Suffering

 To “glory in the cross of Christ” is, firstly, about his cross, his sacrifice and his love. As similes of Christ, what about our daily and not-so-daily crosses? Saint Teresa of Avila had some thoughts that I found helpful, certainly to remind me to look to Christ, who suffered so much more. If that daily cross ties with the cross on which Christ died, then likewise our suffering. If one had merit, then so does  the other — as long as they remain of a piece.

Avarice and luxury, and the end of empires

This is a thoughtful piece on what can go wrong even when (or because) one has great wealth. From NCRegister.com.

Christian mission today

https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/method

Yup, sounds right to me. However, we typically have simultaneous goals of thriving in this world and  kerygma, whereas the former makes the latter rather inconvenient. Even when we consciously reject much of the postmodern world, its moral flaws and its love of comfort, its gravity exerts such an enormous influence pulling away from Christian discipleship today. Not to whine, but there it is…

More on Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and how goes the Church in Germany (not so good)

Father Raymond de Souza at the National Catholic Register: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/pope-benedict-xvi-the-anchor-that-kept-germany-rooted-in-christ

On Pope Benedict XVI

Mr. Worner is onto something: https://www.todworner.com/pope-benedict-xvi/6zx0gmpodt11bs67yvu5bqa7dinklr And yes, I also have great respect for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and his writings.

Keeping it simple and wise — quotes from Padre Pio

If I can keep even half of these all in mind..

Tough love and what I’d call simple wisdom from Padre Pio:

https://epicpew.com/tough-love-and-wisdom-from-the-words-of-st-pio-of-pietrelcina/

7 Mind Blowing Life Hacks from St. Josemaria that we All Need

7 Mind Blowing Life Hacks from St. Josemaria that we All Need:

I can honestly say that if I had paid more attention to my interior life years and years ago, life would have been so much better for my wife and children. God had given me so many opportunities to get ahead, St. Josemaria Escriva and the Opus Dei Center among them, but I did not pay enough attention. Thank God His grace kept coming! If you’ve never read anything of this great saint, start now!

Whom shall I fear?

Second Reading
From a sermon by John the Serene, bishop
Love the Lord and walk in his ways

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? How great was that servant who knew how he was given light, whence it came, and what sort of man he was when he was favoured by that light. The light he saw was not that which fades at dusk, but the light which no eye has seen. Souls brightened by this light do not fall into sin or stumble on vice.
Our Lord said: Walk while you have the light in you. What other light did he mean but himself? For it was he who said: I came as a light into the world, so that those who have eyes may not see and the blind may receive the light. The Lord then is our light, the sun of justice and righteousness, who has shone on his Catholic Church spread throughout the world. The prophet spoke as a figure of the Church when he cried: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The spiritual man who has been thus illumined does not limp or leave the path, but bears all things. Glimpsing our true country from afar, he puts up with adversities; he is not saddened by the things of time, but finds his strength in God. He lowers his pride and endures, possessing patience through humility. That true light which enlightens every man who comes into the world bestows itself on those who reverence it, shining where it wills, on whom it wills, and revealing itself according to the will of God the Son.
When this light begins to shine upon the man who sat in darkness and the shadow of death, in the darkness of evil and the shadow of sin, he is shocked, he calls himself to account, repents of his misdeeds in shame, and says: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Great is this salvation, my brethren, which fears neither sickness nor lethargy and disregards pain. We should then in the fullest sense not only with our voice but with our very soul cry out, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? If he enlightens and saves me, whom shall I fear? Even though the dark shadows of evil suggestions crowd about, The Lord is my light. They can approach, but cannot prevail; they can lay siege to our heart, but cannot conquer it. Though the blindness of concupiscence assails us, again we say: The Lord is my light. For he is our strength; he gives himself to us and we give ourselves to him. Hasten to this physician while you can, or you may not be able to find him when you want him.

From Universalis.com, Office of Readings today.