Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: patience

Little Motifications are the most important

Louis de Montfort points out that interior mortifications are more important than exterior ones, even though the latter are not to be disregarded. The conquest of selfishness, or self-will, is the greatest challenge. Even the good results of difficult practices of mortification may be spoiled by self-seeking. Hence he recommends that all exterior acts of… Read More ›

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Christ is Risen!

O the marvel! the forbearance! the immeasurable meekness! The Untouched is felt; the Master is held by a servant, And He reveals His wounds to one of His inner circle. Seeing these wounds, the whole Creation was shaken at the time. Thomas, when he was considered worthy of such gifts, Lifted up a prayer to… Read More ›

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You are called to be a worker

Saint Benedict is saying “. . ., you are engaging in the spiritual art, not to receive something, but to give whatever you have. This endeavor will provide you with the opportunity to use your highest gifts in the service of something larger than yourself. You are called to be a worker, to give of… Read More ›

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Do not be quick to assume…

Do not be too quick to assume your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy because he thinks you are savage. Or perhaps he is afraid of you because he feels that you are afraid of him. And perhaps if he believed you were capable of loving… Read More ›

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Taken away

I think most people come to a place in their lives when things are taken away from them.  Not so much by other people, but simply by the aging process.  Driving is more difficult, energy levels drop, perhaps it is noting that the mind works differently and on some occasions not very well.  It is… Read More ›

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Restless

Lack of sleep, overwork, or simple dissipation of energy in frivolous pursuits, and of course ill health, can be only some of the influences on our inner life that can lead to ‘restlessness’. I think the term “Waiting for the Lord”, deals with this very common experience for human beings, as they continue their journey… Read More ›

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Deepening trust

Life is about letting go, moving into another space that is more expansive and freeing than the one lived in before.  It is about idols being demolished and the courage to face fear and anxious concern and moving forward in trust.  So ideas about ‘god’, which are just projections of our own human limitations, are… Read More ›

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The old things are passing away

For to despise the present age, not to love transitory things, unreservedly to stretch out the mind in humility to God and our neighbor, to preserve patience against offered insults and, with patience guarded, to repel the pain of malice from the heart, to give one’s property to the poor, not to covet that of… Read More ›

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Never too late

There are different types of beauty that are often noticed by individuals but perhaps ignored by the overall culture.  There is the vibrant beauty of youth, which is of course noticed by our culture and idolized to the point of actually causing harm.  Young men and women with an inner glow and vibrancy that perhaps… Read More ›

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He encouraged in a wonderful way

The holy Helenus remained three days in this monastery, giving talks to the brothers on spiritual matters. As a result many of them brought out into the open the thoughts and secret workings of their hearts. One said that he was troubled by the spirit of fornication, another by the spirit of anger, another by… Read More ›

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