Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: love

Emptiness (Growth in love)

Love fills up the abyss that exists between My greatness and your nothingness—Sr. Faustina’s diary 512 (4) ++++++++++ ‘Nothingness’ is an interesting term. Is it possible for such a state to exist? Everything that is in the Universe ‘stands out’ exists to some degree. What about ‘God’, does the term apply to that which is… Read More ›

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Living out of our true image and likeness

“Go out to others and share the good news that God, our Father, walks at our side. He frees us from anonymity, from a life of emptiness and selfishness, and brings us to the school of encounter. He removes us from the fray of competition and self-absorption, and he opens before us the path of peace. That peace which is… Read More ›

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Our hiddenness from others

How could you every count my sacrifices? The stars witnessed My nightly prayers; the cold, My frozen limbs; the earth, my broken feet. — 5/11/48 paragraph 6 He and I (Pauline books) We all live hidden lives. We can talk about ourselves, our joys and sufferings, our sacrifices, yet it is never enough. There is always… Read More ›

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The Little Way

In sum, then, the little way is often is often a little way of darkness. It’s about accepting that we are to put with ourselves—with all the darkness of our weakness, brokenness, and sin—without getting discouraged. From the book: 33 Days of Merciful Love by Michael E. Gaitley. MIC Love of self is commanded because… Read More ›

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We grow into something beautiful or monstrous

“God never violates our free will. It is up to us whether we want to receive God’s grace or not. It is up to us whether we will co-operate with it or waste it” (Faustina Diary, 1107). Today many try to deny that we are free, that we have a will that can be developed… Read More ›

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The beauty of people

When talking about the beauty of people, it is of course something that is based on personal experience. I believe that when people come to a Monastery, or some other place to become more centered, or to get close to God….and as well as working through some particular problem, they come with an openness that… Read More ›

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Observing a loving couple

Elias and I went to our PT appointment this morning. Elias had another doctor’s appointment later at 12:45; so we could not get back for lunch. We decided on a place to have lunch, won’t tell you its name, but it has great french-fries! As we sat down to eat, I noticed a woman in… Read More ›

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Are Your Decisions Born of Fear or Love?

Do we choose the conceited illusion of control, or do we trust in God? Recently, I spent time talking to a man who seems to exist in a permanent state of rage about everything — headlines, the Church, the pope, the presidential campaigns — and it seemed to me that the taproot of all of… Read More ›

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Love of God, neighbor, and self

Although there is an evident distinction between love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self, a marvelous bond nevertheless does exist among the three, so that each is found in all, and all in each. None of them can be possessed without all, and when one wavers they all diminish. Someone who does… Read More ›

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By love we make our journey

Eternal life is knowing the true God; the true way to it is to love with one’s whole heart. Love, then, is the way, truth the life; truth is the image, love the likeness; love is the price, truth is the prize; by love we make our journey, in truth we stand fast. Moreover, since… Read More ›

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