By prayer, reflection, contemplation and meditation we will acquire a grander outlook on life. We will see the unreasonableness and mean selfishness of our feelings and moods. God will show us the glorious goal which He have set for us. When we have grasped the higher purpose of our earthly life, we will acquire a holy contempt for whatever opposes that purpose. This heavenly knowledge and eternal goal will bring unity and order into our life. We will then find it easier to guide our lower nature according to God's Will.
At times we will have to use stubborn resistance and even violence against the unreasoning tendencies within us. Sometimes we need to disregard our likes and dislikes, and follow our better judgment. With God truth to guide us and His sacraments to strengthen us, we cannot fail in this daily combat for Heaven.
An obedient horse can help man in his daily tasks, but a stubborn mule can do more harm than good. So it is with man's own nature. His reason and will, strengthened by grace, must guide our unreasoning appetites and desires to right action. A good life is one which follows God's commandments. Only God's Will can lead us to Heaven.
So, let God infinite wisdom teach us what is best for us in our daily conduct on earth. Think of our sins with great displeasure and sorrow. Never consider ourselves big or smart because of our good works. The simple truth is that we are sinners. Too often our actions are controlled by emotions or feelings rather than intelligence and grace.
If God leave us to ourselves, we tend to act on what is wrong and fall into sin because we are easily overcome by selfishness. Our self-control falls apart in a short time. We are much weaker than we think. We have little reason to take pride in ourselves and many reasons for humbling ourselves.
Fear nothing so much as our disorderly tendencies and our sins. Run from them more than from anything else. They should displease us more than any other trouble. Be afraid of God judgment and fear the anger of the Almighty. Do not presume to criticize the works of the Most High. Look to our faults. Consider the wrong we have done, and the good we have neglected, and be angry with ourselves, and do not let pride control us in anything. Foolish heart, what have we to complain about? Can we not accept the trails which come to us, when we have so often offended God and deserved hell? God love has spared us. Still, we must be honest with ourselves. Face the truth about ourselves and be patience with our defects and limitations.
God loves an honest man. Why should it be so hard to admit what we are? If we hide the truth from ourselves, how can we ever become pleasing to God? We need not become depressed and discouraged as we look at our many faults. All that God expects of us is that we begin today to fight against them. Being a sinner is not the worst thing. The worst thing is to remain a sinner. God loves the repentant sinner, that is, one who detests his/her sins and makes an honest effort to be rid of his/her faults.
God give strength to those who make an honest effort in fighting against their faults. The harder they try, the more will they advance virtue. The self-control which God give is a man's greatest glory because he/she approaches closer to God perfection. No two men have the same combination of faults, nor have they the same amount of grace. God gave more grace to those who make good use of what they have already received.
As we make progress against our main faults, we will find our faults easier to control. Once we are the master of our heart, we will be the master of our life. And our intelligence will be guided by God's grace and our will, will follow God wise and holy commandments. Begin at last! Attack first our most frequent fault. When we fall back into that fault, instead of becoming sad and discouraged, prove our sorrow by beginning again and we will find selfishness at the bottom of every fault. Our feelings will rebel, but we must fix our eyes on God, and let our will stand firm on God law.
Every man has a predominant fault, that is, an outstanding one, because of which he/she commits most of the sins in his/her daily life. Conquering that faults means overcoming many different sins. This fault will not die easily, but a sincere and continued effort will weaken it more and more. Our Lord will not let us fight in vain. God will give us strength to make progress against this fault.
Let us pray: Lord, make us wise in using the means which You have provided for our spiritual victory. Let us never become careless or lazy in following the guidance of Your commandments: Love the Lord, our God with all our soul, heart, strength and mind and also love our neighbour as ourselves. The victory of this daily battle will bring us eternal glory in the wonderful life of Heaven. The reward which You have prepared is far greater than our effort can ever deserve of itself. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 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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