What does it mean to yield to the will of God completely? How can we know this?Why is it that God might lead us into darkness, helplessness, and so forth?Saint Francis says that God will not lead us into temptation. Why then in the Our Father do we ask God to not lead us into temptation?How can we stay safe from the wiles of the devil, and how can we recognize them?How can we embrace tribulations?Can you think of a time in your life when you resisted certain temptations many times and as a result became more virtuous in this area? How can a person best form good habits to resist temptations?
Feb 23, 4:40 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q What does it mean to yield to the will of God completely? How can we know this?
Feb 23, 4:40 PM
Simone (Guest): I must say – the first paragraph of this letter.. confused me a bit
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hi Rhodylyn!
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): It sounded to me.. like we are not supposed to enjoy serving God..
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
Ruth (Guest): Simone, it did me , too.
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): and only when we do not enjoy it.. then we fully serve him well
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Started funny too I mean the excerpt
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): This is not my experience
Feb 23, 4:41 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): My condolences to Simone too.
Feb 23, 4:42 PM
Simone (Guest): I always loved the story in St. Francis writings about the deaf musician
Feb 23, 4:42 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Thought that way too.
Feb 23, 4:42 PM
Simone (Guest): when he keeps playing, although he cannot enjoy it himself anymore..
Feb 23, 4:42 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But I think he meant that we should not be looking for “spiritual” experiences all the time but to do God’s will in dryness as well
eb 23, 4:43 PM
Simone (Guest): You are probably right Sister.. it just sounded so “exclusive” the way it is worded
Feb 23, 4:43 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): It’s like continuing to do what you know God wants you to do.
Feb 23, 4:43 PM
Simone (Guest): sometimes things get a bit lost in translation- from French to English I think
Feb 23, 4:43 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): No matter your circumstances are.
Feb 23, 4:43 PM
Simone (Guest): I see.. so not stopping in the moment it is not fun anymore
Feb 23, 4:44 PM
Ruth (Guest): Because , I think God WANTS us to spread joy. BUT the. I realized that the statement had to do with the suffering from temptations against one’s covenant relationship with Him and with a marriage partner or a Commitment to a religious vocation.
Feb 23, 4:44 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): It is having the conviction you are doing what pleases God.
Feb 23, 4:45 PM
Simone (Guest): great insight Ruth.. you are right.. we have to look at the context
Feb 23, 4:45 PM
Simone (Guest): and Rhodylyn… I think you are right on too
Feb 23, 4:45 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I can totally relate to that now being Ina specialed classroom.
eb 23, 4:45 PM
Simone (Guest): can you tell us more about that Rhodylyn
Feb 23, 4:46 PM
Simone (Guest): what do you mean with “specialed classroom?”
Feb 23, 4:46 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Every student comes in my class with different levels of emotional challenges. It’s tough for me and for them. There are many days I feel like quitting.
Feb 23, 4:47 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): But knowing they are God’s children and having the faith he wants me here, just makes keep going.
Feb 23, 4:48 PM
Ruth (Guest): I can fully relate to that Rhodylyn.
Feb 23, 4:48 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I believe I amdoing what is pleasing to Him.
Feb 23, 4:48 PM
Simone (Guest): that’s beautiful Rhodylyn.. that you see God’s calling so clearly … and yield to it in difficult circumstances
Feb 23, 4:49 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): It takes a lot of discernment and daily surrendering of the will.
Feb 23, 4:49 PM
Simone (Guest): seems that your work place is a Saint maker
Feb 23, 4:49 PM
Ruth (Guest): I think that may be what a fellow I met by internet is trying to help other physicians, mid career address. BURNOUT.
Feb 23, 4:50 PM
Simone (Guest): so.. are you helping other physicians navigate burnout Ruth?
Feb 23, 4:50 PM
Ruth (Guest): Burnout is so much less likely when you can craft just HOW you practice medicine AND when you know you are doing God’s work.
Feb 23, 4:51 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): With the loss of my spouse and Dad in a span of 6 months on top of my daily work challenges was the biggest trial I had to go through.
Feb 23, 4:51 PM
Simone (Guest): finding meaning in one’s work is often a big burn out prevention
Feb 23, 4:51 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Rhodylyn.. that must have been such a hard time.
Feb 23, 4:51 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I found solace in Church and Eucharistic Adoration.
Feb 23, 4:52 PM
Simone (Guest): His presence is often the best balm for a grieving soul
Feb 23, 4:52 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Probably that is why I was drawn to Religious life in the Monastery.
eb 23, 4:53 PM
Simone (Guest): May I ask if your discernment is finished already?
Feb 23, 4:53 PM
SrSusan (Guest): You have many challenges but HE is there for you,
Feb 23, 4:53 PM
SrSusan (Guest): You have many challenges but HE is there for you,
Feb 23, 4:53 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Joining this chat group really gave me clarity.
Feb 23, 4:54 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q Why is it that God might lead us into darkness, helplessness, and so forth?
Feb 23, 4:54 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I believe now this is where God wants me to be.
Feb 23, 4:54 PM
Ruth (Guest): HE is always there for everyone who earnestly seeks him.
eb 23, 4:54 PMSimone (Guest): I remember you mentioned something once. and what a beautiful testimony for Sr. Susan’s work with the chat here. Praise be to God!
Feb 23, 4:54 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Rhodylyn.. please keep us posted about your next steps
Feb 23, 4:55 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes I will.
eb 23, 4:56 PM
Simone (Guest): I am not sure.. if God LEADS us into darkness.. but he definitely allows us to experience it
Feb 23, 4:56 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): God wants us to be pure like gold.
eb 23, 4:56 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): That is why he allows us to be in darkness at times.
Feb 23, 4:56 PM
Ruth (Guest): No, Simone, to you question from a while back. I was just interviewing with the author of “Solving for Why.”
Feb 23, 4:56 PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. I see Ruth.. thanks
Feb 23, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Dark night of the soul?
Feb 23, 4:57 PM
Simone (Guest): this is definitely a purifying fire
Feb 23, 4:57 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes. Dark night of the soul. I believe I went through that.
Feb 23, 4:57 PM
Simone (Guest): sometimes the darkness lets us see the light brighter
Feb 23, 4:57 PM
Ruth (Guest): so wise!
Feb 23, 4:58 PM
Simone (Guest): and wrestling through the mud of unclear spiritual waters in times of darkness – strengthens our faith muscles a lot I find
Feb 23, 4:58 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): You almost feel numb but you just keep on trusting that one day the light will come through.
eb 23, 4:58 PM
Ruth (Guest): Good expression Simone!
Feb 23, 4:58 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): It did to me after two years.
Feb 23, 4:59 PM
Simone (Guest): For me it also was about two years.. I felt so lost in the beginning
eb 23, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): It’s the night of R’s and S’s…
Feb 23, 5:00 PM
Rose (Guest): Hi
Feb 23, 5:00 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Now that I know that the Lord wants ne to continue to serve and love His children, I’ve found more meaning in what I do.
Feb 23, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): Ruth, Rose, Rhodylyn and Susan and Simone
Feb 23, 5:00 PM
Simone (Guest): Isn’t that just wonderful Rhodylyn?
Feb 23, 5:00 PM
Ruth (Guest): God wants all of us to become Saints — each in his own way — and HE IS the WAY.
Feb 23, 5:01 PM
Simone (Guest): sometimes the Lord does not want us to move to something else.. but rather serve him with a different perspective.. so.. in a way the same thing becomes something very new.. hope that is not too confusing
Feb 23, 5:02 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I worked the most difficult cases and parents this past two years and I could only draw strength from His Sacred Heart.
eb 23, 5:02 PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. this most beautiful Sacred Heart of his
Feb 23, 5:03 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Filling yours, Rhodylyn and all of ours too
Feb 23, 5:03 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): He is the greatest consoler. I rest in His heart so many times especially during the Sorrowful Mysteries.
Feb 23, 5:03 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, when kids have serious emotional problems, very often it is the parents who are most in need of treatment.
Feb 23, 5:03 PM
Simone (Guest): Since my Dad’s passing I also found so much consolation in the Sorrowful Mysteries
Feb 23, 5:04 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes, Mother Mary knows what you are going through.
Feb 23, 5:04 PM
Ruth (Guest): do you know the rosary of the seven Delores of Mary?
Feb 23, 5:04 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Is that the Seven Sorrows?
Feb 23, 5:05 PM
Simone (Guest): I know the Seven Sorrows?
Feb 23, 5:05 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, the seven sorrows. It is a seven times seven rosary.
eb 23, 5:06 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): At church in our parish, I’ve joined one time.
Feb 23, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): yes a devotion
eb 23, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q Saint Francis says that God will not lead us into temptation. Why then in the Our Father do we ask God to not lead us into temptation?
Feb 23, 5:07 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I join the Nine Offices of the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion and also the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Feb 23, 5:07 PM
Simone (Guest): Did not Pope Francis change that years ago to the wording ” and lead us THROUGH temptation?
Feb 23, 5:07 PM
Simone (Guest): God never leads into temptation
Feb 23, 5:08 PM
Simone (Guest): He rather leads us IN temptation.. and then he leads us OUT of it
Feb 23, 5:08 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I read that in the Cathechism that God tempts no one. That is from James 1 verse 13.
eb 23, 5:08 PM
Simone (Guest): exactly
Feb 23, 5:09 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But it might be translation again like the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil
eb 23, 5:09 PM
Simone (Guest): but – there Jesus resisted..on behalf oh humankind
Feb 23, 5:09 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): But that the Greek translation to English didn’t mean that God leads us to temptation.
Feb 23, 5:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): Temptation comes from Satan and his honchoes. God ALLOWS temptation. Like you said, Simone, that we might have our “be strength
Feb 23, 5:10 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): The Greek actually means do not allow us to enter into temptation.
eb 23, 5:10 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Or do not let us yield to temptation.
Feb 23, 5:10 PM
Simone (Guest): that is a really good translation Rhodylyn
Feb 23, 5:10 PM
Ruth (Guest): Have our “Faith muscles” strengthened.
eb 23, 5:11 PMSrSusan (Guest): tested maybe but not tempted?
Feb 23, 5:11 PM
Simone (Guest): yes.. good point Sister
Feb 23, 5:11 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes, sister.
Feb 23, 5:11 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, sometimes something becomes more using in the translation.
Feb 23, 5:12 PM
Ruth (Guest): And I’m not sure how it got from the Aremaic to the Greek.
Feb 23, 5:12 PM
Ruth (Guest): More confusing.
Feb 23, 5:14 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q How can we stay safe from the wiles of the devil, and how can we recognize them?
Feb 23, 5:14 PM
Simone (Guest): quoting St. Francis here
Feb 23, 5:14 PM
Simone (Guest): your temptations come from the devil and from hell, but your distress and affliction come from God and paradise; the mothers come from Babylon but the daughters from Jerusalem. Despise the temptations, embrace the tribulations ..
Feb 23, 5:15 PM
Ruth (Guest): This needed to be quoted, Simone. good!
Feb 23, 5:16 PM
Simone (Guest): Also St. Francis says, that we should dislike temptation – it sounds pretty simply advise.. but is actually practically very powerful
Feb 23, 5:16 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): If we confess regularly we will have discerning spirits. We know what is sin and what is not. We would avoid all occasions of sin
Feb 23, 5:18 PMSimone (Guest): regular confession is very powerful
eb 23, 5:19 PMRhodylyn (Guest): The priest also gives counsel during confession.
eb 23, 5:20 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): I pose a question in times of dilemma. God uses the priest to give you clarity.
Feb 23, 5:20 PM
Simone (Guest): St. Francis says in his letter that we have our WILL as the last resort. It reigns over the other lower faculties of our soul.. and has access to the High point in our soul.
Feb 23, 5:21 PM
Ruth (Guest): Reguarding RECOGNIZING the wiles of the Devil, PRACTICALLY, I think, The Screwtape Letters, by CS Lewis, offer a lot of insight. But the SACRAMENTS of the Church give us the strength to Resist temptations, and daily or more frequently than daily PRAYER, preferably with Scripture helps.
Feb 23, 5:21 PM
Simone (Guest): so. we can resist the devil’s attempts to get us
eb 23, 5:21 PMSimone (Guest): I love the Screwtape letters too
Feb 23, 5:23 PMRhodylyn (Guest): I also think a regular time for prayer everyday is a good spiritual exercise. One way to combat evil.
Feb 23, 5:24 PMSimone (Guest): totally agree
Feb 23, 5:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): And a trusted friend in the Faith or spiritual director can be a good ally.
Feb 23, 5:24 PM
Simone (Guest): holy water… praising God.. spiritual accountibilty.. these are all things that are helpful I find
eb 23, 5:25 PM
Simone (Guest): I often wonder what St. Jane did.. when we read in so many accounts of her life, that she was tempted about her faith.. How did she encounter that?
Feb 23, 5:26 PM
Simone (Guest): or is the right word.. recounter?.. I mean.. how did she stand against it
Feb 23, 5:26 PMRhodylyn (Guest): I guess she followed the counsels of St Frances.
Feb 23, 5:27 PMSimone (Guest): good point Rhodylyn
eb 23, 5:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Can you think of a time in your life when you resisted certain temptations many times and as a result became more virtuous in this area? How can a person best form good habits to resist temptations?
Feb 23, 4:40 PM
Feb 23, 5:29 PM
Simone (Guest): I actually have to leave on time today.. It was lovely having all your voices in my life tonight.. I know I said it before.. but I really want you all to know.. your Sunday night friendship means a lot to me. May God bless you this week
Feb 23, 5:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): funny little story: in the apartment t I now live in, when it was my psychiatric practice, one day I was cleaning up a couch — futon — where some patients had sat. “Where did all this sand come from?” I asked myself. And then I remembered: it was Salt, Blessed Salt, a sacramental, that I had prayerfully spread there myself!
Feb 23, 5:30 PM
Ruth (Guest): t = thateb 23, 5:29 PM
Simone (Guest): I actually have to leave on time today.. It was lovely having all your voices in my life tonight.. I know I said it before.. but I really want you all to know.. your Sunday night friendship means a lot to me. May God bless you this week
Feb 23, 5:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): funny little story: in the apartment t I now live in, when it was my psychiatric practice, one day I was cleaning up a couch — futon — where some patients had sat. “Where did all this sand come from?” I asked myself. And then I remembered: it was Salt, Blessed Salt, a sacramental, that I had prayerfully spread there myself!
Feb 23, 5:30 PM
Ruth (Guest): t = that
Feb 23, 5:30 PM
Rose (Guest): Good night Simone God bless
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