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Descend into the Heart
The quiet repetition of a single word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart. This repetition has nothing to do with magic. It’s not meant to throw a spell on God or to force him into hearing us. On the contrary, a word or sentence repeated frequently can help us to concentrate, to move to the center, to create an inner stillness, and thus to listen to the voice of God. When we simply try to sit silently and wait for God to speak to us, we find ourselves bombarded with endless conflicting thoughts and ideas. But when we use a very simple sentence such as “O God, come to my assistance,” or “Jesus, master, have mercy on me,” or a word such as “Lord” or “Jesus” it is easier to let the many distractions pass by without being misled by them. Such a simple, easily repeated prayer can slowly empty out our crowded interior life and create the quiet space where we can dwell with God. It can be like a ladder along which we can descend into the heart and ascend to God.
-Fr. Henri Nouwen
Integral Human Development has a broad mandate related to the Holy See’s concern for issues of justice and peace, including migration, health care, charitable works and the care of creation.Pope Francis appoints San Diego’s Bishop McElroy to board of Vatican office promoting human development. Details: bit.ly/3v7mxxN
#sdcatholics California Catholic Conference
We invite you to join us in offering a spiritual bouquet to Our Blessed Mother for Mother’s Day. We invite you to comment with prayer intentions you’d like to be entrusted to Our Lady so we can join together in prayer. If praying for specific individuals, please list first name only without specifics - God knows the need. We also encourage you to participate from home with these simple suggestions: usccb.org/home-spiritual-bouquet.
As we celebrate the gift of mothers and honor Our Blessed Mother, we also recognize that Mother’s Day can be a difficult holiday for many. We hope this spiritual bouquet provides an opportunity to pray for the intentions brought to your heart by Mother’s Day.
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2021
MEMORIAL OF ANSELM, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Love the questions
How would you define the term theology? Google it and you find it described as the critical study of the nature of God or the divine. Saint Anselm (1033-1109) said it another way: “Theology is faith seeking understanding.” Every time you try to understand how God allows suffering, or wonder how it is that God loves every human being, or try to understand if God truly hears your prayers, you are doing the work of theology. As a French Benedictine monk and later archbishop of Canterbury, Anselm was a wise and learned teacher who challenged the secular power of kings. Your life may not seem extraordinary, but the pursuit of knowledge about God belongs to you as well. Don’t be afraid of the questions. Ask for grace to allow the questions to help your faith grow.
TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 8:1b-8; John 6:35-40. “Everyone who . . . believes in him (the Son) may have eternal life.”
📷pre-pandemic spiritual enrichment gathering in the old hall. Here’s to new days of exploring our questions in the light of faith (and in our new facilities)
#takefiveforfaith
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.” John 6:35-40
#dailyingodsword
Who else has the refrain to I Am The Bread of Life on replay in their head now? 🙏❤️
Although our nation has moved forward in a number of ways against racial discrimination, we have lost ground in others. Despite significant progress in civil law with regard to racism, societal realities indicate a need for further catechesis to facilitate conversion of hearts. Too many remain unaware of the connection between institutional racism and the continued erosion of the sanctity of life. We are not finished with the work. The evil of racism festers in part because, as a nation, there has been very limited formal acknowledgement of the harm done to so many, no moment of atonement, no national process of reconciliation and, all too often a neglect of our history. Many of our institutions still harbor, and too many of our laws still sanction, practices that deny justice and equal access to certain groups of people. God demands more from us. We cannot, therefore, look upon the progress against racism in recent decades and conclude that our current situation meets the standard of justice. In fact, God demands what is right and just.
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Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism.
*Part of a sequential daily series to read and reflect.
Tuesday, Apr 20, 2021
EASTER WEEKDAY
Seek the light in learning
On this day in 1303, Sapienza University of Rome was instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Sapienza, boasting such famous alumni as Maria Montessori and Federico Fellini, is considered the first pontifical university—an institution approved by the Vatican and committed to teaching theology, philosophy, and canon law. Today, all pontifical universities are governed by the document Veritatis Gaudium, a 2017 update written by Pope Francis. It begins: “The joy of truth expresses the restlessness of the human heart until it encounters and dwells within God’s Light, and shares that Light with all people.” How will you share God’s light today?
TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 7:51—8:1a; John 6:30-35. "The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
#takefiveforfaith
These torch lilies were planted in the prayer garden knowing they would bloom as we celebrate the Easter Season and the gift of the Holy Spirit ❤️🔥
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26
BEAUTIFUL.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:35
#dailyingodsword
