Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: affliction

The root-sin of modern man

The real root-sin of modern man is that, in ignoring and condemning being, and especially his own being, he has made his existence a disease and an affliction. And, strangely, he has done this with all kinds of vitalistic excuses, proclaiming at every turn that he stands on frontiers of new abundance and permanent bliss…. Read More ›

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It happens to just about everyone

No matter what belief, faith or philosophical stance that is taken, the one holding it will one day be attack for being different from the attacker. It is a sling fest I believe and perhaps it has always been so. Today however it does seem to be more prevalent, no doubt because of our ability… Read More ›

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Government programs/Janet/ and the KISS principle

Janet is always in financial trouble, even though she is receiving money from the government to help her to stay afloat.  Three years ago she was getting $600.00 a month for disability.  She is also on Medicaid, which helps with her medicines and doctor visits.  Janet made the mistake of letting her case worker know… 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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Prayer for Those Who Live Alone

I live alone, dear Lord, stay by my side, In all my daily needs be my guide. Grant me good health, for that I pray, To carry on my work from day to day. Keep pure my mind, my thoughts, my every deed, Let me be kind and unselfish in my neighbor’s need. Spare me… Read More ›

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Coming to Know the Sacred

“Love God and do what you will,” John of the Cross wrote. It’s only when I got old enough, experienced enough and wise enough in the ways of mystics that I knew what John really meant. It’s not what we do that makes us holy. It’s what we love that makes the difference between being… Read More ›

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What Do You Weep For?

Evagrius of Ponticus, one of the early desert monastics, counseled young monastics: “First pray for the gift of tears, to soften by compunction the inherent hardness of your soul.” And fifteen centuries later, George Eliot wrote, too, “The beginning of compunction is the beginning of new life.” The point is clear: Weeping is a very… Read More ›

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Prayer is Trust in God

(In times of affliction) we do what every human would do, we pray that it may be taken away from us. We owe, however, at least this much in our duty to God: if He does not take it away, we must not imagine that we are forgotten by Him, but, because of our loving… Read More ›

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