This Struggle Called Weakness

As we go about our lives, struggling with the weaknesses of ourselves and that of others, we are reminded :

To begin with, where do we have the concrete image of total humanity ? God's image walked amongst us in human form, in the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. If we reflect on how this image speaks to us in the simple account of the gospels, it then open our eyes. The better we get to know the Savior, the more we are conquered by His sumblimity and gentleness, by His kingly freedom which knows no other obligation than submission to the Father's will, and by His freedom from all living creatures which is simultaneously the foundation of His compassionate love towards each living creature. And the deeper this image of God penetrates into us, the more it awakens our love. In just his way, we become the more sensitive to all falling away from Him in ourselves and in others; our eyes are opened, free of all extenuations, to the true knowledge of human nature. And if the power fails us to endure the sight of human weakness in ourselves and in other, only a look at the Savior is again needed; indeed.

[Extract taken from "Edith Stein Volume 2 : Woman" - Chapter VII The Significance of Woman's Intrinsic Value in National Life]

#EdithStein #humanity #weakness #contemplative #prayer #carmelite  

Is there Strength in Weakness ?

In our pursuit for happiness and perfection, we have even come up with the metrics to measure efficiency & productivity. However, no matter how much we try to prevent the obstacles we encounter in life, we will be left, somewhat overwhelmed in their presence. 
In times like this, it is uplifting to read :

"The little flower transplanted to Mount Carmel was to expand under the shadow of the cross. The tears and blood of Jesus were to be her dew, and her Sun was His adorable Face veiled with tears. Until my coming to Carmel, I had never fathomed the depths of the treasures hidden in the Holy Face." -

[Extracted from 'The Story of a Soul', Chapter VII - The First Years in Carmel ]

#Carmelite #Contemplative #Interior #Prayer #Silence #Spirituality

Transcending All Things

... the soul that aspires to live close to God "in the fortress of holy recollection" must be "set apart, stripped, and withdrawn from all things" (in spirit). This soul "finds within itself a simple ascending movement of love to God, whatever creatures may do, it is invincible to things which" pass away, "for it transcends them, seeking God alone."

[Extract taken from "Heaven in Faith : Third Day, Second Prayer" by St Elizabeth of the Trinity, reflecting on the Spiritual Canticle, by St John of the Cross]

#Carmelite #Contemplative #JohnoftheCross #SpiritualCanticle #Interior #Prayer #Silence #Spirituality

Laudem Gloriae

Whenever I find myself being angry, negative or wanting to put in the last word to justify oneself. I pray that St Elizabeth, will remind me of her words :

"I shall keep my strength for you." My Rule tells me: "In silence will your strength be." It seems to me, therefore, that to keep one's strength for the Lord is to unify one's whole being by means of interior silence, to collect all one's powers in order to "employ" them in the "one work of love," to have this "single eye" which allows the light of God to enlighten us.

A soul that debates with itself, that is taken up with its feelings, and pursues useless thoughts and desires, scatters its forces, for it is not wholly directed towards God. Its lyre does not vibrate in unison and when the Master plays it, He cannot draw from it divine harmonies, for it is still too human and discordant.

[Excerpt taken from Elizabeth of the Trinity; The Complete Works; Volume One; "Last Retreat : Second Day" ]

#Carmelite #Contemplative #ElizabethoftheTrinity #HolyTrinity #Interior #Prayer #Silence #Spirituality 
 

Body vs Spirit

One of the great #trails and miseries of life, I think, is this helplessness experienced when there is no #strong #spirit to bring the body into submission. For if the soul is alert, I don't consider the #suffering of illness and #pain a problem.

[Excerpt taken from 'The Book of Foundations; Chapter 29; 3rd Point ]

To Forget Self

'I felt charity enter into my soul, and the need to forget myself and     .......    My mortifications consisted in breaking my will, always so ready to impose itself on others; in holding back a reply, in rendering little services without any recognition ....... '

[Excerpt taken from Story of a Soul; Chapter 5 & 6]

Looking Towards Heaven

'While outside in carnival's frantic tumult people get drunk and delirious, while political battles separate them, and great need depresses them so much that many forget to look to heaven, at such still places of prayer, hearts are opened to the Lord   .......   By their steadfast supplications, they draw down God's grace and mercy on a humanity, submerged in sin and need. 
In our time, when the powerlessness of our battling and overwhelming misery, has been demonstrated so obviously, an entirely new understanding of the power of prayer, of expiation, and of vicarious atonement has again awakened. This is why people of faith crowd the places of prayer .......

[Excerpt taken from 'Love for Love : The Life and Works of St Teresa of Jesus (The Collected Works of Edith Stein - The Hidden Life) ]