St Francis de Sales

Dec172015

White as snow

We may compare the whiteness of snow to the whiteness of a pure soul because it surpasses any other whiteness, and that is true you will see in tomorrow’s Gospel (Matt 17:1-9), where it is said that Our Lord being transfigured, His clothes became ‘as white as snow’.  That shows well enough that nothing whiter can be found.  Listen to the royal psalmist David.  Lamenting before God that, through sin, his soul has become blacker than black, he entreats him Him to be pleased to wash him with His ‘hyssop’ so that by his means it will be made ‘whiter than snow’…..

Snow is obedient.  It is the divine Psalmist who declares that it is, assuring us that it does the will of God, that it obeys His word …fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! . Ah! Watch it fall: It falls so gently.  See how it remains on the ground until it pleases God to send a ray of sunshine which comes to melt it and make it disappear.  Oh how obedient is the snow!  Such are the souls who dedicate themselves to the Lord, for they are supple and submit themselves absolutely to the discretion and guidance of those who command, no longer allowing themselves to be in control by the use of their own will and judgement.  —The Sermons of St Francis de Sales on Our Lady

snows

 

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Dec142015

Hail Mary during the opening of a Jubilee year of Mercy

The divine lover, heaving a deep sigh, begins by saying: Let Him kiss me, this dear friend of my soul, let Him kiss me with the kiss of His mouth!  For Your breasts are better than wine, giving forth odors of delicious fragrance.  Your name is as oil poured out which, being composed of all the most precious perfumes, gives forth odors delightful above all others; and that is why young maidens love You.  Then continuing, she adds: Draw me and we will run after your ointments [Song 1:3] 

The Fathers, considering this word of the Song of Songs which the spouse addresses to her Spouse: “Let Him kiss me with the kiss of His mouth,” say that this kiss which she s ardently desires is nothing else but the accomplishment of the Mystery of Our Lord’s Incarnation, a kiss so awaited and desired during the long flow of years by all souls who merit the name of lovers.  But at length this kiss, which had been so long refused and deferred, was granted to this sacred lover, Our Lady, who, above all others, merits the name “spouse” and “lover” par excellence…..the divine union of the Eternal Word with the human nature, represented by this kiss, was made in the sacred womb of his glorious Virgin.  –‘The Sermons of St Francis de Sales on Our Lady

The Annunciation
Adelaide Anne Procter

How pure, and frail, and white,
The snowdrops shine!
Gather a garland bright
For Mary’s shrine.

For, born of winter snows,
These fragile flowers
Are gifts to our fair Queen
From spring’s first hours.

For on this blessed day
She knelt at prayer;
When, lo! Before her shone
An angel fair.

“Hail Mary!” thus he cried,
With reverent fear;
She, with sweet wondering eyes,
Marveled to hear.

Be still, ye clouds of Heaven!
Be silent, Earth!
And hear an angel tell
Of Jesus’ birth.

While she, whom Gabriel hails
As full of grace,
Listens with humble faith
In her sweet face.

Be still—Pride, War, and Pomp,
Vain hopes, vain fears,
For now an angel speaks,
And Mary hears.

“Hail Mary!” lo, it rings
Through ages on;
“Hail Mary!” it shall sound,
Till time is done

“Hail Mary!” infant lips
Lisp it today;
“Hail Mary! With faint smile
The dying saying.

“Hali Mary!” many a heart
Broken with grief
In that angelic prayer
Has found relief.

And many a half-lost soul,
When turned at bay,
With those triumphant words
Has won the day..

“Hail Mary, Queen of Heaven!”
Let us repeat,
And place our snowdrop wreath
Here at her feet.

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Nov262015

A day of thanksgiving

“Love every one with a strenuous love of charity, but have no friendship, except for those that communicate with you the things of virtue; and the more exquisite the virtues are, which shall be the matter of your communications, the more perfect shall your friendship also be. If this communication be in the sciences, the friendship is certainly very commendable; but still more so if it be in the moral virtues in prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice. But should your reciprocal communication relate to charity, devotion, and Christian perfection, good God! How precious will this friendship be! It will be excellent, because it comes from God; excellent, because it tends to God; excellent, because it shall last eternally in God. Oh, how good it is to love on earth as they love in heaven; to learn to cherish each other in this world, as we shall do eternally in the next!” –St Francis de Sales

Thanksgiving arrives, two autumn days off work. Gratefulness, no stress, socializing and housework, a time of reflection upon the past and a prayer for the future. God is good and all pervading; allowing and permitting the wonders of life to absorb; shaping and forming us into creatures prepared for heaven, able to overcome the burdens we place upon our backs.

Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful,
and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength,
but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape,
that you may be able to endure it.

14772535[1]

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Nov232015

Efficacy within inquietude

Inquietude: restlessness or uneasiness; disquietude.

“Inquietude proceeds from an inordinate desire of being delivered from the evil which we feel, or of acquiring the good which we desire; and yet there is nothing which tends more to increase evil, and to prevent the enjoyment of good than an unquiet mind. Birds remain prisoners in the nets, because when they find themselves caught, they eagerly flutter about to extricate themselves, and by that means entangle themselves the more. Whenever, then, your pressed with a desire to be free from some evil, or to obtain some good, be careful both to settle your mind in repose and tranquility, and to compose your judgement and will; and then gently procure the accomplishment of your desire, taking in regular order the means which may be most convenient; when I say gently, I do not mean negligently, but without hurry, trouble, or inquietude, otherwise, instead of obtaining the effect of your desire, you will mar all, and embarrass yourself the more.” –St Francis de Sales

Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents. Of David.
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say–
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Sister Mary Thomas assisted yesterday immensely. Her lingering effect proving stronger than her immediate. I experienced the resonating of ideas and concepts during my time with my friend. No work yesterday, I spent five plus hours with him. The St Francis de Sales quote arose appropriate as the first couple hours we sat in quiet, settling into our time together. I spoke very little, dozing at times. Nothing more than being together. Being still together. I do not want to embarrass myself, or burden my friend with over-attempts, appearing superficial and shallow in doing too much. I read his face and his eyes, allowing him to dictate relevancy. Efficiency is apposite, while personal attempts and agendas are superfluous. It aligns with a staunchness and firmness arising insisting upon the eliminating of fanatical/crazy, selfish, and immature faith. Relevancy, unpretentious and proper discernment, rules supreme. Everything is about my friend getting to heaven, and this is a simple thing, calling forth stillness, presence, and emptiness more than greatness, more than thoughts and words. Doing nothing usurps doing things my way. God is good and all giving. We are sharing together in order to allow God to reveal Himself, in order for God to bring my friend home. Once again, for the second time, Psalm 23 became pertinent, conceptualizing concretely. We hear it so much, it is bantered about so much, yet in moments of deep reflection it looms large. Psalm 124 also proved important. The meaning arose attached to an internal relevancy, the foes in the psalm being personal flaws rather than marauding men. I found it significant the flower’s net in concentrating upon the St Francis de Sales quote. I am experiencing subtle attacks by Satan, thoughts trending toward doubt, questioning that what I am doing is ignorant. Accusations that I am only doing this for myself. My efforts are a waste of time. I do not know what I am doing so I should just leave this poor man alone. In truth, that is why I sat still for so long.  It took me over two hours of doing nothing before I felt comfortable with doing something.  I did not know how to proceed forward, quieting myself until the subtle attacks from Satan subsisted. Waiting, being quiet, holding my tongue, stilling my mind, falling asleep a bit, I did not want involve myself in nonsense. Naturally, humbly, and simply, I extend myself. Another modest event yesterday assisted in my endeavors with my Hospice friend. Right before visiting him, I visited with a young couple regarding the purchasing of an elliptical exercise machine. I enjoyed my time with them immensely. They are from Turkey, Istanbul, enjoying their first child, a beautiful baby girl. Their home was immaculate and they welcomed me with such cheer. The elliptical machine is nice, top of the line. I smiled when the man mentioned with an undertone that his wife likes nothing but the best, and plus she used it only four or five times. I chuckled, acknowledging that what he was really saying was ‘I love my wife, she is beautiful and good, yet she is expensive’. His wife responded by informing me that isn’t it wonderful how clean she kept the machine. I am weak in the presence of kindness, gentleness, and goodness instantly agreeing to buy the exercise equipment, mentioning the money would be handy for them with the approaching holidays. The wife clapped her hands, exclaiming ‘yes it will’. The spirit of the young family carried me onto my friend. Putting my shoes on in order to leave, the father held his baby girl before their beautifully decorated Christmas tree, laughing and mentioning the delight his daughter displayed when looking at the tree. Avoiding the complexities of the world, putting aside all speculation, I could only admire the baby girl’s fascinated eyes as she cherished the blinking lights and shiny decorations of her family’s Christmas tree. Now I just have to figure out how to get the elliptical exercising monstrosity to my home.

St Francis de Sales

St Francis de Sales

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Oct282015

Meekness the means to holiness

“Learn from me, for I am meek, and humble of heart” (Matthew 11-29).  It is everything to have a heart that is meek toward our neighbor and humble toward God.  At every moment give such a heart to our Savior, and let it be the heart of your mind. You will see that to the extent that this holy and considerate friend takes up a place in your mind, the world with its vanities and trifles will leave you.  –St Francis de Sales ‘Roses Among Thorns’

St Francis de Sales

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Aug082015

Acceptance: Inner-transformation supersedes outer expressions

We often repeat such sayings (spiritual teachings/axioms, words of the saints, Scripture) from habit and from a rather superficial grasp of their meaning. We think we are uttering them from the depths of our soul, but that’s not the case at all, as we find out later when we try to put them into practice. You say it’s all the same to you, whatever the sauce God puts you in. Come now, you know perfectly well in what sauce He has put you in, in what the state and condition of life; tell me, is it all the same to you? You are not unaware either that He wants you to satisfy that daily duty about which you write to me; still, it is not all the same to you. Oh! How subtly self-love insinuates itself into our feelings, however devout these appear to be. –St Francis de Sales a letter to Madame Brulart friend to St Jean de Chantal.

St Francis de Sales

St Francis de Sales

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Jul282015

Start of a week, the wise St Francis de Sales to guide

But be of good heart, I beg you; little by little train your will to follow God’s will, wherever it may lead you; see that your will is strongly roused when your conscience says: God wants this. Gradually the resistance you feel so strongly will become weaker and soon disappear altogether. But especially, you must try to stop acting out your inner struggle or, at least, to do so in moderation. There are persons who when angry or annoyed, show their displeasure by simply saying: “What is all this?”; but there are others who speak sharply and show, not only displeasure, but a certain arrogance and spite. What I mean is that you should gradually correct such outburst, moderating them every day.  –St Francis de Sales

Within the quote, the idea of the gradualism Dr. Nichta introduced is gently dealt with. Yesterday during and shortly after mass a confrontation exploded. Wrath dominated my being, an absolute conviction I was justified in venting anger. Following the will of God, surrendering through self-awareness, in a certain sense, only means we are vulnerable to the immaturity of those living entirely on free will. I possess confidence in my efforts, sincere in humility and charity. Consolations are not sought, yet they are being received. I am proud of who I am and where God has taken me. I have the strength to stand up for myself—the determination to preserve my energy in spiritual pursuits. I fear nothing in regards to taking my every thought, action, and interpretation of experiences to the church for validation or correction. I am fearless in my pursuit of God, understanding I will make mistakes. I do not fear the mistakes for my heart grows bolder through, with, and in Christ. I know who I am. I know my weaknesses. I see the weaknesses of others. If I do not know myself, I really have no chance of knowing others. I see others through delusion, brokenness, and manipulation. I am a spiritually immature person incapable of grasping the world honestly, rationalization riots. It takes such an incredible amount of energy to live a life dominated by free will that truth becomes inaccessible. The truths I do come upon are all of my doing. I may as well be watching TV evangelists for that is all the further I will be able to advance. My spiritual life is limited to what I can bring into being, fullness forsaken. I place myself in the role of creator, perversions pervading. Imagination, reasoning, scheming, plotting, making plans, conducting mental debates, arguing within exhausts profound potentialities. Infusion is impossible. The Holy Spirit is blocked. I cannot quiet myself during prayer since I am so busy accessing my imagination in order to interpret, dominate, and impose my will upon the world. Even during prayer my mind is busying putting into action scenarios and happenings in my favor.

Exclude the world from traffic with the mind:
Lips near to God, and ranging heart within,
Is but vain babbling, and converts to sin.
–St. Robert Southwell

There is no peace of mind when I am left alone. When I am alone my mind is constantly racing about putting everything in my order, the controlling unceasing. I praise God I have been lifted from such a mindset. A psychic change. I was so proud that during and after the confrontation I did not allow my imagination to run away with me. I easily calmed myself, upset I allowed the outburst, yet I will not beat myself up. The inner-turmoil concerns more than exterior events. I concentrate upon progress. Within imperfection, I seek diligently for perfection. I utilize the experience to strengthen resolve, to know myself even deeper. Peace reigns in order to drawer closer to God. Garnered and graced growth relied upon not to build pride, yet to instill confidence. I end with another St Francis de Sales quote:

In all things and everywhere we must live peacefully. If troubles, either interior or exterior, come upon us, we should receive them peacefully. If joy comes our way, we must receive it peacefully, without getting all excited about it. If there is some evil to avoid, let us avoid it peacefully, without anxiety; for otherwise, in running away from evil, we could fall and give the enemy time to do us in. Is there some good to be done? Let us do it peacefully, “Thus is my bitterness transformed into peace,”…

St Francis de Sales

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