I posted this on my Facebook, but figured I should share it here, as well. Enjoy!
———
His theme was growing in the spiritual life.
What is the spiritual life? –> Your life with God. It begins when God becomes real to you.
“What you desire, you will be.” ~ St. John of the Cross
God offers everyone a universal call to salvation (aka, everyone is offered salvation).
- Luther and Calvin denied this.
- Some people get that offer on their deathbeds, most are offered earlier in their lives.
Turn your heart and mind to God:
1) Turn away from sin (both intentional and sin through human weakness) – follow the Commandments in big and small things. Never try to deliberately do anything against God’s will.
2) Believe in God’s Mysteries (have real Faith) – act as you believe. An immature Faith does not accept the Mysteries of God. A good example of one of God’s Mysteries: the Eucharist.
3) Trust in God (fully!) – Mother Angelica had no PR experience, was thrown out of Catholic school three times and ended up founding the most successful religious network (EWTN) on the planet. Mother Teresa devoted her life to the poorest of the poor in India and trusted in God despite her 35 years of darkness.
4) The Illumnative Way – when people find that the spiritual life is easy. They exude the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. They easily forgive their enemies, and pray very easily for a long time. They are becoming contemplative, that is; being able to see God.
5) Darkness – Mother Teresa experienced no consolation from God, absolutely nothing for 35 years, but never left Him or rejected her Faith. Her darkness convinced her more to do God’s will.
6) Ecstasies – living with God despite being still alive. Fr. Solanus Casey was a “simplex priest” – he failed Theology twice due to not being able to speak German (the classes were in German), and was ordained a priest without the faculties to hear Confessions or preach. Many miracles were attributed to God working through Fr. Casey when he was alive, and after he died.
Pray for others, that they may receive the grace of Faith and Hope ….
