Oct 22, 9:39 AM
Vis Sr (Guest): What does it mean that Jesus was obedience to the Father’s will? How does it work that Jesus has a human will and divine will? And does this mean Jesus could have not been obedient to the Father’s will?St. Francis invites us to consider the greater and harder things the Saints have had to endure compared to our life’s affairs. Is this too much to aim for? After all they’re saints, we’re not.If we are simply totally conformed with God’s will, doesn’t that make us robots?Why is it so important to embrace the
Oct 22, 9:40 AM
Vis Sr (Guest): Why is it so important to embrace the small and seemingly menial parts of our life? How does this not contradict the story of Martha and Mary from scripture?What is so helpful about mental prayer? And how can we learn to embrace it?Is the amount of daily prayer suggested by St. Francis reasonable for most of us? He asks the reader to make a half an hour of mental prayer in the morning, Mass, a half an hour of spiritual reading, and then in the evening an examination of conscience.St. Francis recommends the
Oct 22, 9:40 AM
Vis Sr (Guest): St. Francis recommends the reading of several spiritual books of his day. What books would you recommend today?
Oct 22, 9:40 AM
Vis Sr (Guest): Sun chat Oct 23 730pm est newsletter for chat: http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1029793&f=1988&s=2046&m=643912&t=44f0d18c19339967b1be43b205c1596fa07d3b2574e5f4560987969cb886fdda
Oct 22, 9:40 AM
Vis Sr (Guest): Sr Susan will be in Georgetown and cant moderate
Oct 23, 7:21 PM
Simone7: Hello!
Oct 23, 7:21 PM
Simone7: Hello viewer!
Oct 23, 7:31 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Simone, Hi Ruth
Oct 23, 7:31 PM
Simone7: Hi Sr. Carol! Hi Ruth!
Welcome to our Living Jesus Chat Room. Just sign in, using any of the methods below.
Oct 23, 7:32 PM
Carol (Guest): I had to stop and think, who’s Sr. Carol?
Oct 23, 7:32 PM
Simone7: LOL.. YOOOOUUUU!
Oct 23, 7:32 PM
Rith (Guest): Hello Simone it’s Ruth; oh OK Carol is here, too. Good!
Oct 23, 7:33 PM
Rith (Guest): Yes. Sister Carol!
Oct 23, 7:33 PM
Simone7: I hope you are both doing well. We have some really good questions today. As you probably have read – Sr. Susan cannot come today –
Oct 23, 7:33 PM
Carol (Guest): Insee the real Sr Susan can’t be here
Oct 23, 7:33 PM
Simone7: oh.. But I see that Sr. Jennifer is online
Oct 23, 7:33 PM
Simone7: Sr. Jennifer, do you want to lead tonight?
Oct 23, 7:34 PM
Rith (Guest): How did you know it was Sr. Jennifer?
Oct 23, 7:35 PM
Simone7: well, it says it on the side bar
Oct 23, 7:35 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): Yes I am Sr Jennifer and now I am called Sr Jennifer Marie
Oct 23, 7:36 PM
Simone7: Sorry, Sr. Jennifer Marie
Oct 23, 7:36 PM
Simone7: Congratulations by the way!
Oct 23, 7:36 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): I won’t not be able to lead, because I have some job to do at night
Oct 23, 7:37 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): But I wish to join you, if I can manage
Oct 23, 7:37 PM
Rith (Guest): Oh, I see that tonight I am Rith.
Oct 23, 7:37 PM
Simone7: OK, Sister, then I will just start here.. and we let it just develop. We all help lead each other – I am just posting the questions mostly –
Oct 23, 7:37 PM
Simone7: What does it mean that Jesus was obedience to the Father’s will? How does it work that Jesus has a human will and divine will? And does this mean Jesus could have not been obedient to the Father’s will?
Oct 23, 7:37 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): Thank you Simone7
Oct 23, 7:38 PM
Simone7: Gosh.. this is really not an easy question. What do you think ladies?
Oct 23, 7:39 PM
Simone7: Let’s break it down in little step. The first one is not too hard
Oct 23, 7:39 PM
Simone7: What does it mean that Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will?
Oct 23, 7:39 PM
Carol (Guest): We are getting very deep today! Since Jesus is fully human, He had free will on earth and could’ve chosen to disobey
Oct 23, 7:40 PM
Simone7: Yes, I agree Carol
Oct 23, 7:40 PM
Simone7: For me – it is – he fully used his human life – to accomplish God’s will.
Oct 23, 7:41 PM
Simone7: His life was not really his – at least that’s how he used it. Every single action was determined if God’s will was to be established in this.
Oct 23, 7:42 PM
Rith (Guest): TO be truly human, Jesus had to have free will. And he had to learn much like other humans.
Oct 23, 7:42 PM
Simone7: It’s funny – I am kind of stumbling over the wording that he “had a divine will”. I think he had a fully divine nature – – is the will automatically part of a nature?
Oct 23, 7:42 PM
Carol (Guest): In this, He showed us it is possible to conform ourselves to God’s will
Oct 23, 7:43 PM
Simone7: Yes, Ruth and Carol. Agree with both of you
Oct 23, 7:43 PM
Simone7: It seems that we all agree, that Jesus had a free will – and chose to do His Father’s will.
Oct 23, 7:44 PM
Rith (Guest): Simone I don’t see what Carol responded that you are agreeing with
Oct 23, 7:44 PM
Simone7: Here Ruth… In this, He showed us it is possible to conform ourselves to God’s will
Oct 23, 7:44 PM
Rith (Guest): 7:40
Oct 23, 7:45 PM
Simone7: oh ok. Ruth.. here is what Carol wrote….Since Jesus is fully human, He had free will on earth and could’ve chosen to disobey
Oct 23, 7:46 PM
Simone7: Let’s go to Question 2)
Oct 23, 7:46 PM
Simone7: St. Francis invites us to consider the greater and harder things the Saints have had to endure compared to our life’s affairs. Is this too much to aim for? After all they’re saints, we’re not.
Oct 23, 7:48 PM
Simone7: Well, I actually think that this question might be a little misleading, in light what we read in the letter
Oct 23, 7:49 PM
Carol (Guest): They endured harder things because they cooperated with the graces they received and God acted through them
Oct 23, 7:49 PM
Simone7: Because St. Francis actually means – that we do not have to aim that high – it does not matter at all how heroic our deeds are. the value of our deeds come solemnly from the fact how much they do overlap with what God wants us to do
Oct 23, 7:49 PM
Simone7: I also think Carol, that the constant willingness to say YES, to whatever GOd asks has allowed them to live extraordinary lives often.
Oct 23, 7:51 PM
Simone7: Hi Joan, Welcome. We are on Question 2 now
Oct 23, 7:51 PM
Simone7: Here is the question one more time
Oct 23, 7:51 PM
Simone7: St. Francis invites us to consider the greater and harder things the Saints have had to endure compared to our life’s affairs. Is this too much to aim for? After all they’re saints, we’re not.
Oct 23, 7:51 PM
Carol (Guest): Hi Joan
Oct 23, 7:52 PM
Carol (Guest): I have my thinking cap on. Thinking of when Jesus said the more we are given, the more will be expected of us
Oct 23, 7:53 PM
Simone7: yes.. I thought of “if you are faithful in little things….”
Oct 23, 7:53 PM
Rith (Guest): I meant at 7:40. I am way behind now.
Oct 23, 7:54 PM
Simone7: I know Ruth.. I went back to 7:40.. and looked it up…. Just step in now where we are – OK?
Oct 23, 7:54 PM
Simone7: I would like to link this question with Question 3 now
Oct 23, 7:54 PM
Simone7: If we are simply totally conformed with God’s will, doesn’t that make us robots?
Oct 23, 7:56 PM
Simone7: being conformed still means, I have to make a decision. I just decide to say YES -but it is not “my fate” to say YES.
Oct 23, 7:56 PM
Carol (Guest): No, we are not robots, we must still choose
Oct 23, 7:57 PM
Simone7: it’s just -when our heart is in union with God’s heart – then choosing against His will hurts us literally – so it becomes less and less a livable option – the more we cooperate with His grace in our life
Oct 23, 7:58 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes, I think you’ve got it
Oct 23, 7:59 PM
Rith (Guest): OK.
Oct 23, 7:59 PM
Simone7: Joan? Do you want to add anything?
Oct 23, 8:00 PM
Simone7: Sr. Jennifer Marie?
Oct 23, 8:00 PM
Simone7: Ok.. then let’s move on to Question 4
Oct 23, 8:00 PM
Simone7: Why is it so important to embrace the small and seemingly menial parts of our life? How does this not contradict the story of Martha and Mary from scripture?
Oct 23, 8:02 PM
Joan (Guest): We are all in a battle… Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Oct 23, 8:02 PM
Simone7: Ok.. let’s break the question up in two parts.. makes it easier to answer maybe
Oct 23, 8:02 PM
Rith (Guest): Each was doing what she was called to do in that moment.
Oct 23, 8:02 PM
Simone7: let’s focus on that first.
Oct 23, 8:02 PM
Simone7: Why is it so important to embrace the small and seemingly menial parts of our life?
Oct 23, 8:03 PM
Rith (Guest): Saints did not all do great heroic things. And they did not start out being saints.
Oct 23, 8:03 PM
Simone7: Do you embrace the small and seemingly menial parts of your life? How does that look like?
Oct 23, 8:04 PM
Rith (Guest): They became saints by choosing to do the will of God, that is, by expressing in action LOVE.
Oct 23, 8:04 PM
Simone7: Yes Ruth, I agree
Oct 23, 8:04 PM
Carol (Guest): Heroism is in doing the little things with great love
Oct 23, 8:05 PM
Joan (Guest): Everything small is offered to Jesus for a gift to Jesus.
Oct 23, 8:05 PM
Simone7: I have this card hanging here on my wall. It is in German. but it says something like this ” It is not important that we are doing something BIG – but that our BIG GOD, does something meaningful through us.
Oct 23, 8:06 PM
Joan (Guest): All for the Lord. Our gifts 🎁 to Him
Oct 23, 8:07 PM
Simone7: When I think of something small in my life – it is probably the lunch sandwiches for my husband. I really do NOT like making them. Sorry.. But I really do not. And he would – in theory – be able to make his own lunch – and he does not demand it from me of course. But somehow I know, that this is what GOD wants me to do. Day by Day, make this lunch sandwiches – and a piece of fruit and a little cookie. So so little. But it is one thing in my life I know that I do in GOd’s will
Oct 23, 8:08 PM
Rith (Guest): I think of caring for a child or a sick person. Love is expressed by taking care of ‘em with gentleness and kindness — changing diapers, e.g., anticipating needs.
Oct 23, 8:09 PM
Simone7: yes Ruth, well said.
Oct 23, 8:09 PM
Joan (Guest): Amen. For your husband ❤️ Jesus is pleased
Oct 23, 8:10 PM
Simone7: so – what about Mary and Martha now. Does this story contradict – that we should do the seemingly small things?
Oct 23, 8:11 PM
Rith (Guest): No. Jesus chose not to judge at that point in time.
Oct 23, 8:11 PM
Carol (Guest): It does not contradict. We are each Martha and Mary at different times. Both are necessary
Oct 23, 8:11 PM
Simone7: Ruth, can you explain?
Oct 23, 8:11 PM
Simone7: Yes, Carol.. but – playing devil’s advocate here – did not Jesus say that Mary chose the “better part”?
Oct 23, 8:13 PM
Carol (Guest): He did. Contemplation leads to ministry leads to contemplation leads to ministry
Oct 23, 8:13 PM
Simone7: I like that Carol
Oct 23, 8:14 PM
Rith (Guest): AND I think it is in the Spirit of each of the sisters that Jesus defends Mary’s just sitting there listening. the picture by Tinterreto shows Martha as being accusatory.
Oct 23, 8:14 PM
Simone7: I also see it like this. that for Mary – her seemingly little chores – started at the feet of Jesus –
Oct 23, 8:16 PM
Carol (Guest): You know Mary did get up at some point and went back to work
Oct 23, 8:16 PM
Simone7: Exactly.
Oct 23, 8:17 PM
Carol (Guest): Both contemplation and ministry are necessary, they are two halves of a whole
Oct 23, 8:17 PM
Simone7: I once heard that where Mary was – was a part of the house -where women were not even supposed to be. So Martha thought that it was inappropriate to get out of her “role” and Jesus did not support that. But that’s probably a theme for another evening.
Oct 23, 8:17 PM
Rith (Guest): Like Carol’s saying Heroism is doing the little things with great love. St. Teresa of Liseaux
Oct 23, 8:17 PM
Simone7: We have three more questions to cover ladies..
Oct 23, 8:18 PM
Simone7: I am posting now the next question
Oct 23, 8:18 PM
Simone7: What is so helpful about mental prayer? And how can we learn to embrace it?
Oct 23, 8:19 PM
Carol (Guest): It is of great help in focusing our minds on what we are doing
Oct 23, 8:19 PM
Simone7: I find that mental prayer is not really taught here in the churches. The emphasis is still much more on vocal prayer
Oct 23, 8:20 PM
Carol (Guest): But we must pay attention to what we are saying because the true meaning is behind and beyond the words
Oct 23, 8:20 PM
Rith (Guest): interesting, Simon. I was surprised to see all the men in the Titerreto depiction of John 10:8-9
Oct 23, 8:20 PM
Simone7: I must see the picture now soon Ruth. You intrigue me with your description
Oct 23, 8:21 PM
Simone7: Carol.. can you elaborate a little on that please? But we must pay attention to what we are saying because the true meaning is behind and beyond the words
Oct 23, 8:21 PM
Simone7: Maybe we should establish what mental prayer is – before we start talking as a group about it.
Oct 23, 8:21 PM
Simone7: Carol.. how would you explain mental prayer?
Oct 23, 8:22 PM
Carol (Guest): If we pray slowly, considering the meaning of the words carefully, we will discover the meaning behind them
Oct 23, 8:22 PM
Carol (Guest): Mental prayer is prayer with words
Oct 23, 8:23 PM
Simone7: For me mental prayer is easiest “evoked” when I read a holy text. Or a good spiritual book. Of course also when I read scripture – but surprisingly also often with a good spiritual text
Oct 23, 8:24 PM
Simone7: Mental prayer is my life line.
Oct 23, 8:24 PM
Simone7: my life line to God’s heart
Oct 23, 8:24 PM
Simone7: I find vocal prayer much harder
Oct 23, 8:25 PM
Rith (Guest): I am not sure I understand the difference.
Oct 23, 8:26 PM
Simone7: Vocal prayer is like “the Rosary” – Novenas – Divine Mercy Chaplets… etc
Oct 23, 8:26 PM
Carol (Guest): I think mental and vocal prayer are the same thing
Oct 23, 8:26 PM
Simone7: Mental prayer – is basically sitting – conversing with GOD in your heart – often as a result of being exposed to a holy text
Oct 23, 8:26 PM
Rith (Guest): Do you ever pray mental prayer aloud, that is with mouth, lipaand tongue? If so is that then ocal prayer?
Oct 23, 8:27 PM
Rith (Guest): Or do we mean
Oct 23, 8:27 PM
Simone7: I never pray mental prayers loud. I gaze at GOD – and allow my thoughts mingle with his thoughts –
Oct 23, 8:27 PM
Carol (Guest): I do, but it’s weird to hear my own voice alone. Mental prayer is silent.
Oct 23, 8:27 PM
Simone7: and he gazes at me – and in this – the text I immersed myself before – becomes strangely alive –
Oct 23, 8:28 PM
Rith (Guest): Is that not contemplation. Wordless prayer?
Oct 23, 8:28 PM
Simone7: it is an inner dialogue for me
Oct 23, 8:28 PM
Carol (Guest): I think Simone that the lectio you are doing is closer to contemplation
Oct 23, 8:28 PM
Simone7: I am not talking about Lectio Divina though – but you are right Carol.. the way I described it here – really does sound a lot like a Lectio Divina
Oct 23, 8:29 PM
Rith (Guest): i dunno.
Oct 23, 8:29 PM
Simone7: well.. see? I knew we have all different definitions for mental prayer.
Oct 23, 8:29 PM
Joan (Guest): I just posted on Instagram the picture. I will read about mental prayer tonight on different Catholic links. Contemplation is easier looking at images
Oct 23, 8:29 PM
Rith (Guest): Carol said mental prayer is with words.
Oct 23, 8:30 PM
Simone7: St. Jane de Chantal spoke about the “prayer of the heart”.. I wonder if she meant mental prayer by that.
Oct 23, 8:30 PM
Rith (Guest): Lifting our jearts and minds to God.
Oct 23, 8:30 PM
Simone7: Well.. I do not do mental prayer with words… but maybe I am using a wrong word then.. I also know that the Carmelites and the Salesians define mental prayer slightly different.
Oct 23, 8:31 PM
Simone7: So ladies
Oct 23, 8:31 PM
Rith (Guest): From one another? that is actually a help to me.
Oct 23, 8:31 PM
Simone7: Is the amount of daily prayer suggested by St. Francis reasonable for most of us? He asks the reader to make a half an hour of mental prayer in the morning, Mass, a half an hour of spiritual reading, and then in the evening an examination of conscience.
Oct 23, 8:31 PM
Carol (Guest): I think all the different charisms have their own unique mental prayer
Oct 23, 8:32 PM
Simone7: I think you might be right on that one Carol
Oct 23, 8:32 PM
Rith (Guest): AQ
Oct 23, 8:32 PM
Carol (Guest): He is reasonable when your goal is to grow in faith
Oct 23, 8:33 PM
Joan (Guest): Beautiful artwork helps with contemplation
Oct 23, 8:33 PM
Simone7: When I read about the amount of daily prayer – that is mentioned above in the last question – I think you Carol and Ruth – probably pray even more than that
Oct 23, 8:33 PM
Simone7: How can we find your Instagram account Joan?
Oct 23, 8:33 PM
Carol (Guest): For me too, Joan
Oct 23, 8:34 PM
Simone7: I like your answer Carol. You are right. It is reasonable when you want to grow in faith
Oct 23, 8:34 PM
Joan (Guest): Jesus.loves.tlm and Saint.Michael.archangel. I have two
Oct 23, 8:34 PM
Joan (Guest): I will post something on the picture later
Oct 23, 8:35 PM
Simone7: Does your Rule of life suggest special prayer times Carol?
Oct 23, 8:37 PM
Rith (Guest): SFdS also recommends aspirations throughout the day.
Oct 23, 8:37 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes. We are bound to liturgy of the hours, morning and evening, one hour of contemplation, which can be part in the morning and part at night, and spiritual reading
Oct 23, 8:37 PM
Simone7: Yes Ruth. you are right. That was very important to him
Oct 23, 8:37 PM
Rith (Guest): BTW the letter is to a government official. She probably hd servants.
Oct 23, 8:37 PM
Simone7: how do you decide on a daily base what you do for contemplation?
Oct 23, 8:37 PM
Joan (Guest): I like Universalis
Oct 23, 8:38 PM
Simone7: universalis – for the liturgy of the hours Joan?
Oct 23, 8:38 PM
Joan (Guest): Yes
Oct 23, 8:38 PM
Rith (Guest): And he was urging her to LIMIT prayer time to ONE Mass per day plus those Half hours.
Oct 23, 8:38 PM
Simone7: I like- that the pages look like the actual book
Oct 23, 8:38 PM
Joan (Guest): And art to contemplate
Oct 23, 8:39 PM
Carol (Guest): I have several prayers I like, divine mercy, rosary, seven sorrows, and several litanies for specific virtues
Oct 23, 8:39 PM
Joan (Guest): Especially with the rosary, art is helpful
Oct 23, 8:40 PM
Simone7: I love Visio Divina.
Oct 23, 8:40 PM
Joan (Guest): Will look it up
Oct 23, 8:41 PM
Simone7: On Saturday I was invited to an online retreat – and two pieces of art were introduced. Both have spoken so profoundly to my heart. Wodnerful
Oct 23, 8:41 PM
Rith (Guest): Hunh. SEEing God?
Oct 23, 8:41 PM
Carol (Guest): I find that visuals help me a lot
Oct 23, 8:41 PM
Simone7: Joan.. With Visio Divina – I meant when someone sits with a piece of art and uses it to for prayer and contemplation
Oct 23, 8:42 PM
Joan (Guest): 🥰
Oct 23, 8:42 PM
Rith (Guest): Oh. Yes, that can be very helpful.
Oct 23, 8:42 PM
Simone7: Let’s finish well ladies.. Last question coming in
Oct 23, 8:42 PM
Simone7: St. Francis recommends the reading of several spiritual books of his day. What books would you recommend today?
Oct 23, 8:43 PM
Rith (Guest): Sometimes one wonders if all the artists of a certain period had deep prayer lives.
Oct 23, 8:43 PM
Carol (Guest): Oh my goodness, there are SO many
Oct 23, 8:43 PM
Joan (Guest): Imitation of Christ
Oct 23, 8:44 PM
Simone7: Imitation fo Christ also came immediately to my mind
Oct 23, 8:44 PM
Carol (Guest): There were at least thirty on my formation list
Oct 23, 8:44 PM
Simone7: Recently I fell in love with the writings of Romano Guardini. Specifically the book ” THE LORD”. Oh my… what a treasure..
Oct 23, 8:44 PM
Carol (Guest): The Cliud of Unknowing
Oct 23, 8:44 PM
Rith (Guest): Were you expected to read all of them or select from them?
Oct 23, 8:45 PM
Carol (Guest): I read most of them with my assistants
Oct 23, 8:45 PM
Simone7: assistants?
Oct 23, 8:45 PM
Simone7: You had assistants in your formation?
Oct 23, 8:45 PM
Rith (Guest): QSimome, did you read it in English or in German?
Oct 23, 8:45 PM
Carol (Guest): The one who helps you with formation
Oct 23, 8:46 PM
Simone7: I read them in English.. but at my next trip home to Austria – I want to buy several of his books in German.
Oct 23, 8:46 PM
Simone7: Isn’t he wonderful Ruth?
Oct 23, 8:46 PM
Joan (Guest): May God be with you all this week! Peace and Grace of Jesus 🥰 Be with you! God bless! Goodnight. Thank you for sharing
Oct 23, 8:46 PM
Carol (Guest): This is goid–some things are hard to translate
Oct 23, 8:46 PM
Simone7: Good night Joan. Thanks for joining us tonight
Oct 23, 8:46 PM
Carol (Guest): Good night Joan!
Oct 23, 8:47 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): Wow, all of you are still here
Oct 23, 8:47 PM
Carol (Guest): See, left to our own devices, we go overtime
Oct 23, 8:47 PM
Simone7: I read the Spiritual Combat recently with a group
Oct 23, 8:47 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): I have just finished feeding my sister
Oct 23, 8:47 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): Thank you Simone
Oct 23, 8:47 PM
Simone7: I know we are really late.. but there were so many questions- and they were not easy tonight
Oct 23, 8:48 PM
Simone7: We all work together Sister
Oct 23, 8:48 PM
Carol (Guest): We do
Oct 23, 8:48 PM
Simone7: I am very very tired though. Sisters – please keep me in prayer.. and I keep you all in my prayers
Oct 23, 8:48 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): I tried to save the chat for mother, that’s why I am here
Oct 23, 8:48 PM
Simone7: Sr. Jennifer Marie.. when will Sr. Susan be back in Brooklyn?
Oct 23, 8:49 PM
Carol (Guest): I will pray Simone!
Oct 23, 8:48 PM
Simone7: Sr. Jennifer Marie.. when will Sr. Susan be back in Brooklyn?
Oct 23, 8:49 PM
Carol (Guest): I will pray Simone!
Oct 23, 8:49 PM
Simone7: Thank you Carol. And I know I am also in Ruth’s prayers.
Oct 23, 8:49 PM
Simone7: Good night everyone. I really need to go to bed early tonight.
Oct 23, 8:49 PM
Rith (Guest): good night all, Have a blessed week. Sorry Mu ressponses are mostly time wise way behind.
Oct 23, 8:50 PM
Carol (Guest): The internet is working strangely these days
Oct 23, 8:50 PM
Carol (Guest): God bless us every one
Oct 23, 8:52 PM
SrJenniferMarie (Guest): Goodnight Ruth and Carol