Feast: St. Bernard Abbot and Doctor of the Church (1090-1153)
Born near Dijon, France, at 22 he entered the Benedictine abbey of Citeaux, know for its strict observance. After three years, he was sent as abbot with twelve monks to establish a new monastery in a valley known as clairvaux (the Valley of Light). From the time he became abbot until his death, Bernard dominated the religious and political life of Western Europe. His mystical and theological writings, sermons, letters, treatises, and biblical commentaries have had a profound and lasting influence on Catholic spirituality. When he died, all of Europe mourned. He was declared a doctor of the Church in 1830. May we learn from him that "real happiness will come, not in gratifying our desires or in gaining passing pleasures, but in accomplishing God's will for us."
Gospels: Both Yesterday's----- Mathew 19:16-22 and today's ----Matthew 19:23-30 Talk about selling what you have and you will get your treasure in heaven. Or It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
From Sacred Space:
In both cases he is highlighting a TRUTH about wealth---- it can ruin us. Wealth can leave us mistrustful of others or mean; is can also be the basis for service and generosity. To give away money or possessions regularly is a way to ensure wealth NEVER ensnares us.
The things to which I am most attached can slow me down.
Paul told the people of Philippi that nothing matters more than knowing Christ (Phil 3:8). I think of what really matters to me, WHAT MAKES ME TRULY RICH, and ask God's help to LET EVERYTHING ELSE GO.
From Living With Christ:
Today, few are asked to sell everything in order to follow Jesus. But we are expected to use our time, talents and energy to help build up the Kingdom of God.
from The Word Among Us:
Sometimes possessions hold us back. For someone else, it may be status or resentment or an sinful relationship. In reality, it could be ANYTHING that takes our focus off of Jesus and his call to eternal life. Instead ask Jesus to help you STEP BY STEP. HE WILL! So take up Jesus' offer, and choose to follow him JUST AS YOU ARE. Jesus, help me to turn my eyes to you, and to follow you WHEVER YOU LEAD." "Show me WHO I REALLY AM! FILL me with CONFIDENCE, COURAGE, and the ZEAL to serve you with all my heart.
Notes: If you look at all at some of the books I listed in my profile, you will notice that quite a few of the have to do with the Monastic Life. The picture above is of a Benedictine Monastery in Rome.
If I had a previous life I was probably a monk about the same time of St. Bernard -- say 900 years ago-- If I wasn't a Benedictine, I was a Trappist, Cistercian, or Carthusion.
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About this time yesterday, I was finishing up what I thought was a very well thought out blog. Suddenly the whole this disappeared into thin air---- never to be found again. The only thing left was the Title: Jesus will help you STEP by STEP! I went to bed last night feeling a bit down---- BUT TODAY WAS A NEW BALLGAME--- as always. I think He's asking me to take smaller steps.
Like: "Rome wasn't built in a day"
"You learn something everyday"
"You don't know what you don't know"
"One day at a time"
"Let go! Let God!"
"One door closes another opens"
"Today I tried to follow Jesus step by step------- at the end of the day I'm ONE DAY CLOSER to God on my JOURNEY!
Amen.
Year of Faith
Peace
grandpazach@yahoo.com
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