For those of you who may not already be a part of my email list, wanted to share my weekly newsletter with you here on my blog in order to inspire and encourage you on the journey to holiness…
The Say Yes to Holiness Newsletter #40
Greetings, my Fellow Pilgrims on the Way and may the peace of the Epiphany be with you!
We are still in the midst of the Christmas season having just celebrated the great feasts of Mary, Mother of God, and the Epiphany, but still have another one ahead–we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord (and remember our own baptismal commitments) this coming weekend, so let’s make sure we continue to live out the fullness of the season!
Food for the Head
There are two ways of knowing how good God is: one is never to lose Him, and the other is to lose Him and then to find Him.” — Archbishop Fulton Sheen
I love this observation by Blessed Bishop Fulton Sheen. It so beautifully encapsulates the reality that we are NEVER without God in our lives–even if we don’t know it!
So continue to grow in your knowledge of God in your life. The key to doing this is growing in your awareness. How might you grow in awareness? One way is the practice of spiritual reading.
What might you read? Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Church, books on the lives of the saints and any number of countless books by other spiritual authors.
If you don’t like reading, you can listen to books on audio, so what is important is you seek to grow in knowledge so you can grow in your awareness of God’s presence in your life.
This week, begin, or expand upon the practice of spiritual reading in your life by selecting or continuing a book and by spending at least 10 minutes a day reading and reflecting upon what you read.
Food for the Heart
Jesus: My child, know that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. These will deprive you of the ability to practice virtue. All temptations united together ought not disturb your interior peace, not even momentarily. Sensitiveness and discouragement are the fruits of self-love. You should not become discouraged, but strive to make My love reign in place of your self-love. Have confidence, My child. Do not lose heart in coming for pardon, for I am always ready to forgive you. As often as you beg for it, you glorify My mercy. (Diary of St Faustina,1488).
So often, we become anxious or discouraged in the midst of trying to grow closer to God because we don’t feel His presence, or compare ourselves to others and their spiritual journey. What is important is that we don’t give up, and that we ask God to forgive us when we do become discouraged.
This week, reflect upon whether anxiety or discouragement are impacting your prayer time with our Lord, and if they are, recommit yourself to being faithful to your prayer practices and ask for His forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Food for the Hands
“My obligation is to do the right thing. The rest is in God’s hands.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is so very important for us to not become overwhelmed by all that Jesus is calling us to be and do as His disciples. This is where a smiple and clear goal for our thoughts, words and actions can be of such great benefit for growin daly in virtue.
This week, strive to make sure that your daily resolutions are simple, clear, concrete and do-able–with the goal of doing the right thing and then allowing God to take care of the rest.
Food for the Feet
“The sacred heart of Christ is an inexhaustible fountain, and its sole desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good pleasure.” — St. Margaret Mary
As we strive to grow in our awareness of God’s presence in our lives it is important to remember that there is an inexhaustible fountain of love and grace to help us. We are not alone on this journey, NOR are we expected to do the journey with only our own resources. God desires to give us everything we need, but we have to say yes.
This week, reflect upon whether there are areas in your life in which you are attempting to walk without the assistance of God’s love and grace, and make adjustments as necessary.
Did You Know?
“Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.”— St. Thomas Aquinas
Exhortation
St Thomas Aquinas encapsulates the essence of what each of us is striving for–to grow closer to God and become more like Jesus on the Way to holiness.
So open your mind to know Him and your heart to seek Him, so you can receive the wisdom you need so your thoughts, words and actions reflect His love and mercy as you persevere in doing WHATEVER IT TAKES, secure in your hope that you will finally embrace God as you tell the Master of Death, “NOT TODAY!”
Know of my prayers for you and yours, and look forward to seeing you on the Way soon!
All the best,
Christina
@SayYestoHoliness on Facebook
PS–Check out the the Say Yes to Holiness podcast! It is designed to help you grow closer to God and become more like Jesus. Join me on the journey by listening on Anchor, Spotify or ITunes. Please subscribe and share it with others.
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