Franciscan Quote of the Day

Our sins, whether we realize it or not blind us, they prevent us from truly “seeing” things as they are. That goes for those of us with advanced graduate degrees and for those of us who have high school educations. Remember the words of Jesus in Mathew’s gospel, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see the face of God” (MT 5:8-12).

By going to confession monthly, “our eyes will be open” to reality, not a “perceived reality” projected to us by the media and the culture but reality. God’s grace is real, it is free and it is for everyone: all we need to do is ask for it! I guess the underlying question that first needs to be asked is: Are you humble enough to confess your faults and failures regularly? If you are, you will be absolutely amazed by the way you “see” life around you.

Joe Reciniello,  OH……….. FRANCESCO: “How we LOOK and how we LISTEN determine what we see and what we hear”

You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.

~ St Seraphim of Sarov via Mind in the Heart

But in how great an error these persons have entangled themselves, and how far they are distant from that true perfection which we seek, may easily be gathered from their lives and habits. For in every thing, whether It be great or small, they seek their own advantage, and like to be preferred before others; they are self-willed and opinionated, blind to their own faults, sharp-sighted for the faults of others, and severely condemn the sayings and doings of other men.

~Lorenzo Scupoli, The Spiritual Combat

St. Francis cried out and said: “My Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the great love and charity which You are showing me, because it is a sign of great love when the Lord punishes His servant well for all his faults in this world, so that he may not be punished for them in the next world. And I am prepared to endure with joy every pain and every adversity which You, my God, wish to send me for my sins.”

~Little Flowers of St. Francis, “Part II: The Considerations of the Holy Stigmata” (thanks to Portiuncula: the Little Portion)