Devotion and choice 08/19/2009
"The word devotion, which is derived from the Latin, answers to that of devotedness -- a vowing of ourselves, a consecration of ourselves. A devout person is, then, a person devoted to God, consecrated to God. There is no stronger expression than that of devotion to mark that disposition of the soul of a person who is ready to do everything and to suffer everything for Him to whom he is devoted." (quoted from The Spiritual Life, by Fr. Jean Nicolas Grou
This quote says a lot about what living devout is all about. It is about giving ourselves up completely to God, without the littlest reservation, and being willing to do and suffer all for the love of Him alone. As we seek to live this devotion out we can run into many challenges and troubles. The point is, we have been given over to Him and should continue to live out this consecration through our challenges and struggles. After all, what kind of devotion would it be if we fled at the least struggle?
So, as devotees of Jesus Christ we must resign, no, we must commit ourselves to a way of life that at every moment seeks to grow this devotion. Our daily choices will reflect our devotion. Do we choose to pray rather than watch TV or a movie? Do we choose to dress in a certain fashion that reflect our devotedness to Christ? Do we allow ourselves idle talk or gossip? To we get angry when things don't go "our" way? Do we seek pleasure for themselves? Do we choose our own way, or are we willing to do it God's way (possibly known through our spiritual director)? Are we accepting of our roles and duties in life, or do we gripe about them?
Obviously, the above litany could go on and on, but in the end, these questions and subsequent decisions are made in our heart and will. For it is there that we either accept our calling from God or reject it. It is then with our will that we ultimately choose to live devout!
This quote says a lot about what living devout is all about. It is about giving ourselves up completely to God, without the littlest reservation, and being willing to do and suffer all for the love of Him alone. As we seek to live this devotion out we can run into many challenges and troubles. The point is, we have been given over to Him and should continue to live out this consecration through our challenges and struggles. After all, what kind of devotion would it be if we fled at the least struggle?
So, as devotees of Jesus Christ we must resign, no, we must commit ourselves to a way of life that at every moment seeks to grow this devotion. Our daily choices will reflect our devotion. Do we choose to pray rather than watch TV or a movie? Do we choose to dress in a certain fashion that reflect our devotedness to Christ? Do we allow ourselves idle talk or gossip? To we get angry when things don't go "our" way? Do we seek pleasure for themselves? Do we choose our own way, or are we willing to do it God's way (possibly known through our spiritual director)? Are we accepting of our roles and duties in life, or do we gripe about them?
Obviously, the above litany could go on and on, but in the end, these questions and subsequent decisions are made in our heart and will. For it is there that we either accept our calling from God or reject it. It is then with our will that we ultimately choose to live devout!
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Traditional practices 08/16/2009
A recent article on the CNS website highlighted the distressing state of religious vocations in the US. It stated that 75% of men and 90 of women in religious orders are over the age of 60. Within 10-20 years these religious orders will either die out or be left with empty convents and no one to tend to their apostolates.
Here is an interesting quote from the article:
"Though the numbers in religious orders may be decreasing, the study found that new members are passionate about religious life and that men's and women's communities following more traditional practices have better success attracting younger members today." (emphasis mine) http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903603.htm
In this simple statement is something to really ponder, what is it about the "traditional practices" that attract these younger members? Could it be that these traditional practices are actually those that will assist these young and idealistic youths to achieve their goals of sanctity? Could it be that these traditional practices are those acts that bring about a more peace-filled soul and thus allow a person the freedom to fully embrace their religious life and identity?
Live Devout is dedicated to these "traditional practices" because we know that these practices have been practiced and handed down by the multitude of saints over the past 2000 years. Such greats as St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Margaret Mary, St. Catherine, St. Francis, St. Ignatius, St. Therese, and St. Pio would not be what they are today without a firm grasp on these traditional practices, namely of prayer and penance.
As a married person, I often reflect on my own call to sanctity through matrimony. In this also, I must commit myself to the "traditional practices" of marriage. These are those great graces that God has given to us through our roles as husband and father, wife and mother. While some religious orders have reverted to their pre-Vatican II habits, so must men and women return to more traditional and modest clothing. While nuns and monks return to an horarium more full of time for prayer, we must do our part to ensure we are becoming men and women of prayer, even within our secular duties. And as many religious seek to return to a traditional understanding of their founder's charism and rule, we must seek to understand the traditional teachings of the Church on our incredible roles and responsibilities as fathers, mothers, and spouses.
If married persons can embrace the "traditional practices" of matrimony, I am sure we will see a new renewal in married life as well as vocations to religious life. Let us all embrace these traditional practices - and Live Devout!
Here is an interesting quote from the article:
"Though the numbers in religious orders may be decreasing, the study found that new members are passionate about religious life and that men's and women's communities following more traditional practices have better success attracting younger members today." (emphasis mine) http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903603.htm
In this simple statement is something to really ponder, what is it about the "traditional practices" that attract these younger members? Could it be that these traditional practices are actually those that will assist these young and idealistic youths to achieve their goals of sanctity? Could it be that these traditional practices are those acts that bring about a more peace-filled soul and thus allow a person the freedom to fully embrace their religious life and identity?
Live Devout is dedicated to these "traditional practices" because we know that these practices have been practiced and handed down by the multitude of saints over the past 2000 years. Such greats as St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Margaret Mary, St. Catherine, St. Francis, St. Ignatius, St. Therese, and St. Pio would not be what they are today without a firm grasp on these traditional practices, namely of prayer and penance.
As a married person, I often reflect on my own call to sanctity through matrimony. In this also, I must commit myself to the "traditional practices" of marriage. These are those great graces that God has given to us through our roles as husband and father, wife and mother. While some religious orders have reverted to their pre-Vatican II habits, so must men and women return to more traditional and modest clothing. While nuns and monks return to an horarium more full of time for prayer, we must do our part to ensure we are becoming men and women of prayer, even within our secular duties. And as many religious seek to return to a traditional understanding of their founder's charism and rule, we must seek to understand the traditional teachings of the Church on our incredible roles and responsibilities as fathers, mothers, and spouses.
If married persons can embrace the "traditional practices" of matrimony, I am sure we will see a new renewal in married life as well as vocations to religious life. Let us all embrace these traditional practices - and Live Devout!
St. Romuald\'s Little Rule 08/08/2009
The Brief Rule of St. Romuald
"And he [Br. Paul] received this brief rule from Master Romuald, which he was very careful to practice throughout his life:
This short rule of St. Romuald can easily be translated for those living in the world. Here is my version for us "secular" folks:
"And he [Br. Paul] received this brief rule from Master Romuald, which he was very careful to practice throughout his life:
- Sit in your cell as in paradise;
- cast all memory of the world behind you;
- cautiously watch your thoughts, as a good fisherman the fish.
- The way is via the psalms – do not leave it. If, in your beginner’s fervor, you fail to do the whole psalter, do a little here and a little there, studying each with your whole mind and spirit, and when your mind wanders during the reading - don’t quit, hurry to refocus;
- Place yourself in the presence of God with fear and trembling, as if standing before the emperor;
- destroy yourself completely;
- sit like a baby chick, content with the grace of God, who, unless its mother gives it something , knows nothing and has nothing to eat."
This short rule of St. Romuald can easily be translated for those living in the world. Here is my version for us "secular" folks:
- Make your prayer time each day your time of paradise.
- Do not dwell on your memories of your daily struggles in the world, but cast them all before the Cross.
- Cautiously watch your thoughts...darn good advice!
- Pray each day, and try to pray throughout your day. If you find yourself slipping, hurry back to prayer....don't procrastinate (for you may not have tomorrow!)
- Place yourself in the presence of God (throughout the day) with fear and tremblying, as if God were passing by you during your work day.
- Destroy yourself completely...mortify your senses and desires, offer some sacrifice and penance each day for your sins.
- Reread #7 a few times until your get it...it is priceless.
Time - A Gift to use wisely. 08/05/2009
Have you ever given much thought to how you spend your time? Have you ever taken a diary of where your time goes. I can remember many years ago when I decided to go on a diet. The first thing the diet book recommended was to journal for a week and record everything that I ate. I was amazed by how many things I ate and when. It was a truly eye-opening experience to see how I was feeding myself.
This is true of our spiritual life, which is really our life in total. It encompasses everything we do, say, think, and pray. For instance, a person may say that they have no time to pray, and yet they commute 30 minutes to and from work. During this time they may listen to the news or a musical radio station...what would happen if this person decided to pray 5 decades of the rosary during this time? Or maybe another person spends 45 minutes each day on Facebook after the kids are in bed. Again, is this time "well spent" or just "spent".
I bring all this up because of how short life really is. I am turning 36 this year and amazed that I am probably half-way through my life. What have I done with it? How much time have I wasted on TV, worthless news, sports, entertainment, or just plain trying to please my self? If we take anything from the monastic and religious life, it should be the lesson of time spent well for the glory of God rather than the succor of self.
That all being said, we should examine our life more and more. The more we compare ourselves with Jesus and Mary the more we shall see just how lacking we are. This should humble us and give us a desire to grow and spend more of our time with and for Jesus. (To just dwell on our sinfulness and not be motivated to grow is just another sinister version of self-love....we love ourselves so much we are not willing to change to conform to Christ.) After all, the "unexamined life is not worth living!"
God bless you...All for Jesus!
This is true of our spiritual life, which is really our life in total. It encompasses everything we do, say, think, and pray. For instance, a person may say that they have no time to pray, and yet they commute 30 minutes to and from work. During this time they may listen to the news or a musical radio station...what would happen if this person decided to pray 5 decades of the rosary during this time? Or maybe another person spends 45 minutes each day on Facebook after the kids are in bed. Again, is this time "well spent" or just "spent".
I bring all this up because of how short life really is. I am turning 36 this year and amazed that I am probably half-way through my life. What have I done with it? How much time have I wasted on TV, worthless news, sports, entertainment, or just plain trying to please my self? If we take anything from the monastic and religious life, it should be the lesson of time spent well for the glory of God rather than the succor of self.
That all being said, we should examine our life more and more. The more we compare ourselves with Jesus and Mary the more we shall see just how lacking we are. This should humble us and give us a desire to grow and spend more of our time with and for Jesus. (To just dwell on our sinfulness and not be motivated to grow is just another sinister version of self-love....we love ourselves so much we are not willing to change to conform to Christ.) After all, the "unexamined life is not worth living!"
God bless you...All for Jesus!
