What does it mean to be gentle towards ourselves?How is being vexed/angry with ourselves a form of self-love?Why should we judge our conscience with reason and not passion?How might this movement away from anger into calm composure and reasoned reflection be a byproduct of hope?Why do we often act so surprised by our faults? Could this be one of the reasons why we get so upset with ourselves? Yes, the Lord calls us to perfection/sanctity, but while we have this high bar, we are yet sinners. How do we find that balance between high hopes and a healthy remembrance of our propensity to sin?What are some ways we can grow in self-knowledge so that we become aware of our shortcomings and weaknesses?
What does it mean to be gentle towards ourselves?
Oct 1, 7:27 PM
Paula (Guest): Acknowledging our sin/down fall without being emotional about it and beating ourself up
Oct 1, 7:27 PMDawn (Guest): I think not being unduely harsh, understanding we are sinful and make mistakes
ct 1, 7:28 PMBettychao (Guest): Do not commit to sin just closed and follow Jesus and obey the daily words
Oct 1, 7:28 PM
Paula (Guest): stop judging ourselves
Oct 1, 7:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Asking Jesus to give us His gentle Heart
ct 1, 7:29 PMBettychao (Guest): Jesus say no one is right only jesus
Oct 1, 7:30 PM
Dawn (Guest): He does say this Betty. he says no one is good except the Father
Oct 1, 7:30 PM
Paula (Guest): Seeing ourselves as Jesus sees us…with love…even when we make mistakes
Oct 1, 7:30 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q How is being vexed/angry with ourselves a form of self-love?
t 1, 7:31 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes, I like this simple prayer, Jesus please give me your gentle heart.
Oct 1, 7:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): Because it causes us to be self focused rather than God focused
Oct 1, 7:32 PM
Paula (Guest): because we are striving to be perfect….a form of self-love
Oct 1, 7:32 PM
Bettychao (Guest): We do sin against Jesus but Jesus still love us and shine his mercy toward us that is why we pray to chaplet of divine mercy because Jesus is love and mercy
Oct 1, 7:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): Pride
t 1, 7:33 PMDawn (Guest): he says…which is displeased at finding we are not perfect
Oct 1, 7:34 PM
Paula (Guest): it is not Our effort….only with God can we become holy and perfect…He perfects us
Oct 1, 7:34 PM
Bettychao (Guest): What is that mean
Oct 1, 7:35 PMSrSusan (Guest): we strive for perfection but we only reach it in heaven
Oct 1, 7:38 PMSrSusan (Guest): q Why should we judge our conscience with reason and not passion?
t 1, 7:39 PMBettychao (Guest): We can’t judge God will take care this situation
ct 1, 7:40 PMPaula (Guest): Because when we judge with passion we blow things out of proportion
ct 1, 7:40 PM
Dawn (Guest): if we judge with passion we could fall into the snare
Oct 1, 7:40 PM
Dawn (Guest): Hi Ruth!
Oct 1, 7:41 PM
Dawn (Guest): I like your simple answer Paula.
Oct 1, 7:41 PM
Paula (Guest): We get into a cycle of blaming ourselves instead of calmly correcting the problem
t 1, 7:42 PM
Bettychao (Guest): If we judge people God will judge us when the last days end of world under his judgement
Oct 1, 7:42 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes passion takes over
Oct 1, 7:43 PMSrSusan (Guest): q How might this movement away from anger into calm composure and reasoned reflection be a byproduct of hope?
Oct 1, 7:43 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I listen a worship song name passion sometime and casting crown sometime
Oct 1, 7:44 PM
Paula (Guest): God will judge everything in the end….we should avoid judging others and ourselves and acknowledge our sins and really calmly try to do better
ct 1, 7:45 PM
Dawn (Guest): from faith. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainity of what we donot see.
Oct 1, 7:45 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan I watch the visitation sisters program in youtube
Oct 1, 7:45 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thanks!
Oct 1, 7:45 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Dawn, good quote
Oct 1, 7:45 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think that it is helpful also to make a specific plan how we might improve.
t 1, 7:46 PM
Paula (Guest): because we can focus on really amending our life…instead of emotions and blaming…and doing nothing
Oct 1, 7:46 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I think is good idea to share Jesus words and guide the people do not know jesus
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Oct 1, 7:46 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes, Ruth…like setting goals
Oct 1, 7:47 PM
Paula (Guest): very good Ruth…I like that a plan of positive action!
Oct 1, 7:47 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan it is you monastery open for visitors to see sisters
Oct 1, 7:47 PM
Ruth (Guest): Avoiding as far as possible the situations that our experience says might lead to sin.
t 1, 7:48 PM
Paula (Guest): yep
Oct 1, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): If they live nearby- we don’t usually have visitors except retreatants and family
Oct 1, 7:48 PM
Ruth (Guest): And bringing our plans to God in prayer … for correction .
Oct 1, 7:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But sometimes we do
ct 1, 7:50 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q Why do we often act so surprised by our faults?
Oct 1, 7:50 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Go to comffesion
Oct 1, 7:51 PM
Dawn (Guest): because we may be prideful and think we are beyond faults
Oct 1, 7:51 PM
Ruth (Guest): “Baby steps” for example might “work” better than aiming so high that we are overwhelmed before we start.
Oct 1, 7:51 PM
Dawn (Guest): I agree Betty! how blessed we are to have Confession
Oct 1, 7:51 PM
Paula (Guest): because we thought we don’t fall into that sin any more
ct 1, 7:52 PM
Ruth (Guest): If we ARE surprised we probably have not been examining ourselves regular
Oct 1, 7:52 PM
Bettychao (Guest): But confession to Jesus first and then tell you sins to you church father this sacrements is private
ct 1, 7:54 PMSrSusan (Guest): I think our self esteem has something to do with the surprise at our faults but not sure what exactly
ct 1, 7:55 PMPaula (Guest): we are self-confident that we are over a certain sin and then some how we are tired or negligant and fall
t 1, 7:55 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan when I was in kansas I did do the sacraments of penance before with the priest it is confession because sometime some student in school make fun of me and play the hurt feelings game to me the priest say forgive and pray
Oct 1, 7:55 PM
Dawn (Guest): would it be feeling like we are advancing and this is pleasing to the Lord then we fall and we can be surprised at it!
t 1, 7:56 PMRuth (Guest): Yes, Sister. It hurts our self image [ especially if it is somewhat inflated) to recognize our faults.
t 1, 7:58 PM
Dawn (Guest): in chat before we spoke alot about everything is grace. when we do not fall, it is grace. everything being grace, we can stop patting oursleves on the back for our achievments…Im thinking out loud
Oct 1, 7:58 PM
SrSusan (Guest): We are made in the image of God but maybe we dont look at ourselves that way
Oct 1, 7:58 PM
Ruth (Guest): And even more so if someone else points them out, especially if harshly, BEFORE we recognize them and have been working on overcoming those specific faults.
ct 1, 7:59 PMPaula (Guest): It’s difficulty to forgive Betty….I had a lot of teasing too as a child…but you give it all to the Lord in uniion with His passion
ct 1, 7:59 PMDawn (Guest): yes Ruth. the critical spirit. but it can be helpful, and they can help sanctify us
ct 1, 7:59 PM
Dawn (Guest): yes Ruth. the critical spirit. but it can be helpful, and they can help sanctify us
Oct 1, 8:02 PM
Paula (Guest): if it is the truth….sometimes things can be bullying and abuse
Oct 1, 8:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q the Lord calls us to perfection/sanctity, but while we have this high bar, we are yet sinners. How do we find that balance between high hopes and a healthy remembrance of our propensity to sin?
ct 1, 8:02 PM
Dawn (Guest): perhaps we find it, or get closer, in much prayer
Oct 1, 8:05 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes,Paula. The truth can make us free. But there are a lotof people these days who do not even believe there is such a thing as objective truth. They might speak of “your truth and my truth.”
ct 1, 8:06 PMSrSusan (Guest): that is so common you are right Ruth but it is not truth in its integrity
Oct 1, 8:07 PM
Paula (Guest): remember that we are going to fall…again and again….the key is to get up and truly do better
Oct 1, 8:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Dawn, prayer is the safest path to truth yes
Oct 1, 8:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): thank you for that
Oct 1, 8:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q What are some ways we can grow in self-knowledge so that we become aware of our shortcomings and weaknesses?
Oct 1, 8:09 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you. and Hi Victoria
Oct 1, 8:11 PM
Paula (Guest): Examine how we did the Lord’s will today….and how did we do that …with love & charity?
Oct 1, 8:11 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think prayer which you mentioned Dawn also answers this need of growing in self knowledge but there are other ways as well
ct 1, 8:11 PMDawn (Guest): seeing our faults can be apart of conversion where the Lord illuminates them to you
Oct 1, 8:11 PM
Ruth (Guest): I’ve even been told that I was ”crazy” for giving away so much of my professional time/services, or giving up a prepaid vacation trip when I had a suicidal patient in my private practice and learned that the parents were a big part of the problem and there was no other doctor to take over for a while.
ct 1, 8:12 PMSrSusan (Guest): You are God centered Ruth and do the compassionate thing
Oct 1, 8:12 PM
Paula (Guest): examination of conscience 3 times daily
Oct 1, 8:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yes Ruth, may we have more Drs like this
Oct 1, 8:13 PM
Ruth (Guest): I try to be.
Oct 1, 8:13 PMRuth (Guest): But it is also simply Scriptural.
Oct 1, 8:14 PMSrSusan (Guest): A good spiritual friend can help us see ourselves better
Oct 1, 8:15 PMPaula (Guest): Ask the Holy Spirit
t 1, 8:15 PM
Paula (Guest): I did that once before confession…..boy was I enlightened
Oct 1, 8:15 PM
SrSusan (Guest): years ago in monastic life here each Sr was assigned another Sr to talk over spiritual things and point out strengths and weaknesses
ct 1, 8:17 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think spiritual directors also have some suggestions to offer in this area
Oct 1, 8:17 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, it is important that that person be relatively healthy herself/himself and share the same basic gospel values.
Oct 1, 8:17 PM
Paula (Guest): Ask Our Lady to purify you
Oct 1, 8:18 PM
SrSusan (Guest): all needs to be expressed with charity
Oct 1, 8:18 PMDawn (Guest): This sounds like a good idea
t 1, 8:20 PM
Dawn (Guest): I have question. I asked a younger priest if he does spiritual direction and he said yes. my concern is he has more modern thoughts. but the Lord works in each time you meet, is this correct? Im discerning if this is good to persue
Oct 1, 8:20 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, with charity. So important.
Oct 1, 8:21 PM
Paula (Guest): even when it’s not….remember it’s God’s will….and God allows all out of love
Oct 1, 8:21 PM
SrSusan (Guest): The more experienced the better Dawn
ct 1, 8:22 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you
Oct 1, 8:22 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But you can begin and see if your souls connect
Oct 1, 8:22 PMSrSusan (Guest): it is a delicate process, direction
Oct 1, 8:23 PM
Ruth (Guest): I agree Sister. But since Sr. Charlotte died, and since I am home bound, I have not found another spiritual director.
Oct 1, 8:23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): any general questions or comments tonight?
ct 1, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Just that I am very grateful for this chat and that we pray for one another.
Oct 1, 8:24 PM
Dawn (Guest): I always leave chat being a bit more enlightened. God bless you all and Gods love to you
Oct 1, 8:24 PM
Paula (Guest): have a great week!
Oct 1, 8:24 PM
SrSusan (Guest): You too!
Last week Carol could not get in I wonder if she had problems tonite too
Oct 1, 8:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): umm…I always sign in a quest because the other way I cant figure out. I wonder how she signs in?
Oct 1, 8:25 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Victoria I hope this was ok for you. Come back if you’d like next week
Oct 1, 8:26 PM
Ruth (Guest): She is still working and has quite a lot to do as a member of the Community she is now professed in.