"Great graces cannot be obtained without humility. When you yourself experience humiliation, you should take it as a sure sign that some great grace is in store."
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
For Reflection:
Considering this quote by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, is it possible that I can begin to praise God for the humiliations I receive? How can I begin to hone the eyes of my soul so that I don't miss the "great grace" that is to come after the humiliation?
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Am at EWTN. Today's guests were the Hard as Nails Ministries guys -- Justin Fatica, Brian Greenfield and Tim Hanley. They preach with what I call "cutting-edge evangelization." To give you a sample of what I mean, check out this poetic dramatization by its author, Tim Hanley. I find it AMAZING!
http://youtu.be/AqYUnrOuCvc
PS These guys are sold out to Our Lady. Yippee!
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"Jesus invited us to be like Him, humble of heart. But what is humility of the heart? It consists in receiving humiliations from God with a submissive love, in accepting one's state of life and one's duties whatever they are, and in not being ashamed of one's condition."
St. Peter Julian Eymard
For Reflection:
St. Peter Julian Eymard lists three ways we grow in humility of heart. What are they? What humiliations can I embrace today? What one aspect of my state of life or my duties do I find most difficult? How can I use this as a means of growing in humility?
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"Pride makes us forgetful of our eternal interests. It causes us to neglect totally the care of our soul."
St. John Baptist de la Salle
For Reflection:
Think of a prideful person you know. To what extent have you seen this quote to be true? What does this encourage you to do regarding your own spiritual life?
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"Pride is an illusion, a lie and a thief. And since it is a truth of faith that we are nothing, he who esteems himself and thinks that he is someone is a seducer who deceives himself."
St. John Eudes
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"True humility does not make a show of herself or use many humble words; for she desires not only to conceal all other virtues, but most of all to conceal herself."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
How does the Blessed Virgin Mary exemplify these words?
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My name is Barbara Mancuso, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Clermont, Florida.
Being a convert to the faith approximately 20 years ago, my journey continues. In my desire to learn the Catholic faith and my purpose as a Cathloic woman, I participated in the Women Of Grace Study program 4 years ago. It was a profound turning point in deepening my faith not only as a Catholic, but as a woman in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. I was hearing many theological truths about why God created woman and truly seeking my role in that plan. This to me was not just “another bible study”. So many answers to questions I didn’t know how to ask!
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Arrived in Dublin on June 16. Beautiful day! Sunny, warm. Met Therese McCrystal. Like the day: sunny, warm, and charming. Immediate connection. Off to a drive around Dublin.
Julia sang Molly Malone at Molly Malone bronze statue in city. So cute! But Molly needs a cover-up!
Stopped at Carmelite church. Lovely. Relics of St. Valentine and St. Pius X. Got there in time for Mass. Praise God! Loved the depiction of the Rood -- a very meaningful image to me.
Would like to go back to Dublin to explore to city more fully. Next time, God willing.
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"We must never glance at what is good in ourselves, much less ponder over it, but we should search out what is wrong and what is lacking. This is an excellent way of remaining humble."
St. Vincent de Paul
For Reflection:
How does pondering the good in ourselves jeopardize the virtue of humility? How can discovering the wrong in ourselves or that which is lacking be a jumpstart for growing in virtue? Where do you need to begin?Â
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"The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
For Reflection:
Would I fit under the gate of Heaven? What about me would make it most difficult?
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My name is Barbara Mancuso, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Clermont, Florida.
Being a convert to the faith approximately 20 years ago, my journey continues. In my desire to learn the Catholic faith and my purpose as a Cathloic woman, I participated in the Women Of Grace Study program 4 years ago. It was a profound turning point in deepening my faith not only as a Catholic, but as a woman in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. I was hearing many theological truths about why God created woman and truly seeking my role in that plan. This to me was not just “another bible study”. So many answers to questions I didn’t know how to ask!
Stopped at Carmelite church. Lovely. Relics of St. Valentine and St. Pius X. Got there in time for Mass. Praise God! Loved the depiction of the Rood -- a very meaningful image to me.
