Tag: discernment
The power of fasting
Fasting is powerful because when we fast we are detaching ourselves from the world. This allows us to transcend the enemy, who is the prince of the kingdoms of the world. He once offered those kingdoms to Jesus and of course Jesus in His might and girded by fasting refused. We see that even Christ… Read More ›
Lent Is Special Time to Cleanse and Protect Against Spirits
Though society and even the Church (can) often turn a blind eye to the workings of spirits, the fact is that they exist and the fact is also that — among their repertoire — is what might be called “spiritual transference”: spiritual energies can be transmitted through people, communication, and things, including at a distance…. Read More ›
Which is the greatest of all virtues?
Some elders came to St. Antony and asked him, “Which is the greatest of all virtues?” Each one then gave an opinion, some saying that “fasting and keeping of vigils” best help one come near to God; others said “voluntary poverty” and “detachment”; others said “compassion.” Last of all, Anthony gave his reply: “All that… Read More ›
Discernment must Extend to All Forms of Mysticism
We hear frequently about various apparitions and, though they may be helpful reminders of God’s concern for us, they cannot replace the daily struggle of conversion. Demetrious Dumm Cherish Christ Above All =================================== In 1 Thessalonians 5 we’re told, when it comes to mysticism (“prophetic utterance”), never to despise such, but we’re also told to… Read More ›
Incredibly Venomous Atmosphere Sparks Call for Return to Prayer and Scripture
The other day the Republican candidate for vice-president of the U.S. understandably and accurately observed that it is the most partisan atmosphere he’s “ever seen.” It is also the most rancorous. Fully nasty and sometimes profane and vicious e-mails twit about. Protesters spit at rallying politicos. Verbal abuse rides the airwaves. There are false accusations… Read More ›
In the Pride of Our Times…
Many don’t realize that there’s a difference between a “skeptic” and a “naysayer.” Or used to be. These days, they’re used as synonyms, and in some cases are even defined as such. Actually, they are not. In their original forms — at least in the ancient Greek sense of the words — a skeptic meant… Read More ›
Five Hard Truths That Will Set You Free
Some years ago I read an essay by the Franciscan Theologian Richard Rohr. I will say, (honestly) that I do not share a lot of agreement with Richard Rohr (no need to detail that here), but I found this particular essay compelling. I do not recall the exact title of that essay but in my… Read More ›
Discernment
There is more than one way to look at the whole process of discernment and each person who is seeking to make some kind of choice about a course of action will deal with it differently. No matter how it is done, or who one talks to, in the end it is up to the… Read More ›
Who Is Called to Be an Oblate of St. Benedict ?
It is suggested that those seeking to make their Oblation should prayerfully reflect on the following paragraphs taken from St. Vincent Archabbey’s Manual for Oblates. Being invested as an Oblate novice or making full Oblation is not a matter of entering a religious order. Deciding whether to seek novice Oblation or Oblation would, therefore, not… Read More ›
