Whatever God wills

August 6
“Therefore with mind entire, faith firm, courage undaunted, love thorough, let us be ready for whatever God wills.”
~Bede the Venerable
For Reflection:
Bede the Venerable lists four virtues needed to ready us for the permissive will of God. What are they? What do they mean? How can I begin to strengthen them in my soul today?

 

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Facing the Mountain

I will never forget the word my prayer partner, Judy, spoke to me just before we uprooted our lives to retire in Florida. “Are you going to leave your children and your friends and move all the way to Florida?” These words came from the heart of God and from the knowledge of being a friend who knew me like a sister. We had been daily prayer partners for almost thirty years. Those words took root in my soul.

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Accept with humility

August 5

“Let us remember these great truths: (1) There is
nothing, however small or apparently indifferent, which has not been ordained or permitted by God – even to the fall of a leaf.

(2) God is sufficiently wise, good, powerful and merciful to turn those events which are apparently the most calamitous to the good and the advantage of those who know how to adore and accept with humility all that his divine and adorable will permits.”

~Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

For Reflection:

 

If I want to experience the good and the advantage hidden in the midst of my life’s calamities and sufferings, what must I know how to do? Why do I think this is so? What practical steps can I employ to move in this direction?

 

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How to Deal with Scandal Caused by Some Catholic Writers

BB writes: “One thing that really puzzles me is that both the well-loved Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen were also known for their study and openness to some Eastern religion practices. How do you perceive their teachings?

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God is wise

August 4

“Let us remember these great truths: (1) There is
nothing, however small or apparently indifferent, which has not been ordained or permitted by God – even to the fall of a leaf.

(2) God is sufficiently wise, good, powerful and merciful to turn those events which are apparently the most calamitous to the good and the advantage of those who know how to adore and accept with humility all that his divine and adorable will permits.”

~Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

For Reflection:

Meditating on the second truth that Jean-Pierre De Caussade offers, do I truly believe that God is wise, good, powerful and merciful? Do I truly believe that God can and will turn the calamity and suffering of my life to my good and advantage? Have I witnessed this in the past?

 

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Even to the fall of a leaf

August 3

“Let us remember these great truths: (1) There is
nothing, however small or apparently indifferent, which has not been ordained or permitted by God – even to the fall of a leaf.

(2) God is sufficiently wise, good, powerful and merciful to turn those events which are apparently the most calamitous to the good and the advantage of those who know how to adore and accept with humility all that his divine and adorable will permits.”

~Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

For Reflection:

The next three days will provide me with time to contemplate and consider the rich insight of this quote. For today, what do I think is the difference between God’s “ordained” will and His “permissive” will. What instances of each have I seen in my life?

 

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The measure of all things

August 2
“The will of God is the measure of all things.”
 ~St. Ambrose of Milan
For Reflection:
Is God’s will the yardstick of my decisions, choices, and behavior? Why or why not? To what extent does fear of God’s will enter in? (See tomorrow’s Grace Lines for some insight that may help.)

 

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The Portiuncula Indulgence: Gift of Jesus, Gift of Francis

Painting of the vision of St. Francis in the Portiuncula – Bartolome Esteban Murello (1617-1682)

Legends abound surrounding the life and times of Francis, the saintly little poor man of Assisi (1182 – 1226): his affinity for all of nature, preaching to the birds, taming the ravenous wolf, recreating the Christmas crèche, receiving the sacred stigmata. What is not so well known is the role Saint Francis played in the bestowal of an amazing gift from a gracious God to His creatures.

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The sole end

August 1
“The accomplishment of the divine will is the sole end for which we are
in the world.”
-St. John Eudes
For Reflection:
What does the phrase “God’s will” mean to me? How does this definition shape my understanding of this quote by St. John Eudes? What do I think is the relationship between living in God’s will and true joy?

 

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