July 12, 2013
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN IN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Joh 16:33) These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Abba Anthony: St John of Kronstadt: Do not be despondent when the clouds of hell, one darker than the other, descend upon your soul; when infernal malice, envy, doubt, obstinacy, and other passions, rise up in your soul; know surely that the gathering of these dark clouds upon your mental horizon is inevitable; but they are not always there and will not remain long; they are like the appearance of dark clouds on the sky in nature--they pass over and disappear, after which the mental atmosphere of the soul is cleared up again. In nature there must be clouds on the sky, and the darkening of the light of day; but these clouds are not constant, they soon pass away, and then the light of the sun shines again with renewed power.
VIA BHLA2: How to Overcome Discouragement! By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.
Most
of us at one time or another are tempted to discouragement. The
spiritual combat gets too tough and we’d like to call it quits. It seems
so hard to keep on trying-especially when we don’t seem to be going
anywhere. Or when just about everything seems to be going against us.
It
may help to know that the saints had the same struggle. At times they
had to grind out their acts of faith, hope and charity through clenched
teeth. Don’t think they were swept along without effort. They waged an
uphill battle against discouragement, failure and despair. They became
saint not by never failing, but by refusing to give in to their falls.
At
times the saints even experienced a repugnance for the things of God.
They didn’t deny this condition, but rather faced up to it. Our Lord
never said to deny that a cross exists, or even to say that it didn’t
hurt. He told us to “take it up.” And to do it daily.
Maybe
you feel spiritually “beat.” Everything seems just too hard. You don’t
feel like praying. You feel the need for God, but He seems beyond hope
and charity-and just about everything else! This can be a greater
mortification than some of the bodily austerities of the saints.
Be
assured-you may be much closer to God than you think. It’s not thinking
of God that is the most important. Nor the feeling that He is near. Or
even wanting to pray. It’s just trying to pray. And wanting Him-even
when you think you’ve lost God. God permits this rough going, because we
hang onto Him more fiercely at a time like this.
Don’t
say to yourself: “It’s no use. I just don’t have what it takes.” OF
course, you haven’t! But none of us have. God is a merciful supplier who
will supply just what is needed when you need His help. Don’t sit back
and hang your head in discouragement. Lift up your heart and approach
Him exposing your need like a begging child.
I
think that the trouble often is not so much lack of courage as lack of
correct vision. We haven’t lost our backbone-but we’re just looking in
the wrong way. We are looking too much at ourselves and not enough at
God. He told us that “to those that love God ALL things work unto good.”
Not “some” things or “most” things. He excluded absolutely nothing!
Really,
what is there to be discouraged about? Past mistakes, no matter how
serious, are erased by the merciful forgiveness of God. Possible future
troubles haven’t even arrived. Spiritual success, at least, is
available. Happiness can be yours for the asking-if you are willing to
set your heart on the right things.
Discouragement
can be the sign that we have trusted too much in our own abilities and
not enough in God’s. Or that we are taking ourselves too seriously. Or
perhaps overemphasizing our importance in the scheme of things. Or it
could be that we want things that aren’t good for us and God simply
refuses to let us have them. If He shakes us up it’s only because He
wants us to find Him more perfectly.
So,
don’t be discouraged over your failures-or anything else. Whatever the
cause of discouragement, lift up your eyes and your heart. Your eyes to
make you see that there’s never an excuse for self pity, for one who is
loved by a God of love.
Your
heart to make you realize that you shouldn’t feel sorry for yourself as
long as you are an object of His tender concern. Our need is the
perfect invitation for God to take over in our lives. Let us not be
afraid to ask Him to do so!
VIA A Moment with Mary: Saved through the Mother of GodHe was young, handsome and the father of three small children. But misfortune and calamity dogged his footsteps. Wearied by tormenting trials and worries, and having no confidence either in God or man, he chose to accept the failure of his life and set out to commit suicide.
Even before the early rays of the sun could scatter away the dullness of dawn, he stealthily stole away from his home and made for a solitary spot, nervously holding a rope in his right hand. Downcast and disheartened, he walked down the lonesome path in a nearby wood. Then all of a sudden he stopped in his tracks. He saw a piece of white paper on the ground and picked it up just out of curiosity. It was an image of Our Lady bearing the following invocation: "Consoler of the afflicted, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
"This is strange," he thought. "Why should I have found such an image at this juncture?" He walked on reading the phrase: "Consoler of the afflicted, pray for us who have recourse to thee." He paused again. A flash of light illuminated his mind and he felt a renewed desire to live and pray.
"Mother of the afflicted, pray for me who has recourse to thee," he whispered almost unconsciously.
He threw away the rope, hastened back to his wife and children and told them the striking manner in which Mary had saved him from a shameful death. Trusting in God and his Heavenly Mother, Mary, he started afresh, and lived a happy and successful family life filled with many joys and consolations.
MUSIC VIDEO: Casting Crowns East to West
Thoughts and Sayings of Saint Margaret Mary: Various Subjects
1.
I hope all from the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ Who is so
filled with love for you that, cost what it may, He will you should
become a saint (To her brother, the priest).Prayer request? Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com
This month's archive can be found at: http://www.
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