Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday of Year C
A thought for the day from S. Ignatius of Antioch
More advice from S. Teresa of Avila
Thus Christians are hindered from prayer, and when they communicate, the time during which they ought to be obtaining graces is spent in wondering whether they are well prepared or no.
Everything such a person says seems to them on the verge of evil, and all their actions appear fruitless, however good they are in themselves. They become discouraged and unable to do any good, for what is right in others they fancy is wrong in themselves.
When you are in this state, turn your mind so far as you can from your misery and fix it on the mercy of God, His love for us, and all that He endured for our sake.
A thought for the day from S. Teresa of Avila
The more holy someone is, the more cordial they should be with others.
Although you may be pained because their conversation is not what you would wish, never keep aloof if you want to help them and win their love.
Try to think rightly about God. He does not look at such trifling matters as you suppose; do not alarm your soul or lose courage for you might lose greatly. Keep a pure intention and a firm resolve not to offend God, as I said, but do not trammel your soul for instead of advancing in sanctity you would contract a number of imperfections and would not help others as you might have done.
A thought for the day from S. Thérèse of Lisieux
A thought for the Day
A thought for the day
Time is made for man, not man for time.
I hear you say sadly, ‘How shall I fare? And if what you say is true, how shall I give account of each moment of time? – I, who am now twenty four, and until now have never paid heed to time … Help me now for the love of Jesus.’
That is indeed well said: ‘For the love of Jesus.’ For in the love of Jesus you shall find your help.
So then love Jesus, and all that he has is yours. Knit yourself to him by love and faith.
from The Cloud of Unknowing Chapter 4
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Such a wonderful free gift should have a serious effect upon our lives, who and what we are, and how we live our lives here and now. If we are willing to accept the free gift of God, we have to accept that it has consequences for who and what we are, and yet we know that the service of God is perfect freedom: we are not faced with tyranny or oppression but love and mercy. Do let us live, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and aided by her prayers, so that we may transform our lives and the whole world, so that it too may believe and give glory to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, to whom be ascribed as is most right and just, all might, majesty, glory, dominion, and power, now and forever.