What does there remain to me of the year which is about to end? There remains to me a sweet and consoling remembrance of the trouble which the good I have done cost me; the trouble is past, the remembance endures. There remains to me a bitter remembrance of the satisfaction I have felt in my effeminate and sensual life; the satisfaction is past, but the bitter remembrance endures . . . Just God, I understand, it is imperative on me to change my life. It is done, I will be converted.
Hamon, Meditations
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thoughts of the Past Year
Before the year is over it is well to ask ourselves: "What do my thoughts say of me? How many of them have been for Him, and how many for myself? What am I eager for, His interests or my own gain?" And, as nobody need know but ourselves, let us tell ourselves the truth honestly.
-- Father Dignam, SJ
-- Father Dignam, SJ
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Rehearsing for Heaven
When we reach heaven, in what state shall we be? Certainly one very important feature of it will be the absence of all bitterness and criticisms, and the way in which our expanded minds will be possessed with thoughts of the most tender and overflowing kindness. By cultivating kind thoughts we are in a very special way rehearsing for heaven.
-- Father Faber
-- Father Faber
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Longest Day
The longest day has its evening, the hardest work its ending, and the sharpest pain its contented and everlasting rest.
-- Father Faber
-- Father Faber
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Enjoy Yourself
I beg of you, live not in sadness, but in joy. If there is any place that gives you joy, then go thither, and enjoy yourself, so that it be in the Lord. Be always cheerful. The more cheerful we are, the easier it is to serve God.
St. John Colombini
St. John Colombini
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Bond of Charity
To have peace of heart there must be charity in thought -- avoiding envy, suspicion, jealousy, and all that embitters the mind; in word -- avoiding calumny, detraction, unkindness of speech; in action -- by being kindly and thoughtful in act toward others, even generous and self-sacrificing at times, and free from selfishness.
-- Rev. Joseph McDonnell, SJ
-- Rev. Joseph McDonnell, SJ
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Hush
All the world was at peace at the moment when Christ was born. The angry passions of men were hushed as if in compliment to the Prince of Peace. He never comes where strife and confusion prevail. If I desire that He should come into my heart today, I must resolve to keep under my evil passions, and the self-will that dares to do battle against the will of God.
-- Rev. R.F. Clarke, SJ, The Devout Year
-- Rev. R.F. Clarke, SJ, The Devout Year
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve Prayer
O God, Who year by year makest us to look forward in joy of heart to the festival of the birth of Thine only-begotten Son; grant that, even as we now gladly welcome Him for our Redeemer, so we may trustfully go forth to meet Him when He shall one day return as our Judge.
-- The Roman Missal
-- The Roman Missal
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Rewards
To do good and get no praise for it, no reward, is the sure way to have double reward in heaven. To try to do good and to fail through no fault of ours is no loss to us. God is honored by our efforts, not by our success.
-- Father Dignam, SJ
-- Father Dignam, SJ
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The Habit of Praise
We were created to praise, not to blame and censure. If once we could get into the habit of praise and never blame others, except when strictly obliged by duty, this alone would make us great saints.
-- Father Dignam, SJ
-- Father Dignam, SJ
