Scripture

A beautiful attitude

Today was the feast day of Saint Norbert. I really know nothing about the Saint.  I will educate myself. Saturday I went to a very pleasant funeral. It was the man of prayer’s father. His name was Norbert. The celebration occurred at the Polish Cultural Center in Cleveland off 65th Street just south of St. Stanislaus. The significant other was with me, in perfect attendance and partnership. I am convinced our courting has elevated to a new level. Sunday we enjoyed lunch together. The immensity of my longing and love overwhelms, exposing buried imperfections,  gouging and making a new wounds. It is all a part of healing. God is good and all giving!

Today’s reading

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Marten_Pepijn_-_Norbert

St Norbert

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Humility provides growth

shimei-throwing-stones-at-david-1-GoodSalt-gabas0132

When King David came to Bahu’rim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shim’e-i, the son of Gera; and as he came he cursed continually.

And he threw stones at David, and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

And Shim’e-i said as he cursed, “Begone, begone, you man of blood, you worthless fellow!

The LORD has avenged upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Ab’salom. See, your ruin is on you; for you are a man of blood.”

Then Abi’shai the son of Zeru’iah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.”

But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeru’iah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, `Curse David,’ who then shall say, `Why have you done so?'”

And David said to Abi’shai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has bidden him.

It may be that the LORD will look upon my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for this cursing of me today.”

So David and his men went on the road, while Shim’e-i went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him and flung dust. –2 Samuel chapter 16

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Here am I

This is for a significant other. It is important to me, without any explanation or deviation.

After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham”, and he answered, “Here am I.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” –Genesis 22:1-2

7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9* When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” –Genesis chp 22

11 Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am! –Genesis 31:11-13

13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 14 So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers, and with the flock; and bring me word again.” So he sent him… –Genesis 37:12-14

God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” 3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of you a great nation. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” –Genesis 46:1-4

God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I.” 5* Then he said, “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6* And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. –Exodus 3:4-6

3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for thy servant hears.”. –1 Samuel chp 3

…I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3* And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4* And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6 Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.” 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” 9* And he said, “Go, and say to this people: ‘Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”. –Isaiah 6:1-10

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. –Isaiah 58:8-9

1* I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here am I, here am I,” to a nation that did not call on my name. 2 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices. –Isaiah 65:1-2

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight. –Acts of the Apostles chp 9

Here I am. Totally present, absolutely, to the best of abilities acutely aware, honest, open and willing. Stilled. Not petitioning, apologizing, nor even thanksgiving. The discursive mind paused.

A sincere desire to cleanse the feet of Our Lord with tears, to kiss the wounds of His crucifixion, to hold my face to the Sacred Heart, witnessing, experiencing the beating, as did the beloved disciple.

Our Holy Mother acquiescing as a teenager, bowing to Gabriel, instantly, humbly, responding in the affirmative to the proposal from God.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” –Luke 1:38

Here I am Lord. Thy will be done.

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Deep healing

I am struggling in the relationship realm, not trying to focus too acutely upon the moment.  Details becoming more pronounced than reality, I do not want to make too much of every breath.  There is a large element of my personality attached to drama. The need for declarative statements, the need to always be right, is plaguing.  I have been singular in my life, an addiction developing, a cantankerous disagreeable mindset forming, argumentative in reproach and approach.  Rital gives herself completely to me, unwavering in her commitment, sincere in her interest in the things I enjoy. She loves my music, deeply penetrating meaning, understanding exactly what I am attracted to, comprehending my insight.  Our time together is blessed with easy and natural compatibility, a flowing to our exchange, an ease socializing together.  We make an interesting couple in presentation, enjoying others and communal conversation splendidly together. There are concerns, areas that need addressed, counseling necessary to move solidly into permanency, wedding vows with Catholic authenticity.  Yesterday, I was confrontational, agitating and mean with her.  I wanted to make a point, therefore felt the need to establish superiority, wounding and discombobulating her.  She becomes profoundly hurt, a longing in her core begging forth love.  I can cripple and nearly inflict fatal wounds.  I have the power to call forth all her brokenness into another culminating experience of pain, rejection, humiliation, and failure.  She surrenders to me and grants me this power.  I understand I am attached to the notion I am a spiritual superior, advanced beyond her practice.  It stuns me to perceive the reality within myself.  Yet I also do not want to stay committed to her out of pity.  We have become consumed with our relationship to the point of neglecting our spiritual lives.  It is natural, understandable in the realm of imperfection.  Avoiding obsessiveness, crippled by delusionary perfection, I anchor myself with the reality my faith comes first.  I cannot blame her if my solid spiritual exercises are wavering.  It is in my relationship with Christ that all things flow, including my courting of Rits.  She is understanding, yet within the fact exists danger.  To have one loyal to your word, wavering under your command, desiring nothing more than to have you close is debilitating.  It allows me to blame her for everything, to find fault in her as a recompense for my own faults. Instead of being a loving companion, I become a dominating master.  I do not like this aspect of me, shocked to see it emerging.  Sidestepping dramatics, I do not over-react to an over-reaction.  Again all things flow from my relationship with Christ.  Rita I will not allow to be destroyed by my angry nature.  Within another who loves me, I see the worst of myself.

Prophet Hosea and the healing process through God.

“Come, let us return to the LORD;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has stricken us, and he will bind us up. 
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him. 

In God the orphan finds mercy…

I will heal their faithlessness;

God lovingly calls out:

I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned from them…
 
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her. 
And there I will give her vineyards,
and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth…

A video about becoming whole

 

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…I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now…

Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance,
and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,
and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

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Amoris Laetitia

Love is patient and kind;
Love is not jealous or boastful;
Love is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way;
Love is not irritable or resentful;
Love does not rejoice at wrong,
Love rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things,
Love believes all things,
Love hopes all things,
Love endures all things.
Love never ends;

As for prophecies, they will pass away;
As for tongues, they will cease;
As for knowledge, it will pass away.

For our knowledge is imperfect
And our prophecy is imperfect;
But when the perfect comes,
The imperfect will pass away.

When I was a child,
I spoke like a child,
I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child;
When I became a man,
I gave up childish ways.

For now we see in a mirror dimly,
But then face to face.
Now I know in part;
Then I shall understand fully,
Even as I have been fully understood.

So faith, hope, love abide,
These three!
The greatest of these is love.

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It is what it is

God has now become all things to him, and all things have become, as it were, God to him, for all things present themselves to him now in the manner in which they are in God, yet they remain each one what as it is in its natural essence…Be steadfast, and never rest content until thou hast obtained the now of eternity as thy present possession in this life, so far as this is possible to human infirmity.  –Blessed Henry Suso

Accepting within stillness,
Perceiving in silence,
Seeing while remaining unseen,
Eternity nails in the flesh of Christ,
Barefoot and head bowed,
Understanding and wisdom,
Eyes open and alert,
Lacking self-consciousness,
The serpent and dove,
Being old while remaining young,
Masculine and feminine combined,
Joseph and Mary loving one another,
Worldly parents to the Savior,
Patient in time,
Affirmed within infirmity,
Daily receiving the Eucharist,
A Holy Hour,
Going out into the world,

Isaiah Chapter 6

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called,
and the house was filled with smoke.
And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips,
and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Then flew one of the seraphim to me,
having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

And he touched my mouth, and said:
“Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.”
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

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