What is the difference of submitting to God as Lord and Master compared to submitting to God out of love? Are the two mutually exclusive? How might they come into play at different times in our spiritual lives? This reflection calls to attention the part of Jesus’ priestly prayer when He says: “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may beli
Aug 16, 1:38 PM
VisitationSiste: the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17:20-21). What does it mean for God to be in us and for us to be in God?
Why does God want our wills to be submitted/surrendered to His? Some naysayers might describe this as self-centered and controlling on God’s part. What do you think?
Aug 16, 1:38 PM
VisitationSiste: Chat Sun Aug 19 at 730pm est
Aug 19, 7:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Judy
Aug 19, 7:24 PM
Judy (Guest): Hi Mother!
Aug 19, 7:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Back to the Treatise!
Aug 19, 7:25 PM
Aug 19, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: Welcome Guest 6911
Aug 19, 7:33 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Hi Judy and Sister Susan ! God Bless You ! Brian
Aug 19, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Brian!
Aug 19, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: and Dawn!
Aug 19, 7:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Mother! and Judy Brian!
Aug 19, 7:34 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Hi Dawn !
Aug 19, 7:35 PM
Judy (Guest): And so to question 1: Submitting to God as Lord and Master would be in the nature of a slave. Submitting to God our of love would be in the nature of friendship or espousal. Our submission to God amy be acts of obedience to Him as sovereign but not out of fear of punishment but our of that reverential love.Submitting to God as Lord and Master might be us at the very beginning of our spiritual lives when we have not yet met His as the gentle loving God that He is, but rather as taskmaster to be obeyed.
Aug 19, 7:35 PM
Judy (Guest): Our knowledge of Him grows as we give ourselves more freely to Him as the love of our lives.
Aug 19, 7:36 PM
Judy (Guest): Hi Dawn and Brian!
Aug 19, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: and in some ways as we address Jesus often as Lord, maybe these approaches are combined- the spousal with the deep respect owed to Him as our creator?
Aug 19, 7:37 PM
Judy (Guest): Yes indeed! The spousal is always combined with that deep respect.
Aug 19, 7:38 PM
Judy (Guest): Even in ordinary life, who would become the spouse of someone they did not respect.
Aug 19, 7:38 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Regent we really have a relationship with God we are growing closer to Him and beginning to respond to what He really wants us to do !
Aug 19, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: I think it is very true to say that in the begiining of our relationship there is more of a distance because we might not have reached that sense of intimacy
Aug 19, 7:39 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Amen !
Aug 19, 7:41 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Sometimes we are actually closer to God at first because we have that childlike Love and admiration that the world later on tries to beat out of us !
Aug 19, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: True!
Aug 19, 7:42 PM
Judy (Guest): Interestingly, it is the desire for intimacy that moves us further into the relationship, even thouge we may not be aware of it.
Aug 19, 7:42 PM
Dawn (Guest): or try to convince us otherwise. The childlike purity to aim for
Aug 19, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: Just as in any relationship we have different movements of closeness and then sometimes distance depending on our dispositions and actions the same is true of our Lord and Spouse
Aug 19, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Ruth
Aug 19, 7:45 PM
Dawn (Guest): this is helpful , yes it is like this. a beautiful movement. but their are time he feels distant I suppose so we can learn not to depend solely on feelings?
Aug 19, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes He is close whether we feel it or not
Aug 19, 7:46 PM
Dawn (Guest): Always there.
Aug 19, 7:46 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth!
Aug 19, 7:46 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): We are in the middle of a war and we have an enemy that will do everything possible to destroy our relationship with God . Thankfully because of our Lord Jesus the enemy can only attack us in the areas we allow him to attack
Aug 19, 7:46 PM
Judy (Guest): Question 2: In Baptism, the life of God, trinitarian love, is infused into our souls, our life principle. His living in us makes it possible to place ourselves in His life, as it were, taking up residence in Him. Entering into a deep relationship with Him, we live a life of reciprocal love and inner union with Him.
Aug 19, 7:46 PM
Dawn (Guest): those areas usually where we are most vunerable
Aug 19, 7:47 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): We must be vigilant and look out for one another in prayer
Aug 19, 7:47 PM
Dawn (Guest): always
Aug 19, 7:48 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Soo True Judy
Aug 19, 7:48 PM
VisitationSiste: I am reading an old book by Fr Plus who talks about the beauty of sanctifying grace and how God lives within us and many people do not pay atttention to His life in us
Aug 19, 7:48 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hello Sister Susan, Dawn, Judy and guest 6911 (Brian?).
Aug 19, 7:48 PM
Judy (Guest): Hi Ruth!
Aug 19, 7:49 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): We are reminded of this every time we make the sign of the cross Judy !
Aug 19, 7:49 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth, I said before but I think it rolled away
Aug 19, 7:49 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Hi Ruth ! God Bless You ! Brian
Aug 19, 7:50 PM
Judy (Guest): It is such a tremendous grace to know that God wants us to live in union with Him. What more could we possibly want!
Aug 19, 7:51 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): That is true Sister Susan !
Aug 19, 7:51 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, 6911, that is why, lately, I’ve been making the sign of the cross more often, not just at the beginning of “formal” prayers or when passing in the car where there is a church or oratory .. .
Aug 19, 7:51 PM
Judy (Guest): And there are those moments when we actually become aware of His stirring within us. He makes us aware of Him and of His love for us.
Aug 19, 7:52 PM
Dawn (Guest): The book you are reading Sr Susan, interesting and yet I can relate on some level. it may take time, and more the Holy Spirit before we reconize him. later refelctions can then bring it to light for us
Aug 19, 7:52 PM
VisitationSiste: He wants us to be in union with Him always
Aug 19, 7:52 PM
Ruth (Guest): And with a group from church, when we eat together in a restaurant, with a little encouragement, we’ve begun to say grace out loud — with starting and ending with the sign of the cross.
Aug 19, 7:53 PM
Dawn (Guest): wonderful Ruth! this use to be more common , now we can be brave. we must be
Aug 19, 7:55 PM
VisitationSiste: Saints often tangibly felt the Trinity within them
Aug 19, 7:55 PM
Dawn (Guest): God desires us
Aug 19, 7:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): I wonder what that means, Sister: to tangibly feel the Trinity within them.
Aug 19, 7:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): Is that like a “stirring of the heart?” Or even the sharp pain of longing for God.
Aug 19, 7:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): ?
Aug 19, 7:56 PM
VisitationSiste: St Elizabeth of the Trinity experienced something like that
Aug 19, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: I never have so I cannot explain it but it is someting to ponder
Aug 19, 7:57 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): We can remember ou Brothers and Sisters throughout the Centuries who literally were killed right after their Baptism . They knew that could happen but they willingly gave up their lives for Christ !!!
Aug 19, 7:58 PM
Ruth (Guest): And it is happening to Christians — and others — around the world TODAY!
Aug 19, 7:58 PM
Judy (Guest): Ruth, I think that you are right. It could be like a stirring of the heart or the pain of longing for God.
Aug 19, 7:58 PM
Ruth (Guest): There were more Christian martyrs in the first ten years of
Aug 19, 7:59 PM
Ruth (Guest): THIS CENTURY than in all of history before that.
Aug 19, 7:59 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Soo True Ruth !!!
Aug 19, 8:00 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): It is important that their stories be told and shared Ruth !!!
Aug 19, 8:00 PM
Ruth (Guest): Our Diocese has set up a relationship with a diocese in Syria. Wow! I think it is even deepening the Faith of our Bishop.
Aug 19, 8:01 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Awesome ! Praise God !
Aug 19, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: Wonderful!
Aug 19, 8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): Im not sure what setting up a relationship means, it sounds wonderful. perhaps more sharing between dioceses
Aug 19, 8:04 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yesterday we celebrated the 45th anniversary of Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer in Ellenburg NY. The Bishop had prepared a ten-page sermon, he said, and junked the whole thing and “ad libbed” after being struck by the Faith expressed in an e-mail (not sure how he managed to get it, since communication has been very difficult and dangerous) from the Bishop in Syria.
Aug 19, 8:04 PM
Judy (Guest): Question 3: God wants our wills to be submitted/surrendered to His not out of desire to control lus, but because within His will is everything that is good and beneficial for us. God does not force us to surrender to Him, but leaves us in the state of free will in which He created us and in that free will to choose to submit to Him because of His goodness and good plans for us.
Aug 19, 8:05 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Judy
Aug 19, 8:05 PM
VisitationSiste: God has granted us the incredible gift of free will and then in freedom and love we choose His Will and unite ours to His
Aug 19, 8:08 PM
Judy (Guest): In this, God shows His respect for us and for our individuality and ability to make the choices necessary for our salvation.
Aug 19, 8:09 PM
VisitationSiste: Our whole lives are to lead to this beautiful surrender- in love
Aug 19, 8:09 PM
Ruth (Guest): And it helps that we have been taught the Catechism from an early age — even if back then we did not understand what the words meant. We KNOW who made us and why, and that helps us to make good choices.
Aug 19, 8:10 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Tonight’s Scripture from John 17 20-21 brought back a special memory from years ago . My oldest daughter went to school with famous football players daughter from our area . He was way away from God at first but gradually God brought people to help him and you could see his faith growing . He got some friends to donate basketball shoes for all the girls on the team . As we were driving home he pulled up next to us and I told Lian to tell him to read these verses . He was bringing team together as one
Aug 19, 8:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): a clear and simple direction Mother!
Aug 19, 8:11 PM
Judy (Guest): If the relationship between husband and wife is a beautiful act of surrender, how much more should our relationship with God be a beautiful act of surrender to Him.
Aug 19, 8:11 PM
Ruth (Guest): And we know that He wants to share everlasting happiness with Him. And that to do so we must KNOW, LOVE and SERVE Him.
Aug 19, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): did you ever see or know how things went following this Brian?
Aug 19, 8:13 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): I have seen this man’s faith grow immeasurable Through great suffering . He is now an inspiration for people throughout the World !!! He just keeps trusting Jesus no matter what !!!
Aug 19, 8:13 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): His name is Jim Kelly a famous quarterback for the Buffalo Bills !
Aug 19, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Does he have a dvd about Divine mercy?
Aug 19, 8:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): great story. encouraging
Aug 19, 8:15 PM
Judy (Guest): I think that St. Ignatius expressed this relationship so well in his prayer: Take Lord, receive. all my liberty. My memory, understanding, my entire will. Give me only Your love and Your grace, that’s enough for me; Your love and grace are enough for me. Take Lord and receive all I have and possess. You have given all to me, Now I return it. Give me only Your love and Your grace that’s enough for me.
Aug 19, 8:18 PM
Judy (Guest): Take Lord, receive. All is Yours now. Dispose of it wholly according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace, that’s enough for me. Your love and Your grace are enough for me.
Aug 19, 8:18 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes I think I’ve seen that DVD on the book/media stand at church.
Aug 19, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: I think our Sr Synthia met him here in Brooklyn and his wife attended our Chapel- if this is the same person
Aug 19, 8:20 PM
Ruth (Guest): Beautiful song and prayer Judy!
Aug 19, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: I can hum that hymn in my head!
Aug 19, 8:23 PM
Jane (Guest): I am so sorry I missed this evening.
Aug 19, 8:23 PM
Jane (Guest): Need to read all the comments
Aug 19, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Jane!
Aug 19, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: I will try to post this all tomorrow
Aug 19, 8:24 PM
Judy (Guest): Let us listen to those stirrings in our hearts that prompt us to submit/surrender ourselves more completely to the Lord.
Aug 19, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): It is interesting that when we surrender to God it MEANS never giving up!
Aug 19, 8:24 PM
Jane (Guest): Hi everyone on the feast day of St John Edues and his dedication to the Sacred Heart and the heart of Mary
Aug 19, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Language!
Aug 19, 8:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hi Jane, welcome. You know you can read the chat late in the week in the archives.
Aug 19, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: and sit in the quiet going within our hearts and souls to find Our Lord and Spouse!
Aug 19, 8:25 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): His wife’s name is Jill Kelly , a woman of great Faith ! I remember her when she was writing very very difficult book about their marriage difficulties and how God healed their marriage . It was an intense battle to get that book done . They helped God to save many marriages by getting the truth out there!!!
Aug 19, 8:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): And come back next week.
Aug 19, 8:25 PM
Judy (Guest): We must remember that He is never outdone in generosity.
Aug 19, 8:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): I ask for prayers from all of you….family will start arriving tomorrow. on friday we will all travel out of town for a wedding on Saturday. this is immediate and also other family. the two little ones will be the prayer warriors with me, but please say a prayers to cover protect and enlighten. Thank you and God bless you all
Aug 19, 8:26 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Jane!
Aug 19, 8:26 PM
Ruth (Guest): Jim Kelly was famous for never giving up as he fought oral cancer.
Aug 19, 8:27 PM
Judy (Guest): Dawn, may the Holy Spirit be present to you and your family enlightening and strengthening all of you.
Aug 19, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: We will pray Dawn!
Aug 19, 8:27 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Many prayers for you Dawn !!!
Aug 19, 8:28 PM
Jane (Guest): God bless you Dawn- safe journey! I too will pray.
Aug 19, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: And for all! Have a blessed week and thank you for sharing!
Aug 19, 8:28 PM
Jane (Guest): Thank you for sharing the prayer for St Ignatious That was beautiful
Aug 19, 8:28 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Yes Ruth !!! He is still battling this Cancer with God !!!
Aug 19, 8:28 PM
Judy (Guest): Peace be with all of you.
Aug 19, 8:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): Dawn, will your son who is in NY be joining you there?
Aug 19, 8:29 PM
Dawn (Guest): Thank you all for your prayers. God bless you all and know I keep you all in my prayers
Aug 19, 8:29 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes
Aug 19, 8:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): All of you will be in my prayers.
Aug 19, 8:29 PM
Dawn (Guest): God bless you and thank you Ruth
Aug 19, 8:29 PM
Jane (Guest): God bless and have a beautiful evening.
Aug 19, 8:30 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): God Bless You All ! Keep
Aug 19, 8:30 PM
Guest6911 (Guest): Keep Shining for Jesus !!! Brian
Aug 19, 8:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): I am truly reminded of St Paul saying…. My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. …
Aug 19, 8:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): Thank you Brian! God bless. goodnight all