31/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Lent is a time to change

Lent is a time to change direction, to respond to the reality of evil and poverty.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

29/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): no room for God, day by day this numbs our hearts

We live in a society that leaves no room for God; day by day this numbs our hearts.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Lent

Prayer for Lenten Grace

May God bless you

To follow Jesus

Pope Francis quote

St. Thomas Aquinas

Doing it all for love

28/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): We all need to improve, to change for the better

We all need to improve, to change for the better. Lent helps us fight against our faults.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Aumenta a minha confiança em Ti, Senhor!

«Quem é o maior no Reino de Deus?

É o mais pequeno,

porque é o mais fraco;

pela sua fraqueza e a sua pobreza

oferece a Jesus o vaso maior

para tudo receber [d’Ele].»

Venerável Pe. Maria-Eugénio do Menino Jesus | 1894 – 1967

Ton Amour a grandi avec moi, p. 49

Senhor,

esta linguagem é-me difícil de compreender.

Como é que os mais fracos

são os melhor dispostos para Te acolher?

O mundo diz-me exatamente o contrário…

e eu… também.

Ser pobre, voltar a ser criança,

entrar pela porta estreita, a porta baixa,

onde se necessita vergar a cabeça

do nosso orgulho e autossuficiência…

exiges tanta pequenez!

Sim, tens um desejo Senhor,

um só desejo infinitamente veemente:

de verteres para o meu coração tudo quanto és e tens.

Desejas unir-Te a mim inteiramente.

Que posso eu dar-Te? Nada.

Então quero dar esse nada.

Amar-Te é dar-Te espaço.

Esta é, em mim, a fonte da Tua alegria.

Dou-Te espaço confiando em Ti,

não me querendo fazer valer ou impor-me aos demais,

aceitando as minhas limitações físicas, espirituais…

Aceitar a vida como ela é, com profunda alegria,

sabendo que no coração da minha humilhação e do meu nada

se encontra já “escondida” a palpitar

a força da Tua Vida e Ressurreição.

Aumenta a minha confiança em Ti, Senhor!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

O pequeno rio da minha existência a correr suavemente para a imensidão do mar que é Deus

Senhor, invoco o Vosso Espírito de Amor. No silêncio do meu ser, vejo o pequeno rio da minha existência a correr suavemente para a imensidão do mar que é Deus. Não deixo de existir porque sou submerso na Sua existência. Perdido de mim busco-Vos a Vós, em cada momento da minha vida, na esperança de algum dia, em verdade rezar: «Já não sou eu que vivo é Cristo que vive em mim.»

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Mes ombres et mes lumières

Seigneur, réconcilie-moi avec moi-même!
Comment pourrais-je rencontrer et aimer les autres
Si je ne me rencontre et ne m'aime plus.

Seigneur, Toi qui m'aimes tel que je suis
aide-moi à m'accepter avec mes limites et mes fragilités!
Apprends-moi à vivre avec mes ombres et mes lumières,
mes douceurs et mes colères, mes rires et mes larmes,
mon passé et mon présent.

Que ta tendresse touche mon désir de vivre et de grandir!
Je voudrais tellement déverrouiller la porte de ma prison
dont je serre moi-même la clef.

Donne-moi le courage de sortir de moi-même!
Ouvre en mon coeur un espace pour la prière et la rencontre!
Dis-moi que tout est possible à celui qui croit et qui espère!
Dis-moi que je peux encore guérir,
dans la lumière de ton regard et de ta Parole!
Accorde-moi, Seigneur la grâce de ton pardon
pour que je puisse et aimer comme Toi!

D'après Michel Hubault (papier rencontré dans l'Église de Saint-Michel)

É amando que receberei a cura e a santidade

Senhor, só Tu tens palavras de vida eterna e eu quero fazer delas a luz dos meus caminhos. Porém procuro atalhos e desvios Para atingir os meus fins, sem Te perguntar qual é a Tua vontade. Tu sabes como é difícil para mim a lição da humildade. Tu conheces o egoísmo orgulhoso que endurece o meu coração e fecha o meu ser à Tua presença. Por isso peço-Te que forjes em mim uma consciência verdadeiramente humilde, uma consciência pura, iluminada pela fé, que me permita reconhecer a Tua presença na minha vida, uma consciência animada pela esperança, que me permita esperar tudo de Ti, uma consciência sábia, temperada pelo sabor do amor, para que marque cada um dos meus actos com o selo da caridade. Mesmo sem nada sentir, desejo amar-Te, amando-Te sempre nos meus irmãos. E é amando que receberei a cura e a santidade.

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Dá-me a Tua graça, Senhor!

Senhor, Concede-me ser para todos, especialmente para os meus filhos e para os mais pequenos, uma fonte de testemunho, de ensino, de solicitude, de ternura e de amor, fonte de tudo isto, mas especialmente de Ti! Se desejo que haja santos, Senhor, que eu saiba que muitos deles dependem da audácia e esforço da minha pobreza, da preocupação por me fazer próximo e dar-me a mim mesmo. Dá-me a Tua graça, Senhor!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

27/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Lent is a time of grace

Lent is a time of grace, a time to convert and live out our baptism fully.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

May your choices reflect your hopes

Humility, service and love

25/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): The Church needs our courage in order to give witness to truth

We cannot be tepid disciples. The Church needs our courage in order to give witness to truth.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

24/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Jesus is never far from us sinners

Jesus is never far from us sinners. He wants to pour out on us, without limit, all of his mercy.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

God

You Say... God Says...

Only Jesus

Pope Francis announces a 'festival of forgiveness' for 28-29 March in St Peter's Basilica and churches around the world

Pope Francis made the announcement after today's Angelus. "We must celebrate the forgiveness the Lord gives us as did the father in the parable of the prodigal son, who, when the latter returned, organised a party, putting out of his mind all the things the son had done." When Jesus met the woman of Samaria, he "tore through the biased mind-set against women." The pontiff also called on the pilgrims to say, "Every encounter with Jesus changes one's life; every encounter with Jesus fills us with joy." He also sent his greetings to a Japanese school.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - On 28 and 29 March, a "special moment of penance" called the '24 Hours for the Lord' will be held in St Peter's Basilica and in many churches in Rome and around the world." Pope Francis made the announcement himself after the Angelus today before the faithful in St Peter's Square.
"It will start with a celebration in St Peter's Basilica on Friday afternoon," the pope said. "Then, in the evening and overnight some churches in the centre of Rome will be open for prayers and confessions. It will be a festival of forgiveness, which will also take place in many dioceses and parishes around the world."
"We must celebrate the forgiveness the Lord gives us," the pope noted, "as did the father in the parable of the prodigal son who, when the latter returned, organised a party, putting out of his mind all the things the son had done."
Before the Angelus, the Holy Father focused his meditation on forgiveness, mercy and our "truer spiritual needs". He was inspired by the Gospel in today's Mass, which describes Jesus' encounter with the woman of Samaria (John, 4:5-42), at Jacob's well, "where the woman went every day to draw water."
"That day," the pope said, "she found Jesus, sitting, 'tired from his journey' (John, 4:6), who asked her right away, 'Give me a drink' (John, 4:7). In doing this, he tore down the barrier of hostility that had existed between Jews and Samaritans and tore through the biased mind-set against women. Jesus' simple request was the start of a frank exchange, through which He, with great sensitivity, entered the inner world of a person to whom, according to the social mores [of his time], he was not even supposed to talk. [Instead,] Jesus confronted her with the situation, not by judging her but by showing her consideration and recognition, thus making her to want to go beyond her daily routine."
"Jesus was not that thirsty for water," the pope explained, "as he was of meeting a parched soul. Jesus needed to meet the woman of Samaria to open up her heart. He asked her for a drink to show the thirst that was in her. The woman was touched by this encounter, and asked Jesus the profound questions we all have inside but often ignore. We too have many questions to ask but cannot find the courage to ask them to Jesus! Lent is the right time to look inside, reveal our true spiritual needs, and ask for God's help through prayers. Consequently, the example of the woman of Samaria calls upon us to ask, 'Jesus, give me the water that will quench my thirst for eternity.'"
"The Gospel says that the disciples were astonished that their Master was talking to that woman. But the Lord is stronger than any bias, and for this reason he was not afraid of speaking to the woman of Samaria: Mercy is greater than bias. We must fully learn this and Jesus is so merciful."
"As a result of this encounter, the woman was transformed. She "left her water jar" (Ibid, 4:28) and ran into town to tell about her extraordinary experience. 'Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?'
"She had gone to draw water from the well, and found another kind of water, the living water of mercy that gushes for eternal life. She found the water she had always been looking for! She ran to the village, the village that had passed judgment against her and had rejected her, to announce that she had met the Messiah, the one who had changed her life." Indeed, every encounter with Jesus changes our lives.
"In this Gospel," the pope said in concluding, "we too feel a desire to 'leave our water jar,' symbol of everything that is apparently important, but which loses value when confronted with of 'God's love'."
"All of us have one [jar]; perhaps more. [So,] I ask myself and I ask you, what is your inner jar, the one that takes you away from God? In our hearts, we hear God's voice who gives us another kind of water. We are called to rediscover the importance and the meaning of our Christian life, which begins with Baptism. [We are also called] to bear witness, as the Samaritan woman did, before our brothers and sisters of the joy of encountering Jesus and the wonders that God's love does to our lives." Every encounter with Jesus changes our life and fills us with inner joy.
Right after the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke again about what he had said before. Speaking to the tens of thousands of pilgrims in the square, he said, "Let us remember two sentences: Every encounter with Jesus changes one's life; every encounter with Jesus fills us with joy. Let us say them together." And the people went along with him and repeated them.
After the Marian prayer, the pope reminded everyone that tomorrow is World Tuberculosis Day. With this in mind, he called for prayers "for all those affected by this disease, and for those who help them in various ways."
In his greetings, the Holy Father also mentioned the 'Capitanio' School in Seto-Shi, Japan.

(http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope-announces-a-%27festival-of-forgiveness%27-for-28-29-March-in-St-Peter%27s-Basilica-and-churches-around-the-world-30634.html)

EVANGELII GAUDIUM (12) - God asks everything of us, yet at the same time he offers everything to us

In every activity of evangelization, the primacy always belongs to God, who has called us to cooperate with him and who leads us on by by the power of his Spirit. The real newness is the newness which God himself mysteriously brings about and inspires, provokes, guides and accompanies in a thousand ways. The life of the Church should always reveal clearly that God takes the initiative, that “he has loved us first” (1 Jn 4:19) and that he alone “gives the growth” (1 Cor 3:7). This conviction enables us to maintain a spirit of joy in the midst of a task so demanding and challenging that it engages our entire life. God asks everything of us, yet at the same time he offers everything to us.

(http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium_en.html)

God and daring!

Don't be narrow-minded men or women who are immature, short-sighted and incapable of embracing our supernatural Christian outlook as children of God. God and daring! (Furrow, 96)

As the years go by, you will have to face (perhaps sooner than you think) situations that are especially difficult and which will call for a great spirit of sacrifice and an even greater forgetfulness of self.

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/en-in/)

Nunca olvidemos que el verdadero poder es el servicio

O Papa Francisco e Nossa Senhora

Não ponhas o coração em nada caduco

Não ponhas o coração em nada caduco: imita Cristo, que se fez pobre por nós e não tinha onde reclinar a cabeça. Pede-lhe que te conceda, no meio do mundo, um desprendimento efectivo, sem atenuantes. (Forja, 523)

(http://www.opusdei.pt/)

A fé e o amor provam-se e crescem nos combates

Foto: Castelo de Almourol | Portugal

A alma que entrou na “fortaleza do santo recolhimento” descobre Deus presente, vivendo nela. Podem sobrevir, então, as agitações do exterior, as tempestades do interior, pode-se mesmo atingir o seu ponto de honra. E ainda, com São Paulo: “Por seu amor, tudo perdi.” Então, o Mestre está livre, livre para Se derramar, para Se dar “segundo a Sua medida”. E a alma, assim simplificada, unificada, torna-se o trono do Imutável, pois, “a unidade é o trono da Santíssima Trindade”.» Senhor, é tão difícil procurar ignorar, esquecer, acerca das agitações do exterior ou do interior que podem retirar-me do meu centro, que és Tu…. Sem a graça da fé é mesmo impossível. Mas com a fé, é possível, isto é, com os meus pés bem assentes sobre a rocha firme, que és Tu, e com o desejo de que todas estas “águas” passem por cima de mim, sem me arrebatarem de Ti. A fé e o amor provam-se e crescem nos combates. Fica comigo, Senhor!

Senhor, só Tu me podes acompanhar no meu sofrimento

Senhor, só Tu me podes acompanhar no meu sofrimento,
pois só Tu és capaz de sentir comigo e dentro de mim
tudo o que eu próprio sinto, sofro ou padeço.
O Teu amor infinito por mim faz com que sofras comigo e por mim,
mais do que eu próprio.
A Tua compaixão cura a minha solidão,
o meu sofrimento e as minhas feridas.
A Tua Paixão liberta-me do sofrimento,
quando o mergulho no sofrimento da Tua Paixão
e se torna fecundo para os meus irmãos.
Senhor, aumenta a minha fé no Teu infinito amor por mim…
e sei curado!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Senhor, a Tua vontade é sempre uma vontade de amor e misericórdia!

Senhor,
Em tudo devo pedir, antes de mais a Tua vontade
e a Ti mesmo,
que venhas ao meu encontro com os Teus dons!
Não tanto pelos dons,
mas para que se cumpra em mim plenamente a Tua vontade,
que é sempre uma vontade
de amor e misericórdia!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Senhor, Ajuda-me a responder-Te segundo a Tua vontade de Amor: com brandura, paciência, amor, disponibilidade, generosidade, compreensão, perdão…

«Jesus deseja ser recebido pelas almas, não só sob as espécies eucarísticas, mas a todo o instante, sob a aparência de contrariedades, de confrontos, de penas.» Beata Maria Cândida da Eucaristia | 1884 – 1949 Cartas III, carta 24 Senhor, Vens ao meu encontro em cada momento, com um acontecimento e, simultaneamente, com uma graça para esse momento, onde Tu te dás a mim em comunhão, na fé, ajudando-me a responder-Te segundo a Tua vontade de Amor: com brandura, paciência, amor, disponibilidade, generosidade, compreensão, perdão… no sacramento do meu trabalho, da minha família, dos meus amigos ou menos amigos. (http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Penitência é atender os que sofrem

Esta é a receita para o teu caminho de cristão: oração, penitência, trabalho sem descanso, com um cumprimento amoroso do dever. (Forja, 65).

E se agora não te ocorre como responder concretamente aos apelos divinos que se fazem ouvir no teu coração, ouve-me bem.

Penitência é o cumprimento exacto do horário que te fixaste, mesmo que o corpo resista ou a mente pretenda evadir-se com sonhos quiméricos. Penitência é levantares-te pontualmente. E também, não deixar para mais tarde, sem motivo justificado, essa tarefa que te é mais difícil ou custosa.

A penitência está em saber compaginar as tuas obrigações relativas a Deus, aos outros e a ti próprio, exigindo-te, de modo que consigas encontrar o tempo necessário para cada coisa. És penitente quando te submetes amorosamente ao teu plano de oração, apesar de estares cansado, sem vontade ou frio. (Amigos de Deus, 138).

(http://www.opusdei.pt/)

A perfeição consiste no cumprimento do mandamento do amor

«Tem sempre diante dos olhos
que a perfeição consiste
no cumprimento do mandamento do amor:
“amar a Deus e ao nosso próximo”.»

Beato Francisco Palau | 1811 - 1872
Carta 6








Senhor,
nesta Quaresma
em que sou convidado ao amor,
à caridade,
faz-me compreender
que o amor sem obras de amor está completamente morto.
Torna-me dócil ao Teu mandamento do amor.
Ajuda-me a superar as barreiras
que a minha sensibilidade me levanta:
o aborrecimento, a preguiça,
a falta de gosto para ajudar o meu próximo,
para o escutar, dialogar, perdoar,
condescender, exortar,
a irritação incontrolável que me persegue
quando me falam, quando me pedem alguma coisa…
que os meus olhos Te contemplem sempre!
De Ti, e só de Ti,
receberei o amor de que preciso
para o derramar naqueles que me dás.
Ajuda-me, Senhor!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Estou nas mãos de Deus

«Estou nas mãos de Deus; Ele fará de mim o que quiser.» Senhor, Se estou conTigo nada temo e cumprirei em tudo a Tua vontade de amor que é sempre também para benefício dos meus irmãos. (http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

S. João da Cruz

«Sigam a mortificação e a penitência
querendo que lhes custe alguma coisa este Cristo
e não sendo
como os que buscam a sua comodidade e consolação
ou em Deus ou fora d'Ele.»

S. João da Cruz | 1542 – 1591
Carta 15

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Procurar amar os meus irmãos, mesmo à custa dos meus pequeninos direitos

Despojar-se, morrer para si mesmo, deixar de se ver a si próprio, parece-me que a isto se referia o Mestre quando dizia: “Se alguém quer vir após Mim, que tome a sua cruz e renuncie a si próprio. Senhor, esta linguagem tão verdadeira, é contudo, quase incompreensível para a sociedade de hoje. Mais ainda, intolerável! Morrer? Senhor, quem quer morrer? Ou sequer pensar nisso? Mas não é exactamente a isto que Te referes, bem sei. Senhor, este “morrer” é muito mais o procurar amar os meus irmãos, mesmo à custa dos meus pequeninos direitos, não me lembrar das minhas comodidades e caprichos, para me desinstalar e fazer o bem. Morrer, é tudo o que me custa fazer para sair de mim, para dar gosto ao outro. Este morrer não é mau, senão bom. Não me enche de angustia, mas de alegria, não me afasta dos meus, mas aproxima-me sempre mais de Ti e de todos! Nesta Quaresma, ensina-me a morrer como Tu e por Ti, para viver mais, para viver de Ti! (http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

22/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Jesus is our hope

Jesus is our hope. Nothing – not even evil or death – is able to separate us from the saving power of his love.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

21/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Sickness and death are realities that we must face in Jesus’ presence

Sickness and death are not taboo subjects. They are realities that we must face in Jesus’ presence.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

20/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): May we learn to say “thank you” to God and to one another

May we learn to say “thank you” to God and to one another. We teach children to do it, and then we forget to do it ourselves!

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Pope Francis: What can we do to not kill the Word of God? Two simple things

First, humility; second, prayer. This people didn’t pray. They didn’t need to pray. They thought they were safe, they thought they were strong, they thought ‘gods.’ Humility and prayer: with humility and prayer we go forward by listening to the Word of God and obeying it. In the Church. Humility and prayer in the Church. And so, what happened to these people will not happen to us: we should not kill to defend the Word of God, that Word which we believe is the Word of God, but is a word totally altered by us.

(http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-do-not-kill-the-word-of-god)

Let us always be brutally sincere

If that dumb devil mentioned in the Gospel gets into your soul, he will spoil everything. On the other hand, if you get rid of him immediately, everything will turn out well; you will carry on merrily, and all will be well. Resolve firmly to be "savagely sincere'' in spiritual direction (always keeping your good manners) and to be sincere immediately. (The Forge, 127)

As I have already said, we all have our defects. But our defects should never be a reason for us to turn away from God’s Love. Rather should they lead us to cling to that Love, sheltering within his divine goodness, as the warriors of old did by climbing into their suits of armour. Our defence is the cry ecce ego, quia vocasti me, here I am, because you have called me. Just because we discover how fragile we are is no reason to run away from God. What we must do is to attack our defects, precisely because we know that God trusts us.

How shall we be able to overcome our meanness? Let me make the point again because it is so important: by being humble and by being sincere in spiritual direction and in the Sacrament of Penance. Go to those who direct your souls with your hearts open wide. Do not close your hearts, for if the dumb devil gets in, it is very difficult to get rid of him.

Forgive me for insisting on these points, but I believe it is absolutely necessary for you to have deeply impressed on your minds the fact that humility, together with its immediate consequence, sincerity; are the thread which links the other means together. These two virtues act as a foundation on which a solid victory can be built. If the dumb devil gets inside a soul, he ruins everything. On the other hand, if he is cast out immediately, everything turns out well; we are happy and life goes forward properly. Let us always be brutally sincere, but in a good mannered way.

I want one thing to be clear: I am not as worried about the heart or the flesh as I am about pride. Be humble. If ever you think you are completely and utterly right, you are not right at all. Go to spiritual direction with your soul wide open. Don’t close it because, I repeat, the dumb devil will get in, and it is difficult to get him out again.

Remember the poor boy who was possessed by a devil, and the disciples were unable to set him free. Only Our Lord could free him, by prayer and fasting. On that occasion the Master worked three miracles. The first enabled the boy to hear because, when the dumb devil gets control, the soul refuses to listen. The second made him speak, and the third expelled the devil. (Friends of God, 187-188)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

St. Joseph and the Child Jesus

Prayer to St Joseph

18/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Christian love is loving without counting the cost

Christian love is loving without counting the cost. This is the lesson of the Good Samaritan; this is the lesson of Jesus.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Pope Francis: Lent is for "drawing closer to the Lord" but "in sincere way", not like the hypocrites who "masquerade as good" and think they save themselves

We all "need to change our lives", to take look "a good at our soul" where we always find something. "The litmus test to ensure we are not hypocrites and that we are drawing closer to the Lord" is "taking care of others: the sick, the poor, those in need, the ignorant". "Hypocrites do not know how to do this, they can not, because they are so full of themselves that they are blind of others".

Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - "Lent is when we adjust our life, repair our life, change our life, to draw closer to the Lord", but "in a sincere way", not like the hypocrites who "masquerade as good", "put on a good face", who think they do not need God and that they can be saved from themselves. This was Pope Francis warning today by during the mass celebrated this morning at Casa Santa Marta, centered on the theme of conversion.

Vatican Radio reports that the Pope began the homily by recalling that conversion is the key word of Lent, a favorable time "to draw closer" to Jesus. Commenting on the First Reading from the Book of Isaiah, he noted that the Lord's call to conversion of the two "sinful cities" like Sodom and Gomorrah. This all shows that "we need to change our life" to take a good look "at our soul" where we always find something. Lent, is this "adjusting our life", by drawing closer to the Lord. He "wants us closer to Him" and assures us that "He waits for us to forgive us". But the Lord wants "a sincere approach" and warns us against being hypocrites. "What do the hypocrites do? They masquerade, the masquerade as good : they put on a pious face, pray looking up at heaven, make sure they are seen, feel more righteous than others, they despise others. 'Well - they say - I am really Catholic, because my uncle was a great benefactor, this is my family and I have learned ... I know ... that bishop, that cardinal, that father ... I am ...'.  They feel better than others. This is hypocrisy. The Lord says, ' No, not that'. No one is righteous by himself. Everybody needs to be justified. And the only one who justifies us is Jesus Christ".

This is why we draw closer to the Lord: "In order not to masquerade as Christian, because when this masquerade passes, you see the reality that they are not Christians." What, then, is "the litmus test to ensure we are not hypocrites and we draw closer to the Lord?" The Lord gives the answer himself in the first reading when he says: "Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. This is the invitation. But "what is the sign that we are on the right road?'. " Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow'. Taking care of other: the sick, the poor, those in need, the ignorant. This is the touchstone. Hypocrites do not know how to do this, they can not, because they are so full of themselves that they are blind to others. When one walks a little' and is close to the Lord, the light of the Lord allows him see these things and one goes to help his brothers. This is the sign, this is the sign of conversion".

Of course, "this is not all there is to conversion", which is in fact "our encounter with Jesus Christ", but "this is a sign that we are with Jesus Christ: to treat our brothers and sisters, the poorest, the sick, as the Lord teaches us" and as we read in chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew. "Lent is to adjust your life, fix your life, change your life, to be closer to the Lord. Hypocrisy is a sign that we are far from the Lord. The hypocrite does not need the Lord, he saves himself, or so he thinks, and disguises herself as a saint. The sign that we have approached the Lord with repentance, asking for forgiveness, is that we care for needy brethren. May the Lord give us all courage and light: the light to know what happens within us and the courage to repent, to be closer to the Lord. It is good to be close to the Lord".

(http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-Lent-is-for-drawing-closer-to-the-Lord-but-in-sincere-way,-not-like-the-hypocrites-who-masquerade-as-good-and-think-they-save-themselves-30590.html)

Pope Francis: The way to peace is through mercy

(Vatican Radio) To find mercy we must first forgive. It is through forgiveness that our hearts, and the world, are filled with peace. This was the overarching theme of Pope Francis’ homily during Monday morning’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.
“Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Commenting on these words of Jesus, the Pope added that “it is not easy to understand this attitude of mercy” because we are habitually judgmental. “We are not [the sorts of people] who naturally [allow for understanding and mercy.”]
“To be merciful,” he said, “two attitudes are needed. The first is knowledge of oneself”. This self-knowledge means that we acknowledge “we have done many bad things: we are sinners!” And, when faced with the need for repentance, “the justice of God transforms us in mercy and forgiveness.” However, we must have shame for our sins.
“It is true none of us have murdered anyone, but many little things, many daily sins, every day… and when someone thinks: ‘ But what a small heart: I have done this against the Lord!’ And he is ashamed! He is ashamed before God, and this shame is a grace: it is the grace of being sinners. ‘I am a sinner, and I am ashamed before You and ask your forgiveness.’ It is simple, but very difficult, to say: ‘I have sinned.’”

Often, Pope Francis said, we blame others for our sins, like Adam and Eve did. “Maybe,” he continued “someone else did help me, facilitated the way to do it, but I did it myself!
If we [think like] this, how much good will occur, because we will be humble!” And “with this attitude of penitence we are more able to be merciful, because we feel within us the mercy of God,”. Just like in the Our Father: “Forgive, as we are forgiven.” Therefore, “if I do not forgive, I am somewhat out of the game!”
The other attitude we need to have in order to be merciful, the Pope continued, is to have a large heart, because “a small” and “egotistical heart is incapable of mercy.”
“Make the heart grow! ‘But I myself am a sinner.’ ‘Who am I to judge?’ This statement, ‘Who am I to judge this? Who am I to gossip about this?... Who am I, who have done the same or worse?’ The heart grows! And the Lord says, ‘Judge not, and you will not be judged! Condemn not, and you will not be condemned! Forgive, and you will be forgiven! Give, and you will receive!’ This [is] generosity of heart! And what will you receive? A good measure, pressed down and overflowing will be poured into your lap. And the image of the person of the person who goes out to collect the wheat with the apron and makes the apron larger so as to receive more, more wheat. If you have a wide, large heart, you can receive more.”

The merciful heart, said Pope Francis, “does not condemn, but forgives, forgets” because God has forgotten my sins; God has forgiven my sins. Enlarge the heart. This is beautiful,” the Pope said: “You are merciful.”
“Merciful men and women have a wide, wide heart: always forgiving others and thinking about their [own] sins. This is the way of mercy for which we must ask. But if all of is, if all people, individuals, families, neighbourhoods, had this attitude, how much peace there would be in the world – how much peace in our hearts! Because mercy brings us peace. Always remember: ‘Who am I to judge? Have shame and enlarge your heart. May the Lord give us this grace.”

(http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-the-way-to-peace-is-through-mercy)

Jesus saves!

Amar sem medida

«Amar sem medida quer dizer: sacrificar-se sem lamentos, dar sem recompensa, perdoar sem rancor, ajudar sem olhar ao descanso». Beata Josefina de Jesus Crucificado | 1894 - 1948 Autobiografia, p. 639 Senhor, quem poderá amar assim, de facto, com toda a autenticidade? Senhor, peço-Te o Teu próprio Coração para amar com este amor e sei que mo podes dar se, da minha parte, me esforçar com generosidade, como se já tivesse obtido esta graça. Ajuda-me a por sempre os olhos em Ti, que Te entregaste totalmente por meu amor, até às últimas consequências! Quando procurar dar-me sem limites a Ti e Te “procurar mais avidamente do que ao ouro e à prata”, também Tu te entregarás a mim sem medida! Dá-me a Tua graça para que se cumpra em mim a Tua vontade! (http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Possa eu crescer no apreço pela oração

«Durante os passeios que dava com o Papá, ele gostava de me mandar dar a esmola aos pobres que encontrávamos. Um dia vimos um que se arrastava penosamente com muletas; aproximei-me para lhe dar um soldo, mas, não se considerando bastante pobre para receber a esmola, olhou-me, sorrindo tristemente, e recusou aceitar o que lhe oferecia. Não consigo exprimir o que se passou no meu coração. Quisera consolá-lo, aliviá-lo; em vez disso, julgava tê-lo magoado. Certamente o pobre doente adivinhou o meu pensamento, pois vi-o voltar-se e sorrir-me. O Papá acabava de me comprar um bolo; tinha muita vontade de lho dar, mas não me atrevi. Porém, queria dar-lhe qualquer coisa que ele não me pudesse recusar, pois sentia por ele uma simpatia muito grande. Então lembrei-me de ter ouvido dizer que, no dia da Primeira Comunhão se obtinha tudo quanto se pedisse; este pensamento consolou-me e, apesar de ter então apenas seis anos, disse para comigo: “Rezarei pelo meu pobre, no dia da minha Primeira Comunhão”. Cumpri a promessa cinco anos mais tarde, e espero que Deus tenha atendido a oração que Ele me inspirou fazer-Lhe por um dos seus membros sofredores... Santa Teresa do Menino Jesus | 1873 - 1897 Manuscrito A, [15rº] Senhor, a oração opera maravilhas em nós e nos outros! Nesta Quaresma possa eu crescer no apreço pela oração, não deixando de rezar, isto é, de me dirigir a Ti, um único dia. Ajuda-me, Senhor! (http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Only Jesus

Bless

You have got to be a 'man of God', a man of interior life, a man of prayer and sacrifice. Your apostolate must be the overflow of your life 'within'. (The Way, 961)

Interior life. Sanctity in our ordinary tasks, sanctity in the little things we do, sanctity in our professional work, in our daily cares...; sanctity, so that we may sanctify others. A friend of mine was dreaming once. (He is someone I’ve never really managed to get to know!) He was flying very high, but he was not inside the plane, in the cabin. He was outside, on the wings. Poor soul, how he suffered! What anguish! It was as if Our Lord was showing him that just such insecurity and danger faces apostolic souls who would fly up to the heights of God, but have no interior life, or else neglect it. They are full of anxiety and doubt, and in constant danger of coming to grief.

I really do believe that a serious danger of losing the way threatens those who launch out into action — activism! — while neglecting prayer, self denial and those means without which it is impossible to achieve a solid piety: receiving the Sacraments frequently, meditation, examination of conscience, spiritual reading and constant recourse to Our Lady and the Guardian Angels... Besides, all these means contribute in a way that nothing else can, to making the Christian’s daily life a joyful one, for, from their hidden riches, flow out the sweetness and joy of God, like honey from the comb.

In our inner life, in our external behaviour, in our dealings with others, in our work, each of us must try to maintain a constant presence of God, conversing with him, carrying on a dialogue in a way that does not show outwardly. Or, rather, which as a rule does not express itself in audible words, but which certainly should show itself in the determination and loving care we put into carrying out all our duties, both great and small. (Friends of God, 18-19)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

Mejor es un día en Tu presencia

The spirit of mortification

A spirit of mortification, rather than being just an outward show of Love, arises as one of its consequences. If you fail in one of these little proofs, acknowledge that your love for the Love is wavering. (Furrow, 981)

For parents and, in general, for those whose work involves supervision or teaching, penance is to correct whenever it is necessary. This should be done bearing in mind the type of fault committed and the situation of the person who needs to be so helped, not letting oneself be swayed by subjective viewpoints, which are often cowardly and sentimental.

A spirit of penance keeps us from becoming too attached to the vast imaginative blueprints we have made for our future projects, where we have already foreseen our master strokes and brilliant successes. What joy we give to God when we are happy to lay aside our third‑rate painting efforts and let him put in the features and colours of his choice! (Friends of God, 138)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

These are the ripe fruits of the mortified soul: tolerance and understanding for the defects of others; intolerance for one's own. (The Way, 198)

Penance means being very charitable at all times towards those around you, starting with the members of your own family. It is to be full of tenderness and kindness towards the suffering, the sick and the infirm. It is to give patient answers to people who are boring and annoying. It means interrupting our work or changing our plans, when circumstances make this necessary, above all when the just and rightful needs of others are involved.

Penance consists in putting up good‑humouredly with the thousand and one little pinpricks of each day; in not abandoning your job, although you have momentarily lost the enthusiasm with which you started it; in eating gladly whatever is served, without being fussy. (Friends of God, 138)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

A great way to pray!

Use this prayer pattern for simple guidance during quiet time

13/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Pray for me

Please pray for me.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Penance means being full of tenderness and kindness towards the suffering

Here is a recipe for your way as a Christian: pray, do penance, work without rest, fulfilling your duty lovingly. (The Forge, 65)

Penance is fulfilling exactly the timetable you have fixed for yourself, even though your body resists or your mind tries to avoid it by dreaming up useless fantasies. Penance is getting up on time and also not leaving for later, without any real reason, that particular job that you find harder or most difficult to do.

Penance is knowing how to reconcile your duties to God, to others and to yourself, by making demands on yourself so that you find enough time for each of your tasks. You are practising penance when you lovingly keep to your schedule of prayer, despite feeling worn out, listless or cold. (Friends of God, 138)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

God can't fill you when you are already full of yourself

Do we act as sons of God?

A son of God fears neither life nor death, because his spiritual life is founded on a sense of divine filiation. So he says to himself: God is my Father and he is the Author of all good; he is all Goodness. But, you and I, do we really act as sons of God? (The Forge, 987)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

A Love Story

A resposta

You have to put love where there is no love

You have to live in harmony with your fellow men and understand them as a brother would. As the Spanish mystic says, you have to put love where there is no love to obtain love. (The Forge, 457)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

Não há ninguém mais livre do que aquele que ama

«Liberdade, pede o amor, não terror nem encolhimento. Coração voa contente, livre, apressado e sem temor.» Santa Teresa Margarida de Redi | 1747 - 1770 Deixai-me, dúvidas incómodas Senhor, não há ninguém mais livre do que aquele que ama. “Ama e faz o que quiseres”, disse S. Agostinho. Desde que ame, que me reja pela Tua vontade, nada tenho a temer. Senhor, que eu Te conheça para Te amar e amando-Te conhecer-Te-ei mais profundamente e melhor, ao ponto dos Teus critérios evangélicos, se tornarem os meus critérios. Ao ponto do Teu Espírito Santo encontrar espaço livre e ausência de resistência para entrar no meu espírito, ao ponto de as minhas acções se tornarem semelhantes às Tuas na bondade, misericórdia, perdão diálogo, carinho, abertura ao pobre e ao pequeno… Senhor bom, misericordioso, manso e humilde de Coração, faz o meu coração semelhante ao Teu e serei livre para fazer em tudo a Tua vontade de Amor.

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Transportar montanhas

«Ao empreendermos a vida espiritual
temos de considerar, a fundo, quem somos,
e veremos como somos dignos de todo o desprezo,
indignos do nome de Cristãos,
sujeitos a toda a sorte de misérias,
a uma infinidade de acidentes
que nos perturbam e fazem desiguais
tanto na saúde como no humor,
na disposição interior e exterior...»

Frei Lourenço da Ressurreição | 1614 - 1691 

A prática da presença de Deus. VII, 2


Senhor,
desejo rezar, estar conTigo,
fazer a experiência da Tua companhia e do Teu amor.
Desejo ter asas e voar,
ver longe e experimentar o Teu amor,
fazer o bem e contar com a Tua graça…
Mas como pode voar a cinza e o pó
se não forem arrastados pelo vento?
Como posso desejar ver longe e experimentar o Céu,
quando sou feito de terra?
Senhor, ajuda-me a ser realista
quanto à minha condição de pecado e de incapacidade
e a não me espantar dos limites imensos que em mim encontro.
Mas, Senhor, ajuda-me também
a ser “optimista” na fé que me concedes em cada dia.
A fé, capaz de transportar montanhas,
será capaz de me transportar também a mim para os Teus braços
e manter-me na Tua presença,
fazendo as obras do Teu amor.
A fé, Senhor, concede-ma
e com ela terei tudo,
ter-Te-ei!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

Pelo caminho do Calvário

«A alma que quer servir a Deus noite e dia no seu templo deve estar resolvida a comungar efectivamente na paixão do Seu Mestre… Esta alma avança pelo caminho do Calvário à direita do Seu Rei crucificado, aniquilado, humilhado e, apesar disso, sempre tão forte, tão calmo, tão cheio de majestade, dirigindo-Se à Sua paixão… Ele quer associar a sua esposa à sua obra de redenção, e essa via dolorosa, por onde passa, aparece-lhe como o caminho da Beatitude: não só porque a ela conduz, mas ainda porque o Mestre lhe fez compreender que deve ultrapassar o que há de amargo no sofrimento para, como Ele, aí encontrar o seu repouso.» Beata Isabel da Trindade | 1880 - 1906 Último Retiro, 13 Senhor, nesta quaresma desejo unir-me mais a Ti. Será pelo meu sofrimento aceite com os olhos postos em Ti que poderei, com a Tua graça, superar o próprio sofrimento para me encontrar conTigo verdadeiramente, nesse “espaço” amplo da Tua entrega na Cruz por mim, por amor. O caminho do sofrimento aceite e abraçado por amor, no Teu Amor, conduz à verdadeira união conTigo! Dá-me a Tua graça, Senhor! (http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)

With God

I am the gate

Faith

8/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): remaining together

The challenge for Christian spouses: remaining together, knowing how to love one another always, and doing so in a way that their love grows.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

7/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Our deepest joy comes from Christ

Our deepest joy comes from Christ: remaining with him, walking with him, being his disciples.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

6/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): respond to evil with good

Let us pray for Christians who are victims of persecution, so that they may know how to respond to evil with good.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Our Lord wants us to be both very human and very divine

Many years ago now, I saw most clearly a truth which will always be valid: the whole web of society needs to live anew and spread the eternal truths of the Gospel, since it has departed from Christian faith and morals. Children of God at the very heart of that society, of the world, have to let their virtues shine out like lamps in the darkness.

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

Com olhos de eternidade

"As almas santas têm que ser felizes, porque olham os acontecimentos com uma visão que está por cima das coisas da terra, porque vêem as coisas com olhos de eternidade."

(http://www.opusdei.pt/art.php?p=21645)

Rezar

5/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Let us deny ourselves something every day to help others

Lent is a good time for sacrificing. Let us deny ourselves something every day to help others.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

Avé Maria

Faith, hope, and love

4/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): Let us learn to recognize our errors and ask forgiveness

In life we all make many mistakes. Let us learn to recognize our errors and ask forgiveness.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

3/3/2014 Pope Francis (@Pontifex): How to live a good marriage?

How to live a good marriage? United to the Lord, who always renews our love and strengthens it to overcome every difficulty.

Pope Francis (@Pontifex)

May I never become attached to anything

Ask the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your Mother, to make you know yourself and weep for all those foul things that have passed through you, and which, alas, have left such dregs behind.... And at the same time, without wishing to stop considering all that, say to him: Jesus, give me a Love that will act like a purifying fire in which my miserable flesh, my miserable heart, my miserable soul, my miserable body may be consumed and cleansed of all earthly wretchedness. And when I have been emptied of myself, fill me with yourself. May I never become attached to anything here below. May Love always sustain me. (The Forge, 41)

We cannot stay still. We must keep going ahead toward the goal St Paul marks out: “It is not I who live; it is Christ that lives in me” [2]. This is a high and very noble ambition, this identification with Christ, this holiness. But there is no other way if we are to be consistent with the divine life God has sown in our souls in baptism. To advance we must progress in holiness. Shying away from holiness implies refusing our christian life its natural growth. The fire of God’s love needs to be fed. It must grow each day, gathering strength in our soul; and a fire is maintained by burning more things. If we don’t feed it, it may die. (Christ is passing by, 57-58)

(http://www.opusdei.org.in/sec.php?s=310)

Uma só é a lei que governa o universo: a lei do amor

«Uma só é a lei que governa o universo
que é a lei do amor.
Deus, por amor criou,
por amor redimiu
e com leis de amor nos governa.
Olhemos com amor para a vida
e que o amor nos inspire a virtude e o bem.
A vida, olhada com amor, torna-se bela,
porque a vida é uma missão e,
quando nos movemos por amor,
a nossa missão torna-se-nos querida;
o amor sabe elaborar e desenvolver
sempre novas e melhores energias no nosso coração,
por meio das quais tudo se torna fácil e sublime.»

Beata Josefina de Jesus Crucificado | 1894 - 1948
Conselhos 1, 27

Senhor,
como é imprevisível a vida, a energia,
a graça, a força e a virtude
que podes derramar sobre mim
se me dispuser a tudo receber da Tua mão!
Como são imprevisíveis as obras de amor,
do Teu amor,
que saem das mãos de quem assim se entrega!
Mas, para isso, é preciso tornar-me pequeno,
sentir-me indigente,
saber-me incapaz, por mim mesmo,
de qualquer bem.
Abre o meu coração à Tua graça e…
sucederão obras maravilhosas do Teu amor!

(http://orar.carmelitas.pt/)