By Lenora Grimaud
What is the Lord doing in the Church today? What word has he been speaking through the Bishops for the past seven years? God is purifying his Church and calling us to be holy. He has been saying that he will not tolerate the evil that is going on among us. During this great time of “Mercy,” the Lord’s tolerance is “zero” when it comes to the greatest evil—the harm we do to our children, including the unborn. He is saying that we must recognize and acknowledge that sexual molestation of children is a grievous sin—a great evil—regardless of culpability. It must be rooted out and stopped—no “buts.” He is saying that his priests must be beyond reproach. He wants a holy priesthood who are able to know good from evil and hold fast to his word. He is saying that we must remember this so that if the rest of the world accepts and condones sexual molestation of children tomorrow, we are not to follow them. He is saying more—this is only the beginning. He is saying that sexual molestation by a priest, of anyone—man, woman, youth, child—regardless of whether they consent or not—is evil, sin, and must be rooted out.
The Catholic Church, and especially her priests, are being singled out in regards to sexual molestation because more is expected from them. “Those to whom more is given, more is expected.
Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mt. 18:6). Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt. 7:15). (CCC—2285)
The Lord is saying that all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sin and evil—sexual molestation—with or without consent, for priests and laity. All sex outside of the sanctity of marriage is sexual abuse and must be stopped. He is saying—“get busy—decide what you can do to stop it. Get rid of your false teachers and prophets—rely on the word of God, not the experts.” If we fail to listen to him we will be consumed by the purifying fire that is rising up, instead of purified. Fire either destroys or purifies and a fire is blazing across the earth. This is only the beginning. This is only the first of many sins that we need to be purged from. We must not only heal our children of the affects of sexual molestation but we must heal their minds, hearts, and souls from sexual abuse in all its forms. We must teach them the purpose and value of chastity. They will not recognize sexual abuse unless they come to accept that all sexual contact outside of marriage is sexual abuse—not only of their bodies and souls, but also of sex, itself.
What is the Lord saying to the secular world? He is saying—there is “filth” in the Church, as Pope Benedict XVI has remarked, and it must be purged. However, there are many in the world who attack the Church for malicious reasons—not because of a concern for those who have been abused by the Church. They are hypocrites who have a plank in their own eye, while they attempt to remove a splinter in the eyes of their enemy (Mat. 7:5). They attack Popes and priests, while they shield and condone their own behavior and that of the rich, powerful, and prominent, in the secular world. The majority of sexual abuse of children is within the secular world—in organizations, clubs, schools, and families; especially from boyfriends of divorced mothers. The Catholic Church—led by faithful priests and a holy Pope—has done more to protect, defend, and heal children than any other Church or organization in the world. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7).
What is the Lord saying to the Bishops? He is saying—“Repent and reform your lives so that you will have the integrity to call the people to repent. Trust in God, not in man. Get rid of your false prophets and teachers among you—turn back to the Gospel you are called to proclaim—turn back to the authentic teaching of the Church that you are called to defend. Be united as brothers—‘be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.’ (Phil.2:2). Be true fathers of your priests and good models for them to follow. Do not support those who would destroy the Church and corrupt the message of the Gospels in the name of reform. Be on your guard.”
Tuesday
Saturday
Joy
Joy—And the Fruit of the Spirit
By Lenora Grimaud
In contrast [to the works of the flesh], the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Gal. 5:22
The fruit of the Spirit are effects of the Holy Spirit that come through us in our thoughts, words, and actions. They are the work of holiness produced in us, by the Holy Spirit, manifested in a life of virtue—in contrast to vices that are manifested through the “works of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16-18).
In his “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus taught his disciples many things in order to teach them how to distinguish the false prophet from the true prophet, the false disciple from the true disciple, and the fruit of the Spirit in contrast to the works of the flesh. (Mat. 5-7). Christians need to know this sermon in order to have good discernment. Christians also need the Holy Spirit in order to be able to distinguish the true from the false disciple, because we can easily be deceived by outward appearances, rhetoric, and manifestations of power. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves.” (Mat. 7:15-16)
Christians need to know how to “test the spirit” behind the spiritual gifts and consolations that we receive in a prayer meeting, as well as our individual prayer life. Charisms of the Holy Spirit are often given to people who are new to the spiritual life and not very advanced in holiness. Charisms and consolations from God lead us to God and to growth in holiness. All of these charisms and consolations can be counterfeited. They can come from our ego, or they can also come from the evil one. This kind of discernment takes maturity in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Beginners are not able to discern, yet. Mature leadership and spiritual direction is very important.
The joy that humans can experience in this life can come from many different sources, and be external or internal. Joy—the fruit of the Spirit, is a very different kind of joy. It is one of the marks that identifies Christians who “have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24). Unlike the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit received through Baptism and Confirmation, the fruits of the Spirit identify the Christian who has grown in wisdom and maturity through union with the Holy Spirit.
But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2Cor. 4:7-11)
The joy that is the fruit of the Spirit is an internal joy, most apparent during times of suffering, trials, tribulations, testing, loss, and persecution. It is a confident hope in God’s mercy, goodness, and promises. This kind of joy is gratitude to God for everything, in all circumstances of life. St. Paul says:
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. (2Cor. 4:13-18)
This kind of joy, the fruit of the Spirit, cannot be counterfeited. However, joyful emotions, feelings, fervor, zeal, and enthusiasm, can be counterfeited. Putting on a happy face does not a happy person, make. For some people, external joy can even be a mask, or contrived, in order to hide from themselves and others, their lack of joy, or their grief. They want joy so they pretend they have it. Joy, the fruit of the Spirit, is much deeper, and more permanent, than what most people understand as “joy.” Nevertheless, it is a good thing to “put on a happy face”—smile a lot—when we are feeling down or experiencing desolation, as long as it is not a form of denial. This can be a means of resisting the “bad spirit.” Gloomy saints do not make good witnesses.
We also need to be able to distinguish between the fruits of the Spirit and spiritual consolations from God. Spiritual consolations are a totally, free gift, or grace from God, given for our benefit. They do not depend on our holiness. We cannot earn them or force God to give us these spiritual consolations. We can only prepare ourselves to receive them. These consolations are special graces given in accordance with God’s purpose. They are not permanent, and usually not long in duration. They cause us to delight in the things of God. They enable us to praise and worship God with heartfelt emotion. They make prayer and service effortless. The bad spirit can also give spiritual consolations of great joy. This is especially true as we advance in the spiritual life. For beginners, the bad spirit is not so subtle. He usually brings only spiritual desolation.
Spiritual desolation from the bad spirit can come in the form of sadness, anxiety, fear, condemnation, loss of hope, doubting God’s love and the authentic gifts and consolations received from God, tepidity, loss of fervor and desire to pray, distractions in prayer and doing good, rationalizations, and false reasoning. This kind of desolation leads us away from God—away from faith, hope, and love. These things, we need to recognize and resist.
The “Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” is for many people, a conversion experience that opens the door to receiving many wonderful spiritual consolations from God and “good spirits,” as well as charisms for the building up of the Church. As time goes on, the bad spirit discovers this open door and brings spiritual desolation, as well as spiritual consolations. He attempts to distort or counterfeit the charisms and to use them for his own purposes. Thus, the great need for teaching and discernment of spirits for all those living the spiritual life.
People who have the experience of “baptism in the Spirit” frequently receive many spiritual consolations. The time comes, however, when those spiritual consolations stop, or are very infrequent. Spiritual consolations and the joy we experience from them is not the same as the joy that is the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual consolations are a foretaste of heaven. We should desire these consolations, and do all that we can to be receptive to them, because they bring us nearer to God—but, in humility, not presumption. Christians frequently mistake spiritual consolations for the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said: “You will know them by their fruits.” He did not say, “You will know them by the spiritual consolations or charisms that they receive.”
“Charismatics” need to distinguish between what is temporary and what is permanent. We can be tempted to mistake spiritual consolations for the fruits of the Spirit, and believe that we are already sanctified Saints. We can be tempted to judge others by our own distorted perception and understanding. We can also be tempted to mistake the charisms for virtues and the sanctifying gifts of the Holy Spirit, attributing these charisms to ourselves, as signs of our own holiness and goodness. We need to know how the bad spirit operates and to be aware of his presence. The bad spirit is also, frequently right on the heels of spiritual consolations coming from God. We need to stay awake! As scripture says, ‘Be calm but vigilant,’ because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things. (1Pet. 5:8-9)
All humans, throughout life’s journey, experience natural consolations (joy) and natural desolations (sorrow). These are the mountains and valleys of life. Most of the time, we experience times of tranquility that are neither marked by consolation or desolation. The spiritual life is similar. Christians committed to Jesus, experience movement back and forth, between spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation. Much of the time, we live in between—in tranquility—walking by faith and trust alone, without consolation or desolation.
There is a difference between natural consolations and spiritual consolations, as well as a difference between natural desolation and spiritual desolation. Natural desolation comes to everyone, from living life. Sometimes desolation can be a cross that we are called to embrace, when we are powerless to remove it. Whereas, spiritual desolation always comes from the evil one, and is something we need to recognize and resist, as much as possible. We need to recognize spiritual consolation from God so that we can receive it with thanksgiving, and recognize spiritual desolation so that we can resist the enemy and his temptations.
The somewhat contagious happiness of a person who makes you happy just to be around them may only be natural joy. Natural joy comes from an appreciation of goodness, beauty, and truth. We experience it in the appreciation of nature, in the birth of a baby, in the experience of being in love, in celebrations of life, and in all sensible consolations and pleasures of life.
Joy can also be an outward sign of unity within the Christian community; whenever we come together to praise and worship, when we share an “agape meal,” when we come together for retreats and large gatherings, and when we celebrate Eucharist together. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The joy and love that we manifest to one another becomes a sign to others. Jesus said: “By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35).
Joy can even come from sinful pleasure—the joy that those given over to the flesh, experience in drunkenness, orgies, foul talk and jokes, lust, immorality, revenge, and all the other works of the flesh. For awhile they find joy in these pleasures, but it turns sour, leaving them empty and in greater desolation.
It is very important that we learn to discern between the fruit of the Spirit and natural attributes, feelings and emotions. They are very different. The fruit of the Spirit is spiritual fruit; we need the Holy Spirit in order to understand them. This kind of fruit is beyond natural virtues. If we do not understand what this fruit is, we will not recognize it when we see it in others, or ourselves. We will expect something different.
Our natural understanding is often skewed. We need the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning and purpose of the fruit of the Spirit. Our natural understanding can cause us to think that love means loving to pray, praying a lot, feeling love for God and others, zeal to save souls, doing all the right things, being a daily communicant, and taking on every devotion that comes along. We can be tempted to judge those who do not live up to our expectations as lacking in love for God and others, and not having the Holy Spirit:
People going through natural or spiritual desolation; people who experience dryness in prayer; people who do not practice many different devotions, or attend daily Mass; people who are not elated by feelings of love; people who do not seem to be zealous to save souls.
We need to recognize that our zeal can be skewed. We cannot save anyone, and the souls we may be trying to save might be holier and closer to God than we are. Judas was probably a Zealot, and St. Paul was a rigid Pharisee who killed Christians out of zeal for God, before his conversion. Love is quite simply, doing the will of God. That takes a lot of discernment and self-examination, which is not so simple.
We might think that being joyful and happy all the time, and always smiling, means that we have the fruit of joy. We think that people who are grieving, suffering, sorrowful, or experiencing pain and loss, do not have joy. Spiritual joy is not an emotion.
We might think that we have the fruit of peace when nothing disturbs us, when we never get angry or lose our temper, when we never doubt or experience anxiety or confusion, when we never question anything, or disturb anyone. We think that those who have doubts, confusion, or experience any kind of anxiety or natural desolation, or those who make waves and disturb others, do not have the fruit of peace. We should study the “nine kinds of false peace” that St. Teresa of Avila warns us about.
We might think that we have the fruit of patience when we are passive and expect God to do everything, when we wait for a revelation from God before doing anything. We think that those who labor to do good works, and do not wait for a revelation from God before doing anything, do not have the fruit of patience.
We might think that we have the fruit of kindness when we are nice to everyone, never say anything that might hurt someone’s feelings, and help everyone whether they need our help or not; when we do everything for everyone. We think that those who speak out for truth or justice are unkind if anyone gets their feelings hurt; those who go against the grain, push our buttons, or rub us the wrong way. We think that those who are not always busy with many things and always helping others, and those who correct or admonish others, are not kind.
We might think we have the fruit of generosity if we give away all that we have to whoever asks. We think that those who act with prudence and do not choose to give to everyone, or do not give away all that they have, are not generous.
We might think we have the fruit of faithfulness when we follow the letter of the law, keep all the rules, and are always loyal to our group of friends and community—right or wrong. We think that those who do not follow the letter of the law or who do not share our opinions, values, or traditions, are not faithful; those who leave us for any reason, or disagree with us on anything.
We might think we have the fruit of gentleness when we make others feel good and stroke them, when we build up other people’s ego, when we agree with everyone and always say what others want to hear. We think that others are not gentle if they are not overly affectionate and protective of everyone, if they correct or disagree with anyone.
We might think we have the fruit of self-control when we are able to control our feelings and emotions at all times, and never make waves; when we are able to maintain order and to control everyone and everything around us. We think that people lack self-control if they raise their voice, express any kind of anger or disagreement, if they cannot or will not follow the majority and do what they are told or what is expected of them; if they do not obey and follow all the rules, guidelines, and formats set by others.
Fruits of the Spirit:
Love: This kind of love is “not the love with which we love God, but the love with which God loves us” (1Jn. 4:10)—to love our enemies, those who reject us; those who do not like us, or approve of us; those who hurt us. It is to “love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love our neighbor as ourselves” (Mark 12:30). If we love like this, it would be impossible to break any commandment or to hurt another person. This kind of love enables us to put everyone else before our own self—to be ready to lay down our life for another.
Joy: This is the joy that one has when they are able to rejoice when they are persecuted for the sake of righteousness; “when people hate [us], drive [us] out, abuse [us], denounce [our] name as criminal,” because of following Jesus. (Luke 6:22-23). This is the joy that comes from suffering for a good cause; the joy that causes us to be thankful to God in all things—never complaining or blaming others. This joy comes from seeing everything as coming from God for our good; to rejoice in poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Peace: This peace comes from being in union with the will of God; to desire peace and unity among all peoples; to seek reconciliation between all those who are separated or divided; to be a mediator and advocate for all; to be free of all prejudice—not taking sides against anyone; to forgive everyone; to judge no one. This peace comes from being in right relationship with God and others—being free of all fear and guilt.
Patience: This is more than the natural virtue of patience; it is the patience to wait upon God—for his consolations, for his healing, for his mercy, for his gifts and graces, for his word to be fulfilled; it is to persevere in suffering—to have fortitude.
Kindness: This is to have a “preferential option for the poor”—to go out of our way to be kind to those who are lowly, marginalized, sinners; those who cannot or will not return our kindness; to return kindness for insult and abuse.
Gentleness: This is to be meek and humble; to see everyone as better and more worthy than our self; to take the lowest place; to lift others up; to be anonymous; to comfort the afflicted without bias.
Faithfulness: This is to hunger and thirst for righteousness; to desire holiness; to reject all sin; to love goodness; to seek justice for all; to desire everyone to be holy; to be right with God; to desire God’s will in everything; to do the will of God; to be pure of heart, obedient to God, and trustworthy; having integrity. This is to be a servant of God.
Generosity: This is clinging to nothing; possessing nothing; giving to whoever asks; sharing everything; trusting in divine providence; to be poor in spirit; detached from everything; to be rich in mercy.
Self-control: This is to be free from the domination of sin and others; to be repentant; to have a true sorrow for sin; to do penance; to make sacrifices; to take responsibility for what we do and what we have been given. It is to be free of the domination of the seven capital sins: pride, avarice, envy; wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth.
The spiritual life is not an easy road, it is about growing in the Spirit, and growth is never easy. The fruit of the Spirit is not about natural fervor and zeal, or accomplishments and success, or having a great following, or how hard we work and how much energy we put into our works. It is not about what we do or give, but about what we have received. The fruit of the Spirit comes from our union with God’s will. If we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, we will be filled with every consolation of God, as well. We will be unable to contain our joy.
If we do not understand the spiritual nature of the fruit of the Spirit, or the difference between spiritual consolations and the fruit of the Spirit, we can be led into spiritual pride, or into rashly judging others. The enemy wants to cause division and factions within the body of Christ. He wants to make us self-righteous so that we lose the gift of righteousness that has been imparted to us.
The most destructive and divisive kind of sin, is judging others. It separates and divides, and destroys the love of God in us. It drives people away from God instead of leading people to God. This is what the enemy did to the Pharisees so that they could not recognize who Jesus really was. Blinded by pride, they could not see his goodness, and wanted him to die, even though he was innocent. The enemy uses this tactic on religious people—including those who are “baptized in the Spirit.” We need to stay awake!
Many years ago, when I received the “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” I was part of a prayer group in which I was the only Catholic. All the women were from various denominations or non-denominational. At first, we were all one in the Spirit. Gradually, these women challenged some of my Catholic beliefs, such as the Pope, the Eucharist, the Saints, and Mary. My first reaction was to defend my faith. Then I became zealous for them to share my faith. I felt they needed the Eucharist for salvation. My zeal was skewed. This behavior, on my part, only succeeded in driving a wedge between us, and pushing them further away from the Church.
The evil one suggested to me that either my friends were not as holy as I thought they were, or the Eucharist was not as important as I thought it was. I did not want to judge my friends, or lose faith in the Eucharist, so I turned to the Lord in prayer, and he set me free. I stopped defending my beliefs, and my attempts to save them. Shortly after, the Lord allowed me to experience an audience with Pope Paul VI, in Rome, and to witness the multiplication of the Eucharist on two separate occasions. In my joy, I shared my experience with my protestant friends. I was spontaneous and had no intention to convert them—like the “Samaritan woman at the well.” They responded by wanting to know more, and by suggesting we pray for the Pope. We are called to share the “Good News” with the world, not to give them an ultimatum.
Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman’s testimony when she said, “He told me all I have ever done,” so, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them many more came to believe; and they said to the woman, “Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he really is the savior of the world” (Jn.4:39-42).
A seed planted in the soil goes through various stages of growth until it comes to maturity, becoming a fruit-bearing tree. The seedling needs to be nurtured, watered, nourished, and protected from the elements of nature in order to mature and bear good fruit. It is the same with the fruit of the Spirit. We have received the seed—the gift of the Holy Spirit, new life, but we have to cultivate it in order to have the authentic fruit of the Spirit.
Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore, we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. (1Cor. 2:12-13)
The “Good News” is, whether desolation comes to us as a cross that we need to embrace, or whether spiritual desolation comes to us as a temptation we need to resist, or whether spiritual consolation comes to us as a gift from God, or whether it comes as an “angel of light,” in the last analysis, nothing, absolutely nothing, can touch us unless it is first screened through the Father’s love.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)
Thursday
The Gift of Piety (Holiness)
By Lenora Grimaud
Piety is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Isa. 11:1-2, which we receive in the Sacrament of Confirmation: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and the fear of the Lord. These gifts can be seen as one gift—the gift of holiness, or the devout life. These gifts are the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, necessary for our sanctification and for building the kingdom of God on earth. They represent life in the Spirit—the kingdom of God within us. They enable us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as our self.
All of the gifts of the Spirit are interconnected and interdependent. Each gift contains all the other gifts as well. So, piety is also wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, and fear of the Lord. St. Francis de Sales wrote a whole book on the devout life—“Introduction to the Devout Life,” and this was only an introduction to the life of piety. To really understand what piety means, we need to have some understanding of what all the gifts mean:
Piety is the gift of true devotion to God. Webster defines “Devotion” as: religious fervor; piety; the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal; fidelity. A “Devotee” is: an ardent follower, supporter, or enthusiast; one who is committed by a solemn act.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines “Piety” as: One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which leads one to devotion to God (1831). Filial piety connotes an attitude of reverence and respect by children toward their parents (2215). Piety also refers to the religious sense of a people, and its expression in popular devotions (1674). Piety includes the sacramental life of the Church—Eucharist and regular Confession—as well as the Corporal Works of Mercy, Stewardship, Liturgy of the Hours, and private prayer. “Popular Piety” refers to such things as Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, pilgrimages, veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, processions, the stations of the cross, medals, Novenas, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc.
Piety is not feelings, which pass like the morning dew. Feelings are a gift, a grace that can motivate love or regress into sentimentality and self-righteousness. Piety is not sacrifice or duty or obligation. Duty, obligation, and sacrifice can be motivated by love, or they can be motivated by self-interest: what we get in return; to impress others; to prove to others we are good; self-righteousness.
Piety is love, and knowledge of God; knowledge of God’s goodness, love, mercy, truth, power, authority, Word, and faithfulness in keeping his promises. Piety is seeking to know the Lord, and turning to him in times of need; allowing him to rescue us so that we can glorify him. Piety is faith in God’s love for us, that he will do what he said he will do; that he will not abandon us; that he will give us all that we need. Piety is hope and fortitude; not giving up. Piety is gratitude for everything that God has given us and others; gratitude for his gifts and graces, for life—we do not take them for granted or abuse them. Piety is giving God glory through the way we live our life; the way we witness to God; evangelization. Piety is praise of God’s attributes—we honor and applaud him; we acknowledge and acclaim all that he does. Piety is mercy—forgiveness of others; showing mercy to others; not demanding retribution or payment. Piety is obedience—standing by our word; integrity; keeping our promises, duties, commitments, and obligations—freely and wholeheartedly. Piety is saying “yes” to Jesus; following him when he calls us. Piety is seeing others as God sees them. Jesus looks into the heart and sees what people will become through love and acceptance, through the grace of God and the power of love; he sees our potential and our final destiny—whereas, the world sees people as they are, determined by their behavior and what they do. Piety is recognizing our need for God and that we are not God—that we cannot be the person we were created to be without God; that we cannot have a life worth living without mercy and love, without God; that we are sinners in need of healing, mercy, wholeness, love and acceptance. A sinner is simply one who is in need of God. As long as we live in this world, we are sinners in the process of transformation. Unless we turn to the Lord whenever we are in need or distress, we cannot experience his healing. When he rescues us we have the opportunity to glorify God. All of the above components of piety are mentioned in the Sunday Readings for June 8, 2008.
Normally, when we think of “Piety” we think of the external manifestations of piety, such as: praying, fasting, alms giving, a myriad of popular devotions, good works, use of medals, relics, and numerous religious articles—things that show the world that we are religious. While these are all good, piety begins with the heart. Piety is abandonment to God, holiness, and true devotion to God. Without an intimate relationship with God, rooted in faith, hope, and love, all our pious works and actions are dead works. Our holiness comes from union with Jesus. St. Paul says: The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As Scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord. (1Cor.1:29-31). Jesus has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are able to manifest the fruit of the Spirit—holiness: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal.5:22). Piety is necessary for our salvation and the salvation of the world. When we praise God and give him glory, our devotion increases and our witness becomes more authentic. God becomes more real to us through our praise, and we make him known to the world so that they can turn to him and be healed.
Piety is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Isa. 11:1-2, which we receive in the Sacrament of Confirmation: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and the fear of the Lord. These gifts can be seen as one gift—the gift of holiness, or the devout life. These gifts are the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit, necessary for our sanctification and for building the kingdom of God on earth. They represent life in the Spirit—the kingdom of God within us. They enable us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as our self.
All of the gifts of the Spirit are interconnected and interdependent. Each gift contains all the other gifts as well. So, piety is also wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, and fear of the Lord. St. Francis de Sales wrote a whole book on the devout life—“Introduction to the Devout Life,” and this was only an introduction to the life of piety. To really understand what piety means, we need to have some understanding of what all the gifts mean:
Wisdom: the love in which we use all the gifts of God in a way that glorifies God and sanctifies his people, as well as our self.
Knowledge: the knowledge of God’s love for us and all of mankind; our experience of God’s love; our knowledge of who God is and of all his divine attributes, and a knowledge of who we are in relationship with God; knowledge of God’s will; self-knowledge.
Understanding: the ability to use our reason to discern good from evil, truth from error, justice from injustice; understanding of what love is; ability to see as God sees; right judgment; to hear with humility—to listen—to “stand under,” take the lowest place, look up at others instead of down; humility.
Counsel: the ability to guide and direct others on the path of holiness; to give good counsel to those seeking the will of God. This gift enables us not to be judgmental and not to judge by appearances; to evaluate with equity—free from prejudice, favoritism, and bias; integrity—sound judgment, undivided, honest, and straight forward; ability to read hearts.
Fortitude: enables us to continue to trust and to pursue good no matter what the consequences; to endure trials, suffering, and hardships without complaining and grumbling—with patience and fidelity to God; to continue to believe God’s promises no matter how long it takes or how impossible it seems, like Abraham who continued to believe that God would fulfill his promise even though he was old and Sarah was barren—faith and hope.
Fear of the Lord: makes us aware of the majesty and power of God, filling us with reverence and awe—if we were fully aware of the presence of God, it would cause us to fall on our knees, fall back, or to prostrate ourselves. This gift makes us obedient to God’s commands out of fear of being separated from him; fear of offending him because of just punishment; fear of offending him because we love him, and to offend him is painful for us. This gift also makes us aware of our own poverty, nothingness, sinfulness, and unworthiness, as well as our need and desire for God’s love; it protects us from presumption and pride.
Piety is the gift of true devotion to God. Webster defines “Devotion” as: religious fervor; piety; the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal; fidelity. A “Devotee” is: an ardent follower, supporter, or enthusiast; one who is committed by a solemn act.
Syn. DEVOTE, DEDICATE, CONSECRATE, HALLOW mean to set apart for a special and often higher end. DEVOTE is likely to imply compelling motives and often attachment to an objective. DEDICATE implies solemn and exclusive devotion to a sacred or serious use or purpose. CONSECRATE stresses investment with a solemn or sacred quality. HALLOW, often differing little from dedicate or consecrate, may distinctively imply an attribution of intrinsic sanctity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines “Piety” as: One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit which leads one to devotion to God (1831). Filial piety connotes an attitude of reverence and respect by children toward their parents (2215). Piety also refers to the religious sense of a people, and its expression in popular devotions (1674). Piety includes the sacramental life of the Church—Eucharist and regular Confession—as well as the Corporal Works of Mercy, Stewardship, Liturgy of the Hours, and private prayer. “Popular Piety” refers to such things as Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, pilgrimages, veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, processions, the stations of the cross, medals, Novenas, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc.
Piety is not feelings, which pass like the morning dew. Feelings are a gift, a grace that can motivate love or regress into sentimentality and self-righteousness. Piety is not sacrifice or duty or obligation. Duty, obligation, and sacrifice can be motivated by love, or they can be motivated by self-interest: what we get in return; to impress others; to prove to others we are good; self-righteousness.
Piety is love, and knowledge of God; knowledge of God’s goodness, love, mercy, truth, power, authority, Word, and faithfulness in keeping his promises. Piety is seeking to know the Lord, and turning to him in times of need; allowing him to rescue us so that we can glorify him. Piety is faith in God’s love for us, that he will do what he said he will do; that he will not abandon us; that he will give us all that we need. Piety is hope and fortitude; not giving up. Piety is gratitude for everything that God has given us and others; gratitude for his gifts and graces, for life—we do not take them for granted or abuse them. Piety is giving God glory through the way we live our life; the way we witness to God; evangelization. Piety is praise of God’s attributes—we honor and applaud him; we acknowledge and acclaim all that he does. Piety is mercy—forgiveness of others; showing mercy to others; not demanding retribution or payment. Piety is obedience—standing by our word; integrity; keeping our promises, duties, commitments, and obligations—freely and wholeheartedly. Piety is saying “yes” to Jesus; following him when he calls us. Piety is seeing others as God sees them. Jesus looks into the heart and sees what people will become through love and acceptance, through the grace of God and the power of love; he sees our potential and our final destiny—whereas, the world sees people as they are, determined by their behavior and what they do. Piety is recognizing our need for God and that we are not God—that we cannot be the person we were created to be without God; that we cannot have a life worth living without mercy and love, without God; that we are sinners in need of healing, mercy, wholeness, love and acceptance. A sinner is simply one who is in need of God. As long as we live in this world, we are sinners in the process of transformation. Unless we turn to the Lord whenever we are in need or distress, we cannot experience his healing. When he rescues us we have the opportunity to glorify God. All of the above components of piety are mentioned in the Sunday Readings for June 8, 2008.
First Reading: Hosea 6:3-6
In their affliction, people will say: “Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord;….Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away….for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.
Psalm 50:
Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High; then call upon me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”
Second Reading: Rom. 4:18-25
Abraham believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations,”….He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as already dead—for he was almost a hundred years old—and the dead womb of Sarah. He did not doubt God’s promise in unbelief; rather, he was strengthened by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what he had promised he was able to do.
Gospel: Mat. 9:9-13
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him….The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”….Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.
Normally, when we think of “Piety” we think of the external manifestations of piety, such as: praying, fasting, alms giving, a myriad of popular devotions, good works, use of medals, relics, and numerous religious articles—things that show the world that we are religious. While these are all good, piety begins with the heart. Piety is abandonment to God, holiness, and true devotion to God. Without an intimate relationship with God, rooted in faith, hope, and love, all our pious works and actions are dead works. Our holiness comes from union with Jesus. St. Paul says: The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As Scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord. (1Cor.1:29-31). Jesus has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are able to manifest the fruit of the Spirit—holiness: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal.5:22). Piety is necessary for our salvation and the salvation of the world. When we praise God and give him glory, our devotion increases and our witness becomes more authentic. God becomes more real to us through our praise, and we make him known to the world so that they can turn to him and be healed.
Friday
ON THE BRINK OF DIVORCE
By Lenora Grimaud
When a marriage is on the brink of a divorce it means that both partners are in need of healing, both are wounded, both need to make changes in their own selves. It takes two to make a marriage healthy, and it takes two to get a divorce.
When my marriage was on the brink of divorce, I went into Rehab because I was consuming too much wine. Later, I discovered that this was not my problem, but a symptom of the problem. I was using wine to numb the pain that I was in. This is common with people who are going through a divorce. They look for any means to distract them from the pain and loneliness—promiscuity, alcohol, drugs, gambling, affairs, pornography, food, shopping, etc.
Our marriage ended in divorce before either of us could get the healing we needed and make the necessary changes for a healthy marriage.
I discovered that I was suffering from burn-out, and it was slowly killing me. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually, I broke down. That was when I went for help. Sometimes we have to literally hit bottom—come to the end of our rope, the end of our human strength—before we recognize that we need help. I learned that I needed to learn how to say “no” without feeling guilty. I learned that I needed to learn how to discern between what was my responsibility and what was not my responsibility, because I took responsibility for everyone and everything, thinking it was my responsibility. I needed to become aware of my limitations and surrender them to God in humility, instead of punishing myself for them, or blaming others for them. I needed to become aware of my own personal wants, needs, and desires, and to learn how to care for and nurture myself. I was always very independent and never wanted or expected others to take care of me, but I also did not know how to take care of myself. I thought I did, but actually I just denied my own wants, needs, and desires because I believed that it was selfish to have them. I saw my purpose in life as being to serve and love others; to make others happy, not myself. So, I neglected taking care of myself. I didn’t know how to cope with my emotions and feelings. My emotions were out of control and my feelings were suppressed until they became numb. My priorities became confused and out of order.
Our purpose in life is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is why we were created. Our first priority is our relationship with God, which includes our relationship with our own self—the salvation of our own soul. Self-knowledge and knowledge of God go hand in hand. Humility enables us to know the difference--who God is and who we are. If we are not in right relationship with God, we will not be able to be in right relationship with anyone else. Our second priority is our spouse and children. If we are not in right relationship with God, our relationship with our spouse and children will suffer. We will not have good judgment or be able to make good decisions. We will not be able to provide our family with the right kind of guidance and nurturing. Our love will be disordered. This will affect our relationships with everyone outside our home as well. If our immediate family unit is healthy and ordered, our love will flow out from it to others outside our home—family and relatives, friends, and community. Our priorities will be in order. If this family unit is not healthy, all our other relationships will suffer, as well.
It took quite awhile for me to get the healing I needed and to make the changes in myself that I needed. When I finally felt that I was healthy enough to resume my marriage, to be committed to my marriage and husband even if my husband didn’t change, it was too late. My husband didn’t want me back, or wasn’t ready to make a commitment to me or our marriage. Both partners have to be willing to make a commitment to each other and to the marriage; a commitment to work towards a healthy and fruitful marriage, or it will be a marriage in name only.
If one partner is involved with someone else, they have to be willing to give that person up, or there can be no healing, no marriage. If one partner is violent or controlled by rage, they have to be willing to get help—to get therapy. If one partner has a serious addiction that threatens the safety and security of the family, they have to seek healing, or there can be no marriage. In some cases, there is a serious pathology that makes it difficult or impossible for one or both partners to have a relationship of intimacy and mutuality. Unconditional love doesn’t mean that it is always good or possible to live under the same roof as another person. We need to know our limitations. We need to discover them ourselves. No one else can make our decisions for us. But, we need pastoral and family counseling to hold up a mirror for us so that we can make a free and morally sound choice. Sacrifice, and even martyrdom, is a necessary part of marriage. But, suicide is not. As long as both partners are willing to heal their marriage, and to forgive, most other kinds of wounds, defects, or problems, can be healed and over-come.
Most of all we need the power and strength that comes from the Sacraments. When we are going through distress, we can’t always pray as we would like; or pray at all. Our prayer is more like some of the psalms of misery and distress. We wonder where God is in all this and why we can’t hear him, or why he doesn’t answer us. We feel lost and abandoned by God and when we pray, we feel numb; like we are just going through the motions. This is when we need the Eucharist, regular Confession, and the Community, the most. We come face to face with Jesus in the Sacraments, even though we can’t experience his presence. When we are in distress, we are bombarded with negative thoughts and emotions—anger, resentment, guilt, fear, judgment, self-pity, condemnation, blaming, etc. We need the Sacrament of Confession to set us free and keep us open to love and grace. Through Confession and Eucharist, Jesus gives us what we need, and turns our problems into opportunities for growth and an abundance of his love. “God works all things for good for those who trust in him.”
We may be on the brink of divorce, but we are not without hope. We can turn things around and have a marriage that is truly a Sacrament—where Jesus is truly present—where we sanctify and make each other holy.
When a marriage is on the brink of a divorce it means that both partners are in need of healing, both are wounded, both need to make changes in their own selves. It takes two to make a marriage healthy, and it takes two to get a divorce.
When my marriage was on the brink of divorce, I went into Rehab because I was consuming too much wine. Later, I discovered that this was not my problem, but a symptom of the problem. I was using wine to numb the pain that I was in. This is common with people who are going through a divorce. They look for any means to distract them from the pain and loneliness—promiscuity, alcohol, drugs, gambling, affairs, pornography, food, shopping, etc.
Our marriage ended in divorce before either of us could get the healing we needed and make the necessary changes for a healthy marriage.
I discovered that I was suffering from burn-out, and it was slowly killing me. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually, I broke down. That was when I went for help. Sometimes we have to literally hit bottom—come to the end of our rope, the end of our human strength—before we recognize that we need help. I learned that I needed to learn how to say “no” without feeling guilty. I learned that I needed to learn how to discern between what was my responsibility and what was not my responsibility, because I took responsibility for everyone and everything, thinking it was my responsibility. I needed to become aware of my limitations and surrender them to God in humility, instead of punishing myself for them, or blaming others for them. I needed to become aware of my own personal wants, needs, and desires, and to learn how to care for and nurture myself. I was always very independent and never wanted or expected others to take care of me, but I also did not know how to take care of myself. I thought I did, but actually I just denied my own wants, needs, and desires because I believed that it was selfish to have them. I saw my purpose in life as being to serve and love others; to make others happy, not myself. So, I neglected taking care of myself. I didn’t know how to cope with my emotions and feelings. My emotions were out of control and my feelings were suppressed until they became numb. My priorities became confused and out of order.
Our purpose in life is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is why we were created. Our first priority is our relationship with God, which includes our relationship with our own self—the salvation of our own soul. Self-knowledge and knowledge of God go hand in hand. Humility enables us to know the difference--who God is and who we are. If we are not in right relationship with God, we will not be able to be in right relationship with anyone else. Our second priority is our spouse and children. If we are not in right relationship with God, our relationship with our spouse and children will suffer. We will not have good judgment or be able to make good decisions. We will not be able to provide our family with the right kind of guidance and nurturing. Our love will be disordered. This will affect our relationships with everyone outside our home as well. If our immediate family unit is healthy and ordered, our love will flow out from it to others outside our home—family and relatives, friends, and community. Our priorities will be in order. If this family unit is not healthy, all our other relationships will suffer, as well.
It took quite awhile for me to get the healing I needed and to make the changes in myself that I needed. When I finally felt that I was healthy enough to resume my marriage, to be committed to my marriage and husband even if my husband didn’t change, it was too late. My husband didn’t want me back, or wasn’t ready to make a commitment to me or our marriage. Both partners have to be willing to make a commitment to each other and to the marriage; a commitment to work towards a healthy and fruitful marriage, or it will be a marriage in name only.
If one partner is involved with someone else, they have to be willing to give that person up, or there can be no healing, no marriage. If one partner is violent or controlled by rage, they have to be willing to get help—to get therapy. If one partner has a serious addiction that threatens the safety and security of the family, they have to seek healing, or there can be no marriage. In some cases, there is a serious pathology that makes it difficult or impossible for one or both partners to have a relationship of intimacy and mutuality. Unconditional love doesn’t mean that it is always good or possible to live under the same roof as another person. We need to know our limitations. We need to discover them ourselves. No one else can make our decisions for us. But, we need pastoral and family counseling to hold up a mirror for us so that we can make a free and morally sound choice. Sacrifice, and even martyrdom, is a necessary part of marriage. But, suicide is not. As long as both partners are willing to heal their marriage, and to forgive, most other kinds of wounds, defects, or problems, can be healed and over-come.
Most of all we need the power and strength that comes from the Sacraments. When we are going through distress, we can’t always pray as we would like; or pray at all. Our prayer is more like some of the psalms of misery and distress. We wonder where God is in all this and why we can’t hear him, or why he doesn’t answer us. We feel lost and abandoned by God and when we pray, we feel numb; like we are just going through the motions. This is when we need the Eucharist, regular Confession, and the Community, the most. We come face to face with Jesus in the Sacraments, even though we can’t experience his presence. When we are in distress, we are bombarded with negative thoughts and emotions—anger, resentment, guilt, fear, judgment, self-pity, condemnation, blaming, etc. We need the Sacrament of Confession to set us free and keep us open to love and grace. Through Confession and Eucharist, Jesus gives us what we need, and turns our problems into opportunities for growth and an abundance of his love. “God works all things for good for those who trust in him.”
We may be on the brink of divorce, but we are not without hope. We can turn things around and have a marriage that is truly a Sacrament—where Jesus is truly present—where we sanctify and make each other holy.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
By Lenora Grimaud
God is a relationship of three persons. The domestic family is a reflection of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, created in the image and likeness of God. The self-donating love that exists in the Trinity is a model for how we are called to love and relate with one another. We do not choose our parents, siblings, relatives, children, and in-laws. We are born into a family organism. This family organism is expanded when we get married. We are called by the spirit of love to, at least, attempt to form relationships with all those who are part of our family organism. This is where we develop a sense of our own self—our own unique person or identity; where we dismantle the ego and replace it with the true self. Until we do this, we are really not capable of having a mature or healthy relationship with anyone. Our relationships will be immature or superficial, or they will be dysfunctional or one-sided.
A healthy relationship among adults is always a two-sided relationship, or it isn’t a relationship. A relationship is not about becoming part of the lives of others, or of others becoming part of our life. It is not either/or, it is both, or it is not a relationship. You can’t have a one-sided relationship. We invite others to become part of our life, and they invite us to become part of their life—it can’t be forced—and it has to be mutual.
Relationships are formed through mutual giving and receiving. Sometimes this is easier with friends or community outside the family. But, whether we are able to form healthy relationships with family members, or not, there is a family bond that ties us to that family, making it necessary to love them unconditionally—to love them as we love our own self. This extends out to the Church family, and eventually to the whole world. The Church is made one family organism through the Sacrament of Baptism. The family is a micro Church.
In this expansion of the human family, we cannot cut ourselves off from our biological family in order to move into another family organism. We need to remain connected and take them with us wherever we go, while maintaining our own individuality and living out of our own center. If we do cut them off, it is like amputating a part of our own body. We go through life handicapped. This includes the Church Family.
Most people, unfortunately, are ego-centered; they live out of their ego. The ego must die so that the true self can be regenerated. This can only happen by being “born again”—“baptized in the Holy Spirit”—through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In order to have healthy relationships, in order to love as God loves, God must become our center; but, not God alone. Our true self must enter into union with God within the center of our soul—our heart. This union is a relationship with God—a “spiritual marriage” with God. In this union, we do not become God, or dissolve into God. We do not lose our humanity, or the distinction between creator and creature. We become “one with” God, not one God, without losing our identity, our unique separateness, our soul (just as a husband and wife become one through marriage). We become of one mind, with God—one heart, one will, one purpose. God gives us a portion of his spirit—his love, grace, holiness, and gifts. We give God our body, heart, mind, and soul and are then able to receive what He gives to us. Very few people have entered into a “spiritual marriage” with God, but this is what we are all called to. We are all called to be Saints.
Some adults, after having some kind of crisis or unresolved conflict with a parent, reject and abandon their childhood and young adult life, and everything they experienced during that time. Sometimes, they abandon their faith heritage and their inner child, as well. By abandoning their inner child, they abandon part of their own self. The child is still within them, but it is lost, wounded, and sobbing. These people will never be free until they reclaim their inner child, and integrate their past with their present and future. They have to find a way to resolve the conflict with their mother and/or father, even if the parent is no longer living. Forgiveness is needed because as long as the conflict remains they will transfer more and more negative qualities onto that parent and anyone who reminds them of the parent.
There is a reason why the Commandment says: “Honor Thy Parents,” (mother and father) instead of “Honor Thy Children.” God didn’t give this Commandment because parents deserve to be honored or because he wanted to exalt parents. He did it for the sake of the children; they are the ones who will be blessed. To know how to honor lawful authority is to know how to love, and affects all our relationships. The world would be a very different place if we really understood the meaning of this Commandment. Unless we learn to honor and reverence our parents we will probably not be able to honor God, others, or ourselves. We will probably never have respect for authority, either. The Commandment is not really given to children, it is given to adult children. Children don’t really understand what it means to “honor” their parents. They only understand it in terms of “obedience,” which ends when they become adults. Parents teach their children to honor them by the way they honor their spouses and their own parents. To honor someone is to sing their praises, to lift them up. There is something in every parent worthy of praise. To honor our parents means to never judge them, criticize them, look down on them, treat them with scorn, talk about them behind their back, mock them, ridicule, or laugh at them. To honor our parents means that we do not presume to correct them or give them unsolicited advice. I remember the hurt that I saw in my father’s eyes when, as an obnoxious young adult, I presumed to give him advice on raising children. We should never presume to give anyone unsolicited advice, but especially our parents. To honor our parents means to remember them, to pay them tribute, to show our appreciation for them, to give thanks for their life and all that they have given us. To honor our parents is to always have our doors open to them; to be open to listen to whatever wisdom they have to pass on. The role of parents, when their children are grown, is to become “wisdom figures” for their families. The primary role of grandparents is to pass on their wisdom, and all that they have learned from their mistakes in life to their families. To honor our parents means to have compassion for them in their old age and times of illness; to care for them. Pride is the enemy of honor. Haughtiness is the sister of arrogance. To honor our parents is to see our parents deserving of more respect than we are. This does not include “unfit parents” who should have their children taken from them. Although, even these deserve some honor, if only because they gave life.
This understanding of what it means to honor our parents is really only an ideal, however. Parents need to realize that they can only teach their children what it means to honor their parents, and model it for them, but, they cannot demand it, force it, or expect it. Honor has to come from “free will,” and from the heart. If parents have this expectation of their adult children, they will probably be very disappointed. Adult children tend to honor their fathers more than they do their mothers, not because they love their fathers more, but because women tend to show more respect and honor to their husbands than husbands show for their wives. Fathers are more likely to expect or demand that their adult children honor them. Women honor their fathers more than their mothers, and men honor their mothers more than their fathers. Mothers are more likely to be taken for granted than fathers are, because they are more accepting and have a deeper emotional bond with their children. This isn’t always the case, but generally, it is. Adult children will tend to treat their mothers as equal, and be more patronizing towards them. This isn’t usually the case with fathers. Children respect their parents by obeying them; adults respect their parents by honoring them. Generally, adult children tend to respect their parents, but fail to go beyond to really honoring them. Today, marriage and family life has been profaned and almost destroyed. This has a lot to do with our present culture, which worships equality, independence, and individualism; and rejects all authority and hierarchical boundaries. As adults, we are called to interdependence, not independence.
Children are not born with a sense of their own self. Infants cannot distinguish between themselves and the world around them, and as they bond with their mother, their mother becomes their world. As children begin to grow, they experience their self as an extension of their parents, like a branch on a vine. This is what bonds them to their parents. They respond to love but are not really able to love unconditionally, with their will. Their ego develops first and they love through their ego. The child sees the whole world revolving around them. Their ego becomes the center of the world. The ego has to grow and develop, like the caterpillar, and then when the time is right, it has to die so that the butterfly—the true self—can emerge. The cocoon, where this transformation takes place, is likened to the Spirit, or spiritual life—the Kingdom of God within.
There are two extremes that parents have to be on guard against with their children. One extreme is to lose their own self—their identity—by making their children’s lives their lives. They began to live vicariously through their children and lose their own unique self. If a parent becomes overly attached to their child, they are in danger of losing their own identity. Like the infant, they can’t distinguish between the child and their own true self. They begin to project parts of their own self onto their child, both positive and negative aspects. Parents also have to guard against letting their children take possession of their self, their life. The other extreme is when the parent tries to force their children to live out their dreams, ambitions, values, beliefs, etc. The children will not be able to develop a sense of their own self—their own unique person. This takes time, however. While the child is developing his own person, he remains connected to the parents like a new born connected to its mother by an umbilical cord. Parents have to know when it is time, and be willing, to cut the cord.
Parents are called to be their own person—to live their own life. As they do, they become “models” for their children. They model their vision of life, their hopes and dreams, their beliefs and values, their gifts and talents—without forcing their children to become possessed by their “self.” Their children, as they mature, are free to choose what they see modeled for them and to integrate it without losing their own identity, or self.
Children generally love and bond with those that their parents love and bond with. They are open to relationships with those that their parents relate with—at least until they come into their own self. They are attracted to friends that like them, teachers and other adults who like them or remind them of their parents. They generally don’t trust people or relatives that their parents have a problem with. They pick up on their parents’ attitudes and are always listening at the key hole to what their parents don’t want them to hear.
The parent-child relationship is very much like the relationship between God and humans. It starts out very one-sided. The parent gives and the child receives. God gives and we receive. There is nothing that we can give to God that we have not received from Him. We love God because he first loved us. The child is dependent on the parents for everything. The difference is that eventually the child becomes a man or woman, no longer dependent on the parents; they come into their own self and have something of their own to give. We will always be dependent on God, however, and never be able to give what we have not first received from God. God is the vine and we are the branches.
God is a relationship of three persons. The domestic family is a reflection of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, created in the image and likeness of God. The self-donating love that exists in the Trinity is a model for how we are called to love and relate with one another. We do not choose our parents, siblings, relatives, children, and in-laws. We are born into a family organism. This family organism is expanded when we get married. We are called by the spirit of love to, at least, attempt to form relationships with all those who are part of our family organism. This is where we develop a sense of our own self—our own unique person or identity; where we dismantle the ego and replace it with the true self. Until we do this, we are really not capable of having a mature or healthy relationship with anyone. Our relationships will be immature or superficial, or they will be dysfunctional or one-sided.
A healthy relationship among adults is always a two-sided relationship, or it isn’t a relationship. A relationship is not about becoming part of the lives of others, or of others becoming part of our life. It is not either/or, it is both, or it is not a relationship. You can’t have a one-sided relationship. We invite others to become part of our life, and they invite us to become part of their life—it can’t be forced—and it has to be mutual.
Relationships are formed through mutual giving and receiving. Sometimes this is easier with friends or community outside the family. But, whether we are able to form healthy relationships with family members, or not, there is a family bond that ties us to that family, making it necessary to love them unconditionally—to love them as we love our own self. This extends out to the Church family, and eventually to the whole world. The Church is made one family organism through the Sacrament of Baptism. The family is a micro Church.
In this expansion of the human family, we cannot cut ourselves off from our biological family in order to move into another family organism. We need to remain connected and take them with us wherever we go, while maintaining our own individuality and living out of our own center. If we do cut them off, it is like amputating a part of our own body. We go through life handicapped. This includes the Church Family.
Most people, unfortunately, are ego-centered; they live out of their ego. The ego must die so that the true self can be regenerated. This can only happen by being “born again”—“baptized in the Holy Spirit”—through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In order to have healthy relationships, in order to love as God loves, God must become our center; but, not God alone. Our true self must enter into union with God within the center of our soul—our heart. This union is a relationship with God—a “spiritual marriage” with God. In this union, we do not become God, or dissolve into God. We do not lose our humanity, or the distinction between creator and creature. We become “one with” God, not one God, without losing our identity, our unique separateness, our soul (just as a husband and wife become one through marriage). We become of one mind, with God—one heart, one will, one purpose. God gives us a portion of his spirit—his love, grace, holiness, and gifts. We give God our body, heart, mind, and soul and are then able to receive what He gives to us. Very few people have entered into a “spiritual marriage” with God, but this is what we are all called to. We are all called to be Saints.
Some adults, after having some kind of crisis or unresolved conflict with a parent, reject and abandon their childhood and young adult life, and everything they experienced during that time. Sometimes, they abandon their faith heritage and their inner child, as well. By abandoning their inner child, they abandon part of their own self. The child is still within them, but it is lost, wounded, and sobbing. These people will never be free until they reclaim their inner child, and integrate their past with their present and future. They have to find a way to resolve the conflict with their mother and/or father, even if the parent is no longer living. Forgiveness is needed because as long as the conflict remains they will transfer more and more negative qualities onto that parent and anyone who reminds them of the parent.
There is a reason why the Commandment says: “Honor Thy Parents,” (mother and father) instead of “Honor Thy Children.” God didn’t give this Commandment because parents deserve to be honored or because he wanted to exalt parents. He did it for the sake of the children; they are the ones who will be blessed. To know how to honor lawful authority is to know how to love, and affects all our relationships. The world would be a very different place if we really understood the meaning of this Commandment. Unless we learn to honor and reverence our parents we will probably not be able to honor God, others, or ourselves. We will probably never have respect for authority, either. The Commandment is not really given to children, it is given to adult children. Children don’t really understand what it means to “honor” their parents. They only understand it in terms of “obedience,” which ends when they become adults. Parents teach their children to honor them by the way they honor their spouses and their own parents. To honor someone is to sing their praises, to lift them up. There is something in every parent worthy of praise. To honor our parents means to never judge them, criticize them, look down on them, treat them with scorn, talk about them behind their back, mock them, ridicule, or laugh at them. To honor our parents means that we do not presume to correct them or give them unsolicited advice. I remember the hurt that I saw in my father’s eyes when, as an obnoxious young adult, I presumed to give him advice on raising children. We should never presume to give anyone unsolicited advice, but especially our parents. To honor our parents means to remember them, to pay them tribute, to show our appreciation for them, to give thanks for their life and all that they have given us. To honor our parents is to always have our doors open to them; to be open to listen to whatever wisdom they have to pass on. The role of parents, when their children are grown, is to become “wisdom figures” for their families. The primary role of grandparents is to pass on their wisdom, and all that they have learned from their mistakes in life to their families. To honor our parents means to have compassion for them in their old age and times of illness; to care for them. Pride is the enemy of honor. Haughtiness is the sister of arrogance. To honor our parents is to see our parents deserving of more respect than we are. This does not include “unfit parents” who should have their children taken from them. Although, even these deserve some honor, if only because they gave life.
This understanding of what it means to honor our parents is really only an ideal, however. Parents need to realize that they can only teach their children what it means to honor their parents, and model it for them, but, they cannot demand it, force it, or expect it. Honor has to come from “free will,” and from the heart. If parents have this expectation of their adult children, they will probably be very disappointed. Adult children tend to honor their fathers more than they do their mothers, not because they love their fathers more, but because women tend to show more respect and honor to their husbands than husbands show for their wives. Fathers are more likely to expect or demand that their adult children honor them. Women honor their fathers more than their mothers, and men honor their mothers more than their fathers. Mothers are more likely to be taken for granted than fathers are, because they are more accepting and have a deeper emotional bond with their children. This isn’t always the case, but generally, it is. Adult children will tend to treat their mothers as equal, and be more patronizing towards them. This isn’t usually the case with fathers. Children respect their parents by obeying them; adults respect their parents by honoring them. Generally, adult children tend to respect their parents, but fail to go beyond to really honoring them. Today, marriage and family life has been profaned and almost destroyed. This has a lot to do with our present culture, which worships equality, independence, and individualism; and rejects all authority and hierarchical boundaries. As adults, we are called to interdependence, not independence.
Children are not born with a sense of their own self. Infants cannot distinguish between themselves and the world around them, and as they bond with their mother, their mother becomes their world. As children begin to grow, they experience their self as an extension of their parents, like a branch on a vine. This is what bonds them to their parents. They respond to love but are not really able to love unconditionally, with their will. Their ego develops first and they love through their ego. The child sees the whole world revolving around them. Their ego becomes the center of the world. The ego has to grow and develop, like the caterpillar, and then when the time is right, it has to die so that the butterfly—the true self—can emerge. The cocoon, where this transformation takes place, is likened to the Spirit, or spiritual life—the Kingdom of God within.
There are two extremes that parents have to be on guard against with their children. One extreme is to lose their own self—their identity—by making their children’s lives their lives. They began to live vicariously through their children and lose their own unique self. If a parent becomes overly attached to their child, they are in danger of losing their own identity. Like the infant, they can’t distinguish between the child and their own true self. They begin to project parts of their own self onto their child, both positive and negative aspects. Parents also have to guard against letting their children take possession of their self, their life. The other extreme is when the parent tries to force their children to live out their dreams, ambitions, values, beliefs, etc. The children will not be able to develop a sense of their own self—their own unique person. This takes time, however. While the child is developing his own person, he remains connected to the parents like a new born connected to its mother by an umbilical cord. Parents have to know when it is time, and be willing, to cut the cord.
Parents are called to be their own person—to live their own life. As they do, they become “models” for their children. They model their vision of life, their hopes and dreams, their beliefs and values, their gifts and talents—without forcing their children to become possessed by their “self.” Their children, as they mature, are free to choose what they see modeled for them and to integrate it without losing their own identity, or self.
Children generally love and bond with those that their parents love and bond with. They are open to relationships with those that their parents relate with—at least until they come into their own self. They are attracted to friends that like them, teachers and other adults who like them or remind them of their parents. They generally don’t trust people or relatives that their parents have a problem with. They pick up on their parents’ attitudes and are always listening at the key hole to what their parents don’t want them to hear.
The parent-child relationship is very much like the relationship between God and humans. It starts out very one-sided. The parent gives and the child receives. God gives and we receive. There is nothing that we can give to God that we have not received from Him. We love God because he first loved us. The child is dependent on the parents for everything. The difference is that eventually the child becomes a man or woman, no longer dependent on the parents; they come into their own self and have something of their own to give. We will always be dependent on God, however, and never be able to give what we have not first received from God. God is the vine and we are the branches.
Monday
THE FATHER'S WILL
By Lenora Grimaud
“Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42)
Jesus came, not to do his own will but his Father’s will. His Father’s will was for him to reveal the Father’s love to the world; a love that puts others first, and is unconditional and sacrificial—A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). He came to save the world—For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved (John 3:17). He came to deliver humanity from evil, selfishness, and sin—which makes us slaves, and leads to death—I tell you most solemnly, everyone who commits sin is a slave. Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured, but the son’s place is assured. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:34-36). He came to reveal the name of the Father and to make him known to all humanity through his disciples—I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me (John 17:6). He came to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth; a kingdom of peace, harmony, unity, and love by bringing everyone into a personal relationship with the Father—unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). He came to bring the Holy Spirit in order to transform humanity into the image of God—you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). This was the will of the Father, and Jesus was ready to abandon his personal human will for his own good, to the Father for the good of all humanity—I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who sent me (John 6:38).
While it is true that we have a free will and the freedom of choice, we frequently choose death instead of life. Because of sin, our will has been corrupted. It naturally leans toward self-gratification and selfishness instead of love. We seek out that which gives us pleasure in the moment, instead of that which brings eternal spiritual joy and life. Our spirit seeks God—goodness, beauty, truth, and love—but, our perverse and unredeemed will seeks its own pleasure. When it comes to our “will,” there are three paths open to us: choosing to gratify ourselves by doing our own will, independent of God (narcissism); choosing to hand over our will to another person, place or thing (dependency & codependency); or choosing to unite our will with God in order to do the will of the Father (altruism & divine love). Eve’s choice is an example of the first path, and Adam’s choice is an example of the second path. Jesus came to restore humanity by choosing the third path.
Narcissism: 1 Excessive self-love in whatever form; characterized by a preoccupation with oneself to the exclusion of others; 2 self-centered; limited in outlook or concern to one’s own activities and needs; 3 an exaggerated sense of self-importance. The narcissistic person is centered in his own self. He makes his self his God. He sees the world and everything in it as revolving around him, and expects everyone to be subservient to his needs. His own happiness is his goal in life.
Dependency & Codependency: 1 In Clinical Psychology a person is said to be dependent on someone or something to the extent that he needs that thing or person in order to go about his regular activities. 2 A psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition. The dependent or codependent person is not free. He has given over his will to others and loses his own self (idolatry). In a marriage where one or both spouses surrender their will to the other, it is a codependent relationship rather than a true marriage. It can only be a true marriage when both spouses unite their will with the will of God—love—in order to freely give themselves to each other.
Altruism: 1 The opposite of selfishness; being concerned for others rather than oneself (or one’s self). 2 Unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. 3 Behavior that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others. This is the model that Jesus lived and called others to. We can only be truly free when we freely choose to abandon our will to God—become subservient to God—because God’s will is our perfect good. God is love, and only by giving our will over to divine love can we hope to be truly free and truly happy—For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it (Mat. 16:25). The altruistic person is centered in God, rather than himself; God is the center of his life and all life. He sees everyone as his brother and sister, and all are equal. He sees all of life as good.
God is the only one we can surrender our will to without losing our freedom, because He respects our free will and always asks for our permission. Jesus, like his mother, Mary, said “yes” to God, allowing the Father to work his will through them. Jesus said: No one takes it [my life] from me; I lay it down of my own free will (John 10:18). To abandon ourselves to the will of God is to trust in God enough to accept our total dependence on Him for everything. We are never separated from Him; He is in us and we are in Him. Surrendering to the will of God is not something we do once and for all, but a day by day, moment by moment, free choice to unite our will with God’s will. We never lose our free will, but freely choose to will the will of God. By abandoning ourselves to the will of God, we do not lose our will, we find it, and our true self, as well.
Without this union with God, made possible through the merits of Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit, if we are a teacher we will most likely be a false teacher; if we are a prophet we will most likely be a false prophet; if we claim to be a son of God, we will most likely be a false Christ. To be what we were created to be, to be our true self, we have to be able to say with Jesus, Father, let your will be done, not mine.
God gave us a free will and will never take it away from us. We are free to love him or reject him. He does not punish us for rejecting him. The consequences of our own choices are its own punishment. We are judged and condemned by our own free will. We reap what we sew. The only thing that can save us from the effects of our choice to sin and to do evil is the mercy of God. But, we have to accept his mercy! If we don’t, we suffer the consequences of those choices. All rational people believe in “cause and effect.” The Buddhists call it “Karma.” It is a “Law of Nature.” Someone always pays the price for sin and evil. If we manage to get away with something, someone pays for it—usually the poor. This is why Christians are called to do penance. But, without the sacrifice of love made by Jesus Christ, all our penance would be in vain.
The worst consequence of sin and evil is that it destroys love and goodness within our soul, to the point that we are no longer able to love or receive love. We are left without hope and faith, and given over to pride, despair, and insanity. If we had no sin in us, our will would be the same as the Father’s will. Why would any sane person choose death rather than accept mercy? It all boils down to “pride.” We would rather be our own God and die in our sins rather than accept mercy from the true God and live. Pride is the root of all sin and evil. We need to recognize that, as the result of sin and evil, our human will has been corrupted, making it necessary for us to cry out with Jesus, Father, let your will be done, not mine!
“Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42)
Jesus came, not to do his own will but his Father’s will. His Father’s will was for him to reveal the Father’s love to the world; a love that puts others first, and is unconditional and sacrificial—A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). He came to save the world—For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved (John 3:17). He came to deliver humanity from evil, selfishness, and sin—which makes us slaves, and leads to death—I tell you most solemnly, everyone who commits sin is a slave. Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured, but the son’s place is assured. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:34-36). He came to reveal the name of the Father and to make him known to all humanity through his disciples—I have made your name known to the men you took from the world to give me (John 17:6). He came to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth; a kingdom of peace, harmony, unity, and love by bringing everyone into a personal relationship with the Father—unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). He came to bring the Holy Spirit in order to transform humanity into the image of God—you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). This was the will of the Father, and Jesus was ready to abandon his personal human will for his own good, to the Father for the good of all humanity—I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of the one who sent me (John 6:38).
While it is true that we have a free will and the freedom of choice, we frequently choose death instead of life. Because of sin, our will has been corrupted. It naturally leans toward self-gratification and selfishness instead of love. We seek out that which gives us pleasure in the moment, instead of that which brings eternal spiritual joy and life. Our spirit seeks God—goodness, beauty, truth, and love—but, our perverse and unredeemed will seeks its own pleasure. When it comes to our “will,” there are three paths open to us: choosing to gratify ourselves by doing our own will, independent of God (narcissism); choosing to hand over our will to another person, place or thing (dependency & codependency); or choosing to unite our will with God in order to do the will of the Father (altruism & divine love). Eve’s choice is an example of the first path, and Adam’s choice is an example of the second path. Jesus came to restore humanity by choosing the third path.
Narcissism: 1 Excessive self-love in whatever form; characterized by a preoccupation with oneself to the exclusion of others; 2 self-centered; limited in outlook or concern to one’s own activities and needs; 3 an exaggerated sense of self-importance. The narcissistic person is centered in his own self. He makes his self his God. He sees the world and everything in it as revolving around him, and expects everyone to be subservient to his needs. His own happiness is his goal in life.
Dependency & Codependency: 1 In Clinical Psychology a person is said to be dependent on someone or something to the extent that he needs that thing or person in order to go about his regular activities. 2 A psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition. The dependent or codependent person is not free. He has given over his will to others and loses his own self (idolatry). In a marriage where one or both spouses surrender their will to the other, it is a codependent relationship rather than a true marriage. It can only be a true marriage when both spouses unite their will with the will of God—love—in order to freely give themselves to each other.
Altruism: 1 The opposite of selfishness; being concerned for others rather than oneself (or one’s self). 2 Unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. 3 Behavior that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others. This is the model that Jesus lived and called others to. We can only be truly free when we freely choose to abandon our will to God—become subservient to God—because God’s will is our perfect good. God is love, and only by giving our will over to divine love can we hope to be truly free and truly happy—For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it (Mat. 16:25). The altruistic person is centered in God, rather than himself; God is the center of his life and all life. He sees everyone as his brother and sister, and all are equal. He sees all of life as good.
God is the only one we can surrender our will to without losing our freedom, because He respects our free will and always asks for our permission. Jesus, like his mother, Mary, said “yes” to God, allowing the Father to work his will through them. Jesus said: No one takes it [my life] from me; I lay it down of my own free will (John 10:18). To abandon ourselves to the will of God is to trust in God enough to accept our total dependence on Him for everything. We are never separated from Him; He is in us and we are in Him. Surrendering to the will of God is not something we do once and for all, but a day by day, moment by moment, free choice to unite our will with God’s will. We never lose our free will, but freely choose to will the will of God. By abandoning ourselves to the will of God, we do not lose our will, we find it, and our true self, as well.
Without this union with God, made possible through the merits of Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit, if we are a teacher we will most likely be a false teacher; if we are a prophet we will most likely be a false prophet; if we claim to be a son of God, we will most likely be a false Christ. To be what we were created to be, to be our true self, we have to be able to say with Jesus, Father, let your will be done, not mine.
God gave us a free will and will never take it away from us. We are free to love him or reject him. He does not punish us for rejecting him. The consequences of our own choices are its own punishment. We are judged and condemned by our own free will. We reap what we sew. The only thing that can save us from the effects of our choice to sin and to do evil is the mercy of God. But, we have to accept his mercy! If we don’t, we suffer the consequences of those choices. All rational people believe in “cause and effect.” The Buddhists call it “Karma.” It is a “Law of Nature.” Someone always pays the price for sin and evil. If we manage to get away with something, someone pays for it—usually the poor. This is why Christians are called to do penance. But, without the sacrifice of love made by Jesus Christ, all our penance would be in vain.
The worst consequence of sin and evil is that it destroys love and goodness within our soul, to the point that we are no longer able to love or receive love. We are left without hope and faith, and given over to pride, despair, and insanity. If we had no sin in us, our will would be the same as the Father’s will. Why would any sane person choose death rather than accept mercy? It all boils down to “pride.” We would rather be our own God and die in our sins rather than accept mercy from the true God and live. Pride is the root of all sin and evil. We need to recognize that, as the result of sin and evil, our human will has been corrupted, making it necessary for us to cry out with Jesus, Father, let your will be done, not mine!
Tuesday
A PROPHETIC WORD FROM THE LORD: March 28, 1978
by Lenora Grimaud
The following prophecy came to me during prayer in 1978, and I wrote it down. I was part of a Charismatic Prayer Group, and shared it with others at the time. There seemed to be many other prophecies received by people throughout the Charismatic Renewal that were very similar, and seemed to confirm the message of this particular prophecy. Recently, during prayer, I felt that the Lord was telling me to share this prophecy again, that it is very relevant for our present times. I pray that you will receive it according to the measure of faith that the Lord has given you. Whatever does not seem right to you, just set it aside.
My people, I am calling you to see my wounds amongst you. I am calling you to walk with me on the road to Calvary—to share one another’s trials and to help each other with your crosses. I am calling you to walk together, to be one, to be bound together as I was bound to the column. I am calling you to weep out of compassion for one another, to have your hearts rent for one another. I am calling you to help the weary and downtrodden, to wipe each other’s faces. I am calling you to feed the hungry, to give drink to those who are thirsty. Feed their minds with my Word, the mind of Christ. Feed their spirits with the power of my Holy Spirit. Feed their bodies from your own table and the labor of your own hands. I am calling you to anoint each other’s wounds, to heal each other, to lead each other to rest—to my rest—and to eternal life. I am calling you to clothe each other with my armor, to build each other up. I am calling you to remain at each other’s side—waiting patiently for resurrection, for new life to come forth in one another.
Look around you, my people—look at my wounded body. Let your hearts be stirred to action. There are some members of my body that are lonely, that feel like strangers. They feel deserted. They cry out for community, for relationship, not just once a week, but daily. If you have a living relationship with me, you must have a living relationship with each other. There are those amongst you who have no one to celebrate special Feasts with, and so they eat alone.
I am calling you to a radical commitment to one another. Your brother’s problems are your problems. You must care for one another as you would your own body. I am calling you to stretch out your hands and to reveal your wounds to each other. Let no one hide himself from his brother.
I am calling you to bring your children to me. I want to prepare a place for them within my body where they can be nurtured and come to know the voice of their Shepherd. Do not leave them outside or they will be attacked and carried off by wolves. My heart cries out for my little ones. Bring them to me. Let me bless them. My Church is not a haven for adults. It is a home for all ages.
Listen, my people, I have not come to condemn you. I have come to prepare you. I want you to be ready for what is to come. In the past you have celebrated the Lenten Season by choosing you own deserts—your own sacrifices and fasts. But, a Lenten Season is coming upon the World of which no man has any control. I am leading you into a desert that you did not choose. I am preparing you for a time of glory, for victory. Trust me! Follow me! If you love me and love one another, the desert cannot hurt you. You will be victorious and through you I will save the world.
I have warned you that days of darkness are coming upon the world, days of trial and tribulation. A great light will soon go out in Rome. When that happens, greater darkness will come upon the earth.
Do not rely on any of the supports you have had in the past. I am going to strip you of everything you depend on now so that you will depend only on me. For my power is strongest in weakness. I will pour out all the gifts of my Spirit and when you are completely empty you will be able to fully yield to my Spirit and my power will be manifest in you and through you.
Be prepared to lose everything for my sake and you will gain everything. You will have to suffer for a little while but your sorrow will be turned into joy. Nature will cry out in birth pangs and there will be famines and floods and earthquakes. But, I will renew the face of the earth. Trust in Me. Many people will be given over to evil, rejecting God and hating all that is good and holy. You will be hated and persecuted, and some will even be martyrs for my name.
I have told you all this so that your faith will not be shaken. Band yourselves together in me, for I will triumph and my glory will be seen upon the earth. A new day is coming and when that day comes your joy will be great. In that day you will have everything. But, you must let me prepare you. From now on a man’s household will extend to his community, his brothers and sisters in Christ. It has been said “A woman’s place is in the home.” From now on a woman’s home extends to the community. It has been said, “Put your house in order.” But, I say to you “Put your community in order.”
If you do not want your love to diminish, then keep my commandments.
Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Make up with one another while you still have time. You must seek to heal all wounds of division and strife. Humble yourself before one another. If you really want to, you can make peace without compromising the truth.
Do not resent you brother’s every offense and never act in a fit of passion. Pray first, and let go of your anger before acting. I have no favorites. If you are angry when you correct your brother, you are as guilty as he is—unless it is righteous anger, which is seen only in the perfect.
Do not find fault before making a thorough inquiry—first, reflect and pray, then give a reprimand.
Jealously guard one another’s reputation and good name. Do not allow anyone to speak against your brother. What they say about your brother they say about you, too, because you are one. Remember, your enemy will pile up false accusations against you to turn you against each other. Do not be quick to listen to all you hear. Do not be gossip mongers.
Listen before you answer and do not interrupt a speech in the middle. Do not argue about something that does not concern you. Support one another; don’t knock each other down.
Do not put on airs when you are in difficulties. Do not be afraid or ashamed to let your brother see your vulnerability. Your vulnerability is precious to me and moves my heart to compassion. Be honest with yourselves and with one another. Do not repress your feelings. If your brother has offended you, then go to him, humbly, and make it known to him. You may discover that it was unintended, that your hurt was in vain.
Make each other’s needs your own. Suffer with those who are suffering, rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Be patient with one another and allow for each other’s mistakes and weaknesses. Do not criticize or rashly judge one another. Your vision is limited and you do not see the whole of a man’s heart. Teach one another. Build each other up in my love. Be gentle when you need to correct.
Do not make comparisons, comparing one person with another or one group with another. Do not take sides, one against another. Have nothing to do with factions. Do not judge a man by his outward appearance, or whether he is rich or poor, young or old, black or white, educated or uneducated, Protestant or Catholic, layman or clergy. My choice has nothing to do with these things. I choose whom I will.
Show your love for me by accepting all that I allow to happen to you with joy and thanksgiving. Do not grumble or complain. Trust in me. Praise me in adversity, in trials, in suffering, in tribulation.
My people, the world will not be changed until they can say “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” You are my servants and I send you forth in my Name. If you remain in my name, you shall truly be blessed and the world will come to acknowledge this as they proclaim “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” You also must say to your brother: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Acknowledge one another as the image of God and see me in your brother and sister. Through you, and my Spirit living in you, all of mankind shall be recreated in the image and likeness of God and my glory will fill all the earth.
The following prophecy came to me during prayer in 1978, and I wrote it down. I was part of a Charismatic Prayer Group, and shared it with others at the time. There seemed to be many other prophecies received by people throughout the Charismatic Renewal that were very similar, and seemed to confirm the message of this particular prophecy. Recently, during prayer, I felt that the Lord was telling me to share this prophecy again, that it is very relevant for our present times. I pray that you will receive it according to the measure of faith that the Lord has given you. Whatever does not seem right to you, just set it aside.
My people, I am calling you to see my wounds amongst you. I am calling you to walk with me on the road to Calvary—to share one another’s trials and to help each other with your crosses. I am calling you to walk together, to be one, to be bound together as I was bound to the column. I am calling you to weep out of compassion for one another, to have your hearts rent for one another. I am calling you to help the weary and downtrodden, to wipe each other’s faces. I am calling you to feed the hungry, to give drink to those who are thirsty. Feed their minds with my Word, the mind of Christ. Feed their spirits with the power of my Holy Spirit. Feed their bodies from your own table and the labor of your own hands. I am calling you to anoint each other’s wounds, to heal each other, to lead each other to rest—to my rest—and to eternal life. I am calling you to clothe each other with my armor, to build each other up. I am calling you to remain at each other’s side—waiting patiently for resurrection, for new life to come forth in one another.
Look around you, my people—look at my wounded body. Let your hearts be stirred to action. There are some members of my body that are lonely, that feel like strangers. They feel deserted. They cry out for community, for relationship, not just once a week, but daily. If you have a living relationship with me, you must have a living relationship with each other. There are those amongst you who have no one to celebrate special Feasts with, and so they eat alone.
I am calling you to a radical commitment to one another. Your brother’s problems are your problems. You must care for one another as you would your own body. I am calling you to stretch out your hands and to reveal your wounds to each other. Let no one hide himself from his brother.
I am calling you to bring your children to me. I want to prepare a place for them within my body where they can be nurtured and come to know the voice of their Shepherd. Do not leave them outside or they will be attacked and carried off by wolves. My heart cries out for my little ones. Bring them to me. Let me bless them. My Church is not a haven for adults. It is a home for all ages.
Listen, my people, I have not come to condemn you. I have come to prepare you. I want you to be ready for what is to come. In the past you have celebrated the Lenten Season by choosing you own deserts—your own sacrifices and fasts. But, a Lenten Season is coming upon the World of which no man has any control. I am leading you into a desert that you did not choose. I am preparing you for a time of glory, for victory. Trust me! Follow me! If you love me and love one another, the desert cannot hurt you. You will be victorious and through you I will save the world.
I have warned you that days of darkness are coming upon the world, days of trial and tribulation. A great light will soon go out in Rome. When that happens, greater darkness will come upon the earth.
Do not rely on any of the supports you have had in the past. I am going to strip you of everything you depend on now so that you will depend only on me. For my power is strongest in weakness. I will pour out all the gifts of my Spirit and when you are completely empty you will be able to fully yield to my Spirit and my power will be manifest in you and through you.
Be prepared to lose everything for my sake and you will gain everything. You will have to suffer for a little while but your sorrow will be turned into joy. Nature will cry out in birth pangs and there will be famines and floods and earthquakes. But, I will renew the face of the earth. Trust in Me. Many people will be given over to evil, rejecting God and hating all that is good and holy. You will be hated and persecuted, and some will even be martyrs for my name.
I have told you all this so that your faith will not be shaken. Band yourselves together in me, for I will triumph and my glory will be seen upon the earth. A new day is coming and when that day comes your joy will be great. In that day you will have everything. But, you must let me prepare you. From now on a man’s household will extend to his community, his brothers and sisters in Christ. It has been said “A woman’s place is in the home.” From now on a woman’s home extends to the community. It has been said, “Put your house in order.” But, I say to you “Put your community in order.”
If you do not want your love to diminish, then keep my commandments.
Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Make up with one another while you still have time. You must seek to heal all wounds of division and strife. Humble yourself before one another. If you really want to, you can make peace without compromising the truth.
Do not resent you brother’s every offense and never act in a fit of passion. Pray first, and let go of your anger before acting. I have no favorites. If you are angry when you correct your brother, you are as guilty as he is—unless it is righteous anger, which is seen only in the perfect.
Do not find fault before making a thorough inquiry—first, reflect and pray, then give a reprimand.
Jealously guard one another’s reputation and good name. Do not allow anyone to speak against your brother. What they say about your brother they say about you, too, because you are one. Remember, your enemy will pile up false accusations against you to turn you against each other. Do not be quick to listen to all you hear. Do not be gossip mongers.
Listen before you answer and do not interrupt a speech in the middle. Do not argue about something that does not concern you. Support one another; don’t knock each other down.
Do not put on airs when you are in difficulties. Do not be afraid or ashamed to let your brother see your vulnerability. Your vulnerability is precious to me and moves my heart to compassion. Be honest with yourselves and with one another. Do not repress your feelings. If your brother has offended you, then go to him, humbly, and make it known to him. You may discover that it was unintended, that your hurt was in vain.
Make each other’s needs your own. Suffer with those who are suffering, rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Be patient with one another and allow for each other’s mistakes and weaknesses. Do not criticize or rashly judge one another. Your vision is limited and you do not see the whole of a man’s heart. Teach one another. Build each other up in my love. Be gentle when you need to correct.
Do not make comparisons, comparing one person with another or one group with another. Do not take sides, one against another. Have nothing to do with factions. Do not judge a man by his outward appearance, or whether he is rich or poor, young or old, black or white, educated or uneducated, Protestant or Catholic, layman or clergy. My choice has nothing to do with these things. I choose whom I will.
Show your love for me by accepting all that I allow to happen to you with joy and thanksgiving. Do not grumble or complain. Trust in me. Praise me in adversity, in trials, in suffering, in tribulation.
My people, the world will not be changed until they can say “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” You are my servants and I send you forth in my Name. If you remain in my name, you shall truly be blessed and the world will come to acknowledge this as they proclaim “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” You also must say to your brother: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Acknowledge one another as the image of God and see me in your brother and sister. Through you, and my Spirit living in you, all of mankind shall be recreated in the image and likeness of God and my glory will fill all the earth.
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