Wisdom for the Ascent – 1 – St. John of the Cross
March 25, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Ascent, Dark Night of the Soul, Divine Union, John of the Cross, Mortification, Self Denial
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 we first cast that love away.... Read More
Am I being selfish by denying help to my family or friends? – Part II of II
October 31, 2011 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Mortification, Q and A, Self Denial
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 if God is increasing my capacity... Read More
Am I being selfish by denying help to my family or friends? – Part I of II
October 24, 2011 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Mortification, Q and A, Self Denial
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 if God is increasing my capacity... Read More
![Fidelis Schabet [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons copy 2](http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Fidelis-Schabet-Public-domain-via-Wikimedia-Commons-copy-2-70x70.jpg)