by The Face of Grace Project | Nov 22, 2020 | Presence
The Gospel of the rich young man (MT 19:16-22) is prayed when preparing for the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. A young wealthy man doing everything “right” as he was taught by his elders. Yet at some point in life, he came across Jesus. We all know what happen. Jesus told him the one thing he must give up, and the young man walked away sad.
The young man didn’t just walk away from Love itself. He walked away from salvation. The question begs, of course, how many times a day do I?
by The Face of Grace Project | Nov 18, 2020 | Presence
Holiness isn’t an event; it is a lifestyle of living a discerning life. In the examen and mental prayer, we pick apart the reasons for our response, behaviors, attitudes, coming to better know our own thoughts vs. God’s inspirations. To grow in knowledge of God, one also grows in understanding of self.
This growth, however, necessitates discerning God’s will in the small details of the day, rejecting the enemy who tempts and allures with his own suggestions. St. Ignatius of Loyola gives us a set of 14 rules to follow in the action of this, the recognizing of desolation and proper response to it. As with the work of all saints, these rules are born out of God’s Word in scriptures. Scripture references are provided for each of the 14 rules of the ‘1st week’ from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
by The Face of Grace Project | Nov 11, 2020 | Presence
An insightful reading into our lived Christian reality is the book Called to Communion by Josef Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI). He provides small tidbits of details not commonly preached that add dimension to this beautiful communion in which we exist. Most impactful was the apostles as the qahal of Jesus, followers of a spiritual leader who were interconnected through Him. As we enter into a month reflecting upon the communion of saints, it gives us opportunity to grow in understanding how ‘church’ is a spiritual communion and our reality within which we live our daily lives.
by The Face of Grace Project | Nov 8, 2020 | Presence
November 21 is the feast of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Temple. When Mary was 3, the age of being weaned, Joachim and Ann presented her to the temple in service of God. Today, with Jesus the new covenant of God, we baptized Catholics (as His body) are each a spiritual temple (1Cor 3:16-17). Filled with His Spirit, “wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh” (Ez 47:9). In modern times, we use the word purity to refer to sexual purity. However, God calls us to a purification through which we gain purity of heart, complete purity.
by The Face of Grace Project | Nov 4, 2020 | Presence
As we near the new liturgical year which begins with Advent, the mass readings focus on heaven, hell, sin and the final coming of the Lord. We also give our hearts and prayers to the Holy Souls in Purgatory to ease their suffering. In this period preceding God’s formation of the Holy Family, we feel a particular closeness to our deceased family members. It is a time to take a sobering look at our life both past and present.
The life confession is just that and brings profound change in life. But how do I make a life confession? What should I do?
by The Face of Grace Project | Oct 28, 2020 | Presence
There but for the Grace of God go I. This is an old saying from my childhood that our American culture lost long ago. Perhaps it is time to bring these sayings back, as they situate us within our spiritual reality. Do we go through our day recognizing the Sacred among us?
If we each made a renewed effort to go through the day recognizing God who is already present to us, how might the world change?
I choose with my free will to go through my day looking at God looking at me, permitting Him to show me the Sacred around me. I much prefer His perspective. 😊
