me, but God is the strength of my heart and my heritage for ever. Blessed be the Lord for ever, and let all the people say: Amen. Amen!
St.Bonaventure
"Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the vehicle, like the throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant, and the mystery hidden from the ages. A man should turn his full attention to this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on the cross, full of faith, hope and charity, devoted, full of wonder and joy, marked by gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then such a man will make with Christ a pasch, that is, a passing-over. Through the branches of the cross he will pass over the Red Sea, leaving Egypt and entering the desert. There he will taste the hidden manna, and rest with Christ in the sepulchre, as if he were dead to things outside. He will experience, as much as is possible for one who is still living, what was promised to the thief who hung beside Christ: Today you will be with me in paradise.
For this passover to be perfect, we must suspend all the operations of the mind and we must transform the peak of our affections, directing them to God alone. This is a sacred mystical experience. It cannot be comprehended by anyone unless he surrenders himself to it; nor can he surrender himself to it unless he longs for it; nor can he long for it unless the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent into the world, should come and inflame his innermost soul. Hence the Apostle says that this mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Spirit.
If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God’s grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of the will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research; seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man; darkness not daylight; and look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervour and glowing love. The fir is God, and the furnace is in Jerusalem, fired by Christ in the ardour of his loving passion. Only he understood this who said: My soul chose hanging and my bones death. Anyone who cherishes this kind of death can see God, for it is certainly true that: No man can look upon me and live.
Let us die, then, and enter into the darkness, silencing our anxieties, our passions and all the fantasies of our imagination. Let us pass over with the crucified Christ from this world to the Father, so that, when the Father has shown himself to us, we can say with Philip: It is enough. We may hear with Paul: My grace is sufficient for you; and we can rejoice with David, saying: My flesh and my heart fail me, but God is the strength of my heart and my heritage for ever. Blessed be the Lord for ever, and let all the people say: Amen. Amen!
St.Bonaventure
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Words Expressing Franciscan Life
I am in the orientation phase of becoming part of the Secular Franciscan Order. This orientation phase is three months followed by about 6 months of an inquiry phase and then candidacy which is 18 to 36 months. So there is atleast three years before becoming a professed member of the SFO. I have always had a great love for Francis even when I was young because I knew of his love for animanls and nature. This love for him grew as I met some of his brothers(the Franciscans) at St.Peters Church in downtown Chicago. Just to examine one of these simple brothers and how they live their lives was a great inspiration to me. Getting to know some of them was an even greater blessing. After reading a little on Francis and going to some SFO meetings I want to make a list of words that describe to me of what being a Franciscan is all about. Here is my list:
Humility
Poverty
Chastity
Brotherhood
Penance
Prayer
Service
Obedience
Contemplation
Evangelizing
Love for Creation
Catious of Study
Piety
Setting by Example
Preaching
Simple People
There are so many more. If you know of any please leave me a note below.
Humility
Poverty
Chastity
Brotherhood
Penance
Prayer
Service
Obedience
Contemplation
Evangelizing
Love for Creation
Catious of Study
Piety
Setting by Example
Preaching
Simple People
There are so many more. If you know of any please leave me a note below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
