Forsake Not the Discipline

“Forsake not the discipline” These words are reported as among the very first and very last teachings of St. Antony of the Desert by his spiritual son, St. Athanasius.   The Christian life is not something we master – but it does give us everything we need to master ourselves in the new and unrepeatable circumstances each day, each moment, brings.  Every day we must choose... Read More

Spiritual Liberty in the Night

In order to secure our true liberty, even while we were enslaved to sin, Christ suffered the night of death and ransomed us by His blood.   This is why the Lord respects human freedom, even when it is the source of great sorrow.   Aware of our frailty, God does not overpower our freedom but delights to work through it in a very gentle and beautiful way.   As a result, it is easy to frustrate... Read More

CSD Book Club – Journal of a Soul (Week 11 of 12)

Purity in Deed First of all we pray for purity of mind, a clear understanding of doctrine which is a gift of the intellect; then modesty of body. O Mary, you see what a scandal of shameless nakedness of men and women we have around us, profaning the churches, the squares and the ways of the city, for the corruption of innocent youth and the perversion of our people, with the threat of terrible... Read More

CSD Book Club – Spiritual Combat Conclusion – Introducing Trustful Surrender

It occurred to me that I actually had two posts to put together for today – one to sum up the book we’re reading and one to introduce our new book. That could make for a lot to read in one day, so I made two decisions: 1. Put together one post with two parts – each one short and sweet. 2. Leave an extra week at the end of future books so we can take some time to digest our current... Read More

CSD Book Club – Spiritual Combat – Walking the Line in a Material World

…we must remember that we can hardly offer ourselves to Heaven, if we are bound to earth by worldly attachments. Therefore, if we perceive ourselves to bound by the slightest earthly affection, let us have recourse to God, imploring Him to break asunder the bonds which chain us to earth that we may be His alone. This is of great importance. for if he who is a slave to creatures, pretends... Read More

CSD Book Club – Spiritual Combat – A Crisis of Faith

Consider Jesus on the Cross as you would a devout book worthy of your unceasing study and by which you may learn the practice of the most heroic virtues. This is the book which may be truly called the “Book of Life” (Apocalypse 3:5), which at once enlightens the mind by its doctrines and inflames the will by its examples. The world is full of books, but were it possible for man to read them... Read More

CSD Book Club – Spiritual Combat – A Troublesome Partner: Part II

I had to add a post today because I wanted to share an example from King of the Golden City of how easy it is to give into Self, and what happens when we do. Even the slightest submission can affect an entire day, as demonstrated in the following excerpt: “Six o’clock – time to get up,” said Dilecta, and she was just going to make a spring, when Self’s sleepy voice was heard: “It... Read More

Wisdom for the Ascent – 1 – St. John of the Cross

THE soul must of necessity—if we would attain to the divine union of God—pass through the dark night of mortification of the desires, and self-denial in all things. The reason is this; all the love we bestow on creatures is in the eyes of God mere darkness, and while we are involved therein, the soul is incapable of being enlightened and possessed by the pure and simple light of God, unless... Read More

How much should a priest own?

Q: Dear Father John, I am a Catholic priest. Because I am in studies and do not have a rectory to call ‘home’, I’ve temporarily moved all my personal belongings back into my parent’s house. Looking over all the ‘stuff’ I’ve collected over the years, it’s dawned on me that I have A LOT. Too much, so that I am even nauseated at the amount: especially... Read More

Am I being selfish by denying help to my family or friends? – Part II of II

Q: Dear Father John, if Christians are called to charity, and we assume that our charity must cost us something (like time, comfort, or money), is there a time when we can justifiably deny a request without being selfish? I’m an at-home mom and my friends often ask me to babysit for their children.  I always say “Yes”, but only because it is difficult for me to do so, and I wonder... Read More

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