Be STILL and KNOW that I AM God

Feast of Saints Titus and Timothy



This week the real-time notes are really not so important. I focused on listing the names because I didn't want to weigh in and out on what to include of the personal data (some things I noted) – I could have done the opposite and left the names out and only entered the personal info anonymously but that also seemed as random and pointless.

However, the entire theme that runs through everyone's reflections is:

Be STILL and KNOW that I AM God
And Ps 127: aka
Psalm 126 : Nisi Dominus. Nothing can be done without God's grace and blessing.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it. 2 It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, 3 Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb. 4 As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken. 5 Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.
2 "It is vain for you to rise before light"... That is, your early rising, your labour and worldly solicitude, will be vain, that is, will avail you nothing, without the light, grace, and blessing of God.

And Ps 131: aka
Psalm 130 : Domine, none est. The prophet's humility.
1 Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. 2 If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and forever.
And I'm going to throw in Ps 132 (we didn't discuss this Psalm specifically but by indirection)
Psalm 132 : Ecce quam bonum. The happiness of brotherly love and concord.
1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity. 2 Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, Which ran down to the skirt of his garment: 3 As the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon mount Sion. For there the Lord hath commandeth blessing, and life for evermore.
Opening grace and prayer – introductions by participants' names starting with the letter J (Jesus began) thru Z thru A thru I … Jim, Jessica, Jason,

Jake – I call Our Lady "My Immaculate Battle Machine"

Confirmation names: James, Jadwiga (Yadviga) … we joked about introducing anyone who had a "j" in any part of their name and soooooooooooooo: Book of James : Scotty introduced himself !!!

Krystal, Kimm (Kimberly), Leon (head is too noisy whereas before I couldn't tell ! … has experienced the Scriptures speaking to her by saying the Divine Office),

Spiritual principles – growing in the spiritual life
Spinning it around the scriptures

Sunday Reading – something more than just words going on

Lisa, Lee, Lorena, Lorena (– Ministry with Scotty and Ethan to the Sick at St Andrews),
Mercado (friend of Fr Francis at St John Vianney Confessions DAILY 4:30 – 5PM M-F 4-5 Sat – Hacienda Heights off Rt 60), McCloskey, Nicole,

GOSPEL: Sunday – scriptures coming alive
Mark 1: 21-28 The Lord Blesses His loved ones while they sleep Ps 127

Tabatha: the Cure of the Demoniac (sometimes she feels it's her theme Gospel story)

"He taught them as one with authority and not as the Scribes " – Jesus wasn't just another traveling Rabbi – something was very, very different about Him

"What have you to do with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are" … what is this a new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him. His fame spread …"

Nicole (same goal trying to quiet oneself and listen to Christ),
Rebecca (one of Fr Francis' sheep);

Deut 18:15-20 I will put my words into his mouth … if a prophet presumes to speak in My Name or speaks in the name of another god … he will die." Our desire is to be quiet enough to listen – in the effort He does speak and we do listen/hear.

Ps 131 8/2/08 Fr Paul G/Kimm : Childlike trust in the Lord. What should I do? You're doing enough. Take naps.
"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul … like a weaned child on its mother's lap … "

"I do not busy myself with great matters with things too sublime for me." – perfect, incomprehensible, (we are not getting in the way of God doing what He wants to do)

The fish in the river does not have a map of the river – same with us, we don't need to understand where the river will turn, we are called to go with the flow and see how that works out

A humble trust in God – I'll be a fish if I can have a map – absence of fear (what a baby feels like) –

(Sometimes) at some point God gives His fish their map – but a fish with a map doesn't change much (looks cool but makes you much weirder to all the other fish) – you just know where but we still need Infinite help and the help of all those whom God's Providence puts us in touch with just moving from point to point – we can't even move our little finger (and even less) without Him

Arlene – (St John Vianney – Fr Francis' sheep moves so quickly it never even occurred to her to be still)
PS 127 The need of God's Blessings … Unless the Lord build the house … Vain to rise early … to eat bread…
All this God gives to His beloved in sleep

Wanted to leave after Holy Communion but stayed and was so grateful. The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures. (Psalm 23)

Ps 110 While we are sitting God unfolds His Kingdom

Take your throne (sit) at my right hand while I make you enemies your footstool. The Lord says RULE over your enemies. Yours is princely power from the day of your birth. In Holy splendor before the day star like the dew I begot you.

"Who drinks from the brook by the wayside …"

Amador (went to Mexico City to Our Lady of Guadalupe – why am I here, Mother? – must be on (going to) Daily Mass or feels like he'll die) [Ditto that and then some, we are all thinking]

Bob, Cruz, Tyree (dry, crabby, mad, out of sorts – praying to Love God more than her vices), Esmeralda, Silvy, Fr Francis (classmate of Fr Paul G – God enjoys putting him off balance – computer engineering then Vocation to Priesthood – last thing in the world he ever thought he would be doing – then he was assigned to working with youth and young adults – planned a retreat and began Bible study – got letter from diocese: "Thank you for agreeing to be the Regional Vocation's Director for San Gabriel" – Father Francis never applied !!!

Ethan,

Ps 95:1-9 Come … The great King… Let us bow down and worship… If today you hear His Voice harden not your hearts.

40 years I've endured this Psalm! But finally I could understand it (Rosemary? Lisa?)

1 Cor 7: 32-35 to be free of anxieties … how he may please his wife … holy in body and spirit … anxious about things of the world … without distraction

Preparations for Heaven – which am I called to – to prepare with a wife/husband – or to prepare with Friends, Religious Community, etc.

1 Cor 7: 27 Are you bound to a wife, do not seek a separation; MUTUAL union and Sanctification – Sacramental Spiritual Friendship (often a surprising goal or end that can be achieved with the Grace of the Sacrament).

On Friendship -- On Spiritual Friendship

Opening Rosary (prayed with the room dark – Kristin lights up her glow in the dark Rosary before the lights go off – “simple pleasures for simple souls”)

Fr Paul reveals the evening’s topic:

On Friendship – Spiritual Friendship

Fr Paul asks for the appropriate Scripture. Kristin suggests St Luke but Fr Paul is looking for something in St John – Javier gives the verses from memory throughout the discussion though eventually we do go to St Luke.

Jn: 19:25

Lk 8:19

His mother and his brothers came to Him but were unable to … those who hear the Word of God and act on it.

Stays with that in an appropriate way – according to Catholic teaching, specific, real, good way to connect with families, married, society moving in this Kingdom that Jesus is talking about without violating any of those bonds but moving into a quality of Light and Love that Jesus is talking about according to this Kingdom – Jesus proclaims the Kingdom in what we just read.

Kinds of realities that Jesus wanted us to live – to move up into that level of humanity a realm that you aren’t familiar with

A connection with God is the source of the relationship – in union with the Divine source first – powered from a Source that is bigger than the relationship.

Lk 11:27-28

Blessed is the womb that carried you … rather blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it

Jesus is the Word of God so His whole being is the Word of God – blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it (the Word of God is BIG, those who hear are in relation with God and the Holy Spirit is bringing those into relationships that are ordered and true and holy in a beautiful way)

In relationship to the Holy Spirit (beyond normal and natural ways – HOWEVER, there are other “spirits” that are outside Jesus Christ that will ask / demand obedience, claim to be Christ, etc.) At first these spirits disguise themselves as representatives of the truth of God but end by presenting it with a twist.

Relationships that are fed by the Kingdom and Word of God.

When Mary received the message of an Angel as the Word of God she didn’t just do something – she said let it be done unto me according to Thy Word and the fullness of the Word of God entered into her flesh became Flesh – we tend to want to reduce that and make Jesus one person among many persons who are holy – Jesus is the ONLY entry into the Kingdom of God – everything needs to be interiorly integrated with Christ

A way of relationship – a new way of relating – not just an individual inspired for a moment who remains the same – but a communion of persons that Christ is guiding and growing which He calls His Church – feeding with His Sacraments these kinds of relationships.

Brotherhood entirely centered on Christ (2 friends in discipleship group) on an entirely different level than with their own blood siblings – giving entire life to Christ – not just we’re going to church on Sunday or in a prayer group – but our entire life is given to Christ – we have Christ physically in this world – can relate to Christ when He says “those are my brothers and sister and mother” Feast of St Basil the Great & St Gregory Nazianzen (both Doctors of the Church) but Church put them together to celebrate Friendship – Gregory joined Basil as Hermit etc. “We seemed to be two bodies with a single Spirit (Christ)… Each of us was in the other and with the other” – two real people with real lives with real responsibility out of real history – this is not “valentine land” but the Kingdom of God – “we spurred each other on to Virtue” … “our great pursuit was to be called Christians”

When you meet someone who is following Christ you instantly share / pick up on their Love of Christ. Can be thousands of miles from current local church and friends in Christ and yet immediately connect at one’s home church with people one hasn’t seen in over a year – love and devotion for the same Saints, sharing of relics, daily Mass, etc.

1 Samuel 18:1

When David had finished speaking with Saul he felt a deep affection for Jonathan and began to Love him as himself.

1 Kings 18 :1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan Loved him as his own soul.

Jonathan who is Saul’s son has a tremendous Love for David – they have a Friendship rather than being envious or in competition with each other over the fact that David will assume the throne as King instead of Jonathan (King Saul’s son)

God gives His own goodness, His own Spirit to cooperated with God and obey His commandments – (to Love God and neighbor)

1 Sam 20:14

1 Kings 20:14 (see below)

Let’s go into the open country … be our witness … if my father intends to do you harm …

1 Sam 20:30 perverse and rebellious woman … prefer son of Jesse … why should he die what has he done

1 Sam 20:41 descendants forever

1 Kings 20:30 (see below)

1 Kings 20:41 (see below)

Jn 19:25-27 Standing by the Cross of Jesus were His Mother … Woman behold your son

In the Acts we will see this new kind of family that Jesus is inspiring on this earth in the upper room (hearing the word of God and keeping it with their whole being)

Why does Christ call His Mother “Woman” – because He is giving Her to us in a new kind of relationship and family. Jesus says lets focus on Where we are going together – Jesus wants us to move in these kinds of relationships that further the Kingdom of Heaven

Acts 1:14

All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer 9 Days … with Mary the Mother of Jesus and His brothers…

To be in union with the Lord AND in accord with others – more difficult – identifying this person or that is not the main point but to get the substance and get this reality – unity of the substance stabilized in a way that this can now transform society around them – this is what Christ is trying to do by proclaiming the Kingdom of God

This new , this new dimension – Christ Living in bodies joined in one accord – affecting and dynamizing people – to have enough power and substance to resist the defensiveness of cultures and people

Christ could not just have inspired individuals – Mary models that one accord – also people who would also be missionaries of the Word of God – all part of God’s plan – According to January 2^nd Office of Readings on the friendship of St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen, SOME people do live this intimacy and are one Spirit in several bodies that align their lives in such a way that Our Lord could build up His Kingdom – the central organ is essential (it is Christ)

Fr Paul spent many years in fasting and prayer and adoration alone in one Eucharistic chapel after another – certain type of spiritual stability over many many years – what amazes Fr Paul [where Spiritual Friendships develop – when there is a tremendous spiritual assault – direct hits – those attacked heal back up again – when teamed up together – when combined, this radicalizes them to function in a stability and resilience – communion of Saints – Holy Spirit is guiding – they are not even aware of how much spiritual weight they are bearing – not just part time – bearing a lot of weight in the Church – Christ can rest a lot of weight on this foundation

Christ can build and move more connections – more towers – stability, plugged in and doing it – with a few people like that Our Lord says – OK now we can move to the next level – this is real core – consecrated communion (aka Religious Life) – Christ can do more – one person just can’t do it – Fr Paul can’t do discipleship just as one person – Christ is trying to do this in the Church in a very real and wonderful way – authentic Religious Life

Feast of Feb 10 – Feast of St Scholastica – twin sister of St Benedict (kind, orderly person). Benedict says God so loved the world – learn a way of Love to help and transform society –

“their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late” … “please do not leave me tonight, let us go on till morning”

Christ didn’t say: Blessed are you who just talk about the bible – but: Blessed are those who hear the word of God and act on it – St Scholastica’s whole being is coming alive – let’s not stop, if we do, Christ falls back away – let’s keep this communion, if we pull back now Christ falls – she was not willing to pull away – St Benedict was willing to pull away…

Sooooooooooo, St Benedict – the Founder of all those people who wanted to find oneness with God – king of the hill of this way of Monasticism – [as it is] way Holier [(and easier) living the Monastic Life] than trying to be Holy in the city) says:

Sister, [St Scholastica is also St Benedict’s twin sister so they’ve been hanging out together since the womb] what are you saying, I simply cannot stay outside my cell –

St Scholastica simply couldn’t do this by herself, she BEGGED her brother for the SAKE of the LOVE of CHRIST …

…it CANNOT occur unless we STAY in this type of relationship – was she just lonely, did she just want a sleep over, no friends, -- the clingy and needy can rip and destroy Consecrated Life because they do not have enough natural affection and love – so they like to grab, take, consume from each other – are the two things sometimes confused, yes – due to selfishness, the envious, the jealous, I don’t want to pray with you, I want you to baby sit me …

INTERLUDE: Fr Matthew Munoz arrives with his mother and remain in the hallway since the “disciples” have packed the room. – Fr Paul introduces the latecomers [who had left a Birthday party at St Ireneas’ for Fr Matthew to surprise Fr Paul who could not attend due to the Discipleship meeting] we Sing Happy Birthday to Fr Matthew

First time Fr Munoz’ actual body is here – most often in spiritual communion through those who know Fr Munoz – or via speaker on Fr Paul’s cell phone

BACK ON TOPIC: these want to push back healthy boundaries, be open to elements of distortion, neediness, not wishing to die in Christ, get the help of your friend NOT to die in Christ, it is so much easier to be needy, I don’t want to come to the discipleship meeting, I would just rather let it melt away without Christ bonding and building – let them do it without me

Benedict to St Scholastica: girl, you’ve got a problem, doesn’t have my name on it, I’m out of here – I’ve had enough, I’m not signed up for this kind of Love, I have my own kind of Love, see you later – Jesus says come on, for My sake, and I can’t do it by Myself

Consecrated communion is at the core of transforming and building, this is what we are paying attention to

Religious Communities are for this but the real Life has to be there – if it is not, Christ’s Love roots itself elsewhere

Scholastica is desperate for the Life of Christ – she wants Christ [to Live] to be Alive in the way that Christ can only [Live] be Alive in the communion of persons – Benedict wrote the book on spiritual direction – wisest person on the orderly way of growing in the Spiritual Life – now St Scholastica (his twin sister) is pushing the limit on the person (St Benedict) who is the authority on religious communion etc

Scholastica is starving – thirsting for communion with the other members of the Body of Christ – she stays in that abandoned Place – Christ: let Me Love through you – longing for communion – this is what Christ has come to accomplish

Lk 8:19 – does Scholastica qualify as being the sister of Jesus? Not just a relationship with Jesus – but ONE with Him – Benedict had one level of Love – he wanted to follow the Rule …

“As she raised her head from the table there were such flashes of lightning and thunder …” (see below for full Office of Readings)

For St Scholastica everything is at stake – God is something you just can’t stop – everything means more than everything but everything including God Himself – oneness of being in an ongoing way – let’s not just have this – a conversation – but form an ongoing Communion, let’s move this encounter – it’s not enough to have an intimate relationship with God in the Ministry but this is what the Holy women were doing [with Our Lady] in the upper room…

“When she heard her brother refuse her request the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them, and began to pray – as she raised there were such brilliant flashes of …”

“Sadly he began to complain – “

She doesn’t argue any more – like Our Lady at the Wedding Feast at Cana – Mary goes quiet, Scholastica goes quiet –

Jesus says OK at Cana –

Benedict began to complain –

SAINT Pope Gregory the Great (himself a Monk) is writing this –

“May God forgive you, sister –

She delicately invites him to go to the next level – all nature is responding to her prayer –

“Sadly he began to complain – he was sad because he was ruining God’s Kingdom – Jesus you are not going to have your Kingdom where mine is –

“may God forgive you sister,” what have you done? St Benedict is laying this guilt trip on his sister – Jesus is trying to bump family, spirituality, monasticism to a new level and Benedict is not buying –

YOU better watch out when the Bride of Christ asks for something –

I think I have a better idea – So I asked my God and He did listen – so go off –

“Well,” (she’s in command of the show here) … there’s a problem here and it’s not with God and it’s not with me, you do the math –

“Well,” I asked you and you would not listen (what an attitude this woman has – she would not have had a different attitude if she had been speaking to the Pope)

Benedict forgot Christ’s way of Love – Christ is broken hearted – one Saint no matter how Holy cannot form this communion of persons – God’s form of Love is relational. St Scholastica was selling magazines and Benedict wasn’t buying.

“Well,” she answered, I asked MY God (not OUR God) because Benedict had a different idea of God, one version of God, and she wanted the version down deeper, simpler – Now go off if you can, (MY God – YOUR Monastery)

“he remained against his will …” it is not surprising that she was more effective than he – she could do more because she Loved more.

“Against his will” – he didn’t look into the depth of the Mystery – to engage in spiritual conversation – he had to come around, surrender His Will to the Word of God, and he had to let his holy sister lead because she was with God – he surrendered instead of pouting and complaining on the inside. Well, obviously God is doing something here.

Does God want women to lead. Trace element God reserves, tiny drop that we need to receive from another person to fulfill God’s plan. We need to wait to respond, to activate, distinction and mutuality in the way that occurs. Mary Queen of Apostles – Apostles could not have been Apostles without Her being in union with them as Christ reserved.

I don’t want to be there but I know God’s calling me – can’t stop God why fight – no one wanted to go back to their Cell, they just wanted to stay in that union

It was not surprising that she was more effective than he … it was absolutely right that …

“He saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove and fly up to God…”

“Their minds had always been united in Love their bodies were to share a common grave…”

Stabilized space station – organ of Christ – divine substance to itself – not individual prayer but a life of its own, Christ is living as this community of persons – a whole other level

Substance reality of Christ having formed a new consecrated organ that has an awesomeness – that is what consecrated life is about – we have been very slow and graceful in cooperating with forming this community of Life – It is sacred.

First Book Of Kings

Chapter 20

Saul being obstinately bent upon killing David, he is sent away by Jonathan.

1 But David fled from Najoth, which is in Ramatha, and came and said to Jonathan: What have I done? what is my iniquity, and what is my sin against thy father, that he seeketh my life? 2 And he said to him: God forbid, thou shalt not die: for my father will do nothing great or little, without first telling me: hath then my father hid this word only from me? no, this shall not be. 3 And he swore again to David. And David said: Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, and he will say: Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved. But truly as the Lord liveth, and thy soul liveth, there is but one step (as I may say) between me and death. 4 And Jonathan said to David: Whatsoever thy soul shall say to me, I will do for thee. 5 And David said to Jonathan: Behold tomorrow is the new moon, and I according to custom am wont to sit beside the king to eat: let me go then that I may be hid in the field till the evening of the third day.

5 "Tomorrow is the new moon"... The neomenia, or first day of the moon, kept according to the law, as a festival; and therefore Saul feasted on that day: and expected the attendance of his family.

6 If thy father look and inquire for me, thou shalt answer him: David asked me that he might run to Bethlehem his own city: because there are solemn sacrifices there for all his tribe. 7 If he shall say, It is well: thy servant shall have peace: but if he be angry, know that his malice is come to its height. 8 Deal mercifully then with thy servant: for thou hast brought me thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee. But if there be any iniquity in me, do thou kill me, and bring me not in to thy father. 9 And Jonathan said: Far be this from thee: for if I should certainly know that evil is determined by my father against thee, I could do no otherwise than tell thee. 10 And David answered Jonathan: Who shall bring me word, if thy father should answer thee harshly concerning me?

11 And Jonathan said to David: Come and let us go out into the field. And when they were both of them gone out into the field, 12 Jonathan said to David: O Lord God of Israel, if I shall discover my father's mind, tomorrow or the day after, and there be any thing good for David, and I send not immediately to thee, and make it known to thee, 13 May the Lord do so and so to Jonathan and add still more. But if my father shall continue in malice against thee, I will discover it to thy ear, and will send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace, and the Lord be with thee, as he hath been with my father. 14 And if I live, thou shalt show me the kindness of the Lord: but if I die, 15 Thou shalt not take away thy kindness from my house for ever, when the Lord shall have rooted out the enemies of David, every one of them from the earth, may he take away Jonathan from his house, and may the Lord require it at the hands of David's enemies.

15 "May he take away Jonathan"... It is a curse upon himself, if he should not be faithful to his promise.-- Ibid.

15 "Require it"... That is, revenge it upon David's enemies, and upon me, if I should fail of my word given to him.

16 Jonathan therefore made a covenant with the house of David: and the Lord required it at the hands of David's enemies. 17 And Jonathan swore again to David, because he loved him: for he loved him as his own soul. 18 And Jonathan said to him: Tomorrow is the new moon, and thou wilt be missed: 19 For thy seat will be empty till after tomorrow. So thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place, where thou must be hid on the day when it is lawful to work, and thou shalt remain beside the stone, which is called Ezel. 20 And I will shoot three arrows near it, and will shoot as if I were exercising myself at a mark.

21 And I will send a boy, saying to him: Go and fetch me the arrows. 22 If I shall say to the boy: Behold the arrows are on this side of thee, take them up: come thou to me, because, there is peace to thee, and there is no evil, as the Lord liveth. But if I shall speak thus to the boy: Behold the arrows are beyond thee: go in peace, for the Lord hath sent thee away. 23 And concerning the word which I and thou have spoken, the Lord be between thee and me for ever. 24 So David was hid in the field, and the new moon came, and the king sat down to eat bread. 25 And when the king sat down upon his chair (according to custom) which was beside the wall, Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place appeared empty.

26 And Saul said nothing that day, for he thought it might have happened to him, that he was not clean, nor purified. 27 And when the second day after the new moon was come, David's place appeared empty again. And Saul said to Jonathan his son: Why cometh not the son of Isai to meat neither yesterday nor today? 28 And Jonathan answered Saul: He asked leave of me earnestly to go to Bethlehem, 29 And he said: Let me go, for there is a solemn sacrifice in the city, one of my brethren hath sent for me: and now if I have found favour in thy eyes, I will go quickly, and see my brethren. For this cause he came not to the king's table. 30 Then Saul being angry against Jonathan said to him: Thou son of a woman that is the ravisher of a man, do I not know that thou lovest the son of Isai to thy own confusion and to the confusion of thy shameless mother?

31 For as long as the son of Isai liveth upon earth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Therefore now presently send, and fetch him to me: for he is the son of death. 32 And Jonathan answering Saul his father, said: Why shall he die: what hath he done? 33 And Saul caught up a spear to strike him. And Jonathan understood that it was determined by his father to kill David. 34 So Jonathan rose from the table in great anger, and did not eat bread on the second day after the new moon. For he was grieved for David, because his father had put him to confusion. 35 And when the morning came, Jonathan went into the field, according to the appointment with David, and a little boy with him.

31 "The son of death"... That is, one that deserveth death, and shall surely be put to death.

36 And he said to his boy: Go, and fetch me the arrows which I shoot. And when the boy ran, he shot another arrow beyond the boy. 37 The boy therefore came to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot: and Jonathan cried after the boy, and said: Behold the arrow is there further beyond thee. 38 And Jonathan cried again after the boy, saying: Make haste speedily, stand not. And Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows, and brought them to his master: 39 And he knew not at all what was doing: for only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40 Jonathan therefore gave his arms to the boy, and said to him: Go, and carry them into the city.

41 And when the boy was gone, David rose out of his place, which was towards the south, and falling on his face to the ground, adored thrice: and kissing one another, they wept together, but David more. 42 And Jonathan said to David: Go in peace: and let all stand that we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying: The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. 43 And David arose, and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Saint Scholastica

St. Gregory the Great

Early Church Father & Doctor of the Church

This excerpt from the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great (Lib. 2, 33; PL 66, 194-196) is used in the Roman Office of Readings for the Feast of St. Scholastica on February 10. Saint Scholastica, a sister of the great abbot St. Benedict, was born at Nursia Italy about the year 480. She vowed herself to seek God in religious life and followed her brother to Monte Cassino where she died around 547.

Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate.


One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together.


Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late. The holy nun said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life”. “Sister”, he replied, “what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell”.


When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well”, she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery”.


Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will. So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life.

It is not surprising that she was more effective than he, since as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more.


Three days later, Benedict was in his cell. Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven. Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise. He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself.


Their minds had always been united in God; their bodies were to share a common grave.

a Little Bit of Jesus -- the Glory of that Person in our Life

Opening prayer – quiet – what was going on while we were quiet – how does this quiet touch or affect each person.

Jesus says that if I go to visit someone in jail I will get to meet Jesus – wd be pretty dumb if I went to see Jesus and didn’t get something from Him but I would need to get quiet enough and little enough to get something from Him – and these little kids were probably never told they were Jesus – I wd have to get quiet enough and little enough so that Jesus through and in them would share something with me.

Jesus is in each one of us but what it takes to get Jesus freed up and get heard – that’s the tricky part. Lots of people think that to be a disciple is to go out and give things – Jesus wd get lower – He liked to say YOUR FAITH has saved/healed you. Jesus had to stand up to the lies, false ideas, patterns of violence – take all that – and only He could take it and keep taking it w/o switching off the track of Love – get pulled out of who we are supposed to be. He unites our spirit with His Holy Spirit -- He boosts our spirit up and it gets stronger and stronger – use your spirit – no I can’t walk can’t walk no no no.

He keeps uniting Himself with us and then [seemingly] diminishing – Deeper, everlasting – no death, souls don’t die – I’ll be quiet and trust that the two of us are still one. He does this in the middle of our life – He can’t wait – Jesus is a patient and an impatient Lover – come on – let’s do a little of the Kingdom now.

Our spirits pick up that spirit of Christ even if our intelligence doesn’t know or fully understand – our soul knows how to do this – baby ducks knows how to swim – our spirit responds to Christ. We can lock our spirit into other commitments – sin, anger, etc. – St John Baptist says clean up your act – tidy up your relationships – Christ wants to share His Divine Life with us but we need to be ready – so we won’t be locked up against that way. The wonderful thing about union with God is that it is Union with God – without mediation – comes directly – we are – in union – with God.

When God does that, God orchestrates and choreographs us so that every person who comes in – is in union – God makes it easy for Fr Paul G to get everyone in step. It is God’s work in all- we discover ways to cooperate in it with others.

Let’s dance! Jesus, You lead. We’re going to follow – we’ve been doing the other stuff – sin etc. is so exhausting, so many broken hearts …

Jesus Christ has 100% Divine Nature and 100% full and complete human nature – our soul with grace gets it (begins to comprehend this incomprehensible Mystery) in a way that the mere human intellect (without grace) can’t grasp – God lends us His Divine software – we have the potential to be brought into but are not created as divine – to take up and engage in the Divine activity we need to be lent some Divine software – 3 virtues – Theological Virtues inner activity of God – God lends us – Faith Hope Love – greatest is Love.
When we spend time in prayer as we did when we began – God infuses more of His own Faith Hope Love which raises our spirit – we say we will lend our heart and mind back to Him and God delights

*

In our life Jesus infuses us with His Holy Spirit to give us the courage, that Presence inside of us – He says – in your human nature I will move your soul along in Divine ways as well. God delights in our receptivity.

He didn’t do this for himself but for us so that we could go through this Divinization. The Eucharist is the main dynamic for how and where this central engagement for this occurs. St Augustine: we get eaten up buy what we eat. Give me Faith space let Divine software loosen us up – I will eat you – He digests us. Jesus being GOD can do this – we need to give Him time and space to let Him. “Christ in you your hope and glory; Christ your hope and glory is in you.” (St Augustine) God’s way is to do things through freedom – part of Creation will have ability to freely participate with God. If not free, not Love. Love has to respect the autonomy, freedom and freely receive or not. God infuses His Love into part of His Creation and waits for that part of creation to cooperate, respond.

God – all I’m looking for is someone who will not say “no” – I cannot work My wonders in you without you. Love is free.
Angels have way more created capacity than humans. Angels looking at these mud dolls – super slow and God is going to become a Mud Doll – Gabriel – I will help them – tell them not to be scared – St Gabriel the Archangel doesn’t need the appreciation – simply serves God.

For us to start sharing in this Divine Nature we need to have (/remain in Sanctifying Grace/Sacraments)

Operating in Communion of Saints – with Angels etc This is real. God wants us to continually live in this freedom. Christ has guaranteed His power in the Church but He is waiting for us to take Him up and engage with Him – He wants to Divinize society not change it.

Big huge blowers, burners to heat the church – big noise – circulating tons of air – BUT church freezing with cold air – check and find other two pilot lights are off – ergo circulating LOTS of cold air – lots of activity but no heat. If activity of circulating activity is without the fire of Love – just cold air blows.

Wants people to be engaged and transformed by His own transforming Love – everything is there for this to work but it must be actuated. Let God do the Loving – passive. You could get active pushing your car around – or go inside car move foot and let motor and fuel do most of the work. Leave motor off and push car around doing good for people. I don’t have Divine Love for people – Christ does,

Can Fr elaborate more on the choices – walking in Christ – this is more God’s responsibility than ours – God’s got the real problem of making this whole deal work – we need to relax – God you’ve got a lot a problems I’m going to bed – Be still and know that I am God. Juan Diego – I’ve got to take care of my uncle – Our Lady not so worried – she was aware of problems but not wrapped up in worry. Worry is NOT a form a prayer – being anxious is not a form of prayer – fear is useless what is needed is trust. God comes up with the ways for the solution which is bigger than we even know is a problem – what we think is a problem is a mere symptom – inconvenient to our world – if you knew all that this is connected to – I’ll get your bump but I want to get the whole disease in the system to and throughout the roots systemically.

BVM just wanted to be a Faithful woman consecrated to God. When someone is open – we can do a BIG job.

Re heaviness of heart, warmth, weight of the world on heart – so many divisions in the church – kneel or stand at the Angus Dei – tendon tearing and the Body of Christ hurting. Weight of the world on my heart – Passion of Christ beaten on the pillar – soul flat on the ground – Christ rises up from the ground – willing to take another hit – take the pain – no spiritual consolation – dry as a desert – Christ rising from the pillar –

Deacon Francis ordained one month ago – left Opus Dei – trying to stay in union with Christ – this is beyond his own capacity. God wants us to say YES even though we can’t see. No longer I who live but Christ Who lives in me. Christ does the work in us. Graceful movement cooperation a transcendent dance. I must be immersed in Christ – Christ asks a little room to do His work in us and through us. We need to spend that time in prayer because Christ does the work. This year I want to be like Christ (gift list for Christmas – 7 year old). We are all united in the Mystical Body of Christ and when one suffers we all suffer.

Tobit – ch 5 v 10 Take Courage God has healing in store for you !

Christ in you your hope and glory; Christ your hope and glory is in you.

Fr Paul G – Choices – 10 years could go by at a time – would seem like a good idea to be a priest but I didn’t have it in me to choose to enter into the priesthood. When others made their little step, I could make another step, but by myself that was not a step I could make.

We are making little steps together that we could not make in 30 years alone. Because others are responding together and human and relating to each other in Christ doing it together. Mystical Body requires the Mystical Body as a real physical historical reality of human bodies – it’s not just mystical the Mystical Body – it’s real bodies saying yes – (Christ says) you brought these others in and with them I will do a little more.

Christ is building us up in that way.

Our spirits are edified and we can be with the other person and remain alone with God. We get stabilized in our silence with God we can maintain that silence of Loving union with God while we speak –

Image in the Psalms – tree planted by stream of Living waters – no seasons – fed by something else. Underneath my up or down there are roots that go deeper than happy or sad – Christ wants to come up underneath with something to feed us – even a perfectly happy life is over after a few years – Christ has an ETERNAL Life – we close off our roots and we stop drawing on Divine graces – screaming for “help” – graces are a gift from God for being – a being underneath He’s trying to feed – solution is that He wants to give us Eternal Life – go ahead and pray but please get a relationship with Me – I may grant your prayer – that relationship will always be there whether it’s happy or sad. Deeper call underneath sadness. Human affections will not do anything for the longing of Christ’s spirit – His own Love – Christ doesn’t want her to be happy [separately] until Christ responds to her desire for grace given to the whole human community. Don’t worry about the little details. Stay in this Place. I, Christ will stay true with you.

Lighten up. Relax. I will give you a bigger Love but if you lock out by too much individual caring – too tight – overloads a circuit. When you move into consecrated life in the Lord it can be very confusing. Go ahead and leave father mother – [Christ is not mean or cruel or uncaring, although it may seem so from a limited point of view] – leaving all our loved ones – unless a man leave his father and mother (for marriage with his wife) – how can a man leave his one and only mother – can’t bring mother – have to leave one kind of Love to enter into another kind of Love.

Unless mother nursing leaves and weans the baby/mother will be a sick form of bonding – one kind of love dies and then there’s a trusting space – not nursing is better as the relationship matures. If son doesn’t leave mother he can’t have a wife. Can’t have a union with wife. Big marital problems. As a new form of union – new person – BUT some families want to own the person. Drunken parties and no true love – just twisted affections and emotions – didn’t trust Gospel way of being in Love. Leave behind what feels like super ways of caring. Allow Our Lord to engender another kind of Love. Another Love engendered from Above without limits. … to love with God’s own Love.

When God gives us a Divine encounter of Love our human body wants to translate it in a world that it is most used to. Divine goes down through every part of our being. Activates all the equipment and translates Love in its own way. Some examples of ego-based self-distortion: Some spheres are more dominating – my life – I only have one life – what is going to make sense – I am set up for mating in an absolute sense. Let’s get Heaven on Earth – I am the master of Creation – let’s make me happy. Predominate Executive System. We go on automatic pilot. An alternate way is to: Use same God-given, human equipment – moderate, stabilize – share communion with God – build up another realm. Different set of energies and principals. Must not get confused because it [the same God given nature] can runs 2 difference ways.

Express the Kingdom (on earth) and encounter this Love – give it a go – Christ has another form of Love – consecrated life is not without Love ! Consecrated life without the intimacy of Love is like people pushing the car around. This is not like a car – this is something else – This Is My Body This Is My Blood – this is the only thing that makes consecrated Love – He wants us to abide in Me to Live in His Love – be one as the Father is in Me.

I need a 10 Commandment –. There is a built-in tendency to Push boundaries. Even if I’m going to Mass daily. Rosary. Boundaries for me are different than for you. What happened here? Different interior

Complimentarity – (Amador) – that we have this in our lives brings a rightness to you and to him. Would not want to see a St Francis without a St Clare. St Clare could not have given her gift to the world without her engagement with St Francis. He does in Religious Life, as in Marriage. Don’t think so much about yourself – you need each other to actualize get plugged in and allow Christ to do what He does. Align and cooperate – He needs our freedom and association – below our control and within our slumbering capacity – we don’t know how naturally to be with that person – that will start dancing [in God’s holy way] with that person in this Consecrated Life.

Give up husband / wife – I will give you a quality of the kind of relatedness and Christ will fulfill it. When we offer ourselves and allow Christ to form us He will do His work – allow the Lord to do the coordinating. Real witness of Love – People who are living in the Gospel form of consecrated love will affect others around them - families strengthened. Power of Love to come in – so others can see and be transformed and feel the authority under the words. Christ was the expression of Love. This is the purpose of His Sacraments.

When we spend that time in union with Christ in prayer He builds up our capacity to live this way on earth. Nowhere will you get confirmation from worldly sources. It won’t do it by itself. Christ must Live it through us. I can’t show it to you first. The way Love is – must LIVE it together. Don’t want to be a one hit wonder – only be a symphony together.

Christ there in our funny little insides – just one person – just knowing a few people – perhaps only 24. St Therese’s life was over at age 24. Christ worked on all the underground roots in St Therese. On the inside where it really, really counted, God was doing good stuff inside of her heart – she allowed Jesus to go into her little stubborn heart to transform it to a place of little, yet steadfast love of God. Getting used to Jesus’ Love despite how she was.

Allowed Jesus to be with her. Allow Jesus to be with you. Be with other persons in a new way. We come out and fail – but rise again and a little more and more is the Kingdom of God on earth.

(Crystal) – Like St Therese not that dramatic or sensational. Tiny way inside. Tiny deal. St Therese offered up and didn’t get mad when someone splashed her with soapy water. “a Little Bit of Jesus in her Life” could have no idea of the Glory of that Person in her life.
didn’t get mad when someone splashed her with soapy water. “a Little Bit of Jesus in her Life” could have no idea of the Glory of that Person in her life.

Prepare the way of the Lord!

As some of you know I have been working in detention/prison ministry with the youth (ages 12-18) for the last year and a half. At first I wanted to do what was right by giving back to God the time that he has given to me through this ministry. However my commitment was half of what was needed; sold my self I lie that I was doing enough and failed to own up to my original commitment. I was privileged to do more work with at the prison (than usual) the week leading to Thanksgiving and got to spend a couple of minutes with each and everyone of the 500+ kids there. I prayed with them and over them; needless to say God was already preparing me for the next move. Last Saturday I was asked by a volunteer to spend more time and to observe more of the needs for evangelization and of the hunger the youth have for the word of God. She asked me, “Why do you not come on Thursday night, if you are available you could help so much.” Before answering her, I paused and reflected and realized that I had no excuse I had to confess her the truth. I shared with her how selfish I was, that there was no excuse,  I had forgotten my purpose.

I wanted to share this taking advantage of the commencement of the Advent season; it has allowed me to reflect on my need for constant renewal. How truth are the words on the first reading and the gospel:

 “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”

For many of these kids I’m the only messenger! Pray for me brothers and sisters that God may remove some of those weeds and hard roots that do not allow me to make straight his paths. 

Second Sunday of Advent Year B - December 7

Greetings in Christ -  Here are the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent

Reading 1
Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
the rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Go up on to a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14

R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD—for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. 

Reading II
2 Pt 3:8-14

Do not ignore this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years
and a thousand years like one day.
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,”
but he is patient with you,
not wishing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar
and the elements will be dissolved by fire,
and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.

Since everything is to be dissolved in this way,
what sort of persons ought you to be,
conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. 

Gospel
Mk 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 


Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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