It is said that gratitude is the key to happiness. Why do you think this might be?How can the impulse to be grateful be a proof for God’s existence? In other words, how can we be grateful for the gift of life if it was not actually gifted?What exactly is gratitude?G.K. Chesterton once said, “When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” Discuss.What does it mean for God to clothe us with power
Nov 24, 9:50 AM
VisSr (Guest): What are we supposed to do with that power? Better yet, how do we use that power?
St. Francis makes two references to being “stripped bare.” It makes one think of the desolation, or emotional lows, that the saints have experienced. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was one. St. John of the Cross was another. And of course our Lord himself went through this during his passion. Can you think of other saints who endured this? How do we handle this state with St. Francis’ advice?
Nov 24, 9:50 AM
VisSr (Guest): Sun chat Nov 27 730pn est newsletter for chat: http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1029793&f=1988&s=2046&m=645880&t=44f0d18c19339967b1be43b205c1596fa07d3b2574e5f4560987969cb886fdda
Nov 24, 11:31 PM
Freddy (Guest): Hi looking for advice
Nov 25, 12:00 AM
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7, 7:34 PM
VisSr (Guest): q1 It is said that gratitude is the key to happiness. Why do you think this might be?
Nov 27, 7:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Sr. Did you cook a feast?
Nov 27, 7:36 PM
Dawn (Guest): Being thankful for all things, as everything works together for our good
Nov 27, 7:36 PM
VisSr (Guest): Yes we did
7:34 PM
VisSr (Guest): q1 It is said that gratitude is the key to happiness. Why do you think this might be?
Nov 27, 7:34 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you Sr. Did you cook a feast?
Nov 27, 7:36 PM
Dawn (Guest): Being thankful for all things, as everything works together for our good
Nov 27, 7:36 PM
VisSr (Guest): Yes we did
Nov 27, 7:37 PM
carol (Guest): the test is to be grateful even for the hard things
Nov 27, 7:37 PM
Simone (Guest): well…. I remember times when finances were really really tough in my student years. But – these were always the happiest times interestingly. Simply because – everything around me seems to be a gift. I knew – I had nothing to give and I also knew that I did not deserve anything from strangers – but then there were so often little things – like finding a Schilling on the street – like really little things – and I was so so happy – and felt like a queen in these moments
Nov 27, 7:37 PM
Simone (Guest): I think gratitude puts us into the position of ” being able to respond to grace”
Nov 27, 7:38 PM
Simone (Guest): which is : undeserved gifting
Nov 27, 7:38 PM
Dawn (Guest): this is a wonderful summary Simone.
Nov 27, 7:39 PM
Simone (Guest): good point Carol about gratitude for hard things. But even then – the hard things are converted into a gift – and then they are so much easier to take. aren’t they?
Nov 27, 7:39 PM
Dawn (Guest): I recently heard of JohnPaulII a paper he wrote titled the Gift of the Law. I am looking for it
Nov 27, 7:39 PM
carol (Guest): yes–with grace
40 PM
Simone (Guest): hmm.. sounds like an interesting reading.. Keep looking please.. and let us know maybe one day – what he writes about this.
Nov 27, 7:40 PM
Simone (Guest): sorry – I do not want to give out assignements
Nov 27, 7:40 PM
Dawn (Guest): I would not mind at all
, 7:41 PM
VisSr (Guest): Gift of the Law? did not hear of it
Nov 27, 7:42 PM
Dawn (Guest): Having assigned structure is a good thing
Nov 27, 7:42 PM
carol (Guest): it keeps us on track
27, 7:42 PM
carol (Guest): it keeps us on track
Nov 27, 7:44 PM
Simone (Guest): ladies.. can I squeeze in a personal question quickly?
Nov 27, 7:44 PM
Dawn (Guest): please…
Nov 27, 7:44 PM
VisSr (Guest): yes
Nov 27, 7:45 PM
Simone (Guest): has anyone of you ever studied the writings of Conchita – she is a “blessed” now I think – and she “founded” the “Spirituality of the Cross”
Nov 27, 7:45 PM
carol (Guest): i’ve heard of her, but no
Nov 27, 7:45 PM
Simone (Guest): her full name is Blessed Conchita Cabrera de Armida.
Nov 27, 7:45 PM
Dawn (Guest): I also heard of her, but no
Nov 27, 7:46 PM
VisSr (Guest): Yes I did 2 of her retreats with Fr Martinez thru 2 books
Nov 27, 7:46 PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. that is confirming Sister.
Nov 27, 7:46 PM
Simone (Guest): I started to study her material a bit – and I must say – that some things are really reaching me deep
Nov 27, 7:47 PM
Simone (Guest): Ok.. thanks ladies.. we can go back to our questions now. Thanks for allowing this little detour
Nov 27, 7:48 PM
carol (Guest): what is it she speaks about?
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Simone (Guest): oh.. from what I know – she was married but lead a life of a “hidden mystic” almost. Jesus spoke to her a lot about the cross – and the meaning of the cross
Nov 27, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): and the meaning of a life of suffering too
Nov 27, 7:49 PM
Simone (Guest): What would you say Sr. Susan – from what you studied?
Nov 27, 7:50 PM
VisSr (Guest): She was a great mystic
Nov 27, 7:51 PM
VisSr (Guest): I dont remember why the Lord inspired her to institute the congregations
Nov 27, 7:51 PM
VisSr (Guest): I will look for the title of those retreats
Nov 27, 7:51 PM
Simone (Guest): One day- it would be SOOOO interesting to study the overlap of her writings with the writings of St. Jane or St. Francis.
Nov 27, 7:52 PM
Simone (Guest): I know.. I am galloping here away.. gallop gallop…
Nov 27, 7:52 PM
VisSr (Guest): Under the Gaze of the Father
Retreat Directed by Archbishop Luis M. Martínez on the Grace of the Mystical Incarnation, 1935
Nov 27, 7:52 PM
VisSr (Guest): Great retreat book given by Archbishop to Conchita
Nov 27, 7:53 PM
VisSr (Guest): q How can the impulse to be grateful be a proof for God’s existence? In other words, how can we be grateful for the gift of life if it was not actually gifted?
27, 7:54 PM
carol (Guest): a gift is given by someone, so to be grateful to the person who gave the gift, not just the gift itself 5 PM
Dawn (Guest): we could not be grateful if we thought it was not a gift. well, perhaps we could be and just not realize why or from whom the gift came. that may take awhile to come into awareness
Nov 27, 7:55 PM
Simone (Guest): When I converted from Atheism to Christianity – I remember that among the first things I noticed was – how wonderful it was to be able now to be thankful. Or having an “address” for thankfulness. That was so freeing
Nov 27, 7:56 PM
Simone (Guest): Being able to be thankful itself was a gift to me
, 7:57 PM
Simone (Guest): I like the way of thought -in the question you posted Sister. It is true.. thankfulness is an “outward” motion – away from ourselves.. if there is no “other” then this feeling of thankfulness has no validation actually
Nov 27, 7:57 PM
Simone (Guest): Only with a “vis a vis” does Thankfulness actually make sense 8:02 PM
Simone (Guest): not my legs.. just saying
Nov 27, 8:03 PM
carol (Guest): lol
Nov 27, 8:03 PM
Simone (Guest): OK.. I take that back. LORD, I am thankful for my legs. I really am. At least the way they function – maybe not how they look.. but they really do carry me to all the places you and I want to go Lord
Nov 27, 8:04 PM
Dawn (Guest): lol…
Nov 27, 8:04 PM
Simone (Guest): I am not really sure – what the quote of Chesterton shall mean. Does he suggest that people are more thankful for shallow gifts – than life itself?
Nov 27, 8:06 PM
carol (Guest): he could mean that–we do tend to take life for granted
Nov 27, 8:07 PM
Dawn (Guest): do you know, or Sr would know, are any of St Janes letters compiled into a book?
Nov 27, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): I know some of them are in the latter part of the Book ” St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, Letters of Spiritual Direction.”
Nov 27, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): I would also be interested in this Dawn
Nov 27, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): There is a book “mystical prayers according to St. Jane de Chantal”
Nov 27, 8:08 PM
Simone (Guest): but these are not her letters
Nov 27, 8:09 PM
Dawn (Guest): so our topic is God giving us the courage to live for him. oh thank you Simone!
Nov 27, 8:09 PM
Simone (Guest): wait what? I did not say anything like that. or did I?
Nov 27, 8:09 PM
Simone (Guest): Welcome back Carol.. thought you can sneak out – without us noticing, eh?
Nov 27, 8:10 PM
carol (Guest): i didn’t even know i was gone
Nov 27, 8:10 PM
Simone (Guest): LOL.. you are the best Carol!
Nov 27, 8:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): this is the topic of our chat tonight….God giving us the courage to live for him
Nov 27, 8:10 PM
carol (Guest): i wondered why i wasnt hearing message pings
Nov 27, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): oooh.. now I get it. Thanks Dawn for making the connection
Nov 27, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): can we go to the next question?
Nov 27, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): Let’s assume — you all said yes
Nov 27, 8:11 PM
Simone (Guest): What does it mean for God to clothe us with power? What are we supposed to do with that power? Better yet, how do we use that power?
Nov 27, 8:12 PM
carol (Guest): we don’t–He uses us through it
Nov 27, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): boom
Nov 27, 8:12 PM
Simone (Guest): so Carol…. do you mean. .We personally do not use that power – but the power works through us?
Nov 27, 8:12 PM
Simone (Guest): boom???
Nov 27, 8:13 PM
carol (Guest): yes, like that…Kaboom!
Nov 27, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): You are funny Dawn.. Is that the power in action?
Nov 27, 8:13 PM
Dawn (Guest): Carols answer is I believe, boom
Nov 27, 8:13 PM
Simone (Guest): ooohhhh.. I see..
Nov 27, 8:13 PM
carol (Guest): yes
Nov 27, 8:14 PM
carol (Guest): followed by what was that?!
Nov 27, 8:14 PM
Simone (Guest): ok.. can we quickly focus on the first part..
Nov 27, 8:14 PM
Simone (Guest): What does it mean for God to clothe us with power?
Nov 27, 8:15 PM
carol (Guest): He doesn’t control us like a puppet, we cooperate with His action
Nov 27, 8:15 PM
Simone (Guest): I cannot find in the letter really – that refers to this. Can you ladies see something?
Nov 27, 8:15 PM
Simone (Guest): I found this – in regards to “clothing”
Nov 27, 8:15 PM
Simone (Guest): Clothe yourself in our crucified Saviour, love him in his suffering, offer up aspirations on this subject. No longer do what you have to do because you want to do it but solely because it is God’s will.
Nov 27, 8:16 PM
Simone (Guest): I mean – there is power in the cross.. power in stepping into the suffering of our Lord.. but is this what is really meant in this question?
Nov 27, 8:16 PM
Dawn (Guest): I believe it is in 2 Timothy
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8:17 PM
Simone (Guest): In Colossians 3 it says – ” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 27, 8:17 PM
carol (Guest): we are to out on the armor of God every day :18 PM
Simone (Guest): I always thought.. that this is not right.. because it is like “presenting a “false” self to the world – a “cover up”.. but then I read once that we “clothe” ourselves with something what we do not have from ourselves… , 8:18 PM
Dawn (Guest): 1:7 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Nov 27, 8:18 PM
Simone (Guest): so maybe this is the same with the “power” God wants to cloth us with?
27, 8:18 PM
carol (Guest): and humility
Nov 27, 8:19 PM
carol (Guest): not to be confused with humiliation
Nov 27, 8:19 PM
VisSr (Guest): spiritual power?
Nov 27, 8:19 PM
Simone (Guest): Sr. Susan.. we moved on to the next question and are discussing.. what the “clothing of the power” means.. and where it shows up in the letter
, 8:19 PM
carol (Guest): but knowing the truth about ourselves
Nov 27, 8:19 PM
Dawn (Guest): Sr, we are talking about q5
Nov 27, 8:19 PM
VisSr (Guest): thanks!
7, 8:20 PM
VisSr (Guest): power of the Holy Spirit! 27, 8:20 PM
Dawn (Guest): of course! thank you Sr 8:21 PM
Simone (Guest): When we think about the last part of the question then… again…”Better yet, how do we use that power?” – I think it is good again – to look at the headline of this chat.. as Dawn has said earlier….God Giving Us the Courage to Live for Him…. that’s how we should use His power
Nov 27, 8:21 PM
VisSr (Guest): Let the Spirit use the power in us- be instruments
, 8:21 PM
Simone (Guest): oohhh.. NOW I get it.. See Sister.. we truly need you here
Nov 27, 8:21 PM
VisSr (Guest): That’s the Spirit talking I think
7, 8:22 PM
carol (Guest): i think He likes our chats
Nov 27, 8:22 PM
VisSr (Guest): yes I agree
7, 8:22 PM
Dawn (Guest): “let the Spirit use the power in us- be instuments”
Nov 27, 8:23 PM
Simone (Guest): and instruments sound best in harmony…right?
7, 8:24 PM
carol (Guest): a soloist is not an orchestra and even hermits have a community
, 8:28 PM
Simone (Guest): Well.. do you think that the “Martyrdom of Love” from St. Jane de Chantal would account for that state too?
Nov 27, 8:28 PM
VisSr (Guest): very likely
9 PM
carol (Guest): i think we all have periods of darkness
Nov 27, 8:29 PM
Simone (Guest): stripped bare – means for me – no consolation – just naked humanity – without the grace of divine help