Interior Struggle

NEVER DESPAIR! “The Lord is kind and merciful!” “It is always possible to start all over, as long as we allow Jesus to embrace and forgive us (Pope Francis).”

February 27, 2016


NEVER DESPAIR! “The Lord is kind and merciful!” “It is always possible to start all over, as long as we allow Jesus to embrace and forgive us (Pope Francis).” Dear brethren in Christ, as I was doing my spiritual reading on Pope Francis’ new book, “The Name of God is Mercy,” the following words caught my attention and which I would like to share with you so as to encourage everyone that while we are alive, we should not give into despair […]

SCANDAL…WHAT IS IT?

February 22, 2016


SCANDAL…WHAT IS IT? “How scandalous!” We often here people saying upon seeing something disagreeable to their standards, whether right or wrong, objective or subjective, true or pharisaical. BUT WHAT IS SCANDAL? In this season of Lent, time for spiritual renewal and personal conversion, it is appropriate to examine ourselves whether something in our behavior or conduct could cause scandal in our surroundings. The Catechism of the Catholic Church dedicates some points on this topic, under the heading “RESPECT FOR THE SOULS OF […]

JESUS IS OUR HOPE AND NOT THE WORLDLY GOODS. Pope Francis’ Address to Youth in Morelia, Mexico.

February 17, 2016


JESUS IS OUR HOPE AND NOT THE WORLDLY GOODS. Pope Francis’ Address to Youth in Morelia, Mexico Dear friends in Christ, below you have the Vatican translation of the Pope’s address at his meeting with youth this afternoon in Morelia, Mexico together with the ZENIT transcription and translation of his off-the-cuff comments in brackets. In his address, Pope Francis insisted that we must not put our hope in worldly goods: wealth, money, fame, branded clothes… JESUS CHRIST IS OUR HOPE IN THE […]

LENT: TIME FOR SUCCESSIVE CONVERSIONS WHICH STEM FROM A RADICAL CHANGE OF THE HEART.

February 10, 2016


LENT: TIME FOR SUCCESSIVE CONVERSIONS WHICH STEM FROM A RADICAL CHANGE OF THE HEART.   Dear brethren in Christ, we are now in the season of Lent which among other things, is a time for conversion, which has to take place in the heart of each one of us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that “Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, ‘sackcloth and ashes,’ fasting […]

Pope Francis’ Homily at Santa Marta (Jan. 19, 2016): “NO SAINT IS WITHOUT SIN, NO SINNER WITHOUT A FUTURE.”

January 20, 2016


Pope Francis’ Homily at Santa Marta (Jan. 19, 2016): “NO SAINT IS WITHOUT SIN, NO SINNER WITHOUT A FUTURE.” In his Jan. 19 Homily at Santa Marta, Pope Francis recounted the vocation of David, as King of Israel and took advantage of the occasion of reminding us that ALL OF US “HAVE ALL BEEN CHOSEN BY THE LORD TO BE BAPTIZED, TO BE PART OF HIS PEOPLE, TO BE SAINTS” and that “THERE IS NO SAINT WITHOUT SIN AND NO SINNER WITHOUT […]

JESUS DOES NOT WANT MERE ADMIRERS. HE WANTS ENAMOURED AND FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS.

January 12, 2016


JESUS DOES NOT WANT MERE ADMIRERS. HE WANTS ENAMOURED AND FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS.   As a recently ordained priest, I came upon an article in a Spanish Catholic magazine, in which the author cited an idea which was engraved in my mind and which I have often used in my preaching. The idea, which he attributed to a German philosopher, is as follows: JESUS DOES NOT WANT MERE ADMIRERS. HE WANTS ENAMOURED AND FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS.   Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to […]

ON LOVE FOR GOD AND DAILY INTERIOR STRUGGLE: Want To Advance In Your Love For God Daily? Make Jesus Happy By Saying “No” To Yourself In The Little Things Of Each Day. King Arthur & the Dwarf.

January 5, 2016


ON LOVE FOR GOD AND DAILY INTERIOR STRUGGLE: Want To Advance In Your Love For God Daily? Make Jesus Happy By Saying “No” To Yourself In The Little Things Of Each Day. King Arthur & the Dwarf.   Dear friends, another year has just begun, a motive of thanksgiving to God for giving us a new opportunity to grow in our love for Him. As St. Josemaria said, “I want to talk to you about time, that passes so swiftly… For us […]