Perfection
The relatively perfection union with God which is possible in this world, consisting in proportional to the degree of charity possessed and exercised: it is therefore compatible with venial sin, but not mortal sin. “The perfection of Christian life consists essentially in charity, primarily in loving God, secondarily in loving ones neighbor.”
(Saint Thomas Aquinas). When a man loves God with his whole heart, soul, mind and straight, and his neighbor as himself for God’s sake, then is he perfect. The perfection attainable in this life is only relative and progressive; absolute and ultimate perfection belongs to the next life, when the creature will have definitely gained his last end, God Himself, in the Beatific Vision. The attachment to God by love which perfect demands involves as its counter detachment from all that hinders or diminishes that love. Hence the way of perfection is a way of renunciation and mortification.
Perfection is open to all, because the full love of God is possible in any walk of life; and all are called to it, at least remotely, in the words of Jesus Christ: (Matt. 5:48)–the calendar of saints includes men and women of all types and all nations. But the religious life is more conducive to perfection than life in the world, because it concentrates definitely on this aim by means of the vows of religion and organized prayer and asceticism. Perfection demands the observance of the precepts and of such counsels as apply to ones state of life. The essence of perfection, therefore, does not consist in a multiplicity of devotions, confraternities, etc: nor even in austerity, solitude, silence, and virtuous exercises. All these are means of acquiring perfection, or are manifestations of its presence.
How to Become a Saint
The way Saints are made outside the cloister as well as in. It can be expressed in three words: Fidelity to conscience..
All those who are saved eternally will be saved of their fidelity to conscience. The only thing you need to do in order to become a Saint is obey your conscience, and God will do the rest…Begin today; and see what a wonderful change it will make in your life. Every time your conscience prompts you to good, do it: every time it tells you a thing wrong, don’t do it. The chief difference between saints and ordinary Christians is simply this, that they always obey the slightest suggestion of the still, small voice, while others do not. This is what St. Paul meant when he said. “Extinguish not the Spirit;” for conscience is like a flame, which may be blown out by willful inattention, and thus man is left, without a guide, to walk in the dark.
In such a condition it is utterly impossible to remain long upon the narrow path that leads to the kingdom of heaven.
Our Minds, Confusion
My circumscribed mind, is partially blind, restricted, constricted, and caught in a bind.
It knows there are others who think differently, but what should I do if they don’t think like me?
I’m caught in a quandry. This prison I’m in it’s all so confusing, it’s all such a din.
Think well on your choices…but know what you sought may not be the thing, nor the answer you got.
Msgr. Ruscitto
Ambiguity is the Father of Apostasy
Some Saints for Our Causes
America’s– O. L. Guadalupe
Bankers–St. Matthew
Builders–St. Vincent Ferrer
Cancer–St. Peregrine
Cramps–St. Maurice
Carpenters & Families–St. Joseph
Catholic action–St. Francis Assisi
Disease of Breast–St. Agatha
Drought–St. Eulalia
Earthquakes–St. Francis Borgia
Family troubles–St. Eustacius
False accusations–St. Raymond Nonnatus
Intestinal disorders–St. Erasmus
Music–St. Cecilia
Negro missions–St. Peter Claver
Priests — St. Jean Baptiste Vianney
Poison–St. Benedict
Poland–St. Casimir
Respiratory–St. Blaise
St. Jude Thaddeus
Russia–St. Andrew
Thieves–S. S. Gervase & Protase,,,
Young Girls–St. Agnes
A Man cannot Save Himself by his own good works
Good works prompted by purely natural motives cannot save a man. Thus St. Paul says, If I should give all my goods to feed the poor, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Cor. XIII., 3. yet good works inspired by faith in Christ and love for Christ are necessary. “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James II.,24. Indeed the “Son of man will come in the glory of His Father….and then will He render to every man according to his works.” Matt.XVI., 27 Apoc: 22:12 Radio Replies
“Our Fathers have sinned & done evil in sight of the Lord God, forsaking Him, they have turned away their faces from the Tabernacle of the Lord, and turned their backs.” II Paral. 29:6
On eagle wings we take our flight
To the fountain of eternal light,
Where John with Angels humbly sips
The wonders of the Apocalypse.
Grace be with you, In Christ, Joseph
6-7-08 M/O the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and St. John the Baptist
Our Lady’s Saturday