The Thirty-Second Chapter
Self-Denial and the Renunciation of Evil Appetites (part two)
The Voice of Christ
My child, you should not turn away or be downcast when you hear the way of the perfect. Rather you ought to be spurred on the more toward their sublime heights, or at least be moved to seek perfection.
I wish this were the case with you—that you had progressed to the point where you no longer loved self but simply awaited My bidding and his whom I have placed as father over you. Then you would please Me very much, and your whole life would pass in peace and joy. But you have yet many things which you must give up, and unless you resign them entirely to Me you will not obtain that which you ask.
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold, fire-tried, that thou mayest be made rich” Apoc. 3:18. —rich in heavenly wisdom which treads underfoot all that is low. Put aside earthly wisdom, all human self-complacency.
I have said: exchange what is precious and valued among men for that which is considered contemptible. For true heavenly wisdom—not to think highly of self and not to seek glory on earth—does indeed seem mean and small and is well-nigh forgotten, as many men praise it with their mouths but shy far away from it in their lives. Yet this heavenly wisdom is a pearl of great price, which is hidden from many.
Once again I would like to repeat this phrase:
My child, you should not turn away or be downcast when you hear the way of the perfect. Rather you ought to be spurred on the more toward their sublime heights, or at least be moved to seek perfection.
This is so important to remember...especially in the Blog/Facebook world!!! People just see the good and not the struggles of every day life. When I read a blog of someone I admire...I try to take away inspiration not depression...realizing that they too have daily struggles to overcome!!!
Today is Small Successes Thursday at Faith and Family...see you there!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Hey Girl! This entry was a balm on my soul. I was in FaithandFamily land yesterday and read the post and response about the small things, the anger management and the SuperNanny and frankly it really depressed me. I think alot of women would judge me unkindly and maybe even mercilessly if they could see my house- the clean days are much fewer than the dirty days.
ReplyDeleteAnd I shy away from even going to daily Mass because I have a really hard time training my two year old twin boys alone, and this big belly and the accompanying rear balast make the physical aspects of proper parenting the rambunctious pair a real hassle.
I read a blog from a Catholic father of a "large" family (7 at that time, I think), called "why I hate large Catholic homeschool families" about how people with large families need to better train their kids because it is compromising our Catholic and Christian witness to have unruly children- and I think I am scarred for life.
Between that and the SuperNanny thing I feel almost completely disqualified from life as a Catholic mom. Maybe there is like some back room in heaven where the "losers" can go to listen since we don't quite rate a spot with the rest of the crowd who have it so well together.
How sad is that?
My point in commenting here was actually to ask you if you have a son in the Legion and his name etc- I have on at Cheshire and one at ICAS, NH- I ge tup there sometimes- let me know! Its such a small world!
Love to you in Christ_ I appreciate your life!
Jo