Sun chat on Introduction to Devout Life, 730PM
May 8 2016, 7:24 AM
VisitationSiste: We continue our series with Part I, Chapter 13: “Fourth Meditation – On Judgment” from An Introduction to the Devout Life.
May 8 2016, 6:29 PM
Guest8958 (guest): Hello Mother Susan, this is Dawn. I won’t be in chat today. I pray your Mother is doing alright, that she is comfortable. see you all next week. Dawn
May 8 2016, 7:29 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Natacha. Happy mother’s day!
May 8 2016, 7:32 PM
Natacha (guest): Thanks Carol Ann, Happy mother’s day to you too and to everyone.
Carol Ann: I did. Yesterday I got to celebrate with a family that I have not seen for four years. Today I went with a friend whose children live far away36 PM
Natacha (guest): wouldn’t it be nice if we did May crowing of Our Lady on Mother’s day? M
VisitationSiste: They tie it in with the mothers luncheon
May 8 2016, 7:39 PM
Natacha (guest): oh!!!
Natacha (guest): Mother’s day would be perfect to bring people to recognize Blessed Mother as their Mom
May 8 2016, 7:40 PM
Natacha (guest): I feel a little sluggish tonight. Ate too much for mother’s day!’
May 8 2016, 7:40 PM
Carol Ann: It is. I didn’t even know
May 8 2016, 7:40 PM
Carol Ann: What it was
1 PM
VisitationSiste: Did you find this week’s topic scary?
May 8 2016, 7:42 PM
Carol Ann: Yes!
May 8 2016, 7:42 PM
Natacha (guest): I did not have to read the topic this week, sorry I am not very focused tonight
May 8 2016, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: But timely, nevertheless- and think he wrote that 400 years ago!
May 8 2016, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: When the time comes which God has appointed for the end of this world, and after many terrible signs and warnings, which will overwhelm men with fear,–the whole earth will be destroyed, and nothing then left. –
May 8 2016, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: Afterwards, all men, save those already risen, shall rise from the dead, and at the voice of the Archangel appear in the valley of Jehoshaphat. But alas, with what divers aspects! for some will be glorious and shining, others horrible and ghastly. –
May 8 2016, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: That’s from the Introduction to Devout Life!
:44 PM
Amy Cochran: hello all. that’s a very sobering thought, but that’s what today’s reading from Revelation was about
VisitationSiste: It’s posted on the topic- to the right
6, 7:45 PM
Natacha (guest): I pray to Jesus that on Judgement day He will see only Blood, His Blood when He looks over my life. 46 PM
Amy Cochran: I think now is the time to offer up mortifications and humiliations for ourselves and those whom we love deeply7 PM
VisitationSiste: and keep loving HIM, Our Lady and each otherPM
Natacha (guest): I agree with you Amy.
May 8 2016, 7:48 PM
Amy Cochran: with those fires in Alberta, that’s pretty unnerving. I had a Jewish friend who said when he lived in the city years ago, he would scoff at those carrying those signs about repenting/the end is near, but he said with those fires he wouldn’t scof
May 8 2016, 7:48 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, and continue to move forward in the spiritual life in His grace, trust in His mercy
May 8 2016, 7:48 PM
Amy Cochran: scoff
48 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, and continue to move forward in the spiritual life in His grace, trust in His mercy
Natacha (guest): I think we underestimate the mercy of God and don’t know quiet yet how much we can trust and turn to HIs Mercy
May 8 2016, 7:48 PM
VisitationSiste: Are you close to Alberta where you live?
M
7:50 PM
Natacha (guest): It very intriguing to me that Jesus revealed Divine Mercy to St Faustina right before World War 2PM
VisitationSiste: Yes and souls were no doubt ultimately saved but that did not diminish the earthly horror for so many7:51 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, and that He said the time was short, though we have no idea how long short is
May 8 2016, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: I like that one- “how long short is”!
May 8 2016, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes and Pope Francis emphasizes that very much
May 8 2016, 7:49 PM
Amy Cochran: no, but it’s on the news, and now the fires are threatening another provinc
:54 PM
VisitationSiste: Interiorly though we should stay focused on God’s Love for us and our love for God, and His Mother, thru any horror
May 8 2016, 7:54 PM
Amy Cochran: we are now in the time of His mercy and after
7:55 PM
Carol Ann: Comes the time of judgment
May 8 2016, 7:55 PM
Natacha (guest): We need to let people know more about God’s mercy and His beautiful Heart in the Blessed Sacrament.
May 8 2016, 7:55 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Good to be back Sister ! Every day is such agreat opportunity for us to reach out to others to introduce them to Jesus ! St Stephen ministry was short but He still pointing others to Jesus everyday !
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VisitationSiste: Yes especially as the Feast of the Sacred heart approaches
May 8 2016, 7:56 PM
VisitationSiste: People are looking for love in so many ways but don’t salways know Jesus’ incredible love for them
7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: To evangelize with joy- what a mission that is
May 8 2016, 7:57 PM
Natacha (guest): It is sad to dye of thirst when Divine Water is right before your eyes.
VisitationSiste: We pray for His grace to work on all hearts
May 8 2016, 7:58 PM
Guest5011 (guest): When we walk through the greatest difficulties and sufferings in this life people seem to see Christ the most intensely in our lives ! Lets not faint but stand strong in the Lord !
May 8 2016, 7:59 PM
Natacha (guest): I think the field is ripe, people are hurting in the world and are more open to the message of Christ when it is given with love and compassion
May 8 2016, 7:59 PM
Carol Ann: It is so hard to explain to people what is experienced there–you just have to get them to go so Jesus can reveal Himself to them as He chooses
, 8:00 PM
Natacha (guest): You must truly love them and they must believe you love them even if they never convert, then you will have an opening for Christ. 0 PM
Guest5011 (guest): When we truly Love God and Others Everybody sees God in us !
May 8 2016, 8:01 PM
Natacha (guest): Guess5011 what you said about witnessing in our suffering is very true
016, 8:02 PM
Guest5011 (guest): We must take up our cross and follow Jesus daily souls are counting on our witness ! , 8:03 PM
Natacha (guest): the only way to convert someone is to be converted yourself
May 8 2016, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: Even atheists respond to heartfelt love
3 PM
Natacha (guest): the only way to convert someone is to be converted yourself
May 8 2016, 8:03 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Amen Natacha !
May 8 2016, 8:03 PM
Natacha (guest): true sister. People are very astute and you can not fake love
May 8 2016, 8:03 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Jim!!
May 8 2016, 8:03 PM
Jim I: hello
16, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann: In the world you will have trouble, but take courage because I have conquered the orldPM
VisitationSiste: Staying honest with ourselves and others is a type of “conquering’ or victory
May 8 2016, 8:06 PM
Carol Ann: And knowing that having problems is not a sign of disfavor
Guest5011 (guest): When I am weak then I am Strong ! We are in the Lord Jesus military and we have opportunity to reach out in Love to others all the time ! We have the privilege to Love our Enemies even !
May 8 2016, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Sister!
May 8 2016, 8:07 PM
Natacha (guest): Only Jesus makes suffering have value and since people are suffering they can truly relate to the Healing Lord.
May 8 2016, 8:08 PM
May 8 2016, 8:08 PM
Natacha (guest): We often pray for those we love, but we rarely pray for those who hurt the ones we love
May 8 2016
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May 8 2016, 8:09 PM
Natacha (guest): thank you Sr.
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, it is difficult as we all instinctively cling to life, so I guess the only solution for me is to cling tenaciously to Christ, instead. , 8:13 PM
VisitationSiste: There is a book I read that says to place our soul, unhealthy as we might find it sometimes, plastered , so to speak, directly on the Heart of Christ, in silence, and He heals3 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS advises in a letter of spiritual directionL “We must bid the world a calm and deliberate farewell and withdraw our affections from created things little by little.”
May 8 2016, 8:14 PM
Carol Ann: That is beautiful, a great way to practice prayer of the imagination. He answers those prayers
May 8 2016, 8:14 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: That’s certainly the best source of healing, Mother!
May 8 2016, 8:14 PM
Guest5011 (guest): We can remember Mary holding Jesus when they took Him down from cross ! Then remember the victory of our Lord Jesus’s Resurection !!!
:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Offering Jesus our heart, just as it is, enfolding it in His
May 8 2016, 8:16 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: and Holy Father adds: “My God, shall we not be blessed if we die with the gentle Savior in the midst of our heart?” Or if we put ourselves in the midst of His Sacred Heart.
May 8 2016, 8:17 PM
Guest5011 (guest): When we suffer the most we have soo many Brothers and Sisters in Heaven who have suffered before us too cheer us on to conquer the enemy and bring countless Souls to Christ !
: the reality of suffering can be overwhelming. In the midst of it can be difficult to recognize Jesus. PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I know how unworthy I am to come into God’s nearer presence at death, and I truly tremble at the thought! I hope my loved ones who have gone before will reach out to me then! , 8:19 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Let us all live within Jesus’s Sacred Heart for the rest of our lives and throughout eternity ! 8:19 PM
Natacha (guest): I think that the whole purpose of Mass is to get us used to God, if He is so Gentle now how can He turn around and be the hard judge when we die?
May 8 2016, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: So basically I am gleaning that as if we are in consensus we need to focus on God’s goodness and mercy rather than on the “direness” of the consequences of sin
8:20 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, and trust in His mercy
May 8 2016, 8:20 PM
Natacha (guest): The ‘direness” should help us to turn to God more…
May 8 2016, 8:20 PM
Carol Ann: Because if we don’t, the temptation is to despair
May 8 2016, 8:20 PM
Natacha (guest): exactly Carol Ann.
May 8 2016, 8:21 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I think that’s why the saints went to confession almost daily: They knew their unworthiness and were deeply humbled by it.
2 PM
Natacha (guest): There is someplace in the Psalm where it says, God cleanse me from my unknown faults.
May 8 2016, 8:22 PM
VisitationSiste: yes, daily repentence, which is so emphasized by the Christain East
May 8 2016, 8:22 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Trust in God no matter what is happening around us or to us or others ! It allows us to follow God’s Will and not get distracted by circumstances !
May 8 2016, 8:22 PM
Carol Ann: I think psalm 51
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Natacha (guest): I think I would drive myself crazy if I thought too much about my bad side and my weakness. I feel much more at peace when I just spend time with Eucharistic Jesus.
May 8 2016, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: I pray that often. And sometimes I find out what my unknown faults are…
May 8 2016, 8:23 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Yes, giving ourselves, good and bad, totally over to Him in the Tabernacle, Natacha.
May 8 2016, 8:24 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Lord I Believe ! Help My Unbelief ! This is an action of Faith !
May 8 2016, 8:24 PM
Natacha (guest): He so much more gentle than people tell us. It is amazing when you encounter Him, how gentle and sweet He truly is/
5 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Holy Father said in a sermon: “Think of death without fear or excessive dread. But let us resolve to die, since it is something we must do, and with a peaceful, tranquil heart always keep ourselves in the same state in which we would want to be found at the hour of death.” That’s a real challenge, isn’t it?!
May 8 2016, 8:25 PM
Carol Ann: Yes!
May 8 2016, 8:25 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Amen Natacha ! That is why we have the privilege of going through suffering in this life to help Jesus to save soo many !
26 PM
Natacha (guest): wowwww… it will take a lifetime to get to that level of spirituality Sr. Mary Roberta
May 8 2016, 8:26 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Jesus’s desire is to save everyone !
016, 8:26 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Isn’t that what our mothers told us? Offer it up! 7 PM
Natacha (guest): the worst the sinner, the more gently and kind He is when they turn to HIm
May 8 2016, 8:27 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Amen Natacha !
May 8 2016, 8:27 PM
Natacha (guest): Sometimes when I offer it up, I almost think that I should no longer feel that pain. …. but it remains.
M
Mary Roberta Viano: and it’s hard to keep our focus on our own sins and shortcomings, rather than pointing to someone else’s. That’s one of the best disciplines in religious life!
May 8 2016, 8:28 PM
Carol Ann: In lay life too–the temptation is always there to think we can fix someone
May 8 2016, 8:28 PM
Natacha (guest): That is what is the most amazing about Christianity it is all about you becoming the best human being possible.
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Natacha (guest): That is what is the most amazing about Christianity it is all about you becoming the best human being possible.
May 8 2016, 8:30 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: I like Holy Father’s suggestion (in a letter) that fear of death should be “so mixed with confidence in the goodness of God as by this means to become gentle.”
May 8 2016, 8:30 PM
Guest5011 (guest): Remember that Jesus is carrying the marks of His Cruxifiction for us in Heaven right now and for eternity ! True Love !
May 8 2016, 8:30 PM
Natacha (guest): that is really nice way to put it Sr. Mary Roberta.
0 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: in other words, it should make us humbler and gentler still – a fine result of fear of death, I think!
May 8 2016, 8:31 PM
Natacha (guest): yes,,,lol
May 8 2016, 8:31 PM
Natacha (guest): that has to be the work of the Holy Spirit Sr. Mary Roberta
31 PM
Guest5011 (guest): To be the greatest we must be the servant of all ! Jesus showed us this and is showing us this everyday !
May 8 2016, 8:32 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: yes, and that’s in whom I place my confidence
May 8 2016, 8:32 PM
Natacha (guest): amen. On that note Guest 5011, good night and have a blessed week everyone.
May 8 2016, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: It is so odd to me that deepening the spiritual life should make us gentler with others, but we often end up sounding like parishes when we talk to others
May 8 2016, 8:33 PM
Mary Roberta Viano: Happy Mother’s Day to all and prayers for all this coming week! G’night!