PARADOXICAL

My Nature is Fire Prayer 12 (XXII)* In your nature, eternal Godhead, I shall come to know my nature. And what is my nature, boundless love? It is fire, because you are nothing but a fire of love. And you have given humankind a share in this nature, for by the fire of love you created us. And so with all other people and every created thing; you made them out of love. O ungrateful people! What nature has your God given you? His very own nature! Are you not ashamed to cut yourself off from such a noble thing through the guilt of deadly sin? O eternal Trinity, my sweet love! You, light, give us light. You, wisdom, give us wisdom. You, supreme strength, strengthen us. Today, eternal God, let our cloud be dissipated so that we may perfectly know and follow your Truth in truth, with a free and simple heart. God, come to our assistance! Lord, make haste to help us! Amen. - St Catherine of Siena

On earth we are wayfarers, always on the go. This means that we have to keep on moving forward. Therefore be always unhappy about what you are if you want to reach what you are not. If you are pleased with what you are, you have stopped already. If you say: "It is enough," you are lost. Keep on walking, moving forward, trying for the goal. Don't try to stop on the way, or to go back, or to deviate from it. Sermon 169, 18 - St. Augustine

Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not "How can we hide our wounds?" so we don't have to be embarrassed, but "How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?" When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.- hjmn?

What is personal for me, what rings true in the depths of my own being, also has meaning for others. What is most personal is most universal. - HJMN

Blessed is the person whose faith allows him to worship Jesus Christ without hindrance or reservations despite trials.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. - Nelson Mandela. Work on yourself first then see how the world changes.

All good prayer is based on honest self-knowledge, and it is painful for us to confront ourselves honestly.

As we discover ourselves, we get to know God deeply.

As we draw near to the light, our own darkness becomes more apparent.

To have no will of my own, to be truly poor in spirit, is not to have no will but to have only one will. Fr. Thomas Green

Easter is an all year round experience. It is the dawn that breaks the dry darkness of desolation. It is an ordinary part of life. Yet a genuine experience makes life extaordinary. The Lord manifests Himself, only a while and not for long. For the next cycle of drkness will make us realize who He really is, God. Not just for what He gives nor for the consolations, a God who is everything.

Be strong in all the things you do and all the things that will happen in your life. You'll never know how difficult to live until you've gone through out the difficulties that will make you strong. Live your life to the fullest but don't forget to let God be the center of it.

Happiness can't be found when you seek it for yourself. But when you give it to others, it finds its way back to you. That's the mystery of happiness -- it grown when shared.

This life was given to us to acquire heaven. Do not do anything but for love of God and let Him take care of you. -St Francis of Sales

Five lessons from Noah's ark: Plan ahead: It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. For safety's sake, travel in pairs. Speed isn't always an advantage: the snails were on boards with the cheetahs. The ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals. It may rain for 40 days and 40 nights, but still, it won't rain forever. Keep the hope!

God never gives a burden heavier than we can carry. No matter what, He wants us to be more happy than sad. If birds sing after a storm, why can't we? No one travelled the bridge of success without ever crossing the streets of trials. God never promised us an easy journey in life, only safety on board.

When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not shouting I live a clean life. I'm whispering, I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven. When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not bragging of my success, but I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess. When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not holier than everyone, but I'm just a sinner received God's grace.

St Peter: centripetal force. St. Paul: centrifugal force.

It is in the silence of the poor in spirit where you learn to see life in its proper perspective. -HJMN

Why is the windshield bigger than the rear view mirror? Because what's ahead is more important than what's behind.

A great deal of our pain is not acutally ours. We inherited the feelings or suffered from the impact of any tragedy or distraction in the life of our parents or caretaker when we were children. And we mistakenly believe we are the problem.- Kathyrn Taylor, author of a healing the inner child workbook

The child within beckons, of unmet needs and lack of trust, the Spiriti springs forth and leads, the God of the infinite sets time, and I am just strong enough to be weak to yield to the healer where I am. He will offer a soluton. Mother Teresa

Sometimes we must be hurt to grow. We must fail in life so we can know. We must lose in order to gain. Some lessons are learned best only through pain. Sometimes our vision clears only after our eyes are washed with tears.

If you are discouraged, it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed.

St. Augustine on undertanding the Bible: The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed. The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.

It's good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from himself so firmly in God that we will not need the consolations of men. Thomas a Kempis

One can only love if he allows himself to be loved by others. One can truly give if he will learn how to receive fro others. One can only know if he accepts his ignorance. Humility leads to wisdom.

The greatest joy can only come from the greatest sorrow. The deepest knowledge of God's love can only come from the deepest need.

posted by Resty Odon  # 8:45 PM