Thought for the Day on Conquering Heroes!

Who is she who comes forth as the morning
rising...terrible as an army set in battle array?

When you think of conquerors who comes to mind? Alexander the Great? George Washington? Julius Caesar? Constantine? Napoleon? Genghis Kahn? Charlemagne? The Conquistadores? Attila the Hun? 

We think of some of these warriors with respect and others with horror. What does it mean to be a conqueror and what is the greatest victory over defeat? 

The answer came to me this morning in The Imitation of Mary:

Of what value are all the heroes the word admires, as compared with the great men religion produces through the practice of virtue? 

It is a more spendid thing to conquer one's own passions than to conquer nations.

It is much less difficult to conquer others than to conquer oneself. 

The true Christian is not the kind of hero who owes his heroism to circumstances; he is not the accidental hero of a passing hour but a hero throughout a lifetime.

His glory is that he overcomes the obstacles in his path; his goal is to possess God and find rest in Him. Can there be a greater honor than to serve God and belong to Him? "To serve God is to rule."

Who is the greatest human conqueror in history? Our Lady. Let us walk in her footsteps which lead straight to Jesus!

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recoourse to thee. 

Sunday Meditation: Are you Grieving? Grieve Like a Christian and Imitate Mary.

And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts,
thoughts may be revealed. (Luke 2:35)

From The Imitation of Mary:

The Believer: 

Noble Virgin, can we show Jesus true love only by following Him to Calvary and suffering with Him? Can we not also show our love in tranquility and peace?

Mary: 

Sunday Meditation: Don't Let Anything on Earth Disturb Your Peace of Mind and Heart!

I was reading Spiritual Combat this morning in the wee hours after I woke up at 2:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. After an hour awake in bed praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary and morning prayer, I generally recognize the inevitable and rise and "shine" as much as possible. Hard to shine very brightly when it's still pitch black outside. 

Since I was a teenager I've had sleep issues and getting old certainly doesn't help that problem, but I have a different outlook now. These early morning wakeful times ( I admit I'd rather be asleep) offer an opportunity for quiet prayer, often beginning with a trip outside to look at the stars and praise God in the glory of the heavens.

Why Should We Care about Homosexuals and Homosexualists in the Ordained Ministry?

 BECAUSE PURITY IS A BIG DEAL WITH GOD! 

Nathan the Prophet denounces David for his adultery and murder.

Read this from the Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville about purity and the esteem we should have for it:

Virginity was what made the beloved disciple (Jn 19:26) worthy of Jesus' special love....The prince of the Apostles was granted great privileges, yet it was only the virgin disciple that Jesus allowed to rest his head on His breast at the last supper. Jesus gave Peter the care of the Church; but to John He gave the care of his own Mother. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Us!

There isn't a canonized saint in heaven who did not embrace devotion to Our Lady. One of the reasons they became saints is they faithfully walked in the footsteps of Our Queen. She escorted them straight to the King and taught these humble, little followers to bow before His Majesty! Even the great ones among them, had a humble servant's heart. On this Feast of the Immaculate Conception I offer a few golden nuggets from The Imitation of Mary. She is there to help us in all circumstances:

Pope Francis and His Fruits: Described by an 18th Century Jesuit Confrere!

As my mom used to say: "You can know a person by his friends and the company he keeps."

As I've written in the past, I read excerpts every day from the Imitation of Christ and the Imitation of Mary. Today, as I read from Book 1, Chapter 15 in Im. of Mary, I recognized Pope Francis in Fr. Alexander de Rouville's description. but first I noted my own obligation as a follower of Christ:

God has given us the means of knowing what He has revealed; once revelation is certain, then accursed be even an angel (Gal1,8) if he suggests to me the contrary of what revelation teaches me.

Monday Morning Musings with Mary

 I finished The Imitation of Christ and The Imitation of Mary last week and started reading them again from the beginning. What wisdom and spiritual aid are contained in these two little gems! The Soul of the Apostolate has also become a daily companion. I've read it before, but it also is worth re-reading. Add a chapter from Scripture and one has a daily mini-retreat. 

The beginning of The Imitation of Mary calls her a "masterpiece of grace." Every newly baptized infant shares in that description as a mini-masterpiece of grace. Next time you hold a baptized baby, look into the little one's clean eyes and you will catch a glimpse of heaven. After Jesus, Mary is the source of our salvation. If you want to follow Him, follow her. She is a sure guide and will teach you to walk unerringly in His footsteps.

We don't see Mary in the bible busy running around. Her life was mostly spent in silence. She gives us only one piece of advice - at the wedding feast of Cana. "Do whatever He tells you." We can only follow that advice if we listen to Him. And we can only hear Him in silence, going apart like He did to a quiet place away from the world and it's distractions:

Thought for the Day on the State of the Church -- Never Fear, Little Flock!

How I love reading the Imitation of Mary every morning. It puts suffering in perspective seen in the shadow of the cross of Christ. We all love to be consoled and to see a world full of sweetness and light. That is certainly not our experience at present is it? The secular city and the city of God seem to be crumbling around us. 

If you feel that way, remember that feelings don't necessarily translate into facts. Following them can lead us into confusion and despair. Worried about the state of the world? Worried about the state of the Church? Take a deep breath and take heart. Nothing just happens! All is in the Providence of God. "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and serve according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) This consoling message comes from Book 2, chapter 32 of the Imitation of Mary:

Discouragement in the Face of Evil is NOT an Option

 From the Imitation of Mary with my comments in red:

My child, the thing I certainly wanted above all else was for Jesus to be known.... My zeal for His glory made me feel deeply the hardening of Jewish [read Catholic] hearts. Yet why should I have therefore lost my peace of soul? I knew that God often makes use of evil in carrying out His plans; I knew He draws good from evil. Therefore in silence I adored the infinite wisdom that at times allows wickedness to  triumph....

Don't Let Wickedness Disturb Your Peace: God Uses Evil to Bring about Good!

I generally begin my morning by praying the Office of Readings and meditating on selections from The Imitation of Christ and the Imitation of Mary. I think most Catholics are familiar with The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis written in the 15th century, but perhaps many haven't heard of The Imitation of Mary composed by a French Jesuit, Alexandre Joseph de Rouville, and published in 1768. These two books make me think of the prayer, "Jesus and Mary, I love you; save souls" because Jesus and Mary are perfect companions on the spiritual journey. 

Often the short chapters from the two books (I read one chapter from each every morning.) are in perfect harmony, like a song of praise and thanksgiving. Sometimes I marvel at the "coincidence" of how they blend so seamlessly. Thank You, Lord, for your gifts from the Holy Spirit!

On America's "Royal Road of the Cross" with Jesus and Mary

As part of my new year's resolution, I study a chapter from the Imitation of Christ and the Imitation of Mary every morning. I recommend both as a prescription against discouragement during these unsettling times when many are anxious and fearful. Those anxieties and fears resonate with me as well. With the Biden/Harris calamity stripping our Constitutional rights daily, anxiety and fear are normal, human reactions. We need a program of resistance based, not on human action, but on heaven's battle plan.

It's definitely foxhole time in our country!

Sunday Meditation: A Warning to Joe Biden and the Incoming Administration

I will give you the kingdoms of the earth,
if you bow down and worship me.

The Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville offers a warning to Joe Biden on the cusp of his ascending to what is arguably one of the most powerful positions on earth. As a Catholic, one named presumably after the foster father of Jesus, he bears an enormous obligation. His authority comes not really from the voters (and Big Tech) who put him in power, but from God Himself. Since all authority comes from God, Joe would do well to heed these words from The Imitation:

If it is a crime to rob your neighbor of earthly possessions, how much greater a crime to rob him of eternal goods? Then you turn yourself into a messenger and tool of the devil.

Thought for the Day from the Imitation of Mary: Do You Spend Time With Jesus Every Day?

Have you spent time with Jesus today? He's waiting for you!

Let no day pass without feeding your soul on some salutary truth. That is how to learn the science of the saints. Do not excuse yourself with the claim that you have no time for meditation. What you lack is the will, not the time.