Let’s make sure we understand the opening metaphor. How does the musician playing for the prince teach us about our love and devotion to God?
What is the difference between finding pleasure in God and finding pleasure in His love?
What can we do to find our pleasure in God rather than in His love?
Is Saint Francis saying that finding pleasure in God’s love is wrong? What is the point he is making?
What are the dangers of loving the love instead of loving the belovpr 7, 5:21 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi everyone- Not sure I will be here tonight, so just wanted to touch base. Last Sunday evening Ginny was transported home from the hospital with hospice care because her blood pressure was too low for the doctors to continue dialysis. She had her rebirthday into eternity on Weds. at 3:15am. In the midst of everything, a major leak in the kitchen became apparent. George and Ginny’s sons are working on fixing that now, and it is a pretty big project. So, I hope to be here for chat.
Apr 7, 5:24 PM
Carroll (Guest): If not, I will look forward to being with you next week. At all times, in all circumstances, in all we think and say and do, may God be praised!
Apr 7, 7:24 PM
VisitationSiste: WElcome and hello
Apr 7, 7:26 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Hi Sister Susan ! God Bless You ! Brian
Apr 7, 7:26 PM
VisitationSiste: hi Brian
Apr 7, 7:26 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): How was your trip to Washington !
Apr 7, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: great but intense
Apr 7, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: more than significant- important for our future
Apr 7, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: great cherry blossoms
Apr 7, 7:28 PM
VisitationSiste: at their peak
Apr 7, 7:29 PM
VisitationSiste: how is your family
Apr 7, 7:30 PM
VisitationSiste: hi Carroll
Apr 7, 7:31 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi Mother Susan Marie, Brian, and Viewer
Apr 7, 7:33 PM
VisitationSiste: let’s begin with: Let’s make sure we understand the opening metaphor. How does the musician playing for the prince teach us about our love and devotion to God?
Apr 7, 7:34 PM
VisitationSiste: did you like the image of this
Apr 7, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Anne! Welcome!
Apr 7, 7:37 PM
Carroll (Guest): It is a beautiful image…
Apr 7, 7:38 PM
hat. Apr 7, 7:38 PM
VisitationSiste: Sounds
Apr 7, 7:39 PM
VisitationSiste: The image of the musician is selfless- playing without perhaps even being noticd but doing it out of respect for the king or prince
Apr 7, 7:39 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Maria had nice visit to Community College she is High School Junior doing well !!!!
Apr 7, 7:40 PM
Anne Goetze: Happy to be online with you!
Apr 7, 7:40 PM
VisitationSiste: Did you get the newsletter
Apr 7, 7:41 PM
Anne Goetze: no..did not
Apr 7, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: I’ll put you on the list
Apr 7, 7:41 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Hi Anne and Carol ! God Bless You ! Brian
Apr 7, 7:41 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hello Anne- I saw Pray To Love at Ave Maria University, and I want you to know how poignantly your images ministered to me… too much to explain, but thank you for sharing your work!
Apr 7, 7:42 PM
Anne Goetze: That is wonderful to hear Carroll.
Apr 7, 7:42 PM
VisitationSiste: http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1029793&f=1988&s=2046&m=562734&t=44f0d18c19339967b1be43b205c1596fa07d3b2574e5f4560987969cb886fdda here it is
Apr 7, 7:43 PM
Anne Goetze: Ok. I did read about the flute player..the message. Speakes deeply..
Apr 7, 7:44 PM
VisitationSiste: hi RUTH
Apr 7, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: What is the difference between finding pleasure in God and finding pleasure in His love?
Apr 7, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: tOUGH question I think
Apr 7, 7:47 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hi everyone, I’ve just be reading what’s been said so far.
Apr 7, 7:48 PM
Anne Goetze: Pleasure in God feels like the presence, the comfort. His love is a by product, altho the same rewarding effect.
Apr 7, 7:48 PM
Carroll (Guest): As I was reading, I thought of “finding pleasure in His Love” as comparable to consolations in prayer… so, I thought of finding pleasure in God as praying inn fidelity,out of love for Him, as opposed to praying for consolations.
Apr 7, 7:49 PM
Ruth (Guest): Not sure I understand the question. Brian, glad your family is doing well. They, especially your dear wife, have been in my prayers this week.
Apr 7, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: Joy in HIM alone!
Apr 7, 7:50 PM
VisitationSiste: Even if one does not feel Him
Apr 7, 7:50 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Reminds me of the Scripture where the Lord says to the religious guy I never knew you depart from me you who work iniquity ! Soo easy to shift from Loving , Serving , and living in relationship with God to Loving the Religiousness , routine , the music etc without the true loving relatioship with God !!!!
Apr 7, 7:51 PM
Carol Ann: Hi everyone!
Apr 7, 7:51 PM
Ruth (Guest): Carroll, that is pretty much the understanding I came to, also. Like being faithful in prayers (and service) when God FEELS far, far away. St. John of the Cross and St. Theresa of Avila call it the Dark Night of the Soul.
Apr 7, 7:53 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thank You Soo much Ruth and everyone for the Prayers for Janet !!! We are all soo Greatful to God she is doing Better !!!
Apr 7, 7:53 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Carol Anne!
Apr 7, 7:53 PM
Kristi (Guest): Hello, Everyone!
Apr 7, 7:53 PM
Carol Ann: My formation went long today. So much to say
Apr 7, 7:54 PM
Carol Ann: Hi Kristi
Apr 7, 7:54 PM
VisitationSiste: hi KRISTI
Apr 7, 7:54 PM
Ruth (Guest): Wonderful Brian! Hi Carol Ann! Hi Kristi!
Apr 7, 7:54 PM
Kristi (Guest): In the first part, when the prince left and he still played, I thought of him following the prince’s will.
Apr 7, 7:54 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Hi Carol Ann and Kristi ! God Bless You ! Brian
Apr 7, 7:55 PM
Kristi (Guest): Hey, Brian and Carol Ann,and Sister Susan!
Apr 7, 7:56 PM
Anne Goetze: I feel many struggles come thru discerning if it is of God’s will or my own personal interests in searching, as the flute player..
Apr 7, 7:56 PM
Carol Ann: It is a delicate dance between the soul and God
Apr 7, 7:57 PM
Ruth (Guest): Dance. I like that image.
Apr 7, 7:57 PM
Ruth (Guest): Sr. Susan Marie once, talking about the rhythm of life in a monastery, called it “choreography.”
Apr 7, 7:58 PM
VisitationSiste: yes all in sync
Apr 7, 7:58 PM
Ruth (Guest): One needs to be in the right place at the right time, doing what the “choreographer” has planned for the whole to work well.
Apr 7, 7:58 PM
Carol Ann: Whether the metaphor is music or dance, we must go beyond ourselves and make sure our hearts are directed towards Him
Apr 7, 7:59 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, Carol Ann, even when he seems to be absent.
Apr 7, 7:59 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): My friend Bob in the midst of severe Cancer diagnosis has such Faith and Trust in God !!! A lifetime of walking with God has prepared him to walk with God Through this horrific trial ! Please Pray for Bob , his wife Nancy , son Michael , and daughter Daniel !!! I may not even be alive today if it were not for my dear friend Bob !!!
Apr 7, 8:00 PM
Carol Ann: I will keep Them all in my prayers Brian
Apr 7, 8:00 PM
Kristi (Guest): I will pray for them.
Apr 7, 8:00 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thank You Carol Ann !!!
Apr 7, 8:00 PM
Carroll (Guest): Likewise!
Apr 7, 8:01 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thanks Carroll !!!
Apr 7, 8:01 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thanks Kristi !!!
Apr 7, 8:02 PM
Ruth (Guest): Me too, but I think I need to write down the names. So many people with so many needs, and I’ve promised to pray for them all. And am doing a special Novena of St. Michael the Archangel for an Alpha session coming up soon.
Apr 7, 8:02 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thanks Ruth !!!
Apr 7, 8:03 PM
Ruth (Guest): The word “pleasure” in the question makes it a bit confusing for me.
Apr 7, 8:04 PM
VisitationSiste: think about complacency as a possibility
Apr 7, 8:05 PM
Ruth (Guest): Sometimes I pray — praise, thank, adore, petition — not because I experience and pleasure in the prayer but simply because that is the right order of things — creature to Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier.
Apr 7, 8:05 PM
Carol Ann: To mean not looking beyond ourselves?
Apr 7, 8:06 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Lack of true intamacy with God .
Apr 7, 8:06 PM
Ruth (Guest): ANY pleasure, is what I meant to write.
Apr 7, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: prayer is a dance of our souls
Apr 7, 8:09 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Soo Beautiful Sister Susan !!!
Apr 7, 8:09 PM
Carol Ann: Yes, and both require a partner
Apr 7, 8:09 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think I mean, that sometimes it is necessary to go on praying, regularly EVEN when the FEELING of intimacy with
Apr 7, 8:09 PM
Ruth (Guest): God is gone.
Apr 7, 8:10 PM
Carol Ann: I like to remember things that God has done for me and special things, but do I always invite Him into the memory or am I just remembering?
Apr 7, 8:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): It could be just because of fatigue, illness, or HIS withholding for a day or a year or more, the comfort that one once felt through prayer.
Apr 7, 8:11 PM
Carroll (Guest): Perhaps this image would be good to remember in those moments.
Apr 7, 8:12 PM
Ruth (Guest): Remembering the good God has done is so important. The Mass as well as a re-enactment is a remembering.
Apr 7, 8:12 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): It’s a mature relatioship with God that you have Ruth . You do not have to always feel something to know Him to Love Him and to Serve Him !!!
Apr 7, 8:13 PM
Carol Ann: And our own personal journeys as well. To be like Mary and ponder all these things in Our hearts
Apr 7, 8:14 PM
Ruth (Guest): Carol Ann, do you know the song that has the line: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings see what God has done.”
Apr 7, 8:15 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): We are in the midst of a Great Battlefield for Souls !!! We are God’s unprofitable Servants and we will continue to Love , Serve , and Adore Him no matter what !!!
Apr 7, 8:16 PM
Carol Ann: I haven’t Ruth, it sounds like one I would love though
Apr 7, 8:16 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think it is a good ‘ol Protestant hymn. Somehow I vaguely remember my Grandmother singing it. Or maybe hearing it when I went to church with my father — back when the priest thought it was something I should confess And my dad almost never went to even his church.
Apr 7, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: pondering in one’s heart- pondering Jesus in each of us
Apr 7, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: hi Gail
Apr 7, 8:17 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Hi Gail ! God Bless You ! Brian
Apr 7, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: What are the dangers of loving the love instead of loving the beloved
Apr 7, 8:19 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Separation from God !
Apr 7, 8:19 PM
Carol Ann: We don’t lo e an idea, we love a person
Apr 7, 8:20 PM
Kristi (Guest): Isn’t it self seeking?
Apr 7, 8:20 PM
Carroll (Guest): If we are only loving feelings of love, then when they are absent, we might fall into unfaithfulness in prayer- give up- then, feel as though God has abandoned us.
Apr 7, 8:20 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Totally Kristi !!!
Apr 7, 8:21 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Soo True Carrol !!!
Apr 7, 8:22 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thanks Ruth !!!
Apr 7, 8:22 PM
Carroll (Guest): …opens doors for false assumptions instead of having complete confidence in the Love and Mercy of Jesus, no matter how we do or don’t feel in any given moment.
Apr 7, 8:23 PM
Carol Ann: Thanks Ruth! YouTube is a great sources for multiple versions
Apr 7, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes.
Apr 7, 8:24 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): That’s why the Prosperity Gospel is Soo devastating to Souls !!!!
Apr 7, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: explain?
Apr 7, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Good point, Brian.
Apr 7, 8:26 PM
VisitationSiste: God’slove overflowsin abundance- that is true prosperity!
Apr 7, 8:27 PM
Ruth (Guest): Brian will probably comment before I finish, but the Prosperity Gospel basically looks more at the rewards, this side, even financial rewards, of loving God. Kinda like loving the gifts — concrete, material gifts — rather than the giver.
Apr 7, 8:27 PM
Ruth (Guest): Giver. I should write.
Apr 7, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: Just the opposite of what St Francis de Sales is trying to say!
Apr 7, 8:28 PM
Carol Ann: Prosperity gospel is a type of teaching that you will have an abundance of material and career success if you “claim” It in prayer as what children of God should have
Apr 7, 8:28 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): If you preach only Prosperity to people who are beginning to know God you are setting them up to run away from God when times get tough . As Jesus teaches us in Parable if the Sower . They will be excited about following God . Then fall away well difficulties or persecutions come . Not planted on good ground !!!
Apr 7, 8:29 PM
Carol Ann: Amen Brian! It feels like demanding things from God as though He were at our command and not the other way around
Apr 7, 8:29 PM
Carroll (Guest): … the antithesis to selflessness
Apr 7, 8:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): Not sure what you mean, Sister: the opposite of what SFdS is trying to say. What is the opposite?
Apr 7, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Loving God, not His goods
Apr 7, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Prosperity gospel is about materialism, no?
Apr 7, 8:30 PM
Carol Ann: Yes
Apr 7, 8:30 PM
VisitationSiste: Love God for God’s self- not what God does for us
Apr 7, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: Though they do also teach the Word and have people accept Christ as Savior
Apr 7, 8:31 PM
Ruth (Guest): Oh, you mean the “Prosperity Gospel” is the opposite of what SFdS teaches?
Apr 7, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Thank you all for being here and I hope you continue the chat- I need to go. Anne, thanks for joining us and let us know how your work proceeds for the Visitation!
Apr 7, 8:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Ruth
Apr 7, 8:32 PM
Carol Ann: Thank you Sister!
Apr 7, 8:32 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): How could we truly Love and understand others if we did not suffer and Grow closer to God !!!
Apr 7, 8:32 PM
Kristi (Guest): God bless you, Sister, have a lovely night.
Apr 7, 8:33 PM
Kristi (Guest): Good night, All. Brian, I’ll pray for Bob and his family. bye
Apr 7, 8:33 PM
Carol Ann: Good night, Kristi
Apr 7, 8:34 PM
Carroll (Guest): I must say good night, as well. Have a blessed week everyone!
Apr 7, 8:34 PM
Guest3916 (Guest): Thanks Kristi !!! God Bless You All !!! Thanks for all the Prayers !!!! Keep Shining For Jesus !!!!
Apr 7, 8:34 PM
Ruth (Guest): Anne, I’m glad you joined us, but am also curious what work you are doing for the Visitation.
Apr 7, 8:36 PM
Carol Ann: Good night Brian!
Apr 7, 8:38 PM
Ruth (Guest): Sister, I wish you and yours every blessing — material as well as spiritual. He, God, knows the needs of the Monastery, and He knows those of each and all of the sisters, and these “Chat” sisters and brother . . . and He knows the power of Community. May he BE WITH each of you as we approach this holiest week of the Church Year. Good night, and God bless you, all of you, and yours.
Apr 7, 8:39 PM
Carol Ann: Good night Ruth! I miss our chats, we will have to arrange time