#contemplative life

[angeltreasure]

Mother Angelica Live Classics - 2014-07-21 - The Contemplative Life

[nomadman108]

Mother Mother Ocean

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you callWanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tallYou’ve seen it all, you’ve seen it all

[littleflowerfaith]

Saint Charbel Makhlouf, pray for us.

[santmat]

"If you wish to unite with the Beloved, associate your Mind with your Soul. Unless the Mind is obedient to Soul, the wounded heart will not find the remedy… This detailed and more comprehensive account of the Kingdom of God is true. It is for the exclusive use and guidance of the good and sincere Souls who wish to improve their spiritual vision and explore the Light of the Kingdom of God. It is for those who are not satisfied with the blind captivity of their Souls in this perishable cage that these few hints are given to enable them to realize the spiritual Path that is hidden from their physical eyes." (Swami Ram Bihari Lal, The Way Out…….Is IN)

[spiritualdirections]

An article I published today on FirstThings.com.

“When the topic of vocation comes up in pastoral conversations, I’ve found that young adults, especially young women, will often say something like: “Father, my vocation is to get married and have kids.” But to “get married and have kids” isn’t a vocation, only part of one. God’s plan for their lives involves a lot more. I ask them: What happens when your kids are your age, when they’ve grown up and left home? What’s the vocation for the second half of your life?”

[prokopetz]

I think people sometimes misunderstand why we come up with such elaborate justifications for shipping two characters together. I don't justify my ships because I feel that I need to; I justify my ships because squinting at the published canon with furrowed brow and asking myself "okay, how exactly would this work?" is my idea of a good time.

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS The Doctor of the Church and Mystical Doctor Who is the Patron of Contemplative Life Feast Day: December 14

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."

John of the Cross, who is the co-founder of the reformed Carmelites (Discalced Carmelites), was born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez in Fontiveros, Ávila, Crown of Castile (Spain), on June 24, 1542.

At the age of 21, he entered the Carmelites at Medina, taking the religious name of John of St. Matthias. He frequently asked God, that he might not pass one day of his life without suffering something. After his ordination in 1567, he was granted permission to follow the original rule of Rule of Saint Albert, which stressed strict discipline and solitude. In 1568, together with St. Teresa of Ávila (Teresa of Jesus), he opened the first monastery of the newly reformed Discalced (barefoot) Carmelites, whose members were committed to a perfect spirit of solitude, humility and mortification.

On the night of December 2, 1577, John's monastic reform fomented the anger of some old Carmelites, who accused him of rebellion and had him arrested. It was in prison that he began to compose some of his finest works, like the 'Cántico Espiritual (The Spiritual Canticle)' and 'The Living Flame of Love'. In 'The Dark Night of the Soul (La Noche Oscura del Alma)', John wrote: 'It is impossible to reach the riches and wisdom of God, except by first entering many sufferings.'

One time, John corrected a certain Fr. Diego who used to disregard the rule. This wicked religious, rather than repent, went about over the whole province trumping up accusations against the saint. Thus, John was transferred to a remote friary at Úbeda, Kingdom of Jaén, Crown of Castile, where he died due to erysipelas (a bacterial skin infection) at the age of 49.

John of the Cross is canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on the feast of St. John the Apostle on December 27, 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926 by Pope Pius XI after the definitive consultation of Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange O.P., professor of philosophy and theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum in Rome. His major shrine can be found in Segovia.

[franciscanjoy]

Exploring the Contemplative Dimension of God: A Journey into Divine Tranquility

Throughout the ages, humanity has sought to understand the nature of God, the divine force that lies beyond our comprehension. One intriguing aspect of the divine is the contemplative dimension of God. This dimension invites us to delve into the serenity and the essence of the divine presence. In this blog post, I will embark on a philosophical and spiritual journey to explore the contemplative dimension of God, seeking to grasp the divine tranquility that underlies our existence.

The Contemplative Nature of God

In many religious and philosophical traditions, God is often associated with an aspect of peaceful contemplation. This aspect is the foundation of a calm and transcendent state that exists beyond human understanding. It is said that within this dimension, God embraces the depth of inner reflection, embodying tranquility, and clarity. The contemplative dimension of God often finds expression in various spiritual practices and mystical experiences.

Mystics and Contemplation

Mysticism has played a significant role in understanding the contemplative dimension of God. Mystics, throughout history and across different traditions, have sought to commune with the divine through self-examination and contemplation. In these moments of connection, the mystics claim to experience profound insights, revelations, and a sense of oneness with God. They describe this union as an ecstatic and serene encounter with the divine, beyond the bounds of ordinary perception.

Silence and Stillness

Central to the contemplative dimension of God is the concept of silence and stillness. In moments of silence, one may find a deeper connection with the divine. This silence is not merely an absence of noise but rather a space where the soul can rest and open itself to the divine presence. Contemplative practices like Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and prayer, cultivate an environment of silence within, creating a fertile ground for the contemplation of God.

Awe and Wonder

The contemplative dimension of God invites us to be in awe and wonder at the vastness of existence. As we contemplate the mysteries of the cosmos and the intricacies of life, we are led to acknowledge the grandeur of a divine force that sustains it all. This sense of awe and wonder humbles us, prompting us to approach the divine with reverence and respect.

Beyond Human Understanding

The contemplative dimension of God reminds us of the limitations of human comprehension. God is often perceived as the ultimate reality, an entity beyond human understanding. Attempting to grasp the vastness of the divine through rational means can be an exercise in humility, acknowledging that there are mysteries beyond our intellectual capacity. Instead, it encourages us to approach the divine with openness, acknowledging the ineffable nature of God's contemplative presence.

The contemplative dimension of God offers a path to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of the divine. It calls upon us to embrace stillness, silence, and reflection, leading us into a state of divine tranquility. Mystics from different traditions have sought this connection through contemplation, revealing glimpses of a divine presence beyond human comprehension. As we explore this contemplative dimension, we are reminded of the awe-inspiring nature of God, challenging us to approach the divine with humility and reverence.

Ultimately, the contemplative dimension of God invites us to seek moments of quiet reflection and profound connection with the divine. In these sacred moments, we may find solace, peace, and a deeper understanding of the divine presence that permeates the universe. May our journey of contemplation lead us to the heart of God's tranquility, enriching our spiritual path and awakening our souls to the profound mysteries of existence.

​Joseph Carvalho, OFS

[sictransitgloriamvndi]

[louhinks]

i've taken to drawing AW2 culinary crimes whilst i am beaten unconscious by art block. bon appetit

[ilikedetectives]

"Yes, my love? Are you done talking to your friends? Can we leave?"

[nomadman108]

Let the Music Play

When thinking about a name for this photo I was really tempted to somehow reference the song American Pie by Don McLean. The phrase from the lyrics ‘the day the music died’, kept coming to mind – even as I made the photo of the scene. By the way, ‘the day the music died’ refers to the plane crash in 1959 in which the up and coming Buddy Holly, and the more well known Ritchie Valens and The Big…

[lostmf]

[daily-crabbys]

Today's crab is: dramatic lighting

[eugeniedanglars]

the way i see it, colin has three options for handling the repercussions of kissing michael on the pitch in front of everyone:

gatekeep: by some miracle no one caught the kiss on camera so colin's sexuality is kept between him and any fans who happened to be on the pitch near him. the safest option.

girlboss: keeley gets the pr challenge of a lifetime handling the story of the first active premier league player to come out as gay. rebecca is tall and powerful and intimidating in the press room making it clear that richmond stands behind colin one thousand percent. the most realistic option.

gaslight: straight-up blatantly lying. not because he's ashamed or because he thinks he can actually convince anyone that the kiss didn't happen, but just because he refuses to let it be a big deal. acts like he has no idea what anyone is talking about if asked anything related to his sexuality. he doesn't claim to be straight, mind you, he just pretends to be extremely confused about why they're asking because he never kissed anyone in the middle of a football pitch at the end of an internationally-televised game? when presented with photo and video proof of the kiss he says that was some other richmond player named hughes who wears a number 12 jersey. you don't know him, he goes to another school. the funniest option.

[surfacage]

can you maybe chill