Pondering Tidbits of Truth - August 20, 2020

 

Pondering Tidbits of Truth is my simple and inadequate way of providing nuggets of spiritual wisdom for you to chew on from time to time

 

 

 Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

“If you want to equip your soul with virtue and acquire habitual sanctity, it is necessary to practice acts of the virtue which is contrary to your vicious inclinations…mortify your inclinations, even when the object itself is lawful, but not necessary. It will facilitate victory on other occasions; you will gain experience and strength against temptation and present yourself as acceptable to your Savior.

 (From The Spiritual Combat and a Treatise On Peace of Soul)

 

Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty

 When a poustinik enters a poustinia [a small cabin or room where one goes in to pray, fast and encounter God in silence] he really faces himself. Much of the gospel is concerned with this facing of oneself. Christ said that it is what comes out of a man that defiles him. We are loathe to face what is inside us. The poustinik is the free man. He enters there of his own free will, to face himself. Many things, but especially the devil, will conspire to force one to leave the poustinia – to block this confrontation with oneself.

Perhaps I can put it this way: When you enter the poustinia you enter the orbit of God. You hold onto His hand. You are free to give into temptation, to flee the poustinia, or to resist.

It is because of this freedom that a poustinik has no rules. There is nothing to guide yourself by except by what is within. This is where discernment comes in. Among the variety of things that people want you to do, you have to discern from your heart what to do. Your life ought to be a life of service to the community

The essence of the poustinia is freedom, total freedom of action, directed by your love of God and God’s love for you. Should you do this, should you do that? Consult your heart! Put your heart into your heart, get down on your knees, prostrate yourself or whatever you do, and find the answer from God…

 (From Poustinia – Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer)

 

  

Archbishop Luis M. Martinez

 “If we had a greater serenity of soul, more intense faith, we would receive with equal gratitude from the hand of God delight and anguish. We would comprehend perfectly that everything God does to us He does for our good - that sorrow and happiness are both messengers of His eternal love, instruments He uses with ineffable tenderness to accomplish His divine work in our soul. Joy is more agreeable to our poor nature than sorrow is. With difficulty do we appreciate the value of sufferings and the knowledge that perfect happiness springs from them. But consolations and desolations alike come from love, to the work of God within us.

 (From True Devotion to the Holy Spirit)