Friday, December 31, 2010

I am Bombarded With Noise

“I hear noise outside of me and there is more noise going on within me. I am bombarded with noise. My mind wanders in a thousand different directions. My world has too much stimuli and marches past me in an ever-moving parade of sounds and images. I am drowning in the noise. My spirit is suffocating from the noise. Lord, set me free.” - Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Los Angeles

The Cry of Today

People are experiencing great yearnings to be fulfilled, satisfied, and whole, and the world is running out of answers for them.

“Lord, when can I come to you with a quiet heart?”

“I hear noise outside of me and there is more noise going on within me. I am bombarded with noise. My mind wanders in a thousand different directions. My world has too much stimuli and marches past me in an ever-moving parade of sounds and images. I am drowning in the noise. My spirit is suffocating from the noise. Lord, set me free.”

This prayer demonstrates the call of the Holy Spirit to deeper prayer, to a more profound interior life. Note the elements of the prayer. First of all, there is the enlightenment that one’s heart is not quiet. At the same time, there is an understanding that so much noise is not good. The prayer reflects a person who is aware of the need to reduce the stimuli bombarding the senses with their accompanying thoughts and feelings. It depicts a soul that is submerged in noise, suffocating from the noise.

This is the prayer of our present cultural milieu. It could be called, “The Cry of Today.”

Carmel’s call through truth echoes in the souls of many people throughout our world. People are seeing that the final product of all this consumerism is not so good. They are experiencing great yearnings to be fulfilled, satisfied, and whole, and the world is running out of answers for them. This is where Carmelite spirituality can be helpful to God’s people today. It explains, guides, and teaches all those who are ready to learn.

One of the things that Carmelite spirituality teaches is that the contemplative life arises from within the soul and needs a contemplative space. That’s why the prayer ends with, “set me free.” What is a contemplative space? It consists of an attitude, a choice, and a decision.

The Attitude: I need to change my approach to the quantity and quality of my life’s activities in order to weed out the busyness from my life.

The Choice: I will eliminate from my life unnecessary hectic, frantic activity and slow down, in as much as it is possible. I will choose a simpler lifestyle and build into it a contemplative space.

The Decision: I will pray every day. I will go to my contemplative space and listen only to God that I may come to know Him better and grow into a deeper relationship with Him. The interesting outcome of this is that I will actually get more done.

After adjusting attitude, making the choice and the decision, it is very helpful to read spiritual books. Read about the saints and learn how they “downsized” their life’s activities and made more time for God. As prayer deepens, turn to the Carmelite Saints who explain the various stages of prayer.

After reading, we, too, can say, like Edith Stein, “This is truth.”
- Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles

Originally posted at Integrated Catholic Life

Without Silence, We Simply Cannot Hear What He so Desperately Wants to Avail to the Human Soul

Drowning and suffering in the noise is one of the many impediments to grace and interior peace, within the noise of life. And sometimes the 'noise' knows no audible sound but will plague your mind with a rendundant echo that pushes many to the edge of madness. Once the soul has been prepared and thus been nourished by silence, contemplatively speaking, the tranquility becomes a vital 'daily bread.' I am absolutely convinced that without silence, we simply cannot hear what He so desperately wants to avail to the human soul; which most importantly is more of Him. We can prattle in our thoughts without ever uttering a syllable. The greatest way to still one's self preparing for the silence that awaits, is to sit regularly before the exposed Presence of Him in the monstrance. Go to adoration, frequently and regularly, but turn off the phone, and leave the rosary beads, prayer cards, and books at home. Just you and Him. Let Him decorate your soul with silence. He can still an unquiet heart and mind. - Amy Ivsan

Let us Begin This Year Our Holy Battle

The palm of victory is reserved only for those who fight up to the end. Therefore let us begin this year our holy battle. God will assist us and crown us with eternal triumph. - Saint Padre Pio

The Holy Spirit Rests in the Soul of the Just

The Holy Spirit rests in the soul of the just like the dove in her nest. He hatches good desires in a pure soul, as the dove hatches her young. - St. Jean Marie Vianney

A Simple Intelligence

I leave you the syllogisms, the verbal traps and the subtle calculations...I leave you the art of which Aristotle had the secret. A simple and pure intelligence will soar, unaided by philosophy, and will reach the presence of God. - Jacopone da Todi

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Upon This Rock, I Shall Build My Church

We recall a striking scene from the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus and his disciples are passing through the region of Caesarea Philippi - a region known for its pagan religions. The Mater asks his disciples who they say that the Son of Man is. It was perhaps one of the first public opinion polls regarding Christianity. The results of such polls of mere personal opinions, then as now, are less than satisfying: "Some say John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." These were conflicting and contradictory guesses and opinions that have none of the ring of authority and authenticity the human spirit needs in order to walk confidently in the dark night of faith. Then, one voice rang out, the voice of Simon: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!" The response of the Lord is the definitive answer when it comes to answering the question, "Who founded the Church?": "Blest are you, Simon son of John! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it." Note who the "I" is: the "I" is a divine person, the subject of action is divine; God himself institutes the Church. The Church is not a mere human institution. Christ, the eternal Word, the Father's Son, institutes and builds his Church on the "Rock."

All through the Old Testament, "Rock" with an uppercase"R" refers to God himself. Then in the Gospel of Matthew referred to above, we see Jesus, the "Rock," because he is a divine subject of action, renaming Simon "Rock." Jesus, the real "Rock," is also referred to as the "bridegroom" or "groom" as well in Scripture. The Church is his "bride" (#796). We know, also from the Word, that in marriage, whether natural or supernatural, the "two become one flesh." Jesus and his church are one; bridegroom and bride are one. Hence, Christ is naming Peter "Rock", one with himself. There is no other "Rock" other than Christ absolutely speaking. However, the Rock, in a mystical marriage, unites his beloved bride, the Church, to himself. Simon is named "Rock", and whoever hears the Rock Peter is hearing the Rock who is Christ; whoever rejects the Rock who is Peter, rejects the Rock Christ and the One who sent him, the Father.

You cannot separate the Lord Jesus from his beloved body and bride, the Church. To reject the teaching of Peter and his successors the Roman pontiffs, together with the bishops who are united with the Holy Father in teaching the one faith which has been handed down faithfully from the apostles, is to reject the teaching of Jesus Christ, and the One who sent him, the Father (cf. Luke 10:16).

The Catholic Church can never fail ultimately, although her members can and do. The Church is far more than the sum of her human members, for if that were the case the Church would surely have fallen long ago. The most important member of the Church is her head, Christ the Lord (#792-795). The soul of the Church, the life-giving power, the animator and sanctifier of the Church, is the Holy Spirit. The head and soul of the Church is God; the Church will never fail. The storms of time and the tempests stirred up by earthly kings and rulers come and go; their crowns rise and fall, and roll in the dust but the Church goes on. Mere personal opinions come and go. Some say this, some say that, but mere personal opinion cannot move the Rock.

Head and body are one; bridegroom and bride are one. Those who attack the Church attack Christ. When Saul of Tarsus was persecuting the newborn church on his way to Damascus, he was knocked off his horse by the light who is Christ. "He fell to the ground and at the same time heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, sir?' he asked. The voice answered, 'I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.'" Saul was "breathing murderous threats against the Lord's disciples," against the Church. Christ told him clearly that he was persecuting him, Jesus, the Lord. Christ and his church are one. To love Jesus truly, we must love his church.

In an age of violence and violent change, it is comforting to know that we are so intimately one with Christ, residing in his body and his bride, the Church. Transcending time and space, the Church is relevant to all people at all times and in all places. Indeed, to be rooted in the Rock, to be one with the Rock, keeps us from being swept away by the strife and storms of any time and any place.
- Fr. John Corapi in an excerpt from his book, "Ever Ancient, Ever New"

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Remember to Keep Holy the Sabbath Day

Remember to keep holy the sabbath day. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God. No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. - Ex 20:8-11

Archbishop Sheen on Meditation

Meditation is a more advanced spiritual act than "saying prayers"; it may be likened to the attitude of a child who breaks into the presence of a mother saying: "I'll not say a word, if you will just let me stay here and watch you. - Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

All Moved Interiorly by Grace Hasten to Adore Him

Jesus calls the poor and simple shepherds by means of angels to manifest Himself to them. He calls the learned men by means of their science. And all of them moved interiorly by grace hasten to adore Him. He calls all of us with divine inspirations and He communicates Himself to us with his grace. How many times has He not lovingly invited us also? And with what promptitude have we replied? - Saint Padre Pio

The Holy Father on Relativism in the World Today

Having a clear faith, based on the creed of the Church is often labeled today as fundamentalism. Whereas relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and swept along by every wind of teaching, looks like the only attitude acceptable to today's standards. - Pope Benedict XVI

The Church Stands and Falls With the Liturgy

The Church stands and falls with the Liturgy. For that reason, the true celebration of the Sacred Liturgy is the center of any renewal of the Church whatsoever. - Pope Benedict XVI

God Cannot Be Found in Noise and Restlessness

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls. - Blessed Mother Teresa

Monday, December 27, 2010

No Excusing Evil

Men do not differ much about what things they will call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable. - G. K. Chesterton

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May God Fill You With Fire

May God fill you with fire and may that blaze spread through out the Church. - Fr. Corapi

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You Cannot Be Half a Saint

You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all. - St. Therese of Liseux

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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Holy Family of Nazareth - True Model of a Christian Home

God our Father, in the Holy Family of Nazareth You have given us the true model of a Christian home. Grant that by following Jesus, Mary and Joseph in their love for each other and in the example of their family life, we may come to Your home of peace and joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Live Joyfully and Courageously

Live joyfully and courageously, at least in the upper part of the soul, amidst the trials in which the Lord places you. Live joyfully and courageously, I repeat, because the Angel who foretells the birth of our little Saviour and Lord, announces singing, and sings announcing that he brings tidings of joy, peace and happiness to men of good will. So that there is nobody who does not know that in order to receive this Child it is sufficient to be of good will. - Saint Padre Pio

He Has Become One of us, in Order to Draw All of us to Himself

The infinite distance between God and man is overcome. God has not only bent down, as we read in the Psalms; he has truly “come down”, he has come into the world, he has become one of us, in order to draw all of us to himself. This child is truly Emmanuel – God-with-us. - Pope Benedict XVI

Jesus Guides You Through The Desert

The Baby Jesus is the Star that guides you through the desert of this present life. - Saint Padre Pio

As The Bridegroom Rejoices in His Bride, So Will Your God Rejoice in You

Like a young man marrying a virgin, so will the one who built you wed you, and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you. - Isaiah 62

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Greatest Honor God Can Give a Soul

The greatest honor God can give a soul is not to give it much but to ask much from it. - Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Patience Obtains All

Let nothing trouble you. Let nothing frighten you. Everything passes. God never changes. Patience obtains all. Whoever has God, wants for nothing. God alone is enough. - Saint Theresa of Avila (Poesías 30)

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Those Who Convict The Evildoer Will Fare Well

To show partiality in judgement is not good. He who says to the wicked man, "You are just" - men will curse him; But those who convict the evildoer will fare well and on them will come the blessing of prosperity. - Proverbs 24:23-25

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The Lamp of The Wicked Will be Put Out

Be not provoked with evildoers, nor envious of the wicked; For the evil man has no future, the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Look Upon Suffering as a Great Happiness to Bear the Cross of The Lord

O you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God is suffering, and how much it helps in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything; but you would rather look upon it as a great happiness to bear the Cross of the Lord. - Saint John of the Cross

In Sorrow and Suffering, Go Straight to God with Confidence

In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed. - Saint John of the Cross

The Origin of Marriage is in God

Marriage, with its character as an exclusive and permanent union, is sacred because its origin is in God. Christians, in receiving the sacrament of marriage, share in God's creative plan and receive the graces they need to carry out their mission of raising and educating their children...to respond to the call to holiness. - Pope John Paul II

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Importance of Silence

The Father spoke one Word, which was his Son, and this Word he speaks always in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul - Saint John of the Cross

Tower of Babel Syndrome

'Sola Scriptura' removes the Holy Spirit from Christianity and replaces it with each individual's interpretation of Scripture. Every 'Sola Scriptura' person I've ever met has believed himself or herself to be infallible when interpreting Scripture, even when debating Scripture with other 'Sola Scriptura' people. I call this the 'Tower of Babel Syndrome.' - Ross Earl Hoffman

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Habitual Happiness of the Christian

Let us try to get ready for the Holy Season by encouraging an atmosphere of Christian peace where we live and work, and by doing all we can in small ways to bring pleasure and affection to those around us. People need to be convinced that Christ has really been born in Bethlehem, and few things are more convincing than the habitual happiness of the Christian, even in the midst of pain and contradictions. - Passionist Nuns of Erlanger

Make Your Soul Open and Ready to be Blasted by Overflowing Love

Venial sins are washed away through the Eucharist, yes, but confessing them is also very good, it helps to uproot our habitual sins, making our soul all the more open and ready to be blasted by the overflowing love and life of Christ who fills us with his presences through the Eucharist. - Jason Piper

No Pope Has Ever Spoken in Favor of Communion in The Hand

If you support Communion in the hand, you are in opposition to at least the personal opinion of *every single Pope* that's gone on record in history on this issue. No Pope has ever spoken *in favor* of Communion in the hand, and it seems that the two longest-reigning post-Conciliar popes both had very strong opinions indeed against it. - The Catholic Thinker

http://www.catholicthinker.net/our-lady-of-akita-communion-o/

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Life Exists From The Very Onset of Pregnancy

I am deeply troubled by my own increasing certainty that I have in fact presided over 60,000 deaths. There is no longer any serious doubt in my mind that human life exists from the very onset of pregnancy. - Abortionist Dr. Bernard Nathanson

Friday, December 10, 2010

I Side With the Church, Not Some Washed up Hippies

When Vatican II closed, it intended a hermeneutic of continuity. Over the past 50 years however, what we have seen has been a radical attempt to break from the 2000 year rich tradition of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI, has made it his mission to place the train back on the tracks again, re-introducing the rich traditions that many flung away after they misinterpreted Vatican II for political reasons.

Remember, Salvation is not a free for all. Jesus chose the 12 and gave them the expressed mission to save the world from itself. I side with the Church, not some washed up hippies from the 70's. Save the Liturgy, Save the world.

Advent 2011, here we come!

Janus Lockius

Thursday, December 9, 2010

No Creature More Perfect Than Mary

The good God might have created a more beautiful world than this, but He could not have given existence to a creature more perfect than Mary. She is the tower built in the midst of the vineyard of the Lord. - Saint Jean Marie Vianney

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Be Assiduous in the Prayer of Adoration

In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering. - Pope Benedict XVI

What Vatican II Was Really About

The Universal Call to Holiness is what Vatican II was really about, not the liturgical free-for-all that the corrupt liberal leaders in the Church have made it into. - Jason Alcantara

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Look Upon Every Temptation as an Invitation to Grow

Do not grieve over the temptations you suffer. When the Lord intends to bestow a particular virtue on us, He often permits us first to be tempted by the opposite vice. Therefore, look upon every temptation as an invitation to grow in a particular virtue and a promise by God that you will be successful, if only you stand fast. - Saint Philip Neri

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Keep Close to the Catholic Church at All Times

Keep close to the Catholic Church at all times, for the Church alone can give you true peace, since she alone possesses Jesus, the true Prince of Peace, in the Blessed Sacrament. - Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Mary & The Holy Spirit

The only relationship closer than that of Mary and the Holy Spirit is the unity between the Humanity and Divinity of Christ! - Saint Maximilian Kolbe