Christian contemplation thrown into the muddy highways of the world : encouragement : experiences : resources
As we entered Lent this week, I shifted quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) to reflect the theme, which, around here, will include but not be limited to a Laudato Si’ Lent: Made holy by the Holy Spirit, we receive Christ as one who lives in our inmost selves, and with Christ we …
Continue reading “Walking into the Desert to Find God’s Beauty (Quotes Vol. 28)”
John did not say, “When you have perfect love, fear will never come to visit.” But: “Perfect love casts out fear.”Fear knocks, maybe each moment more; It comes again, again, again. When love is perfect, it comes fast As fear comes fast And throws it out—Again.Văn did not say, “When you have joy, sadness will …
Yesterday’s apostolic exhortation on the message of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is a gem. I love it very much. Original announcements from several months back claimed that this was going to just be an apostolic letter, as with those on, for example, Blaise Pascal and Francis de Sales. In the end, it was upgraded. Just …
In Latin-Rite Catholicism (and others), today is the feast day of Saint Bartholomew, or Nathanael, the disciple and apostle. The Gospel reading at Mass starts quite simply like this: Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph …
In my last post, I promised an exploration of how Pope Francis teaches about and encourages Catholics to engage in contemplation of Christ in others. There have been 21 discussions of this topic in seven of the pope’s encyclicals and apostolic exhortations—which is to say, an awful lot. I plan to unpack this step by …
Continue reading “Pope Francis Walking in the Ways of Charles de Foucauld”
When shall we imitate more perfectly that dear Saviour who emptied himself? When shall we becomes so humble as to be “a reproach among men and an outcast among the people” [cf. Lk 1:25]? When shall we become like little babies clinging to the breast of Jesus, our Spouse, Father, and Protector? … When, oh …
Now is not the time to write, rather to weep. Jesus is dead to give us life. All creatures are mourning. The sun is darkened. The earth quakes. The rocks are rent. The veil of the temple is torn. Only my heart remains harder than flint. I will say no more. Join the poor mother …
This becoming one with the Eternal Goodness cannot come to pass but by an absolute renunciation of our self, and all that is ours, natural or spiritual; for in the same measure that a man comes out from himself, in that measure does God enter in with His divine grace, and he who loses his life …
Certainly I am dear to God. And why? Because I’m the wretch that I am. Jesus came not to call the just but sinners [cf. Mt 9:13; Mk 2:17; Lk 5:32]. How dear we sinners are to him. Saint Paul of the Cross
You, who are so great and rich, have made Yourself little and poor for us! You chose to be born far from home, in a stable, to be wrapped in swaddling clothes, to be nourished at Your Virgin Mother’s breast, to be laid in a manger between an ox and an ass. Today is the …
Continue reading “Dawn of the New Redemption and Eternal Happiness”
Contemplative in the Mud 