WE SHOULD enjoy much peace if we did not concern ourselves with what others say and do, for these are no concern of ours. How can a man who meddles in affairs not his own, who seeks strange distractions, and who is little or seldom inwardly recollected, live long in peace? Blessed are the simple of heart for they shall enjoy peace in abundance. Why were some of the saints so perfect and so given to contemplation? Because they tried to mortify entirely in themselves all earthly desires, and thus they were able to attach themselves to God with all their heart and freely to concentrate their innermost thoughts. We are too occupied with our own whims and fancies, too taken up with passing things. Rarely do we completely conquer even one vice, and we are not inflamed with the desire to improve ourselves day by day; hence, we remain cold and indifferent. If we mortified our bodies perfectly and allowed no distractions to enter our minds, we could appreciate divine things and experience something of heavenly contemplation. The greatest obstacle, indeed, the only obstacle, is that we are not free from passions and lusts, that we do not try to follow the perfect way of the saints. Thus when we encounter some slight difficulty, we are too easily dejected and turn to human consolations. If we tried, however, to stand as brave men in battle, the help of the Lord from heaven would surely sustain us. For He Who gives us the opportunity of fighting for victory, is ready to help those who carry on and trust in His grace. If we let our progress in religious life depend on the observance of its externals alone, our devotion will quickly come to an end. Let us, then, lay the ax to the root that we may be freed from our passions and thus have peace of mind. If we were to uproot only one vice each year, we should soon become perfect. The contrary, however, is often the case -- we feel that we were better and purer in the first fervor of our conversion than we are after many years in the practice of our faith. Our fervor and progress ought to increase day by day; yet it is now considered noteworthy if a man can retain even a part of his first fervor. If we did a little violence to ourselves at the start, we should afterwards be able to do all things with ease and joy. It is hard to break old habits, but harder still to go against our will. If you do not overcome small, trifling things, how will you overcome the more difficult? Resist temptations in the beginning, and unlearn the evil habit lest perhaps, little by little, it lead to a more evil one. If you but consider what peace a good life will bring to yourself and what joy it will give to others, I think you will be more concerned about your spiritual progress. |
-
This New York City Prosecution of Trump Is a Dangerous Legal Jenga Game for Democrats
PJ Media Apr 27, 2024 | 04:34 am -
'Those children were hunted down and killed': Oklahoma police stunned by family massacre where 10-year-old boy was unharmed
Blaze Media Apr 27, 2024 | 02:50 amOklahoma neighbors of a family are shocked and saddened by the gruesome murder-suicide being reported by police on Monday. A 10-year-old boy awoke to find his parents and three siblings shot to death and called police from their Oklahoma City[…]
Read more... -
Describe Pro-Hamas Protests? AI Misses Key Details.
The American Spectator | USA News and Politics Apr 27, 2024 | 02:42 amTen days after Columbia University students decided to make national headlines by camping out on the colleges’ quad, they’ve managed to elicit hours’ worth of X debates about free speech rights and an incredibly lukewarm response from the Biden administration....The[…]
Read more... -
My Good Friend Bad Luck
The American Spectator | USA News and Politics Apr 27, 2024 | 02:42 amI bought some summer clothes, you know, shorts, T-shirts, and a lilo with a beer holder for the pool. I packed everything in a suitcase along with sunscreen and set off to the beach for the weekend, taking advantage of...The[…]
Read more... -
New Mexico grandmom says home intruder didn't listen to her warning, so she shot him to protect her 4-year-old granddaughter
Blaze Media Apr 27, 2024 | 01:30 amA grandmother in New Mexico recalls the terror of the night she shot a home intruder in order to protect her 4-year-old granddaughter. Blaze News previously reported the incident from March 21, but new details have been revealed through the[…]
Read more... -
Rep. Adam Schiff’s Luggage Stolen In San Francisco
One America News Network Apr 26, 2024 | 23:47 pmSeveral surfacing reports stated that on Thursday, while California Democrat representative Adam Schiff's vehicle was parked in a downtown San Francisco parking garage, his luggage was stolen in a "smash and grab."
Read more... -
America in the Shadow of Lawfare
One America News Network Apr 26, 2024 | 22:41 pmBy Kenin M. SpivakApril 26, 2024(Views expressed by guest commentators may not reflect the views of OAN or its affiliates.)
Read more... -
Leftist COVID Policies Robbed Them of High School Graduations, Now Israel-Hamas War Protests Threaten College Ceremonies
Turning Point USA Apr 26, 2024 | 22:35 pm -
Weekend Parting Shot: Tattoo Blues and How to Save America
PJ Media Apr 26, 2024 | 22:00 pm -
Associated Press Admits New Indictments Are ‘Campaign’ To ‘Deter’ GOP From Questioning Elections
The Federalist Apr 26, 2024 | 21:33 pmThe AP admitted Friday that the indictment of 18 Arizona Republicans is 'part of a campaign' to 'deter' election challenges from the GOP.
Read more... -
Texas National Guard Preparing to Deter Migrants Arriving at US-Mexico Border on Freight Trains
Turning Point USA Apr 26, 2024 | 19:35 pm -
Last Week In Lawfare Land: Witness Testimony, Another SCOTUS Case, And A New Indictment Drop
The Federalist Apr 26, 2024 | 18:45 pmHere’s the latest information you need to know about each prosecution Democrats are waging against the Republican presidential candidate.
Read more... -
President Trump Plans Massive Rally at Madison Square Garden
Geller Report Apr 26, 2024 | 17:07 pmWild. Biden couldn't fill the stalls in the men's room. The Democrat party of treason thought they would keep Trump off the campaign trail by tying him up in kafka-esque court shams. Trump is turning it all on it's head.
Read more... -
Terrorists Launch Attacks on Gaza Pier that the Biden Regime is Building (For Terrorists)
Geller Report Apr 26, 2024 | 13:00 pmBiden is building the pier for terrorists. Terrorists launch attacks on Americans building the pier. No pushback. No media coverage."The pier is not temporary or about delivering aid, it's about giving the terrorists a permanent gateway to the world."
Read more... -
THE POST-OJ VERDICT PARADISE
Ann Coulter Apr 17, 2024 | 18:04 pmO.J. Simpson’s death last week reminded me of the glorious period in American history when we finally got liberals to stop their infernal race baiting. It came right after O.J. was found not guilty of a double murder he’d[…]
Read more... -
The Beautiful Humanity on Death Row
Ann Coulter Apr 10, 2024 | 18:34 pmThe New York Times is weeping over the death penalty again, publishing a glowing review of Nashville reporter Steven Hale’s book “Death Row Welcomes You.” FYI, this was not on the cover of my book review — but we may get a different version[…]
Read more...