We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God´s compassionate love for others.
– Saint Claire of Assisi (via jeromebee) Via the first day.Over the past few months, Catholics have been mocked, marginalized and calumniated. Catholics, who revere the Blessed Mother above all saints, and who revere motherhood above all vocations, have been accused of hating women. Catholics, who believe firmly in the importance of religious tolerance, have been condemned as bigots and hatemongers. Catholics, who believe in the incredible beauty of human sexuality, have been miscast as hopelessly ignorant and out of touch.
This Lent, we can understand the passion of Jesus Christ.
– Bishop James Conley (Denver, aux.)(Source: archden.org)
Via the first day.An idol is anything you have to check with before you say yes to God.
– Kris Vallotton (via set-apartgirl)(Source: therockettdream)
Via to die to selfJust a thought:
If Jesus Christ appeared on your doorstep and personally delivered your future spouse to you, would you run into His arms first, now that you’ve finally seen Him? Or would you be more excited to meet your future husband/wife as if it’s the only moment you’ve been waiting for?
(Source: itsjaaanel)
My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great. Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient; for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
– Sirach 2: 1-6 (via tenthousandangels) Via the first day.If you do not feel like praying
If you do not feel like praying, you have to force yourself. The Holy Fathers say that prayer with force is higher than prayer unforced. You do not want to, but force yourself. The Kingdom of Heaven is taken by force (Matt. 11:12).
- St. Ambrose of Optina
(Source: simplyorthodox)
What I love most about this picture is how the words “You have stolen my heart.” are placed on such an obviously barren and seemingly desolate scene. One would almost expect it to be a much more fitting caption for a photo of a sunset or mountaintop covered in snow. Why this wasteland? Why would something that to many may seem unattractive and lacking beauty…have the ability to steal anyone’s heart?
In Song of Solomon 4:9, God says to his people,
You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
How beautiful that God finds us… beautiful! Each of us is aware of our own faults and failures. We know full well all the ways we fall short…our selfishness and troublesome personality traits. Yet somehow God says, “You have stolen My heart.” These are not just words of a God sitting on His throne looking all all the little things he made who wants JUST our obedience. Those are passionate words! They are the words of a God who is so completely full of love for each of us and who desires our love too. And I don’t believe that that describes his feelings SOLELY toward all of His people/creation as a whole, but also to each of us individually. God loves you personally and unconditionally. Neither your own judgment of yourself nor others’, even Christian others’, judgment of you can take away the truth and reality of His passionate love for you. You may be deemed lacking in the eyes of men, but a treasure in the eyes of God.
This means that the other is part of me, and that his or her life, his or her salvation, concern my own life and salvation.
–~Benedict XVI
[1Corinthians12:22-26]
![You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.[Matthew 5:13-16]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv0uv4V4WH1qzf37uo1_500.jpg)
You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.[Matthew 5:13-16]
(Source: shannonbenannen)
Faith does not just mean accepting a certain number of abstract truths about the mysteries of God, of man, of life and death, of future realities. Faith consists in an intimate relationship with Christ, a relationship based on love of him who loved us first (1 John 4:11).
– Pope Benedict XVI (via fathershane) Via the first day.
We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally; to be alone with Him — not with our books, thoughts, and memories but completely stripped of everything — to dwell lovingly in His presence, silent, empty, expectant, and motionless. We cannot find God in noise or agitation.
–Blessed Mother Teresa
how fitting for Lent!
(via tenthousandangels)
Via the first day.
