Why will perfect union be realized only in heaven? What factors will bring about the perfect union?
What can we do here on earth to augment our happiness in heaven?
Is there a difference between our union with truth here on earth and our union with the Truth in heaven?

Feb 14, 11:28 AM

Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Sun Feb 18 at 730p est

Feb 18, 6:40 PM

Carol Ann: Hi Everyone. It is Carol Ann, I am hoping to be back on chat soon. Volunteering to feed the people who are digging out Montecito. It takes an army to feed an army!

Feb 18, 7:25 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Hi. So delighted to join this group. This is Jane; an alum of VA. Thank you Mother for inviting me to participate in this chat.

Feb 18, 7:25 PM

SrSusan (Guest): ok CarolAnne!

Feb 18, 7:25 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Hi Jane!

Feb 18, 7:25 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Hi Mother

Feb 18, 7:26 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Just had an emergency here; the elevator broke and 4 Sisters had to be carried upstairs by the firemen

Feb 18, 7:26 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): God is with you.

Feb 18, 7:26 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Yes!

Feb 18, 7:27 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Carroll V- hello!

Feb 18, 7:27 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Hi!

Feb 18, 7:28 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Judy might not make it tonight- depends if her computer works

Feb 18, 7:29 PM

SrSusan (Guest): I hope you have had a good beginning of Lent

Feb 18, 7:30 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Hello guest 7522

Feb 18, 7:31 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Hi Sister Susan , Carol V , , and Jane ! God Bless You ! Brian

Feb 18, 7:31 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Hi Brian!

Feb 18, 7:31 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Hi everyone- Sister Susan, Carol and Brian

Feb 18, 7:31 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Hi Dawn Welcome back hope you are better!

Feb 18, 7:32 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Mother, Carol Ann, Brian, Carroll V! Yes I am feeling better, thank you for your prayers!

Feb 18, 7:32 PM

SrSusan (Guest): We have a new participant Dawn, it’s Jane

Feb 18, 7:32 PM

Carroll V (Guest): The reflections on the Visitation Spirit web-site are such a gift... This Lent has started beautifully, and the thoughts here can be like “anchors” to come back to when the business of the world starts to feel a little like the dish running away with the spoon. Thank you.

Feb 18, 7:32 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Hi Dawn ! God Bless You ! Hope your feeling better ! Brian

Feb 18, 7:33 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Thank you- which one was helpful?

Feb 18, 7:33 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Jane! welcome here

Feb 18, 7:33 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Thank you

Feb 18, 7:33 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Tonight we will be talking about union with God and facets of that union

Feb 18, 7:34 PM

SrSusan (Guest): When I first came to the Monastery I was not too familiar with this possibility- I knew about trying to live like Jesus but did not express it as union-

Feb 18, 7:36 PM

SrSusan (Guest): And also the idea of perfection was not well developed- like many people I knew I was not perfect and did not realize the spiritual goal of that too well

Feb 18, 7:36 PM

SrSusan (Guest): But St Francis de Sales is gentle in his approach to all this.

Feb 18, 7:37 PM

SrSusan (Guest): The first topic for tonight is: Why will perfect union be realized only in heaven? What factors will bring about the perfect union?

Feb 18, 7:37 PM

Dawn (Guest): He is gentle

Feb 18, 7:38 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Did you find this topic difficult?

Feb 18, 7:38 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Absence of any impact of sin in Heaven

Feb 18, 7:38 PM

Dawn (Guest): I can imagine what Heaven may be like or read Scripture how Jesus describes, but I really do not think I can know what perfect union will be like!

Feb 18, 7:39 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): I think the perfect union can only be realized in Heaven because only a purified soul is able to be in the company of God and his Kingdon. We can either be sanctified via a cleansing through purgatory or do our work while on Earth to sanctify our spirit as much as may be humanily possible.

Feb 18, 7:40 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): I apologize for typos

Feb 18, 7:40 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Yes I agree- no sin and the remains of “sin” need to be purged because God is so pure

Feb 18, 7:41 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Nothing impure can unite with God so He gets us ready throught the process of purification in purgatory

Feb 18, 7:41 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Hi Ruth!

Feb 18, 7:41 PM

Carroll V (Guest): It is difficult for me to articulate thoughts on this topic... Sometimes, reading the Treatise seems to convey more of a “felt sense” of the meaning than a concrete or academic understanding... so I keep looking for the comcrete nuggets.

Feb 18, 7:42 PM

Carroll V (Guest): concrete

Feb 18, 7:42 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Because of all the images, Carroll V?

Feb 18, 7:42 PM

Dawn (Guest): and if we experience a some of purgatory here on earth this could help us. Here I think of some of the saints who had visions...

Feb 18, 7:43 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Visions of purgatory do you mean?

Feb 18, 7:43 PM

Carroll V (Guest): I don’t think it’s the images... if I figure it out, I’ll let you know.

Feb 18, 7:43 PM

Dawn (Guest): yes, St Teresa of Avila and St Faustina I believe.

Feb 18, 7:44 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): I think we get glimpses of Heaven ! I know when we are in a Kairos Retreat where we may have hundreds of people praying you really feel the Glory of God fall down upon everyone and people just open up in such a special way we really are one with God in these retreats . Men truly forgive deepest hurts ! We share our deepest concerns ! A glimpse of Heaven difficult to describe !

Feb 18, 7:44 PM

SrSusan (Guest): The Treatise is not the easiest work- and in fact in our novitiate we were not guided through all of it but only portions. But now the Oblates made these videos which help to explain it more.

Feb 18, 7:45 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Beautiful experience Brian!

Feb 18, 7:45 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Wow Brian- what grace!

Feb 18, 7:45 PM

Dawn (Guest): Yes, a beautiful experience Brian!

Feb 18, 7:45 PM

Ruth (Guest): Hello Chat Friends. Welcome back Dawn. Hello Jane, welcome! Are you Guest 5205? I wonder why I don’t see your name or guest # on the list to the right.

Feb 18, 7:45 PM

Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth!

Feb 18, 7:46 PM

Ruth (Guest): Are you in the monastery?

Feb 18, 7:46 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): I encourage you if you ever get opportunity to attend Kairos Weekend do it !

Feb 18, 7:47 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Hi Ruth ! God Bless You ! Brian

Feb 18, 7:47 PM

Dawn (Guest): others can also come to Kairos weekend? thats great

Feb 18, 7:47 PM

Ruth (Guest): I found this topic rather difficult too. It sent me to the “printed” (that is, Kindle) version, but not long enough to really get any clarity.

Feb 18, 7:49 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Dawn if you go to Kairos Prison Ministry website you may find group near you

Feb 18, 7:49 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you

Feb 18, 7:49 PM

SrSusan (Guest): As for factors bringing about perfect union, again what was said earlier- that will occur only in eternity, in heaven, but certainly our attempt to unite our will with God’s Will can be a factor, but especially I think God’s sheer gift

Feb 18, 7:49 PM

Ruth (Guest): Yes, Brain; I have experienced something like that at charismatic retreats – mostly in the Black Forest, where I was part of the team, too. You could clearly “feel” and “see” how the Holy Spirit led us as a team – often causing us to abandon “plans” in favor of something that was more important to the people present.

Feb 18, 7:52 PM

SrSusan (Guest): What can we do here on earth to augment our happiness in heaven?

Feb 18, 7:52 PM

Dawn (Guest): It is a grace received from God to unite with Gods will. A daily struggle! it is the little things which I find difficult. ex my interior response to someone and I feel offended....then I think what does God want of me here.

Feb 18, 7:53 PM

Ruth (Guest): But always our human weaknesses and faults get in the way of PERFECT union. Even when we strive wholeheartedly to let His Spirit guide every thought, word, and deed.

Feb 18, 7:53 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Is focusing on how much we desire for our wills to be united with God’s Will the best approach to actually surrendering completely and receiving the graces He gives us?

Feb 18, 7:54 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Good question- maybe not focus on desire but on the doing? Anyone else on this?

Feb 18, 7:54 PM

Carroll V (Guest): I mean, in terms of our attempt to unite our will with His...

Feb 18, 7:54 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Focus on the Being rather than the Becoming while going through life here on Earth

Feb 18, 7:56 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Interesting- the Being meaning God’s Being?

Feb 18, 7:56 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Yes

Feb 18, 7:56 PM

Ruth (Guest): I’m not sure, Carroll V. I catch myself sometimes focusing too much on MY longing; I call it “naval gazing. I think that to lose ourselves in HIM we need to be looking outward a lot of the time, seeing and responding to the needs of others, or of a situation. The Holy Spirit can work in stealth, too!

Feb 18, 7:56 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Being ... Loving ..., maybe Being in truth = loving

Feb 18, 7:57 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Very good reminder Ruth....

Feb 18, 7:57 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): I agree with you Carol V

Feb 18, 7:57 PM

Dawn (Guest): a desire that says yes, but it is the action. even if I do not feel like I really desire it, perhaps my pride getting in the way. thinking...it is not a feeling to be obedient to Gods will rather a decision we make to do so

Feb 18, 7:58 PM

Dawn (Guest): great description Ruth!

Feb 18, 7:59 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Going outward to the Other or another

Feb 18, 7:59 PM

Ruth (Guest): Someone said we are not meant to be human beings but human doings. I feel that way; but I’m not so sure it would go along with a contemplative spirit; and those active communities whose active “missions” sometimes run ahead of the leadings of the Spirit of God, can get off track.

Feb 18, 8:00 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Be still and know that I am God is often a reflection used in silent retreats

Feb 18, 8:04 PM

SrSusan (Guest): How about this question: Is there a difference between our union with truth here on earth and our union with the Truth in heaven?

Feb 18, 8:04 PM

Dawn (Guest): are we near reflection 3....Is there a difference between our union with truth here on earth and our union with the Truth in heaven?

Feb 18, 8:04 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Truth is up for grabs in our secular world these days

Feb 18, 8:05 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Yes Dawn

Feb 18, 8:06 PM

SrSusan (Guest): This is a real issue for today- just defining truth

Feb 18, 8:06 PM

Carroll V (Guest): As a convert to the Catholic Church, one of my greatest challenges has been discerning what is true,...

Feb 18, 8:06 PM

Ruth (Guest): May I offer this prayer from Friday’s Evening Prayer?: Lord, may everything we do begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance.

Feb 18, 8:06 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): I believe union with God is being totally available to Him . The unprofitable Servant ! Doing whatever He needs us to do !

Feb 18, 8:08 PM

Dawn (Guest): it is difficult to live among others who believe in their own personal right and wrong, like it is relative to what they decide, not God

Feb 18, 8:08 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Amen Ruth !

Feb 18, 8:08 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): God is true; purity!

Feb 18, 8:08 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you Ruth! keeping

Feb 18, 8:09 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): We must not get distracted by others but ask God what He wants us to do . God will always confirm what He wants us to do !

Feb 18, 8:10 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Love the Friday evening prayer you shared Ruth. Thank you

Feb 18, 8:10 PM

Ruth (Guest): I feel like I found my way to the Catholic Church – although I was baptised as a child – through ardently seeking THE TRUTH. But it was He who gave me that desire, that NEED, and the perseverance – in a largely hostile environment – to do the seeking.

Feb 18, 8:12 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): It was with the assistance of many people from various Christian denominations that led me to Jesus and then later back to the Catholic Church ! The Body of Christ helped me !

Feb 18, 8:12 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Yes, Brian- He will always confirm, in His perfect timing... I am learning about perseverance in faith versus stubbornness in my own will.

Feb 18, 8:13 PM

Ruth (Guest): Yes, we are living in an age of relativism. Dangerous! (that is, to souls) Natural law and God’s law do not change just for the convenience of us stubborn and sometimes lazy humans.

Feb 18, 8:14 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Me too Carol V !

Feb 18, 8:14 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): I agree; relativism is VERY dangerous

Feb 18, 8:16 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you Brian!

Feb 18, 8:16 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Beautiful Scripture today how God sealed his covenant with Rainbow !

Feb 18, 8:16 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Jesus is the Way the TRUTH and the Life

Feb 18, 8:16 PM

Dawn (Guest): Amen.

Feb 18, 8:16 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Amen Sister !

Feb 18, 8:16 PM

Ruth (Guest): I am so grateful to a few public school teachers and a librarian who helped to steer me in the right direction – usually through good books, and to a 4-H Club leader whose example as a daily Communicant “rubbed off” on me. She was always so loving, even when it seemed she was being pedantic, e.g. about keeping records of our activities and accomplishments.

Feb 18, 8:19 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Even if we try to understand truth on earth I think its fullness will be realized only in heaven in eternity-

Feb 18, 8:19 PM

Ruth (Guest): I think Mrs. Frances Schroeder probably did not have to take a “detour” in purgatory. She even became a friend to my mother, which made my life at home a bit easier. She died suddenly and unexpectedly at home – probably a heart attack.

Feb 18, 8:20 PM

Carroll V (Guest): ... sounds like the Communion of Saints in action, Ruth!

Feb 18, 8:22 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): My 2nd grade teacher Sister Richard was a Bright Light for Jesus to me ! Forever grateful for her Love for God and the way she Loved Me in midst of great difficulty !

Feb 18, 8:23 PM

Ruth (Guest): I think of St. Theresa saying “I’ll spend my Heaven doing good on Earth. How could the Church Victorious give glory entirely to God without doing everything in it’s power to help us here on the “battle field” of life?

Feb 18, 8:24 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Yes! The heavenly warriors!

Feb 18, 8:25 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): What are the heavenly warriors? I think I know but do not want to presume and be incorrect

Feb 18, 8:25 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Is it like Archangel Michael

Feb 18, 8:25 PM

Ruth (Guest): Yes! The Communion of the Saints! And when we feel we are alone, it is good to remember that we are, indeed, in Communion with all those who are struggling to follow the Way, the Truth, to Life, and those who have won for themselves the Prize of Perfect Union with God in Heaven.

Feb 18, 8:25 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Soo many opportunities everyday for us to work and pray together to assist God whose desire is to save everyone !!!

Feb 18, 8:27 PM

Ruth (Guest): Sometimes [tears now!] I’ve been blessed with a sense of that PRESENCE of the Holy Ones praying WITH me. I am soooooo grateful.

Feb 18, 8:28 PM

Dawn (Guest): thank you for sharing, Ruth

Feb 18, 8:29 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Amen Ruth ! You are truly a General in the Lords Army !!!

Feb 18, 8:29 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Surrounded by Truth and Love

Feb 18, 8:30 PM

Dawn (Guest): ruth, this is like the glimpse of heaven spoken of eariler!

Feb 18, 8:31 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Yes!

Feb 18, 8:31 PM

Dawn (Guest): and with it, the gift of tears

Feb 18, 8:32 PM

SrSusan (Guest): May this be a sign of the grace for each of us in this First Week of Lent! Blessings everyone!

Feb 18, 8:32 PM

SrSusan (Guest): Thank you for being here and sharing!

Feb 18, 8:32 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): God bless!

Feb 18, 8:32 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): Daily Mass has really helped too renew my strength !!! I am soo greatful too God for the opportunity to attend Daily Mass !

Feb 18, 8:32 PM

Ruth (Guest): Yes, and how good it is, Brian, to remind ourselves that God desires the salvation of everyone. That helps us to pray for the people who have “done us dirty” and who, natural inclination, would make us wish less than He wishes for them – probably lead us to sin, were it not for recognizing the price Christ paid for Our Salvation, and that the “Good Thief” by humbly admitting his sins was to be one of the first taken up heaven when Jesus rose from the dead: This day, you will be with me in Paradise!

Feb 18, 8:32 PM

Dawn (Guest): Thank you Mother, and everyone here. truly a blessing.

Feb 18, 8:33 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Yes, daily Mass is truly wondrous.

Feb 18, 8:34 PM

Dawn (Guest): for anyone the opportunity to attend daily Mass...you are so blessed!

Feb 18, 8:34 PM

Guest5205 (Guest): Good night everyone.

Feb 18, 8:34 PM

Guest7522 (Guest): God Bless You All ! Keep Shining for our Lord Jesus !!! Brian

Feb 18, 8:34 PM

Carroll V (Guest): Yes, yes, yes,... and, this group is a blessing. Good night all!

Feb 18, 8:34 PM

Dawn (Guest): good night everyone. God bless you

Feb 18, 8:35 PM

Ruth (Guest): Good night. Continue in your Lenten practices. This helps us, truly, to turn away from sin and believe the Good News!