At Baptism we are forgiven the effects of original sin, as well as all of our actual sins. However, the temporal effects of original sin, such as the weakening of our will and mind, our dissordered passions, sickness, and death remain.
The graces given in the other sacraments help us to conquer these effects.
When suffering is endured in a state of grace, the suffering can bring us closer to Christ, and help to purify the world. We should pray in our times of suffering and encourage those suffering to know the gospel of suffering.
An ancient desert monk once said, “In the great trials of the spiritual life a person feels as if the pressence of God has been eclipsed. When this happens persevere because later comes a profound and interior joy that comes from grace.”
The 3 fruits of the Spirit are joy, love, and peace, and they are only obtained by suffering.
I acknowledge, Lord, and I give thanks that you have created your image in me, so that I may remember you, think of you, love you. But this image is so obliterated and worn away by wickedness, it is so obscured by the smoke of sins, that it cannot do what it was created to do, unless you renew and reform it. I am not attempting, O Lord, to penetrate your loftiness, for I cannot begin to match my understanding with it, but I desire in some measure to understand your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this too I believe, that “unless I believe, I shall not understand.” (Isa. 7:9)
Saint Anselm of Canterbury
The holy lives of the saints is proof of the Catholic Faith. We were delivered by Christ’s blood. We should conduct ourselves reverently in this strange land. We are citizens of Heaven. Inside of our bodies is the seed to a new spiritual birth.
When the children went to come to Jesus, his disciples stopped them. Jesus said for them to let the children come and that unless one becomes as a child he will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Children naturally seek to learn. They learn from adults, children, peers, tv, radio, etc. Be carefull what they are exposed to; do not expose them to protestant or nondenominational influences. Rather than exposing them to the culture of death, expose them to the Culture of Life.
Children learn to test things, and to respond to hate with love.
Children are due the same dignity as adults. Like adults they need the sacrements and prayer.
The worst of times makes the best of saints.
Beware of false prophits. St. John Chrysostom says this passage talks about nonpracticing Catholics. Flesh begets flesh; Spirit begets Spirit. Fasting and suffering can help. So can prayer and reception of the Holy Eucharist.
The Spirit and the Bride say come. Be a witness, and example.
The priest must live in the world, but be a witness to that which is not of this world. Likewise, all must be a light in our culture of death and darkness.
Do not expose children to mainstream media, or bad influences like the 700 club and dirty jokes. Teach children the culture of life. Treat people as people.
Patience = willingness to suffer
Jesus’s suffering atoned for our sins. The atonement for our sins is applied to us personally.
Our natural body is the body of Adam. The body we see is a shell. Within us is the seed of a glorified body. The real splendour of our person is not fully visible. At the last judgement we will see our true splendour.
From Augustissimae Virginis Mariae
From the fact that this warfare of prayer is “enrolled under the name of the Mother of God,” fresh efficacy and fresh honour are thereby added to it. Hence the frequent repetition in the Rosary of the “Hail Mary” after each “Our Father.” (more…)
A family, no less than a State, is, as We have said, a true society, governed by an authority peculiar to itself, that is to say, by the authority of the father. ~ Pope Leo XII in Rerum Novarum