Galatians 5:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and refuse to submit again to the yoke of slavery.
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"For it comes to the same thing whether a bird be held by a slender cord or by a stout one; since, even if it be slender, the bird will be well held as though it were stout, for so long as it breaks it not and flies not away. It is true that the slender one is easier to break; still, easy though it be, the bird will not fly away if it be not broken. And thus the soul that has attachment to anything, however much virtue it possess, will not attain to the liberty of divine union.
-St. John of the Cross
Ascent XI.4
So it is with us. If there is the slightest hesitancy, the slightest lack of commitment, the slightest imperfection, we will not enter fully into divine union in this life.
Most people will not obtain the perfection of divine union until after death and after the purifying fires of Purgatory. In the end, they will be saints in Heaven. But why choose to wait until death to be purified in Purgatory when you can obtain the infinite blessings of God’s inner life while still walking this earth? Why wait? Why hesitate? Why not make the perfection of divine union the one and only goal in life?
You may say, “Well, perfection is one of my goals, but I have other goals also.” The problem with that answer is that God will not share you with other goals when it comes to the perfection of divine union. If you want to live perfectly united to God, then God can be your only goal. But don’t be confused by that statement. By choosing God and God alone, you are also choosing His perfect will. This means that when you are perfectly immersed in His will and living it as your will, you will find that the joys, satisfactions, fulfillments, relationships, acts of love, beauty, etc. that God wills for you are infinitely greater than any goals for your life that you could come up with on your own . . .
from My Catholic Life
The Mystical Journey to Divine Union
"Decide Today"
Excuse me,
Too busy
Writing your tragedy?
These mishaps
You bubble wrap
When you have no idea . . .
(How things could be)
. . . So let go,
Give in.
It's so amazing, yeah.
There's beauty in the breakdown.
Adapted from "Let Go"
by Frou Frou
Luke 9:3
"Take nothing for the journey . . . and let no one take a second tunic."
When Jesus tells his disciples to travel lightly, something like this is going on . . . I had to let go of the baggage of my self-preoccupation. As bearers of the Gospel into the world, what do we need to give up for that message to be powerful and persuasive?
It may be the security of our creature comforts.
It may be the fear of depending on others.
It m ay be our own ideas of success.
God will give us what we need.
Fr. Dennis Galagher
"Traveling Lightly"
Living Faith: Daily Catholic Devotions (July - September 2021)
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