Distractions are thoughts, imaginations, feelings or sentiments, and desires which hold our attention longer than they deserve. At a time when we might direct our attention to God or to some profitable activity, we often find ourselves fighting to keep control of our thoughts. These distractions are due to the various experiences which we have in our daily life. By diminishing these experiences, we will also lessen the number of our distractions. True, we are obliged to give our attention to a number of people and attend to various duties and needs throughout the day. Yet, we need not give our attention to these people and things anymore than is necessary.
We could eliminate many a distraction without neglecting the necessary obligation of our daily life. If we really want to become more aware of God nearness to us throughout the day, we must do our part to gain so great a favour. Begin at once to examine what comes between us and God. See how many things we can eliminate in our daily life without neglecting our duties and obligations. Unless we make a determined effort to concentrate our attention on God, we will always be the victim of distractions.
Holy desires are worthless unless they are put into action. The saints tried so hard to keep their attention on God. They deliberately avoided all unnecessary distractions. They learned how to fix their minds on holy things throughout the day. They knew how to enjoy God's company. True, we must give our attention to our duties and obligations. So often, however, we give our attention to what is unnecessary. Is it any wonder that we find prayer hard or strange? We want to begin today to avoid unnecessary distractions, so that we may think more often of God and speak to Him more frequently throughout the day.
The grace of devotion is not just a holy feeling, nor is it a religious mood. It is an intelligent attachment of our will to God and do whatever He command or desire of us. This is a great grace. God will grant it to us if we make a sincere effort to turn our back on whatever hinders our spiritual progress. We must empty our heart of all useless interests in order to make room for God. Often it is such a small matter that prevents one from obtaining this grace. Misguided self-interest cuts many people off from this glorious gift. In fact, God desire us to have this grace. If we do not have it yet, it is because we have not yet prepared our soul for it. Pray for it and labor for it, and gain control of our feelings and unreasoning desires by acts of self-denial and self-sacrifice.
Above all, begin a determined battle against the outstanding faults in our daily life. Acquiring this grace of true devotion, we will find many things easy and light which now seem difficult and impossible. We will never again lose sight of God power, wisdom, and love, and we will consider it a privilege to follow His Will. If we make a firm and persevering effort to abandon our foolish love for unnecessary distractions, God will give us the gifts. From then on, we will have a steady faith, hope and love to Jesus Christ. We will no longer depend on feelings or moods, but instead, follow God's Will intelligently and faithfully even when we do not feel like doing so.
Thus, live our daily life in God presence by trying to be constantly aware of His nearness to us. The more we strive to develop this virtue, the more God will help us to acquire it. With this grace we will grow in love and kindness toward others. Our faults will become less and less frequent, and our goodness will shine before the world. This daily labor for virtue requires a continual effort. We must go on trying, like a man swimming against the current. To stop trying, even for a little while, is to lose ground. Without a determined and constant effort there will be no progress.
Do not be afraid of work, inconvenience, suffering, our way to Heaven was the way of prayer, work, patience and suffering. To earn Heaven we must become God-like in our daily life. It seems impossible, yet God Himself wants to lead us on toward this goal which so many have had received it. A lively consciousness of God's presence will help us to control and direct our likes and dislikes. Gradually there will be less and less unguarded moments, less slips into our old faults. We shall gradually come to see God's Will in every event that comes along and He desires to grant us this wonderful grace. We must prepare ourselves for it by beginning today to practice acts of faith in God's presence, and acts of self-offering in our daily activities. Too many peoples make a feeble effort to improve themselves, and they give up because of repeated failures. Others claim they feel too small and unworthy of such gift from God. Their real reason, however, is not a virtuous one. They are selfish and afraid of the effort required or the sacrifice involved.
Lord Jesus Christ, let Your holy grace fall on this sinful heart of ours, so that we may love most what is most lovable, know best what is most important, and desire first what is most valuable. [our soul] Let us fear and remove whatever draws us away from You. Teach us to pray, and help us to love Your company, and to seek it as often as possible. Make us aware of Your presence throughout the day. Amen.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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