Tag: word of god
The Lord knocks at the door of the human heart
We meet the Archangel Gabriel especially in the precious account of the annunciation to Mary of the Incarnation of God, as Luke tells it to us (1: 26-38). Gabriel is the messenger of God’s Incarnation. He knocks at Mary’s door and, through him, God himself asks Mary for her “yes” to the proposal to become… Read More ›
The Importance of Attentiveness to the Readings
If a man should come here with earnestness – even though he does not read the Scriptures at home – and if he pays attention to what is said here, within the space of even one year he will be able to obtain a considerable acquaintance with them. For we do not read these Scriptures… Read More ›
Summer is a time refocus ourselves on the Word of God
Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Jul 18, 2010 / 08:48 am (CNA).- Before Sunday’s Angelus prayer from the intimate courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the need to listen to the Word of God. As Mary does in Sunday’s Gospel, we must learn to choose the “best portion” in our… Read More ›
Open Your Heart to the Word of God
Abba John said, ‘We went to Syria one day to see Abba Poemen and desired to question him concerning purity of the heart. But the old man did not know Greek and no interpreter was to be found. And then, seeing how embarrassed we were, the old man began to speak Greek, saying, ‘The nature… Read More ›
Be Doers of the Word
Saint James tells us: “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those… Read More ›
Evil is due to man’s alienation from the deepest truth
The moral evil in the world is due to man’s alienation from the deepest truth, from the springs of spiritual life within himself, to his alienation from God. Those who realize this try desperately to persuade and enlighten their brothers. But we are in a radically different position from the first Christians, who revolutionized an… Read More ›
Study and Savour the Word of God
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews wrote: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (4:12). It is necessary to take seriously the injunction to… Read More ›
Listening and Lectio Divina
Listening is a very demanding activity. We can see this already on the psychological level. Other experiences such as seeing or touching involve considerable passivity and inertia. I establish contact with an objective reality placed before me. But listening is something else. I am placed before a person who wishes to establish communion with me,… Read More ›
When it is Difficult to Pray
When it is difficult to therefore to pray, the most important thing is not to stop praying, not to give up the effort. At these times, turn to the Bible and go to the Church’s liturgy. Meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. Ponder the wisdom and counsel of… Read More ›
Creating an Accessible Church
The official Church is so massive that one easily feels alienated from it. It does not always seem like friendly space. Its teaching on faith and morals may seem distant and aloof, unrelated to anything that I experience. The Church does not always present as being emphatic about personal development or human relations. It sometimes… Read More ›