Joy of the Just Blog

Time to Clean Your Stable?

11/22/2020

By Sr. Caterina de Siena

I recently read a beautiful reflection that I think is apropos as we prepare to celebrate Advent. I wish I could recall the name of the author to whom proper credit is due. Here is my recollection of the reflection (and a few embellishments of my own) and I hope it blesses you as much as it does me.
Imagine Bethlehem where Joseph and Mary are searching for a place to spend the night as Mary nears the delivery of her child. A secluded cave is found as a temporary resting place for the Holy Family. It is dark and occupied by animals preparing to rest for the night. Imagine St. Joseph lighting a lamp to dispel the darkness and cleaning the cave where animals were currently living – not a clean space in the least. He finds the animals’ feeding trough and refreshes it with hay that is lying about. Joseph tries to bring order out of the chaos and the cramping of humans and animals dwelling together in the cave. It will have to do as there are no other choices. The closeness of the occupants gives some warmth to the air.

Mary delivers her male child and she tenderly swaddles and places him in the manger prepared so lovingly by Joseph. The parents are in awe of the child and all settle in for the night as they are exhausted from their journey. Humans and animals alike worship this new born King – the Incarnation of God who became man.[1]

As we prepare for Advent, take time to imagine that your heart is the cave. Ask good St. Joseph to enter in and shed the light of Christ into any darkened corners of your heart. Grant him permission to “muck the stall” of your heart as you prepare to receive Jesus. He will arrange your heart by clearing the cobwebs; removing any chaos and distractions; and discarding the old straw of sin and replacing it with the sweet smelling hay of virtue. Ask him to fill your heart with awe and love for Jesus and remove any chaos so that peace may dwell therein.

Now, turn to Our Lady and invite her to gently place her son, Jesus, into your heart. She covers your heart with her mantle of purity and devotion and leads you to contemplate this Divine presence within. She and St. Joseph join you in adoring the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who gently rests in your heart.

I enter into this meditation prior to receiving Holy Communion and every communion is now a “little Christmas” where I can celebrate and welcome the Incarnation of Christ in my heart. May St. Joseph and Our Lady help to prepare your heart this Advent, and every day, to receive the Light of the World – the Incarnate Son of God.

[1]--God who became man in the Incarnation

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Ave Maris Stella

11/15/2020

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Written by: Brother Mark

Ave Maris Stella

“O blessed Mary, Ave Maris Stella,
one tender teardrop from your loving eyes
contains more beauty than the sum of all the salty seas,
that draw many to their shores in search of peace.

O Queen of Peace, Ave Maris Stella,
you held the Source of Peace in your loving arms,
hear us your children tossed on the stormy seas of sorrow,
help us turn our tears into the calm of a pure heart.

Health of the Sick, Ave Maris Stella,
your soul magnifies the Lord,
like the sea and the rays of the sun,
guide us on our journey to the Healer,
to Him who makes all things new, Christ your son.”

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Rules for Life

10/11/2020

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by Brother Pio Benedict

Recently I received this message on Facebook. It made me stop and think:

I find these to be so true. It’s good to think about them, mull them over, and analyze them. How much of our pain and anguish come from our lack of gratitude for God’s blessings — rather “fair to me indeed is my inheritance.” (Psalm 16:6) I just can't help thinking that most of these items are ones that send us off to the counselor or therapist. Control of them would make so much better for all of us.

Life for all of us is difficult at times, even overwhelming but as Saint Padre Pio says:

"This doesn't mean we are not meant to have any happiness in this life, but that we should not put our stock in this world. Don't be disheartened by the disappointments in this life; respond as one whose goal is heaven."

I like the 7 "rules for life”; like any good advice they have the simplicity of the Beatitudes. These teach us not only about earthly happiness but lead us to our true goal, achieving eternal life with Jesus and our heavenly Father. Strive for the 7 rules but always remember that highest goal. Focus on this thought and maybe, we can achieve a foretaste of blessedness while here on earth.

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Happy Feast of St. Dominic!

8/8/2020

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My List had to Change

8/8/2020

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What is your LIST like‒your priorities of what to do daily? What are your goals?

Contemplation of self during the pandemic
I like so many have been confined during this current global health situation. I believe that we, as Catholics, as Christians, have been given the great opportunity to contemplate our goals and priorities which we hold of great value. I would challenge myself and those of you who may read this to join me in this very personal self-evaluation in our relationship with the Most High.

I thought I was devoted; I thought I was close to God, the Holy Trinity, Our most Beloved Mother. I learned I was not what I could be or should be. My list had to change. I have had the wrong list for a very long time. I spent most of my life growing my career, getting the things that would make life convenient, comfortable. I was absorbed in “the world,” allowing myself to be influenced by all its vanities, the whole time thinking I was a “good” Christian. My list was so wrong. My independent status suddenly liquefied, running through open hands leaving them empty. I was in a strange place like so many others. I was not in control— something I was not used to. I always had my day planned, my routine established.

The loss of jobs, two in six months and prior to that health issues filled the stress on my plate. I do not compare this to any other’s suffering but the afflictions were something that changed my list. Then this coronavirus, which made life change abruptly for all, changed everything; I had to learn and accept that I was not in control. My list had to change.

The pandemic hit and the attempt to find a job froze. I had to ask for help as so many did from the government—never in my wildest dreams would I have ever filed for unemployment. I understood my qualifications and spirited energy could not help me move forward even before the fall of the economy. My pride which was and still needs to be washed with humility, seemed to be so many streaks on the glass. My list was wrong.

Did I put God first in all things as I reflect on my day? I did not look at my list and ask, is this item (agenda, material acquisition, outfit, reading, video, gathering) for the glory of God... or me? Was I even thinking of my relationship to Him after my morning prayer beginning my worldly rituals? I would say yes periodically. I assured the time for prayer and study but was that only to fulfill my list or to grow my relationship?

Now this does not mean we cannot have earthly pleasure or things; what I refer to is the question of relevance to our relationship with God. What became important to me changed. I found out who my neighbor was.
I am so thankful for the intimacy of friendship, family, and prayer time more than ever. I feel very protective of my prayer time and study time with God. If I am blessed with another job, I pray not to fall into the old pattern of my life. I thought what I was doing, becoming, was enough. I am wrong, it’s not enough. God is enough. My day must be sorted with the two commandments He said.

Our founder St. Dominic carried and memorized the Gospel of Matthew as well as the letters of St. Paul. Read Matthew with new eyes. Change your list or at least what’s on the top of the list.
I wonder, where would we be in the world if we placed these two commandments first each and every day. Would any of what has happened in the past few months, the virus, the riots, the sins against man, the sins against God, put us where we are today? Our list has to change.

The Lord Our God, The Lord is One; Thou shalt love thy Lord, thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," before also referring to a second commandment, "And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:35-40).

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TO WITNESS AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

Time to Clean Your Stable?

Ave Maris Stella

Rules for Life

Happy Feast of St. Dominic!

My List had to Change

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TO ﻿WITNESS AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

Time to Clean Your Stable?

Ave Maris Stella

Rules for Life

Happy Feast of St. Dominic!

My List had to Change

Archives

Categories

Contact Us

TO WITNESS AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL