“The gift of Grace surpasses every gift a creature can receive…” November 13, 2013
Posted by Tantumblogo in awesomeness, Basics, catachesis, episcopate, Four Last Things, General Catholic, Glory, Grace, Interior Life, religious, Saints, sanctity, Tradition, true leadership, Virtue.trackback
Sometimes on this blog, I feel like my postings become too negative. I am not, generally, a negative person. In fact, I would say this blog frequently departs from my overall perspective, which is more positive that what I post here. In fact, the blog is sort of my way of venting and keeping sanity (and an overall positive perspective) with respect to the crisis in the Faith and all the problems in the world.
But, I am very happy to post more positive things. One of my very favorite Saints, and one which I cannot recommend highly enough to read, is St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. You simply must get the books of his Ascetical Works, specifically, those translated from the Italian by Fr. Eugene Grimm, CSSR. About half of the 25+ Ascetical Works are at least somewhat available as used books. DO NOT BUY THE VERSIONS FROM IGNATIUS OR “PRINT ON DEMAND” HOUSES. They are horribly abridged, taking most of the controversial, modernist-agitating “meat” out of them. Make sure to get the Grimm versions (search for liguori+grimm), of which 12 volumes of paperbacks were published in the 70s and 80s. You can also find them in hardback from even older printings (30s and 40s), but these are more expensive. The more rare volumes, usually volumes 15 and above, run well above $100. Many of these have not been in print for 80 to 100 years.
Long intro – below, from Liguori’s Preparation for Death, Advantages that the Grace of God Procures of Us:
St. Thomas of Aquinas says that the gift of Grace surpasses every gift that a creature can receive, since it is a participation of the Divine nature. And before him, St. Peter said the same: “that by these ye may be made partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Pet 1:4) So great things Jesus Christ has merited for us by His Passion: He has communicated to us the same splendor that He received from the Father. And the glory which Thou hast given to Me, I have given to them (Jn 17:22). In fine, a soul in the state of Grace is one thing with God. He, says St. Paul, that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. (1 Cor 6:17). The Redeemer has said that in a soul that loves God, the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity dwell. If anyone love Me, my Father will love him, and We will come to him and We will make our abode with him. (Jn 14:23)
So great is the beauty of a soul in the state of Grace, that God himself extols it. How beautiful art thou! how beautiful art thou! ( Cant. 4:1) The Lord appears never to take his eyes off the soul that loves Him, nor to close His ears to its petitions. The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and His ears unto their prayers (Ps 33:16). St. Bridget used to say that a man could not behold the beauty of a soul in the Grace of God without dying through joy. And St. Catherine of Siena, seeing a soul in the state of Grace, said that she would willingly have given her life to prevent that soul from losing such beauty. Hence she kissed the ground on which priests walked, because through them souls recover the Grace of God.
How many treasures of merits can a soul in the state of Grace acquire? Each moment it can merit an eternity of glory. St. Thomas teaches that every act of love merits for the soul eternal life. Why then should we envy the great ones of the earth? If we are in the Grace of God, we can constantly acquire far more greatness in Heaven……Moreover, he alone who has experienced it, can conceive the peace which a souls in the Grace of God enjoys in this life. O taste and see that the Lord is sweet (Ps 33:9). The words of the Lord cannot fail. Much peace have they that love Thy law (Ps 118:165). The peace of a soul that is united with God, surpasses all the pleasures that the senses and the world can give. The peace of God which surpasseth all understanding (Phil 4:7).
———End Quote——–
Always strive to be in the State of Grace! It is an absolute necessity! We never know when the Lord may call us! If you fall, get to Confession as quickly as possible!
That is why I pray that Confession be available for hours every day in every parish of the world! Sin, especially mortal sin, is a deadly business! Mortal sin is a spiritual heart attack! You wouldn’t wait a week or two to have a heart attack treated! Get to Confession as soon as possible!
And revel in the state of Grace that God gives us! It is a gift beyond measure, as the great Moral Doctor made so clear above!
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Every diocese should have one parish where confession is available every day of the week. I was going to say 24/7, but that may not be very feasible in many small dioceses, or in big city archdioceses for that matter.
I think all of us tend to be more negative online. I’ve cut down my catholic web time because I don’t like who I am when I spend too much time online.
I’m also much happier and also more mature in the faith now that I’ve gotten past the shock of the Benedict resignation and the views of his successor. As Dale Price implied in his blog, it was much easier to be a sound catholic when Benedict was pope, but now the training wheels have come off and it’s time to grow stronger in the faith amidst the adversity. As far as many FSSP priests scolding their sheep for their online habits, it’s hard for me to disagree with the sermons on audiosancto.org and elsewhere. I think the key is that it is fine to hold fast and stand up for the historical faith, but you have to do it with a humble and charitable spirit. In other words, intention (what is really in the heart) is key. A couple weeks ago I walked out of a mass while on vacation because the homily and ad libs were atrocious. It’s the first time I’ve done that since my conversion seven years ago, and I was worried whether I had offended God. But it immediately became clear during prayer that God was pleased with me, but it was only because I walked out with a calm, clean heart.
Finally, going back to a past blog entry, what troubled me about Congar was that this man was an influential theologian, but based on his diary he hadn’t even passed into the illuminative stage of the spiritual life! What madness! And so let’s not be Congar’s: clever, educated men with a nasty tongue who love ideas and movements more than holiness.
Yeah, let’s all be pastoral.
And not cling to our ideologies. 🙂