For Reflection: Such simple words, but words so hard to live! Why is it difficult to separate the sin from the sinner? What virtue will most help me to accomplish this goal?
While we do not provide religious services for the general public in terms of liturgical celebration, our entire mission is oriented to providing a service for religion -- the production of Catholic radio and television programming, the distribution of relgious products, and an apostloate for Catholic women.
When I questioned if this mission disqualified us as tenants, the agent's comment was, "Just don't tell anybody." Clearly, he was eager for a tenant and clearly the lease precluded us. I asked him to check with his legal department. He called me back and told me that "he would have to pass on this one."
There are those that would say "persecution" is too strong a term to be used to describe this event. However, I disagree. The language was broad enough to exclude any operation that did anything religious -- a religious goods store, a religious social service agency, a store-front church, an apostolic outreach. Religion was opted out.
Religious persecution, especially of Christians, and Catholics in particular, is becoming commonplace. So much so that the Vatican has announced the need for an international day against Christian persecution. I agree.
Read the article below and let me know what you think.
For Reflection: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "the greatest sinner" and 10 being the "greatest saint," at what level am I according to this quote? Am I happy with my position? What can I do to improve it according to St. Teresa of Avila? With whom can I begin? Â
For Reflection: What great insight into the consequences of harboring resentment about a wrong committed against us! In what way does recollecting an injury add to anger, nurture sin, hate the good, and become a rusty arrow and poison for the soul? Why does it put virtue to flight?
Though the writing hearkens back to an earlier day and time, the wisdom is everlasting. I am offering it to you for your consideration and prayerful meditation. To hear my comments about it as well as another reading from this gem of a book, go to www.womenofgrace.com and click on Podcasts. It is number WGL 1269.
Zeal, Industry
A Girl's character can be pretty well judged by knowing what she does with her spare time.
The piety of a good girl will manifest itself not only in attending devotions, but, when necessary, in being willing to do her share in parish activities.
The Blessed Virgin was not afraid of spoiling her hands by doing household work, although she belonged to the royal family of David and was God's most favored creature.
You may think you are able to take care of a husband's home; but you are not, unless you are able to take your mother's place in the work of your own home.
Those who dislike work in all its forms and phases, and who yield to their indolent disposition are like barren fig-trees, useless to themselves, to God and to man, fit only for the ax and the fire.
If the time that is wasted in useless or dangerous talking and reading, or in unnecessary rest and recreation, were devoted to the service of God and the salvation of souls, the whole world would be converted.
For the encouragement of those whose life is a daily grind of routine work, it should be remembered, first, that the world depends on patient faithfulness to such tasks; next, that the expert performance of simpler duties always fits one for higher and more responsible posts; and finally, that in the sight of God, and as far as our eternal reward is concerned, it is not what we do, so much as the intention with which we work that counts.
The obligations of justice should be discharged before generosity is indulged in. Therefore the satisfaction of debts and the performance of duties to those dependent upon us take precedence over the giving of alms to optional charities.
It is said that you can catch a thief, but that you cannot catch a liar; but for liars is reserved hell fire, as St. John warns in Rev. 21:8.
It is most useful to cultivate the friendship and companionship of other good girls, whose virtuous example and conversation will be an inspiration to higher and nobler life. "He that walketh with the wise shall be wise; a friend of fools shall become like to them." -- Prov. 13:20.
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