What’s up with this tension between Spirit and flesh? If our physical makeup is essential to our being, why it does it seem so often to be relegated to something negative? Related, is there a distinction between “flesh” and simply our physical nature? What’s the risk with loving someone based on something kind or gracious they did for you? Often we simply accept our temperament as an inherent character trait, but what can we say about St. Francis suggesting that we should try to “overcome these these natural passions”? Does this cause you to look at temperament differently?
To put it another way, St. Francis says he was by nature “shy, nervous and as timid as a mole.” How does overcoming faults lead us to holiness?
What’s the difference between willed thoughts and unwilled thoughts? How can we recognize one from the other?
May 8, 10:31 AM
VisitationSiste: Sun chat May 9 730pm est
May 8, 10:31 AM
VisitationSiste: Newsletter for chat
May 8, 10:32 AM
Elena (Guest): Sister, I am reading Behold This Heart by Fr. Thomas Dailey. It is a true companion in meditation on the Sacred Heart.
May 9, 7:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Fantastic! Yes I also read it and some of our Sisters are readingit too.
May 9, 7:23 PM
VisitationSiste: Excellent bookPM
Elena (Guest): I bought it for a friend of mine, another teacher at my school.
May 9, 7:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Great! The more who become familiar with it the better- the meditations are wonderful too
7:25 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, I find the meditations very helpful. M
VisitationSiste: I am thinking of using them for retreat or at least during our Sacred heart novena June 3-11
May 9, 7:25 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Betty!
So I will re post the first question
May 9, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: What’s up with this tension between Spirit and flesh? If our physical makeup is essential to our being, why it does it seem so often to be relegated to something negative
May 9, 7:27 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Where is sr Jennifer koo?
May 9, 7:27 PM
VisitationSiste: In the Monastery someplace
M
Bettychao (Guest): My mom buy me a book name call jesus is call me by Sarah young. Bettychao
May 9, 7:28 PM
Elena (Guest): I think “flesh” doesn’t refer to our bodies as creations of God, but rather to the temptations to indulge our appetites, whatever they may be.
VisitationSiste: the world, the flesh and the devil is a commonplace one might say, of temptations but yes it is not our physical being per se that is the problem but what attracts it away from God :31 PM
Simone (Guest): our “flesh” stands in opposition to the Spirit..as a consequence of the fall. Concupiscience has entered our world.. and our lower faculties are now ruled by desires that are often contrair to the Spirit of God, since we are constantly try to please our “ow desire” and “God Comfort”.. and not the God we are serving. Sorry, if that is not very well put
May 9, 7:31 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Jesus say I am alpha and omega I am the beginning and the end the first and last revelation 22:13 for sr Susan from betty
May 9, 7:31 PM
Carol (Guest): Heloo!
May 9, 7:31 PM
Elena (Guest): It’s interesteing, we say “the flesh” yet it really is our minds (hearts and wills) that gets us into trouble.
PM
Elena (Guest): It’s interesteing, we say “the flesh” yet it really is our minds (hearts and wills) that gets us into trouble.
May 9, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Carol!
May 9, 7:32 PM
Elena (Guest): I get what you’re saying, Simone. The desires can be disordered.
May 9, 7:32 PM
Carol (Guest): So true Elena
May 9, 7:32 PM
VisitationSiste: yes Betty, Jesus is all and everything in between
May 9, 7:32 PM
Simone (Guest): yes Elena.. but lived out ” in our flesh” through our body
May 9, 7:32 PM
Elena (Guest): Hi, Carol!
PM
Carol (Guest): Happy Mother’s Day!
May 9, 7:33 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, the body itself doesn’t cause us to sin. It’s attachment to pleasures or avoidance of pain that does. that’s of the mind, but yes expressed through the body.
May 9, 7:33 PM
Simone (Guest): that’s how I see it too Elena
May 9, 7:34 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, I think we’re saying the same thing.
Victoria (Guest): Hi everyone! So great to be here! I graduated from Georgetown Visitation in 2019. Happy to be here. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 9, 7:36 PM
Elena (Guest): Hello Ruth and Victoria and Dawn.
May 9, 7:36 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Jesus say if you do good I will accept you sin want you .but you must rule over it . Genesis4:7
May 9, 7:36 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Victoria!
May 9, 7:36 PM
VisitationSiste: Great to meet you Victoria!
6 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hello everyone, and happy Mother’s Day to all of you who are moms or LIKE mother’s to others. 8 PM
Simone (Guest): WOW.. we have a great full house tonight! love it
May 9, 7:38 PM
Carol (Guest): Our physical nature is what God created as holy. Our flesh is our free will which is a tricky little thing
May 9, 7:38 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Today mom and me we go to online mass because I can’t go to church for mass because mom got headache today in the morning. Bettychao but don’t worry I did join mass online everyday with my rosary with bible reading
Carol (Guest): Hi Sr Sylvie-Marie
May 9, 7:39 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Sr. Sylvie-Marie! Are you in the same monastery as Sr. Susan?
39 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Hi sr Sylvie Marie how are you? From bettychao to sister Sylvia Marie.
May 9, 7:40 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Hi Victoria! So good to see you’ve joined.
0 PM
VisitationSiste: I like the distinction you make, Carol ; can you develop it any more? 9, 7:41 PM
Victoria (Guest): @Sr Sylvie Marie nice to see you too! 2 PM
Carol (Guest): God created us in His own image and likeness to be holy. He also gave us free will so that we could choose to love Him back. But that free will can trick us into thinking what is wrong is right PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Sylvie how are you ? Nice to chat with you
May 9, 7:43 PM
Elena (Guest): I think it’s the temptation and how the enemy whispers that tricks us. And then if bad habit (vice) forms, our will becomes very weak to choose the good.
May 9, 7:43 PM
Carol (Guest): In the innocence of the Garden, flesh was also innocent. But then the serpent showed up and messed it up
PM
Simone (Guest): well.. in all fairness.. we humans messed it up.. although following the evil invitation of the serpent of course5 PM
Elena (Guest): I think about the saints who “took the discipline” or threw themselves into thorn bushes to tame the passions threatening to get out of control. And then I feel like a 98-pound weakling that i can’t resist the 2nd piece of candy.
May 9, 7:45 PM
Carol (Guest): You are right if course Simone
PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): My daily battle is always my flesh and what it desires. :46 PM
Simone (Guest): wait what? the saints threw themselves into thorn bushes?
May 9, 7:46 PM
Elena (Guest): I think it was St. Francis?
May 9, 7:46 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): I just have to look at something, like food, and didn’t even know I wanted it until I saw it. Temptation is all around me.
May 9, 7:46 PM
Elena (Guest): haha Sr Sylvie Marie — yup!
PM
Carol (Guest): The temptation to gluttony is so strong. So much food around us all the time
May 9, 7:47 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Yes I think it was St. Francis of Assisi
:47 PM
Elena (Guest): Yes, thank you for clarifying Sr. Sylvie Marie. :47 PM
Bettychao (Guest): The lord is will covered you with feather. He will shelter you with his wings .his faithful promise are you armor and protection. Psalm 91:4 bettychao to sr Susan and sr Sylvie marie
May 9, 7:47 PM
Carol (Guest): It sure sounds like him. But wasn’t self-scourging a common Monastic practice ?
PM
Elena (Guest): Carol — yes I think it was, for both men and women.
May 9, 7:48 PM
Simone (Guest): Maybe I should dis- mantel the roses of the Mother’s Day bouquet.. and during the week – when I want to give in – to gluttony.. I dive into the thorns of the stems.
11 online
Simone (Guest): but in all fairness.. gluttony has a big impact on our spiritual journey.. Do not want to down play that .. not at all
May 9, 7:48 PM
Elena (Guest): Simone haha
9 PM
Carol (Guest): It does because food does not fill the hole where only God can be
May 9, 7:49 PM
Elena (Guest): I imagine gluttony is like a “gateway vice.” It’s so easy to fall into and the will and self-discipline get eroded.
9, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): yes. ay 9, 7:50 PM
Simone (Guest): I have given into gluttony for many years. ( and it shows )… just last November God gave me victory over it. And my spiritual life has changed a lot in this process too.
May 9, 7:50 PM
VisitationSiste: We try to fill God’s place with lots of things. In fact, God does not just want a place in us. He wants all of us
:50 PM
Elena (Guest): Congratulations! I am fighting this battle now (and lost today… hello KitKat dark chocolate).
May 9, 7:50 PM
Dawn (Guest): I have to leave suddenly, hoping to read this chat later! God bless you all.
May 9, 7:50 PM
Elena (Guest): He wants all of us!! I LOVE that about Him!!
May 9, 7:51 PM
Carol (Guest): God bless you Dawn!
May 9, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: Bye Dawn and see you next week!
May 9, 7:51 PM
Elena (Guest): Take care, Dawn!
May 9, 7:51 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes.. and I noticed that .. as soon as I was sort of free of “gluttony of food” the enemy suggested over indulging into spiritual reading.. Gluttony can be everywhere
May 9, 7:51 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I am the vine you are branches . If man remains in me and I in him. He will bear fruit ; if you apart from me you can’t do anything. John 15:5. Bettychao
PM
Bettychao (Guest): I am the vine you are branches . If man remains in me and I in him. He will bear fruit ; if you apart from me you can’t do anything. John 15:5. Bettychao
May 9, 7:51 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Amen! So many times in my life I placed people in God’s place.
May 9, 7:51 PM
Ruth (Guest): Same Ruth; I just managed to switch from iPad to computer, and it did not let me type until I signed in again. “Me”
May 9, 7:51 PM
Carol (Guest): Discernment is a constant tight rope
May 9, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: Ye s Betty we need to stay attached to HIM PM
VisitationSiste: question: What’s the risk with loving someone based on something kind or gracious they did for you?
May 9, 7:52 PM
Elena (Guest): Another sort of struggle against the flesh for me is being tired. I tend to get lazy.
May 9, 7:52 PM
Simone (Guest): yes. a very tight rope.. and not many of us are taught tight rope walking I find. Would love more teaching on that in our churches
3 PM
Ruth (Guest): I wonder why not all saints were normal-build or thin. St. Thomas Aquinas, e.g., pleased God very, very much, but is typically depicted as very much overweight.
May 9, 7:53 PM Elena (Guest): Loving someone for what that individual does for me, not who he/she is.
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan when I tell fr Charles mcgglin I tell him I love to studied book about those saints that mom buy for me fr charles tell me
May 9, 7:53 PM
Elena (Guest): THat’s a form of using someone, in a way.
May 9, 7:54 PM
VisitationSiste: What did he say Betty?
May 9, 7:54 PM
Simone (Guest): Lazy is a loaded word I find
ay 9, 7:55 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Learn from those saints by closed to Jesus. Learn from their action by work for Jesus that is what I say to you.
May 9, 7:55 PM
Simone (Guest): Resting can be very holy.. much holier than compulsive business – but when do we allow ourselves to rest?
May 9, 7:56 PM
Simone (Guest): spiritual sloth is something to look at closer I find.. but most people do not complain about that
May 9, 7:56 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): The risk I find is that we are clinging onto the good of the person only we are setting ourselves up for disappointments. No human being can make us completely happy. Only God.
May 9, 7:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): Elena, FATIGUE, CAN be a sign of a medical problem. I am constantly wondering whether I’ve just become lazy or am truly TIRED; but life-long I was never lazy until the cancer and chemo . . . It’s just that it is now some four months since the chemo ended and sometimes I think I’m lazier than at the peek of it.
May 9, 7:56 PM
Carol (Guest): No, there is a pervasive current that says I am a hood person so I don’t need work
May 9, 7:56 PM
Elena (Guest): Whenever I rest, I end up seriously behind, and the rest of the week is painful as I struggle to catch up. I “Pay” for taking the weekend off lol. Oh well.
7 PM
Carol (Guest): Ruth, you are still recovering
May 9, 7:57 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan what I say is learn from those holy saints that will guide you getting more closed to Jesus . Bettychao for sr susan
May 9, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: I agree completely Betty
May 9, 7:57 PM
Elena (Guest): Sr. Sylvie Marie — that is very true. Setting expectations that someone else will fill the gap/be the saviour. Very dangerous for us and totally unfair to the other person.
Simone (Guest): Elena, I will pray for you. It sounds very exhausting for me. You should not feel punished for resting
8 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Yes Elena. I like what you said about it being unfair to the other person as well.
May 9, 7:59 PM
Simone (Guest): I wonder if women do know, what the right approach to work and rest is now adays.
May 9, 7:59 PM
Elena (Guest): Ruth — undergoing that kind of treatment and dealing with cancer is going to take time for recovery, I’m sure, and not a straight upward climb. I know what my brother went through, and it was painful to see him so drained and exhausted.
May 9, 7:59 PM
Victoria (Guest): What is your all’s favorite bible passages? Mine is Isaiah 42
May 9, 7:59 PM
Carol (Guest): I don’t think so Simone
M
Victoria (Guest): What is your all’s favorite bible passages? Mine is Isaiah 42
May 9, 7:59 PM
Carol (Guest): I don’t think so Simone
May 9, 7:59 PM
Carol (Guest): Isaiah 55:11-12
May 9, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: I like the Scripture about Jesus sleeping in the boat, when the waves start to kick up and all are afraid but He sleeps!
May 9, 8:00 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Dear sr Sylvie Marie I have two catholic Benedictine nuns they are my closed friend they live in Spain. For sr Sylvie Marie by bettychao
May 9, 8:00 PM
Ruth (Guest): God gives to his own in their sleep.
00 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Victoria, why is that your favorite passage?
May 9, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: of course they wake Jesus up!
2 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Sylvie I did chat with you in this is the first time to know you.
May 9, 8:02 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Bettychao – Holy friendships are good to have! They help us in stay away from temptation or at lead us to the right paths. We have to support one another and always point to Jesus!
May 9, 8:03 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Mother Susan: I like that Jesus is always reminding us not to be afraid. It’s so comforting!
Simone (Guest): recently my favourite passage is ” put me like a Seal on your heart”
May 9, 8:03 PM
Victoria (Guest): Thanks for asking! It’s my favorite because it describes all that Jesus does for the most poor and oppressed. He will bring justice to the nations (v. 1), He will not grow weak or discouraged until all justice is done (v. 3-4). He’s going to heal the blind, bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness (v. 6-8).
May 9, 8:04 PM
Victoria (Guest): The Lord won’t ever forget the most vulnerable and far from society. It’s the most humbling and beautiful thing.
May 9, 8:04 PM
Simone (Guest): you are right Victoria. It is a beautiful passage of Jesus our Redeeme
8:05 PM
Simone (Guest): we can get a vision what the world can look like when ‘they kingdom comes” 5 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Victoria, He won’t forget the poor…those with a broken heart either.
May 9, 8:05 PM
Ruth (Guest): You are right Carol and Elena; the oncologist said it takes 6 months to a year and a half to recover from the chemo”therapy” and that we do not even talk about possibility of a “cure” of this form of lymphoma. Still, in some ways, it seems to me, it was easier when it was clear-cut . . new Q: Often we simply accept our temperament as an inherent character trait, but what can we say about St. Francis suggesting that we should try to “overcome these these natural passions”? Does this cause you to look at temperament differently?
May 9, 8:06 PM
Elena (Guest): Ruth, the Lord has got you in His loving arms. He’s with you through all of this. Keep resting in Him.
May 9, 8:07 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you Victoria. Yes, we know the Suffering Servant is Jesus . . .
7 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Sylvie before I move to Los Angeles I am a alter girl to work in cure of ars Catholic Church in Kansas my pastor is fr Charles mcgglin and he love to write tha prayer book to Jesus. Long time ago I use to write a prayer books to Jesus about 100 tall of books to pray to Jesus. I have a book name call faith and freedom is written by a Benedictine nun Teresa forcades I use to contact her from America to Spain and she talk to me her testimonies about her and God. Bettychao to sr Susan and sr Sylvie Marie.
May 9, 8:07 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Ruth.. I remember the enormous weakness over months – when my husband went through chemo because of Lymphoma. Do not expect too much too early. We can be perfectly holy in weakness too. Your vocation is not in jeopardy with physical tiredness. Do not fight it too much please.
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Ruth, I will keep you in my prayers. Try and think of your tiredness as a way of God asking you to take it easy. Go slower. Think of Him more. Stop and smell the roses. Remember, when we are weak, we are stronger because of Him who lives in us!
8 PM
Carol (Guest): Well, temperament can be neutral. Like if we are introverted. But being introverted dies not mean that we can be silent when we should speak M
Elena (Guest): Temperment… hmmm… there are some aspects I’ve been able to overcome with God’s grace through the years, thanks be to God. But there are other aspects that try as I might are stubborn and will NOT be transformed. Then I tend to beat myself up because (to quote Ronald Reagan) “There you go again!” *sigh*
09 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Sylvia I got a liver sick and some liver disease please put me in you prayer sr sylvie . Bettychao
May 9, 8:09 PM
Elena (Guest): Ruth — What Simone and Sr. Sylvie Marie said!
May 9, 8:10 PM
Carol (Guest): I feel the same Elena. Maybe that is the thorn St Paul spoke of
May 9, 8:10 PM
VisitationSiste: St. Francis says he was by nature “shy, nervous and as timid as a mole.” But look at all he was able to do with God’s grace.
May 9, 8:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you Elena. I keep working, a LITTLE at a time, at trying to make my home a place where a caregiver COULD function, happily if/when I need one. A space of her own (my former medical practice/apartment), clean water, get a washer/drier etc.
PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. this whole subject on temperament.. makes me sometimes so agitated. There are so many tests out right now.. and people.. lovely Christian / Catholic people see a tested temperament as an invitation to not seek GOD in every situation. PM
Elena (Guest): Simone — do you mean those personality things like Myers-Briggs and Aneagram or however it’s spelled.
May 9, 8:11 PM
VisitationSiste: St Francis would not take that approach I don’t think
May 9, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): I am 99,9% extrovert.. and guess what? God invited me to live a “hidden life”.
May 9, 8:11 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Elena, I find the “there you go again” as a way of helping keeping me humble and not thinking “I’ve arrived!” And clinging to HIM all the more! I’m constantly asking HIM to help me.
PM
Elena (Guest): I’m an introvert, teaching middle school children. (Dude…just…wow.)
Simone (Guest): I think it is good to know your natural “built” temperament wise.. we can interpret inner movements better. But we should never justify our actions with it I find
May 9, 8:12 PM
Victoria (Guest): To respond to the VisitationSisters question, I think that temperament can be changed. Fun fact: my confirmation saint is St. Francis de Sales! He did a lot through writing, which portrayed his manner of speaking and such. He was very eloquent; I definitely need his prayers to help me write my final papers, LOL. I think that God beautifully used Francis de Sales’s humility through writing as a way to complement his shy temperament.
May 9, 8:12 PM
Carol (Guest): I don’t think we will stop saying, what again! Until we are called home
M
Carol (Guest): I am an introvert too. And I have ajob where I talk to people all day long
May 9, 8:13 PM
Elena (Guest): Sr. Sylvie Marie and Carol — yes to both of your comments. It is humbling, but I can hear my mother scolding me in the back of my head because I’ve lost my temper (again).
May 9, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): Elena, Yes both of these tests are very high circulating. The Enneagram is right now the TOP test amongst Christians
May 9, 8:14 PM
VisitationSiste: You have a great Confirmation saint Victoria and I never thought of his writing as being a way out of his introversion. Thank you for this thought!
8:15 PM
Carol (Guest): I prefer to write because I can practice what I want to say. Instead of thinking did I really just say that
May 9, 8:15 PM
Elena (Guest): Is there a patron saint for losing one’s temper? It only happens regarding myself, never anyone else. Often related to computer/technical issues. Hrrrmmm
May 9, 8:15 PM
Simone (Guest): I think – our GOD can use everything. Absolutely everything.
May 9, 8:15 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Sylvie Marie I think I did tell you my liver is very sick and my mom vivian Chao her leg bone is sick too please pray for us and please pray for mom vivian my mom. She is 30 years catholic and she work for the Catholic Church in all her life please pray for me and her. I will pray for you and sr Susan.
May 9, 8:15 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Victoria – Ditto to what “VisitationSiste” said!!!
May 9, 8:15 PM
Elena (Guest): Carol — YES!! This is true for me as well with writing vs. extemporaneous speech/convo
PM
Simone (Guest): oh Elena.. I hear you loud and clearly. My spiritual director once said to me ” I never understood road rage – but I understand tech-rage”
Carol (Guest): I think some one told me Padre Pio helps with ange :17 PM
Anna-Marie (Guest): Good Evening, trouble signing in…
May 9, 8:17 PM
Ruth (Guest): Interesting how each of you, Simone and Elena, have been “called” to function in a way different from your temperaments.
May 9, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): If I remember correctly.. actually St. Francis de Sales wrote about himself that he had trouble with his temper
May 9, 8:17 PM
Elena (Guest): I have a third class relic of Padre Pio. My father was very devoted to him. He kind of scares me a little lol, but I am fascinated by him.
May 9, 8:17 PM
Elena (Guest): Simone — yes I thought I remembered that as well about St. FdS but I wasn’t sure if I recalled correctly.
May 9, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes Ruth.. I thought the same- when I read about Elena’s comment of her being an introvert
May 9, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: Also St Francis de Sales- there is a story told that he learned to control his temper so well and he would not lose in 15 min what it took his life to achieve but when he died it is claimed they found some kind of stones within him that is said was a result of holding his temper Anyone else ever hear that story?
May 9, 8:18 PM
Ruth (Guest): I remember a woman on a retreat team I used to be on in the Black Forest: she was super shy, introverted, and God made her into a powerful witness, great speaker — before about a hundred people.
May 9, 8:18 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): BettyChao, you most certainly have my prayers. And your mom. Thank you so much for sharing that. It’s such a privilege and honor to be able to pray for others.
May 9, 8:18 PM
Elena (Guest): It’s a suffering to be sure, like a round peg in a square hole, my battery drained to -1000000 every day. But it’s what the Lord is asking, so I am doing my best. He keeps me closer this way.
May 9, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Anna Maria
May 9, 8:19 PM
Elena (Guest): VisitationSister — wow! Have not heard about the stones. Yikes.
Anna-Marie (Guest): Can ego (pride) get in the way of practice of virtue? Temperament, good to have self awareness and to know what inclinations interfere with living virtues?
May 9, 8:20 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Anna Marie
1 PM
Simone (Guest): Can you give an example Anna-Marie?
May 9, 8:21 PM
Anna-Marie (Guest): Hi All Sisters in Christ🙏
May 9, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes pride destroys virtue or does not let it be developed
M
VisitationSiste: opposite of humility PM
Simone (Guest): pride is on the opposite track basically.. pride always leads to ourselves – virtues always lead away from us
May 9, 8:22 PM
Simone (Guest): we have to change track.. in order to end up at holiness
May 9, 8:22 PM
Elena (Guest): Pride pretty much destroys all virtue and everything good.
May 9, 8:22 PM
Anna-Marie (Guest): Sometimes fragility of ego ( self) prevents accepting my poverty thus blocking me to go to God.
PM
Simone (Guest): that’s a good insight already Anna-Maria. PM
Simone (Guest): that’s a good insight already Anna-Maria.
May 9, 8:23 PM
Elena (Guest): Pride is the first sin of Adam and Eve, I think. If it werent’ for that, they would have trusted God’s word. It was the fall of Lucifer, wasn’t it? I’m as good as God and I deserve to be so.
May 9, 8:23 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan and sr Sylvie now I understand now I am happy now from bettychao to sr Sylvie Marie and sr Susan sorry I pologized I missunderstand . I pologized and I hope you and her can pray for me and mom mom feet still not good.
May 9, 8:24 PMVisitationSiste: We are praying and will continue
Anna-Marie (Guest): St. Francis guides to depend on spirit not flesh or our own reason
May 9, 8:24 PM
Elena (Guest): We are also praying for you, Betty!
4 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes we are!
May 9, 8:24 PM
VisitationSiste: Knowing one is loved can help build up ones fragility
24 PM
Elena (Guest): *good not “good” but god-like in power and control 8:25 PM
Elena (Guest): I also struggle with that kind of fragility, Anna-Marie. And Sister is right — but it is a long healing process to fully believe that I am fully known and loved.
May 9, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: Last 2 q’s: How does overcoming faults lead us to holiness?
What’s the difference between willed thoughts and unwilled thoughts? How can we recognize one from the other?
May 9, 8:25 PM
Sr Sylvie Marie (Guest): Oh my dear Betty, we are all part of the Body of Christ, we are all united and must help one another, love one another. So yes, I will pray for you both.
M
Simone (Guest): oh my Sister.. these are such big questions tonight
May 9, 8:26 PM
Ruth (Guest): I had not heard that story either, about the stones, but considering the pre-scientific age, and that GALL stones are very common, and GALL associated with anger, I wonder if that is what it was about.
May 9, 8:26 PM
VisitationSiste: we can save for another time!
May 9, 8:27 PM
Simone (Guest): Everything that helps us, to look away from serving ourselves can and hopefully will lead to holiness
May 9, 8:27 PM
Elena (Guest): Unwilled thoughts come unbidden… willed thoughts are when we follow the unwilled thoughts and cultivate them, grow them.
May 9, 8:27 PM
Carol (Guest): Overcoming faults leads to holiness because ee must practice virtue to do so
May 9, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: I think you are right Ruth!
May 9, 8:27 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan and all sisters I have to eat my dinner is 7:30pm in Kansas I have to go I will pray for you, God love you all .bettychao
May 9, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: But that is how it was interpreted
May 9, 8:27 PM
VisitationSiste: God bless you Betty
:28 PM
Simone (Guest): silly question.. but how do you all define “virtue”?
May 9, 8:28 PM
Victoria (Guest): When it comes to faults leading to holiness, I think about the book of Jeremiah. God says that we are His canvas and clay. God molds us into holiness. I also think about St. Paul where he talks about how his weakness is made perfect with God.
, 8:28 PM
Carol (Guest): Patience, gentleness, courage, the gifts of the Spiri 8:28 PM
Carol (Guest): Patience, gentleness, courage, the gifts of the Spirit
May 9, 8:29 PM
Simone (Guest): so these are virtues Carol.. but how would you define “virtue” to someone who has no idea what that can be?
May 9, 8:29 PM
Elena (Guest): According to the religion book I’m using with my 7th and 8th graders: Virtue is an abiding disposition of the soul (a habit) that enables a person to performm good actions easily.
May 9, 8:29 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks Elena..
May 9, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes weakness can turn into strength!
May 9, 8:29 PM
Carol (Guest): Doing what is right for its own sake
May 9, 8:30 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks Carol
May 9, 8:30 PM
Elena (Guest): that’s fromt he Catholic Catechism, actually
, 8:30 PM
Carol (Guest): Much better than my poor effort! PM
Simone (Guest): I liked your definition actually a lot Carol
May 9, 8:30 PM
Anna-Marie (Guest): Our will gives into our inclination- living according to the flesh… God’s will lives according to the spirit and that might mean going against our inclination and practice virtue…
May 9, 8:30 PM
Elena (Guest): there are natural virtues which we can practice on our own, and supernatural virtues which are gifts from God
May 9, 8:31 PM
Ruth (Guest): Good night Betty; I’ll offer up some of my challenges with prayers for you and your mother.
May 9, 8:31 PM
Simone (Guest): do you mean the theological virtues?
May 9, 8:31 PM
VisitationSiste: Dear friends I will be leaving now. Have a blessed week and let us continue to pray for each other. Thanks for being here!