1.How does Amna-Josephine’s rescue story parallel our own story of being rescued from sin? see post:
http://visitationspirit.org/2013/02/ahmna-josephinethe-visitation-orders-st-bakhita/
2.What about other forms of bondage — psychological, relationship-based, or that of bad habits? How can we escape from this bondage, or help others escape?
3.How does this story help us to forgive those who have held us in bondage in some way?
4.Amna-Josephine’s parents must have felt great loss over not seeing their daughter any more. What does this teach us about those whom we “lose” in some way?
7:36 PM
Sister : How did you like the posted story about Josephine?
It was a great discovery for me
Rob: It is a wonderful story.
Sister : What amazed me was this underground kidnapping and rescuing- like today’s awful human trafficking
But that one can reach sanctity despite it
Rob: Yes, it is really heart breaking.
Sister : That’s the message people don’t get usually
Rob: Too many people do not realize that with God everything is possible.
Sister : The worst things can happen to us and yet we can become a saint
Rob: So true!
Sister : Which means of course that those who do not experience such trauma can also become holy
Rob: Yes.
Sister : But we all need a little help moving away from our weak points
All of us do. With Lent beginning Wednesday it is one more chance to help us strengthen ourselves.
After all, St Bakhita nor Josephine reached sanctity all alone
It is one thing to witness to believers; another with those dead set against belief
Or those hurt by childhood traumas that last until their senior years
Grace needs to be very operative in these situations and people, very caring
Rob: Yes, it is very difficult even to those who are lapsed in their faith ,it can be difficult
J: yes even as a believer I can see how powerful sin can be..especially sins of the flesh where it seems sometimes even grace can’t penetrate
Sister : Blessed Mother said at Fatima that these sins are the most common. But I believe with help and grace healing can happen.
J: yes what she said was scary…that sins of the flesh send more people to hell than any other
Rob: Yes, She said more people go to Hell for that reason than any other.
Just look at the world today.
Any sin. I remember as a child being told if I was ever tempted to sin say a Hail Mary. It is a practice I have always followed and tried to teach it to my own children.
The concept that God gives us free will to use it or abuse it…it is our choice.
It is just too much for them to understand. It is human nature. We want to be in charge…meanwhile God knows best
J: it wouldn’t be true love if He made us puppets to do good only and choose Him only
Rob: exactly
J: it is such a struggle though..so many forces pulling us away from Him..such a spiritual battle rages on
Sister : Do you have the opportunity to sit before the Blessed Sacrament?
Rob: Yes, the devil wants as many souls as he can garner from God.
Sister : Jesus is the Healer and fights the battles
J: it seems though Sister…the problem I have is getting Him in a position to fight my battles
Sister : If you could make a Lenten resolution to go there more often that could be a real grace and blessing in your struggle