Reflections:If we do successful things or laudable things, we could be praised for them, but how do we avoid doing those things for the sake of being praised? Or how do we not allow ourselves to be consumed by the praise we do end up receiving?How is it that imperfect people are allowed to guide people in the way of perfection?How can we embrace the idea that we are all disciples (students) of Jesus? Remembering that we are on an endless journey of learning, How can we obtain a stronger interior life? What are the “points of meditation” that St. Francis mentions? And what exactly is the interior life?What does it mean to be in the presence of God? Aren’t we always in the presence of God?
Apr 28, 4:32 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q :If we do successful things or laudable things, we could be praised for them, but how do we avoid doing those things for the sake of being praised? Or how do we not allow ourselves to be consumed by the praise we do end up receiving?
Apr 28, 4:32 PM
Paula (Guest): yeah too much sun today
Apr 28, 4:32 PM
Simone (Guest): I think that the best prevention for this is right away to pray the prayer of direction of intention
Apr 28, 4:32 PM
Simone (Guest): in that way..I have already set the direction of the action – namely heaven wards
Apr 28, 4:33 PM
Paula (Guest): I do that plus I ask Jesus to handle the interaction
Apr 28, 4:33 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I’ve noticed humble people know how to take praise by then referring it back to the Lord
pr 28, 4:34 PMCarol (Guest): Yes, and what each person might need and what the rules are
pr 28, 4:34 PMSimone (Guest): When someone praises me.. I simply lift my hand quickly up towards HIM.. not a big fuss.. but for me and the other to quickly see – who is behind whatever I did
Apr 28, 4:35 PMSrSusan (Guest): I do praise people from time to time
pr 28, 4:35 PMSimone (Guest): and I think we should..
Apr 28, 4:35 PMPaula (Guest): i offer it to God in my heart
pr 28, 4:36 PMSimone (Guest): we should praise others, if we have have been blessed through their work
Apr 28, 4:36 PM
Simone (Guest): we should praise others, if we have have been blessed through their work
Apr 28, 4:36 PM
Simone (Guest): Carol.. ice your bruised area well.. that’s how far my nursing knowledge goes though..
Apr 28, 4:36 PM
Simone (Guest): there is a difference between flattering and praising
Apr 28, 4:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): as long as it is a bruise in an area away from the head-
Apr 28, 4:36 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes, they gave me some
Apr 28, 4:36 PM
Ruth (Guest): and humility. Just do it BECAUSE Mesus
pr 28, 4:36 PM
Simone (Guest): does anyone have a quick insight how these two distinguish?
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
Paula (Guest): we should accept people’s praise as God made us. it is a complement to Him
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Paula
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
Paula (Guest): we should accept people’s praise as God made us. it is a complement to Him
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Paula
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
Carol (Guest): It hit me square on the hand, knocked my phone out. But it landed screen up and it is better off than me
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
Paula (Guest): ouch
Apr 28, 4:37 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think flattery is dishonest or said for resons of personal gain
Apr 28, 4:38 PM
Simone (Guest): perfect Sister.. I also thought that the personal gain is somewhat the dividing factor
Apr 28, 4:38 PM
Carol (Guest): I agree with you Sr Susan
Apr 28, 4:38 PMSimone (Guest): but for the “praised” person it is often not easy to distinguish
pr 28, 4:38 PM
Paula (Guest): but sometimes people get upset if i don’t acknowledge their compliment
Apr 28, 4:38 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Where is sr susan
Apr 28, 4:38 PM
Ruth (Guest): Jesus or the Holy Spirit leads us to. CHose the will of God; and know that we can accomplish nothing of importance without His doing it.
Apr 28, 4:38 PM
Paula (Guest): Hi Betty
Apr 28, 4:38 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I am here
Apr 28, 4:39 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Hi paula
pr 28, 4:39 PMCarol (Guest): We should be grateful for the praise but not let it change us
Bettychao
Apr 28, 4:40 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q How is it that imperfect people are allowed to guide people in the way of perfection?
Apr 28, 4:40 PM
Simone (Guest): I am teaching right now in our church a series on the Spiritual Gifts. in the area of our giftedness we often get the most praises. It is a good reminder – how GOd works in and through us
pr 28, 4:41 PMCarol (Guest): We share what we have learned in the hope that it helps another
Apr 28, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): Insight into the soul of another person does not require perfection –
Apr 28, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): fortunately
Apr 28, 4:41 PM
Bettychao (Guest): I am now in kansas my old sister Monica home
pr 28, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): otherwise no-one could lead here on earth
Apr 28, 4:41 PM
Paula (Guest): Sometimes we learn from the example of the most meek
Apr 28, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): or weak
Apr 28, 4:42 PM
Paula (Guest): from the mouth of babes spews wisdom
Apr 28, 4:42 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Today many people dont think of the concept of perfection but growth towards it
Apr 28, 4:42 PM
Simone (Guest): good point Paula
Apr 28, 4:43 PM
Carol (Guest): God is close to little children
Apr 28, 4:43 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thatys a long time Betty – yes I will
Apr 28, 4:43 PMSrSusan (Guest): we grow together
Apr 28, 4:43 PM
SrSusan (Guest): headed in the same direction
Apr 28, 4:43 PM
Paula (Guest): Not only that sometimes worker bees have more knowledge than those with phd’d
Apr 28, 4:44 PMCarol (Guest): Too true Paula
Apr 28, 4:45 PM
SrSusan (Guest): The Lord brings us to perfection
Apr 28, 4:45 PM
Paula (Guest): my dad had no BS or electronics degree but he had more working knowledge than the electronics engineers
Apr 28, 4:45 PM
Apr 28, 4:46 PMSrSusan (Guest): q How can we embrace the idea that we are all disciples (students) of Jesus?
Apr 28, 4:46 PM
Carol (Guest): By keeping Him in the center
Apr 28, 4:46 PM
Paula (Guest): God’s in charge as says SFDS
Apr 28, 4:47 PM
Simone (Guest): to be honest Sister.. that is a bit of a strange question to me. Of course we are all disciples of Jesus. Not sure if we are all apostles ( sent by Jesus), but we are for sure all called to follow Jesus ( disciple)
Apr 28, 4:47 PM
Simone (Guest): Maybe I do not understand the question properly
Apr 28, 4:48 PM
Paula (Guest): Remember St. Peter ….he professed Jesus as the Christ and then Jesus told him get behind me satan
Apr 28, 4:48 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I think it is probably in reference to the preceeding question but yes it is sating the obvious
pr 28, 4:48 PMSimone (Guest): Well.. that is like the blind man Paula.. who also was healed in two steps..
Apr 28, 4:49 PM
Paula (Guest): Also…Peter denied Jesus….
Apr 28, 4:49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): so in other words, the imperfect leading another to perfection is a disciple as well
pr 28, 4:49 PM
Paula (Guest): Jesus is in charge ….we must have humility
Apr 28, 4:49 PM
Simone (Guest): yes. of course. We all are called to be disciples.
Apr 28, 4:49 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Satan is very jealous when he is angel but he is jealous to God so God is punish him become satan and throw him to hell
pr 28, 4:50 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes, as the new saying goes, Jesus doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called
Apr 28, 4:50 PM
Simone (Guest): being a disciple is not a linear road.. but the direction is always important
Apr 28, 4:50 PMCarol (Guest): He likes to turn things upside down and uses the lowly to demonstrate His glory
Apr 28, 4:51 PMPaula (Guest): God allows u-turns….remember the good thief
Apr 28, 4:51 PM
Paula (Guest): yes, Our Blessed Lady
Apr 28, 4:51 PM
Simone (Guest): it’s funny that you mention the good thief.. He was the main focus on my meditation last week. Much to learn from his little dialogue with Jesus
Apr 28, 4:52 PM
Bettychao (Guest): God want us not just become good person and he also want us become good Christian and win heaven rewards
Apr 28, 4:52 PM
Simone (Guest): Yes Betty. I agree
pr 28, 4:53 PM
Paula (Guest): but we can’t win heaven it’s God’s gift to us
Apr 28, 4:53 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q Remembering that we are on an endless journey of learning, How can we obtain a stronger interior life?
Apr 28, 4:53 PM
Simone (Guest): absolutely right..
Apr 28, 4:53 PM
Ruth (Guest): Embrace the idea by understanding what Baptism does, and what Jesus says: make disciples of all nations.
pr 28, 4:54 PMRuth (Guest): We may have to do it one by one, depending on our circumstances.
Apr 28, 4:54 PMCarol (Guest): We have to devote time to developing the interior life as we would any skill
pr 28, 4:54 PM
Bettychao (Guest): God gift heaven rewards through Jesus Christ die on the cross for our sins
Apr 28, 4:54 PM
Simone (Guest): I guess the whole book of the Introduction to the Devout Life is the answer here
pr 28, 4:55 PM
Carol (Guest): True!
Apr 28, 4:55 PM
Paula (Guest): prayer plus daily meditation/contemplation
pr 28, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): knowing what distracts us and trying to avoid those events or things, can help us interiorly
Apr 28, 4:56 PM
Paula (Guest): plus good works (selflessly serving others)
Apr 28, 4:56 PMSimone (Guest): mortification
Apr 28, 4:57 PM
Paula (Guest): or accept the distractions and offer it up
Apr 28, 4:58 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I had a hard time when younger grasping what interior life even meant
Apr 28, 4:58 PM
Simone (Guest): I remember when Peter and I were dating that I said ‘ Most of all, I fell in love with your interior life”
Apr 28, 4:59 PM
SrSusan (Guest): that is beautiful
Apr 28, 4:59 PM
Simone (Guest): thank you Sister.. but it was really true
Apr 28, 4:59 PM
Ruth (Guest): Simone: Mortification: does that mean Surrender or dying to oneself?
pr 28, 4:59 PMSimone (Guest): dying to oneself.. is what I meant
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): but surrender is in some ways step 1 in mortification
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
Victoria_br: Good evening everyone
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Hi Victoria!
pr 28, 5:00 PM
Ruth (Guest): So true, Sister.
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
Carol (Guest): Puttin aside what I want in favor of what someone else wants
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan my mom say to me not so many woman enter the religious calling it is not you want be a nun it is God call you become a sister a nun she tell me she has a Godmother who be a nun before but she getting out the convent about three times now God call her be married a guy
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
Paula (Guest): Hi Victoria!
Apr 28, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Victoria!
pr 28, 5:00 PMSimone (Guest): gosh.. that is so hard Carol
pr 28, 5:01 PM
Carol (Guest): It is, Simone. I keep wondering when, since ill supposed to do this for others, when someone will domit for me, lol
Apr 28, 5:01 PM
Paula (Guest): that’s charity
pr 28, 5:02 PMSimone (Guest): Maybe we often do not see when someone else quietly steps back – that is how God works often I find
Apr 28, 5:03 PM
Paula (Guest): Well, we all have to put aside what we want anyway in favor of what God wants
Apr 28, 5:03 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q What are the “points of meditation” that St. Francis mentions?
Apr 28, 5:04 PM
Bettychao (Guest): He is doctor from the church that God choose him to guide us to church teaching truth
Apr 28, 5:04 PM
Carol (Guest): Yes, Paula, I think we practice on each other. And Simone is right
Apr 28, 5:05 PMPaula (Guest): I agree. it is difficult
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
Simone (Guest): as for points of meditation.. is it meant.. the point of putting one in the presence of GOD, then invocation and then representing the mystery?
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
Bettychao (Guest): Sr Susan why a lot of people say against the pope Francis and. Vatican
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): First, the Presence of God, the First Point of Preparation.
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
Paula (Guest): is that the steps in the Salesian Meditation Methodolgy
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes Simone
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Invocation, the Second Point of Preparation
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
Simone (Guest): Do you always pray these points Sister?
Apr 28, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): The Third Point of Preparation, representing the Mystery to be meditated to Your Imagination
Apr 28, 5:07 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I am more of a follower of St Jane- simple gaze on God
pr 28, 5:07 PM
Paula (Guest): there are 12 steps
Apr 28, 5:07 PM
Apr 28, 5:07 PMSimone (Guest): I think- the simple gaze on GOD is a natural follow up – after one has meditated for a while with the steps
pr 28, 5:08 PMCarol (Guest): Or the way Msgr Rosetti says it–keep,your spirit turned to God always
pr 28, 5:08 PMSrSusan (Guest): I am better at writing out my meditations
Apr 28, 5:08 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I am better at writing out my meditations
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
Simone (Guest): oh that’s interesting.. can you tell more about that Sister?
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
Simone (Guest): Are you journaling your prayer?
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Taking the Gospel passage and writing as I go along- the reflection- focuses me better
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
Paula (Guest): there is invoking the saints, humbling yourself, praying an Our Father, Hail Mary and the Creed…
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
Bettychao (Guest): My mom say meditation is devotion to Jesus by you heart mind
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Something like that Simone
Apr 28, 5:09 PM
Simone (Guest): Ok.. thanks Sister
Apr 28, 5:10 PMSimone (Guest): I am like you – I also pray sometimes with the pen in my hand better
Apr 28, 5:10 PM
Carol (Guest): I find free writing let’s things pop up out of the subconcious
Apr 28, 5:10 PM
Simone (Guest): very good point Carol
pr 28, 5:11 PMSimone (Guest): I also take more responsibility of what I say to Jesus and what I hear from him
Apr 28, 5:11 PM
Paula (Guest): But isn’t writing more like Lectio Divinia than Salesian Meditation
Apr 28, 5:11 PM
Kimbberlyy: hello all
Apr 28, 5:11 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I did not know one writes with Lectio
Apr 28, 5:11 PM
Simone (Guest): Lectio Divina.. suggests to journal after the meditation time –
pr 28, 5:12 PMSimone (Guest): specially when you meet with a Spiritual director regularly
pr 28, 5:13 PMSimone (Guest): there are two schools of thoughts on this. 1) it is not good to journal WHILE you pray – because no-one writes while talking to another person… and 2) it can draw out the right words in some while they write – it really has to be discerned on an individual base
Apr 28, 5:13 PM
Simone (Guest): I think- that St. Francis de Sales would have looked at the fruit of the prayer – more than the method
Apr 28, 5:13 PM
Simone (Guest): He himself loved to pray in the Ignatian way
Apr 28, 5:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): which is why I am probably drawn to St Jane’s way
Apr 28, 5:14 PM
Carol (Guest): He did? I am most strongly drawn to Ignatian
Apr 28, 5:15 PM
Paula (Guest): I guess my question is are you writing a meditation on the Gospels or is it a prayer to God and a take action plan as it should be as per SFDS
Apr 28, 5:15 PM
Carol (Guest): We will pray for you Sister Betty
Apr 28, 5:15 PM
Paula (Guest): bye Betty! have a great week!
Apr 28, 5:15 PM
Simone (Guest): personally – I write my dialogue with God.. the action plan.. as for resolution – and spiritual bouquet.. I do not write out
Apr 28, 5:16 PM
SrSusan (Guest): varies Paula I cant seem to do an action plan every day, twice as day. St Francis never forces one so I take liberty
Apr 28, 5:16 PM
Simone (Guest): I do not always have a resolution
Apr 28, 5:16 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q What does it mean to be in the presence of God? Aren’t we always in the presence of God?
Apr 28, 5:16 PM
Carol (Guest): Mindful presence? Remembering He is there
Apr 28, 5:17 PM
Paula (Guest): Bringing God into all our works and thoughts and being
pr 28, 5:17 PM
Simone (Guest): a little bit like… I am breathing the whole day.. but then sometimes I breathe very intentionally – so breathing becomes more than just an instinctive rhythm of survival
Apr 28, 5:18 PM
Simone (Guest): to “BE ‘ in the presence of GOD .. involves my will –
Apr 28, 5:18 PM
Simone (Guest): my openness to His presence
Apr 28, 5:19 PMPaula (Guest): inviting Him into your day at each moment
pr 28, 5:19 PMSimone (Guest): doing life with HIM
pr 28, 5:20 PM
Carol (Guest): There’s no better dance partner
Apr 28, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): lol.. you are right Carol
pr 28, 5:21 PM
Simone (Guest): my first “vision” I had from Jesus.. was dancing with Him.. this is now almost 30 years ago – but I still feel the divine twirl and this deep love and joy when I think of it
Apr 28, 5:22 PM
Carol (Guest): We are alike in that!
pr 28, 5:22 PMSimone (Guest): lovely Carol
Apr 28, 5:26 PM
Paula (Guest): dance every day….Jesus consoles those devoted to His Sacred Heart
Apr 28, 5:26 PM
Carol (Guest): He does
Apr 28, 5:26 PM
Simone (Guest): yes He does
pr 28, 5:26 PM
Carol (Guest): I hear everyone has come home so I should go. And put more ice on my hand
Apr 28, 5:27 PM
Simone (Guest): May your body heal well Carol. Blessings on your week!
Apr 28, 5:27 PM
Paula (Guest): invite Him in your day to stay with the Padre Pio prayer
Apr 28, 5:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes please heal Carol
Apr 28, 5:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Blessings to all!
Apr 28, 5:27 PM
Carol (Guest): God bless us every one!