Saint James says about the tongue: “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10). With Mary as our example, how might we better tame our eyes and our tongues? (read James 3:1-12)
- The spirituality of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is the “little way,” doing small things with great love. What we learn from this reflection is that the oppositie also holds true. Little things can have a major impact in good and bad days. How might we discipline our bodies and our souls by means of little things?
- Saint Paul recounts that “to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated” (2 Corinthians 12:7). How can we remain humble throughout our lives? Especially with this great call of being one of God’s children, how do we remain humble with such a status?
· St. Josemaría Escrivá taught in line with this spirituality of smallness. For instance, instead of recommending people to heroic fasting, he would recommend giving up condiments at a meal, or making a serving a bit smaller than normal, or not getting seconds. These are small things that go unnoticed, that if mentioned to another might seem insignificant. He recommended these as a means to develop spiritual discipline so that we could be stronger and learn to do “big” things. Jesus tells us, “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” (Luke 16:10). How can we learn to become fatihful in little things so that we have the spiritual strength to become faithful in the big things?
Judy K: Does anyone besides me get Marian Helper magazine. This issue has a wonderful article about the Jubilee Year of Mercy and suggestions for things to do during the year.
Dawn L: Ive not heard of that magazine, but now will look into it. thanks
May 17 2015, 7:26 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Sr. Susan Marie
May 17 2015, 7:26 PM
Karen P: I have not seen that magazine. What does it contain?
28 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): We get the magazine
May 17 2015, 7:28 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Great one
May 17 2015, 7:28 PM
Karen P: I will have to be on the lookout for a copy of that one. We have several different ones that come to our bookstore but I don’t think I have seen that one before.
May 17 2015, 7:28 PM
Dawn L: I found myself reflecting on painting of the nuns, SDdS, and the babies. I have my bebe granddaughter today
MSusanMarie (guest): http://www.marianweb.net/archives/pdfs/imh/Spring_2015.pdf
May 17 2015, 7:29 PM
Carol Ann: I wonder if the same info is on their website
May 17 2015, 7:29 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Here is the spring one Is this it Judy?
May 17 2015, 7:29 PM
Karen P: Thank you Judy and Mother! I will check it out.
MSusanMarie (guest): Summer issue: http://www.marian.org/imh/issue/Summer_2015/files/assets/basic-html/index.html#1
Karen P: So was I reading correctly that St. Jane de Chantel was also acquainted with St. Vincent de Paul and the Daughters of Charity? Were those orders together at one time or were they always different orders?
May 17 2015, 7:34 PM
Karen P: Together with the Visitation sisters, that is.
May 17 2015, 7:34 PM
Ruth (guest): Just looked at link, Marian Helper. Pope Francis has a thousand watt smile!
May 17 2015, 7:35 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Interesting history. Not exactly together as orders, no. But St Francis and St Vincent were contemporaries, tho St V was younger and also friends. When St Francis left Paris towrads theend of his life he wanted St Vincent to be spiritual guide for the Visitation there, which he then was. He met St Jane in Paris and guided her for 20 years
MSusanMarie (guest): It’s been said that St Vincent succeeded in forming his new congregation in the way St Francis de Sales wanted to but was prevented and so we became enclosed
MSusanMarie (guest): St Vincent quotes St Francis, St Jane and gives lots of examples of the Visitation way of doing things in his letters to the Daughters of Charity
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Karen P: Okay, that makes sense. It is an interesting coincidence because I had worked at a St. Vincent’s Hospital that had been started by that order many years ago and more recently have been very interested in the Salesian spirituality. I am thinking they may be similar in their nature.
May 17 2015, 7:37 PM
Lisa C: Mother Susan Marie, were the Visitation Sisters still visiting the sick and poor when St. Vincent was with them?
May 17 2015, 7:37 PM
Judy K: Well, the first question offers us a challenge. How might we tame our eyes and tongues. For the eyes, I am thinking that we would do well to keep before the eyes of our minds a picture of Jesus and Mary and think, would we want them to be looking at what we are looking at. We need to protect ourselves by watching what we read, the magazines and papers, the TV programs we watch, the movies we attend, etc.
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MSusanMarie (guest): No Lisa, that ended within 8 years of the Visitations foundation
Karen P: So the Visitation became enclosed and the Daughters of Charity didn’t?
May 17 2015, 7:39 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes!
May 17 2015, 7:39 PM
Ruth (guest): Interesting.
Karen P: I see. Thank you Mother! Now I know why those 2 orders are the ones that are most interesting to me – similar roots.
May 17 2015, 7:40 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): I think St VIncent learned from St Francis’ experience
May 17 2015, 7:40 PM
Ruth (guest): I was wondering about that. I used to visit poor families with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. I met ’em in a lab at St. John’s University.
May 17 2015, 7:40 PM
Judy K: Regarding our mouths, we need to keep in mind a text from a bit further down in James’ letter in which he refers to the tongue as a fire. And it sure can start a conflagration if not controlled. Of the fullness of the mouth, the heart speaks. So we might do well to keep our minds filled with the Word of God or other thoughts which He would find pleasing
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Karen P: Judy, I think you are right that whatever we focus our eyes and our mouths on seeing and saying should be pleasing to our Lord.
May 17 2015, 7:41 PM
Carol Ann: I struggle with that a lot, Judy. I always seems to blurt stuff out without thinking
Dawn L: yes, Judy!
May 17 2015, 7:41 PM
Dawn L: me too Carol
May 17 2015, 7:42 PM
Judy K: You are not alone, there Carol. I am working hard on that. It takes practice, practice, practice.
May 17 2015, 7:42 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): The monks of old memorized Scripture so that probably would be the first phrases that would come to mind in vrs situations
, 7:42 PM
Carol Ann: they were very smart, those monks! 7:43 PM
Judy K: A good verse to keep in mind would be Galatians -I have been crucified with Christ and the life I live now is not my own, but Christ lives in me. If we are living His life, how then must we speak, act, think? M
Karen P: yes, once something is said, it cannot be put back inside which can be a real problem. I am better than I used to be about keeping my thoughts in, but I do let out more that is not kind and loving than I want to.
May 17 2015, 7:44 PM
Guest2400 (guest): Our culture teaches everyone not to tame eyes or tongue but our relationship with Jesus and our Brothers and Sisters in Christ helps us to respond and not react to pressures in the world ! We have opportunity to shine !
May 17 2015, 7:44 PM
Ruth (guest): Yesterday, for about 8+ hrs, I was working — door to door on a census the local bishop had called for. Prayed before going to each door and all went smoothly.
6 PM
Karen P: Yes, when I pray before speaking, things go much better. I sometimes have to just do the quick little “help me Jesus” in the middle of a discussion to keep me from saying more than I should or saying something unkind. 6 PM
Ruth (guest): Years ago I used to be rather sarcastic. But I realized that that form of humor was a form of aggression — or in many cases, self defense. I gave it up for Lent and never went back to it.
May 17 2015, 7:46 PM
Carol Ann: our culture right now does seem to promote “free” speech, which often ends up to be divisive and mean-spirite
6 PM
Judy K: In each of the questions for tonight, the first answer is always prayer. Like the second question–we discipline our bodies by means of little things, first by prayer, then by small acts of self-denial-again practice, practice, practice. 7 PM
Ruth (guest): Some friends tell me I should re-learn that verbal behavior, because in the medical profession, esp. as a woman, sometimes it seems it is needed.
May 17 2015, 7:48 PM
Judy K: At least they call it free speech, until someone who is Christian speaks out against abortion, same sex marriage, etc.
May 17 2015, 7:48 PM
Karen P: Being free to speak about Jesus is not always easy, but being free to spout many other things seems to be quite popular. Still I think we can say what needs to be said without the use of many of the vulgarities used today in regular conversation, and doing so does set an example.
May 17 2015, 7:48 PM
Guest2400 (guest): Best witness to others is how we respond after we have reacted the wrong way ! We can pray and ask God for best response after we blow it !
May 17 2015, 7:48 PM
Judy K: Definitely, Karen!
Karen P: Good point, Brian. We are not perfect, just saved!
May 17 2015, 7:49 PM
Ruth (guest): Karen, I agree.
May 17 2015, 7:49 PM
Dawn L: very helpful Brian
May 17 2015, 7:49 PM
Ruth (guest): Brian are you guest 2400?
May 17 2015, 7:49 PM
Guest2400 (guest): When we set positive tone with our good speech others follow gradually
M
Guest2400 (guest): Yes Ruth ! Brian
May 17 2015, 7:51 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): I think this leads into St Therese’d little way which is similar to St Francis de Sales’ emphasis on little virtues
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Ruth (guest): Maybe I scare some people just by my intensity.
May 17 2015, 7:52 PM
Carol Ann: That’s the new way, Ruth. Not sure how we got that way, but it seems to be the norm now
May 17 2015, 7:52 PM
Ruth (guest): Or by integrity — if it contrasts with the way they are speaking.
May 17 2015, 7:52 PM
Carol Ann: I’ve been told that too, Ruth. Could it be true of all of us to some extent? Religious life is life lived intentionally and is intense by nature
May 17 2015, 7:52 PM
Lisa C: Ruth, I think truth and enthusiasm for it annoy people
May 17 2015, 7:52 PM
Judy K: Because we do blow it with greater or less frequency, we need to be humble as per question 3. And we do that by remembering that we are small, ordinary, weak, sinful humans who can be and o nothing without our all powerful God.
May 17 2015, 7:53 PM
Guest2400 (guest): It really shows our heart for Jesus when we live our daily lives doing the little things with great love ! People who live this way have changed my life !
May 17 2015, 7:53 PM
Judy K: Oops–be and do nothing
May 17 2015, 7:53 PM
Ruth (guest): Lisa, may be so. Or even worse. ANGER some.
May 17 2015, 7:53 PM
Lisa C: Not in your face truth, but truth that questions the status quo
May 17 2015, 7:53 PM
Karen P: I think there will always be exceptions, Ruth. But many do follow the lead of good speech when they are given the opportunity. But it is gradual, as Brian noted. I think for many people their speech and their ways change as they find they do want to be more spiritual and that doing things in a crass and loud manner don’t go with that well.
May 17 2015, 7:54 PM
Lisa C: Rather than questions, I should say disrupts
7:55 PM
Karen P: I think that we can sometimes come on in a strong and intense way that makes people who are not as sure of their convictions feel threatened. I think finding a way to leave a thought worth pondering or sharing a truth in an open but quiet way that can work it’s way into their thinking is a good approach. 56 PM
Karen P: I think we need to share the truth with gentleness and let the Spirit take it from there with people.
Judy K: I think that it may be the result of hearing someone whose language is truly horrific. I lived with a fellow tenant in my last apartment who used the most atrocious language I have ever heard in my life. I did ask her serveral times to be more careful with her speech because it was offensive. She was rather nasty about it, but eventually, I noticed that she was toning down a bit. It made me be conscious of how I am speaking. I never want to sound like she did.
May 17 2015, 7:56 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): St Francis de Sales was very persuasive and gentle besides. He converted so many people; not at first but with persistence.
May 17 2015, 7:57 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): I think that gentle persistence might be an approach
7:57 PM
Ruth (guest): But sometimes it is just child-like curiosity: How do you keep the bacon so flat? When I am a volunteer for a pancake breakfast. The President of Catholic Daughters turned from the stove, ANGRY, whipped her spatular within an inch of my nose, and said, “I’m driving you out of this kitchen!” It took quite a while for me to recover from that. She never apologized.
Guest2400 (guest): when people use foul language we can redirect conversation to positive in many ways change subject ,politely walk away , avoid anger , remember fruits of spirit , and allow GOD TO DIRECT OUR RESONSE !
May 17 2015, 7:58 PM
Karen P: Many people think that vulgar speech is acceptable today and that those who don’t care for it -don’t have to use it. But it is difficult to be in earshot of someone who uses it very liberally. It can make it difficult to see them as someone that Jesus loves in spite of their rough outside. And they may just not know how to speak without it after years of use.
5, 7:59 PM
Judy K: Bad habits can be broken with-here’s that word again-practice, practice, practice, and of course, prayer. M
Karen P: I suspect we should be praying for them even as we are speaking to them that God will somehow take their tongue and tone it down. Yes, Judy, we can clean up our mouths, but some people haven’t figured out that they want to yet. :00 PM
Judy K: Sad but true!
3 PM
Ruth (guest): That was a real problem in Family Practice residency training. Some young docs would use the same swear word umpteen times in one sentence, sometimes meaning a dozen or so different things, sometimes just for emphasis.
May 17 2015, 8:03 PM
Guest2400 (guest): Sometimes our enemy comes at us through our friends when they are under great stress ! Its horrible to endur it it is like the enemy is going right through us but with time GOD HELPS US TO FORGIVE and to see the truth ! And to Love again !
May 17 2015, 8:03 PM
Karen P: I have on one occasion told a companion at a table that was very liberal in the use of obscenities that his speech was something that I was uncomfortable with and that I was willing to leave the table if he continued since I didn’t want him to feel that he had to clean it up for me. It worked on that occasion and he was actually much cleaner spoken whenever I did sit at the table with him and others.
May 17 2015, 8:03 PM
Ruth (guest): welcome, Amy.
May 17 2015, 8:03 PM
Dawn L: Mother Susan mentioned once The Cloistered Heart, which I read everyday. its so helpful living in world and reading those reflections. we can learn to have a clositered heart even in the world….its hard, I am trying, but hopeful
May 17 2015, 8:04 PM
Amy Cochran: I just bless myself when someone swears. it takes a bit of guts sometimes, but then you don’t have to say a thing
M
Judy K: There may be some people who think that they cannot improve. But every one of us has the capacity to improve our status. And we just need to rely on the Lord for the strength to do so.
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Karen P: Clever, Amy!
May 17 2015, 8:05 PM
Judy K: WElcome Sister Mary Roberta!
May 17 2015, 8:05 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Hello!
May 17 2015, 8:05 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Hi Sister!
May 17 2015, 8:05 PM
Karen P: Welcome Sister Mary Roberta!
May 17 2015, 8:05 PM
Amy Cochran: haha, once I blessed myself about four or five times until she sort of understood
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Karen P: Is the Cloistered Heart a daily devotional?
May 17 2015, 8:07 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Whenever I start reading something with those kinds of words, I immediately stop and shove it aside. I guess some writers think it’s “cool.”
May 17 2015, 8:07 PM
Ruth (guest): Hello Sr. Mary Roberta,
May 17 2015, 8:07 PM
Guest2400 (guest): It helps us to see the people we need to pray for and to invite others to pray for when we see nothing but bad language from them . The mouth speaks what the heart is full of !
May 17 2015, 8:07 PM
Judy K: It is thoughts expressed by a woman who is working at creating a cloister in her heart, in the midst of the world. She uses beautiful art work to accompany her thoughts.
May 17 2015, 8:07 PM
Karen P: I kind of think the writers who use too many of those are trying to cover a lack of vocabulary on their own part, Sister.
M
Guest2400 (guest): It helps us to see the people we need to pray for and to invite others to pray for when we see nothing but bad language from them . The mouth speaks what the heart is full of !
May 17 2015, 8:07 PM
Judy K: It is thoughts expressed by a woman who is working at creating a cloister in her heart, in the midst of the world. She uses beautiful art work to accompany her thoughts.
May 17 2015, 8:09 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): http://www.thecloisteredheart.org/
Karen P: There are so many people out there who truly don’t seem to know that they are missing something by not knowing Christ.
May 17 2015, 8:09 PM
Judy K: You can register to receive her blog whenever she posts.
May 17 2015, 8:09 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS says in a letter to lay woman: “You must not reply at all, nor appear to even hear what was said. Let the person clamor as much as he/she likes, you must say nothing.”
0 PM
Ruth (guest): “talks dirty all the time.” But she does not use the name of God in vain. I carry on conversations with her in normal tones almost as if she had not used that “rough” speech. The new director finds it funny.
May 17 2015, 8:10 PM
Guest2400 (guest): St Pauls thorn in the flesh helped him to always look for help from loving community and to avoid exalting himself and isolating himself !
:11 PM
Judy K: Now that’s really hard, Sister! Remaining quiet in the face of something that really troubles is not easy to do.
May 17 2015, 8:11 PM
Carol Ann: The Cloistered Heart is a wonderful devotional that’s helped me very much
May 17 2015, 8:11 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I guess the hard thing for missionaries is trying to communicate in an authentic way with people who talk like that all the time, as though it were normal.
May 17 2015, 8:12 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): From Nancy S. of Cloistered heart: I knew, when the idea of the cloistered heart first came to me in the 1980s, that monasteries of nuns or monks have special places not open to outsiders. I realized that these areas were called cloisters. It was enough information to get me started. “The whole idea of a cloistered heart,” I wrote in 1988, “is that the part of me referred to as the ‘heart’ – meaning my spirit, who I really AM – should be detached from the world in its attachment to the Creator of the wor
May 17 2015, 8:12 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Creator of the world.” A place of refuge, no matter where I happened to be. A portable fortress, a place inviolate – where I could remain with Jesus in a doctor’s office, a traffic jam, a restaurant, a mall. It was an appealing idea. It was also (this being most important) theologically sound. “The heart is the dwelling place where I am, where I live… the heart is the place ‘to which I withdraw.’ The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can
13 PM
Karen P: I think some people use the language to put others at arm’s distance. Remaining quiet may be a good response at times, but I think as Ruth is doing, talking in a normal tone lets the person know that they are not pushing you away and may help them feel accepted which may lead to better conversations and help them to know of Christ in time.
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS calls such talk a “clamoring at the door,” and he tells his correspondent to “not say as much as, Who goes there?”
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Carol Ann: that makes sense, Karen13 PM
Guest2400 (guest): Our motto in Kairos helps us Listen , Listen ,Love , Love !It is what Jesus wants us to do buils relationship with people where they are ! Jesus will help them gradually ! 14 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s good advice: Listen, Love!
May 17 2015, 8:14 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It certainly works well with our high school girls!
May 17 2015, 8:15 PM
Karen P: Thank you for sharing that, Mother. I will look into it. I know that since my visit to the monastery I have found myself missing the quiet and realizing that I can find ways to withdraw into a quiet time with Jesus no matter where I am if I want to.
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Ruth (guest): Listen, love, and pray! Those are the steps in healing ministry. 8:15 PM
Karen P: Listen, love, pray! I think I need to make those my mantra this week.
May 17 2015, 8:16 PM
Guest2400 (guest): Amen !
Ruth (guest): And maybe it should start with Pray, pray, pray and listen in prayer, love in prayer, then with others listen, love, and pray7 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: and “a loving heart loves the commandments,” says SFdS in TLG. That means “do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”
May 17 2015, 8:17 PM
Karen P: I think pray should lead off most everything I do – even if it is a short ‘help me, Lord’ prayer.
May 17 2015, 8:18 PM
Ruth (guest): Yes, Karen.
Judy K: St. John Bosco once had a dream in which an enormous elephant had invaded his courtyard and was attacking his boys. Our Lady was standing at one end of the courtyard with her mantle extended, inviting the boys to come under it. Those who did so, were kept safe. The more the number of boys went to her, the more her mantle expanded. Sadly some of the boys were seriously wounded or even killed by the elephant. It was revealed to Don Bosco that the elephant represented vulgar speech and foul companions.
, 8:18 PM
Guest2400 (guest): our thorns in the flesh help us to refocus on listening to others , loving , and praying 1
May 17 2015, 8:18 PM
Judy K: Perhaps we too need to take shelter under Mary’s mantle.
Mary Roberta Viano: for sure!
May 17 2015, 8:19 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes Amen to that Judy! Especially these days
May 17 2015, 8:19 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Our Lady is sent to us so much- we need to take refuge with her
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Ruth (guest): Good relavant story Judy.
May 17 2015, 8:20 PM
Karen P: Vulgar speech and foul companions are definitely not the path to holy living. I know that it is also easier to be pulled into the wrong things than it is to pull those who do the wrong things into better living. Still, I think we need to try to reach out to those who do want to live in a more spiritual way and are seeking. I guess we should perhaps call out to them from under the mantle of Mary and help them come under.
May 17 2015, 8:20 PM
Lisa C: Did the stab wounds of her heart heal when Jesus rose?
May 17 2015, 8:21 PM
Guest2400 (guest): When I meet ladies and gentlemen who are close to Mary I see the Love of Christ in everything they do ! There devotion to Jesus is pure !
May 17 2015, 8:22 PM
Ruth (guest): Brian, I’m not sure what kinds of thorns in the flesh you are thinking of. I fear that mine make it ever-so-much harder to be a good listener — which I think I have been, as psychiatrist. Pain can get in the way of all sorts of things, including attentive listenin.
May 17 2015, 8:22 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I find it interesting that SFdS doesn’t just consider swearing and obscenities as bad speech, but also “scorn and contempt” – meaning gossip!
May 17 2015, 8:22 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Welcome Kellie!
2 PM
Judy K: I can only imagine how beautiful she must be, and how deep her care for us is. She is our mother, given to us by Jesus. Last week, during the homily, the celebrant that on the cross, Jesus gave us the last “thing” that He had — His mother. He really gave away everything, His clothing, the last drop of His blood, and finally His mother.
May 17 2015, 8:23 PM
Karen P: Good point, Sister Mary Roberta. gossip is very damaging to others. And so often people dress it up as caring speech when it is really just talking about another.
May 17 2015, 8:23 PM
Kellie Plettl-consevage Degowske: Hi Sister
May 17 2015, 8:23 PM
Judy K: Hi Kellie!
May 17 2015, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: gossip is a terrible thing, it can destroy the person you are talking about, and yourself
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m always especially impressed by people who only speak positively and uncritically about others.
M
Kellie Plettl-consevage Degowske: Hi Anne
May 17 2015, 8:24 PM
Ruth (guest): Sr. Roberta, even scorn and contempt NOT spoken, “only” in the mind or heart — without gossip — I think, is sinful.
May 17 2015, 8:24 PM
Karen P: Me, too, Sister. I wish I was one of them – and I do try to do so. I just fall short sometimes.
Judy K: There is a woman in the complex here who goes shopping with us each week. And she spends the whole trip talking about her “crazy” neighbors and the terrible things they do. I am getting really tired of this talk and am thinking of speaking to her about it. It makes me wonder what she might be saying about us when we are not around.
May 17 2015, 8:27 PM
Anne M: What’s the topic tonight, sorry for being very late
May 17 2015, 8:27 PM
Karen P: Good point, Brian. When someone can talk about their thinking, it does help them to clarify it.
May 17 2015, 8:27 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: We have a worker like that, who seems only able to see the worst in people.
Judy K: The topic is disciplining our speech and sight.
May 17 2015, 8:28 PM
Amy Cochran: gossip and detraction is just such a hard thing to stop. I have a good friend that sometimes I have a hard time going places with because that’s all is brought up. but there’s always putting on a cd in the car with maybe lighthouse catholic media
May 17 2015, 8:28 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): and following our Blessed Mother’s example in doing this
May 17 2015, 8:28 PM
Ruth (guest): Hello Kellie.
M
Mary Roberta Viano: “Derision and mockery…exceedingly great sins, so that theologians consider it one of the worst offenses of which a person can be guilty against his neighbor by means of words (St. Thomas Aquinas).”
Karen P: One suggestion for helping to curb the gossip that I heard in a prayer study was when someone starts to tell all the bad news or dirt on someone to immediately say “we should pray for them together right now”. It should help to focus the conversation back to something positive and help the talker realize that they are not helping with their talk. But praying for the person will help the whole situation.
May 17 2015, 8:30 PM
Kellie Plettl-consevage Degowske: when your friend starts – try saying that the subject of your friend’s ‘talk’ may need to be prayed for or point out positive qualities in that person
May 17 2015, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: how close is the line between teasing/bantering and mockery?
Guest2400 (guest): Isaiah Chapter 61 the Lord reviews with us what he will accomplish through our faith in Him bind up brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives , opening prison to them that are bound .
May 17 2015, 8:32 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: It’s true that Our Lady is our best model. To be sinless like she was means to speak sinlessly, too – i.e., without guile and with love for the other.
May 17 2015, 8:32 PM
Guest2400 (guest): God purposely puts us with difficult people so that He can help them !
May 17 2015, 8:32 PM
Kellie Plettl-consevage Degowske: the person who speaks the gossip needs prayer for him or her for sure too
Karen P: Guilelessness is not my strong point, but I will pray that God will help me see with more loving eyes. 3 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: and that’s what our newspaper and magazines (the popular ones!) are full of – gossip and slander1
May 17 2015, 8:33 PM
Karen P: Very true, Brian. Challenging, but true!
Amy Cochran: in the new testament, mary doesn’t speak much, she says the magnificat and ‘they have no wine’ but she was always obedient and a quiet witness
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s why our cloistered, silent houses are so helpful: less speech means less sinful speech.
May 17 2015, 8:35 PM
Lisa C: Mary speaks more now in apparitions
May 17 2015, 8:35 PM
Judy K: Next Saturday, we will be celebrating the Feast of Mary Help of Christians at the Marian Shrine. This year is the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s birth so we are pulling out all the stops to make this feast special. We will have Mass at Noon, the relic of Don Bosco available for veneration, confessions, Rosary procession and crowning of the 40 ft statue of Mary on the property. A fire department cherry picker comes on the grounds to lift the crowner up to the level of the statue’s head.
May 17 2015, 8:35 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Yes and I like the way St Jane prayed in that vein: contemplating a picture of the Blessed Virgin. First, she would look at her eyes and then say in her own mind, ‘O beautiful eyes, how pure you are! You never did anything but glorify God. What
May 17 2015, 8:35 PM
Anne M: Yes Amy, she said very little, but reading between the lines she said volumes.
May 17 2015, 8:35 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I’m off to get music and breakfast ready for tomorrow morning. Special prayers for all!
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
Guest2400 (guest): We are in Gods training camp we are helping each other to serve Him better . We are unprofitable servants we are doing what God wants us to do a moment at a time !
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
Karen P: I very much hate to have to sign off, but I am going to have to get ready for school tomorrow and bed tonight. I hope that everyone has a good week full of God’s blessings. I will pray for all of you and I hope you will pray for me as well.
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): How different from mine, by which I’ve so often offended my God! –
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
Anne M: That sounds awesome Judy
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): We can pray this in proxy for another as well and pray for grace for them to change
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
Ruth (guest): I think when people are just passing on hearsay hurting others, that is bad; but when a person has been victim of serious harm from another who is in a position to perpetrate more harm, it MAY be there responsibility to tell someone about the bad deeds of another, OR it may be necessary for the victim to “ventilate” as part of her own healing. That is not gossip.
May 17 2015, 8:36 PM
MSusanMarie (guest): Thank you all for contributing so much! God bless you!
May 17 2015, 8:37 PM
Judy K: Then we are given the blessing of Mary Help of Christians and sent on our way. This year there will also be an evening session primarily for older teens and young adults including adoration, confessions and a candlelit Rosary procession. It should be glorious. I won’t be able to say for the evening. I will be dead tired by that time