“A man turning from an evil life is bound to be rendered desperate by the knowledge of his sins, if he does not also know how good God is, how kind and gentle, and how ready to forgive.”

                        -St. Bernard of Clairvaux

For Reflection:

To what extent has knowledge of my sins rendered me almost desperate by knowledge of them? How has God shown me His goodness, kindness, gentleness, and readiness to forgive? Have I seen this expressed by a priest in the Sacrament of Penance? How and when?

Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel on Prayer.
Fr. Thomas Dubay, SM  Pb 358 pgs

Chapter One Page 1-2  Thus, contemplative husbands and wives are examples of holiness to their children ….Prayerful clergy serve to inspire parishioners through soul-stirring homilies, sound guidance in the confessional and comforting concern in times of need. Teachers who are aflame ignite their students by their contagious enthusiasm as well as by the attractiveness of the truth they proclaim. Nurses close to God have a healing influence on both soul and body.  In the home, in the marketplace, in the cloister, the love steadily radiating from these simple ones permeates and invigorates the world around us.