- Is it wrong or misguided for us to pursue perfection?
- What does it mean that we are more troublesome to ourselves than anyone else? Does this contradict what Jesus said about how we always notice the speck in our neighbor’s eye but not the beam in our own eye?
- Discuss this line: “Everything conveyed to us by sight is to some extent dangerous, for seeing a thing puts us in peril of loving it; but if we have really made up our mind, what we see does us no harm.” Does this really mean we can be exposed to anything so as long as we are pure?
- Discuss what Saint Francis offered as a “prescription” for dealing with worldly praise and derision: “if the world despises us, let us rejoice, for the world is right and we know very well that we are contemptible; if it esteems us, let us despise its esteem and its judgement, for it is blind. Do not inquire much into what the world thinks, do not let it bother you in any way, despise its scale of values and its contempt and let it say what it likes, good or evil.”
- Concerning the above quote, why are we so concerned with what the world thinks? How can we discern between what the world thinks and the opinions of wise people around us?
- In spite of the world’s exaggeration of good and evil, why is it still important for us always to do good? Consider Proverbs 13:13, “He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.”
- 8 PM
- VisitationSiste: i will repeat first q 1. Is it wrong or misguided for us to pursue perfection?
- Feb 27, 7:38 PM
- Bettychao (Guest): Bettychao
Hi sister Susan - Feb 27, 7:39 PM
- Simone (Guest): I hope not. But I think it is wrong to do it in our own strength and for the need of “perfectionism”
- Feb 27, 7:39 PM
- Carol (Guest): It can be, if perfection in and of itself id the goal. Perfection is doing God’s will to the best of our ability, not not making mistakes
- Feb 27, 7:39 PM
- Carol (Guest): Hi Betty!
- Feb 27, 7:39 PM
- Simone (Guest): Hi Betty!
- 0 PM
- Simone (Guest): By the way.. I like what you wrote about perfection Carol
- Feb 27, 7:41 PM
- Simone (Guest): to do GOD’s will to the best of our ability
- Feb 27, 7:41 PM
- VisitationSiste: Religious have often been told historically to strive for perfection I just try to keep growing
- 7:41 PM
- Simone (Guest): but, isn’t that the same anyways Sister Susan?
- Feb 27, 7:41 PM
- Carol (Guest): We cannot perfect ourselves. Only God can
- Feb 27, 7:41 PM
- Simone (Guest): yes, you are so right Carol
- Feb 27, 7:42 PM
- Bettychao (Guest): Sister Susan march 18 is my birthday I will be 40 year old
- Feb 27, 7:42 PM
- Simone (Guest): that’s exciting Betty!
- Feb 27, 7:43 PM
- VisitationSiste: Happy Birthday ahead of time
- Feb 27, 7:43 PM
- Carol (Guest): Happy Birthday!
- b 27, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: I guess you are right Simone! , 7:43 PM
Simone (Guest): coming back to your comment Carol… we cannot perfect ourselves.. so why are we then trying to lean into mortification and so on? Is that to strip so much of ourselves to hear HIS WILL better?
Feb 27, 7:43 PM
Simone (Guest): is that perfection then>
Feb 27, 7:44 PM
Simone (Guest): ?
:44 PM
VisitationSiste: To be in union with God- yes perfection
Feb 27, 7:45 PM
Carol (Guest): We are supposed to let Him transform us into who He created us to be. We donthis through surrender. Self flagellation seems pretty prideful
Feb 27, 7:45 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan we have lent in the church of reserccution my older sister church I am going to join in their lent service
Feb 27, 7:45 PM
Simone (Guest): so we have two key points now.. Union with GOD- and doing His perfect will. these seem to mark perfection.
Feb 27, 7:45 PM
Simone (Guest): What is self flagellation?
:46 PM
Carol (Guest): Beating yourself with whips, etc in order to strip away yourself. Seems pretty pointless when it doesn’t add to union
Feb 27, 7:46 PM
VisitationSiste: using the discipline, like a rope or something never saw one
Feb 27, 7:46 PM
Simone (Guest): Carol.. how do you cooperate with GOD in letting Him transform you into who He created you to be? What are some practical things in that?
7:47 PM
Simone (Guest): ok.. I understand now. thanks Carol for clarifying.
Feb 27, 7:47 PM
Bettychao (Guest): That church is united Methodist Christian church I did go to their Chapel to pray to the lent
I love the lent
Feb 27, 7:48 PM
Carol (Guest): Ooh, I surrender stuff alot, usually the same thing over and over. Entry to practice true daily prayer and contemplation
PM
Bettychao (Guest): This lent service is very important to every Christian
Feb 27, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: I try to surrender to my duties and not procrasticate
Feb 27, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): Sister Susan.. how is Union with GOD anchored in Salesian Spirituality?
Feb 27, 7:49 PM
Carol (Guest): Oops, and try. How did spellcheck mess that up?
7:50 PM
Simone (Guest): Union with GOD is huge in Carmelite Spirituality – not so much in Ignatian Spirituality – how about Salesian Spirituality?
Feb 27, 7:50 PM
VisitationSiste: St Francis de Sales in his Treatise on the love of God speaks much about union with God
51 PM
Simone (Guest): yes. you are right. He does. I always had a little bit of a feeling that this came more from St. Jane de Chantal – and not so much from him.
Feb 27, 7:51 PM
VisitationSiste: q2 2. What does it mean that we are more troublesome to ourselves than anyone else? Does this contradict what Jesus said about how we always notice the speck in our neighbor’s eye but not the beam in our own eye?
7:51 PM
Simone (Guest): I think I am much more troublesome to OTHERS, than to myself 2 PM
VisitationSiste: probably depends on our individual characters 52 PM
Carol (Guest): No contradiction. We trip over our own logs and then wonder why we’re on the floor
Feb 27, 7:53 PM
Simone (Guest): I think – what he means by troublesome here.. is. – convicted that we are sinful.. I just had a talk with our priest about this the other day – Only we know all the thoughts we have – and some of them are not always drenched with love for others – but others only can see what is “coming out” – which can be very much filtered down
Feb 27, 7:53 PM
Simone (Guest): love it Carol..
7, 7:55 PM
Simone (Guest): I think – we can have a pretty big blind spot – for me the best hint is -where my log is really – and how big it is.. when I am really annoyed about something in someone else’s behaviour – that’s usually the best indicator that this is exactly my blind spot
Feb 27, 7:56 PM
Carol (Guest): Me too Simone
:57 PM
VisitationSiste: What annoys me in someone is usually a trait in me PM
VisitationSiste: q 3. Discuss this line: “Everything conveyed to us by sight is to some extent dangerous, for seeing a thing puts us in peril of loving it; but if we have really made up our mind, what we see does us no harm.” Does this really mean we can be exposed to anything so as long as we are pure?
Feb 27, 7:58 PM
Simone (Guest): yes.. and it is painful to admit this to be honest.
58 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sister Susan I miss you I want talk to you but when I call you monastery no one answer I was call 17187455151 that number with my cell phone 16264888116 no one pick up phone I don’t know why
Feb 27, 7:58 PM
VisitationSiste: we have too few sisters and cannot be at portress much just leave a message
7, 7:59 PM
Simone (Guest): phew.. that’s a really big and good question.
Living Jesus Chat
Bettychao
Simone
1 viewer
59 PM
Carol (Guest): I don’t know about anything…some things are sinful and we don’t need to see them 01 PM
Simone (Guest): I mean, there were evangelists – who ministered amongst prostitutes and drug dealers – and were not impacted by the darkness -but brought in the light – like Jesus.. when He touched the leper – His cleanliness was bigger than the leper’s uncleanliness. But we have to be sure we are sent – and come with GOD’s power – into the darkness.. otherwise we are easily “swapped” away PM
Carol (Guest): True, Simone. I was being a bit literal
Feb 27, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: No matter how holy we are we can be tempted
Feb 27, 8:02 PM
Simone (Guest): but I totally agree with you Carol
7, 8:03 PM
Simone (Guest): oh yes.. we sure can 4 PM
Simone (Guest): and when I confronted him that I find that quite an insult, that he actually needs daily prayer to be faithful to me – he said” He is more worried, that I think I am strong, that I do not need prayer to be faithful to him. We all can fall” I never forgot this
Feb 27, 8:04 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sacred heart chapled of divine mercy Jesus prayer is too powerful is good for lent is helpful
6 PM
Carol (Guest): We fall because we think we can’t. It is a beautiful prayer on so deep a level
Feb 27, 8:06 PM
Simone (Guest): yes Carol. exactly.So well worded.. We fall because we think we can’t. That’s exactly it
7 PM
Carol (Guest): We walk along, not a care in the world, we’ve come so far….and then we smack into that invisible brick wall , 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): I could feel that smack . BANG. ran right into it
Feb 27, 8:08 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I am outside eat I chat with you next week
Feb 27, 8:08 PM
Carol (Guest): My nose is bruised
Feb 27, 8:08 PM
VisitationSiste: ok Betty e mail soon
Feb 27, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. poor Carol ..
08 PM
Carol (Guest): God bless you Betty
Feb 27, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): By Betty. Enjoy your supper!
Feb 27, 8:08 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I will pray for you all
God bless you all
4. Discuss what Saint Francis offered as a “prescription” for dealing with worldly praise and derision: “if the world despises us, let us rejoice, for the world is right and we know very well that we are contemptible; if it esteems us, let us despise its esteem and its judgement, for it is blind. Do not inquire much into what the world thinks, do not let it bother you in any way, despise its scale of values and its contempt and let it say what it likes, good or evil.”5. Concerning the above quote, why are w
Feb 27, 8:11 PM
VisitationSiste: why are we so concerned with what the world thinks? How can we discern between what the world thinks and the opinions of wise people around us?
8:12 PM
Carol (Guest): I’m stuck on what the worldly think. It is capricious and never seeks truth
Feb 27, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): Ever since GOD took me on the deeper journey to His heart – I have felt so much more freedom in this area. I am kind of bored with praises often – and I am not falling apart – when I get criticized.( after all – should I be surprised that I am not perfect?) – I do take fraternal correction serious though. And I love everyone who has the courage and love to do so
:14 PM
Simone (Guest): Carol,, what do you mean ” You are stuck”? :14 PM
Carol (Guest): It is too capricious
Feb 27, 8:15 PM
Carol (Guest): I can’t keep up
, 8:15 PM
Simone (Guest): ok.. I think I get what you mean. 16 PM
VisitationSiste: I am confused but that’s ok!
Feb 27, 8:16 PM
Carol (Guest): Thats howvi feel!
Feb 27, 8:16 PM
Simone (Guest): I am not even sure anymore if I know too much of the “world”. In the last 5 years my world has become so small – and no TV and no Newspaper.. I am starting to lose touch I think
7, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): which is OK.. unless GOD calls me back into pre-evangelism.
Feb 27, 8:17 PM
VisitationSiste: Do you know about the situation in Ukraine
7, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): yes.. that I do know..
Feb 27, 8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): My husband is linked with news.. and things like this he shares with me of course
Feb 27, 8:17 PM
Carol (Guest): Now there is madness
:18 PM
VisitationSiste: It is very serious yes
Feb 27, 8:18 PM
Simone (Guest): Please pray that GOD will show me when it is the right time to go over to my Father in Austria. I hope we are not loosing his caregivers now. They are both from Rumania
Feb 27, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: Can he come here
7, 8:19 PM
Simone (Guest): We thought about it.. but he is too sick.. and he has no health insurance here in Canada
Feb 27, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: I mean where you live
Feb 27, 8:19 PM
Carol (Guest): I think they will stay by him. Many Ukrainians are going home to defend their home
Feb 27, 8:19 PM
VisitationSiste: I will pray and ask the Sisters too
PM
VisitationSiste: 6. In spite of the world’s exaggeration of good and evil, why is it still important for us always to do good? Consider Proverbs 13:13, “He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.” :20 PM
Simone (Guest): Carol, the question is – if they are allowed to come to Austria – they go back and forth every month.. they are a team of two – one is in Rumania while the other one is with my Dad 1 PM
Carol (Guest): Aha, its hard to say, but Rumania does not seem to be a target
Feb 27, 8:21 PM
Simone (Guest): OK, I am not sure if I understand this question. Can you tell me an example where the world exaggerates good and evil?
Feb 27, 8:22 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes Carol.. I hope it stays this way. But if there is war in Europe – travelling through other countries won’t be easy either.. Anyways.. I trust – that the world-wide prayers will bring fruit
, 8:23 PM
VisitationSiste: I think evil is seen as good and true good is disparaged PM
VisitationSiste: I think evil is seen as good and true good is disparaged
Feb 27, 8:24 PM
Carol (Guest): Did you know the patron of Ukraine is St. Michael?
Feb 27, 8:24 PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. so not so much an exaggeration -but more a distortion maybe?
Feb 27, 8:24 PM
Carol (Guest): Like “woke”
Feb 27, 8:24 PM
Simone (Guest): oK.. now it shows I am not up to date. I know I should know what “woke” means.. but I have no idea.. sorry
Feb 27, 8:25 PM
VisitationSiste: No did not
Feb 27, 8:25 PM
Carol (Guest): I wish I could define it, something along the lines of how there has always been injustice and we are not goo because of the sins of our fathers
26 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks Carol
Feb 27, 8:26 PM
Simone (Guest): Will ask my daughter. She is usually good with these things.
Feb 27, 8:27 PM
Carol (Guest): Oh, maybe she can explain it to us
Feb 27, 8:27 PM
Simone (Guest): If I can see her – she is in and out these days