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Spiritual writers tell us that is what community life is often all about, which may help explain why so few today seem interested in religious life; yet as the proverb informs us, even in secular life "man sharpens his fellow man." Imagine St. John of the Cross writing the following for lay people seeking perfection...
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"You should try and remind yourself constantly that you are in the world so that all may fashion you and try you. Thus, to free yourself from the imperfections and annoyances that can be engendered by the mannerisms and attitudes of the people you live amongst and draw profit from every occurrence, you should think that all of those you 'rub shoulders' with are artisans - as indeed they are - since they are present in your daily life in order to prove you; some will fashion you with words - an insult or a negative comment on your blog maybe, others by deeds - something as simple as a 'dirty' look perhaps, and others with thoughts against you - or possibly just ignoring you; and that in all of this you must be submissive as is the statue to the craftsman who molds it, to the artist who paints it, and to the gilder who embellishes it." - Accommodated from The Precautions: Against the Flesh, First precaution; 15 - St. John, Minor Works.
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I know - it's a bit extreme - but if I would had been even the least bit attentive to such a precaution... oh never mind.
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Photo: Knife throwing mother. See video here. Thanks Belinda.
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Oh my ... I do wonder how her kiddies are today!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSt. John of the Cross is the best!
Happy Baptism of the Lord, Terry!
Okay, I watched the video...NOT beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJesus, Mary, Joseph and all the angels and saints!
I'm absolutely..."eclipsed"!...
It must be my wild Irish upbringing. The video was hysterical and drew my attention away from the finer, nobler thought of Fr. John; however, it is a timely reminder.
ReplyDeleteI have been anoyed by some " Holy Bloggers" out there. You know, the kind that have fan mail. The kind that cite six of their " favorite blogs" for me to review on New Year's Eve. The kind that tell you all about their First Holy Communion that involved WEEPING. Need I go on?
And guess what I discover ? I am full of judgement and pride and all manner of sin. Like I said, I think blogs can be an occasion of sin but: "draw profit from every occurrence". Indeed.
Maria
Same here Maria.
ReplyDeleteMaria: I must admit I was "transfixed" by the knife wielding Momma.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm part Irish, the English in me has made me..well...sometimes rather subdued, if not shocked:<)!
But I do agree; believe me, as I said on belinda's blog: I might "think" about such things, but find it rather difficult to "act" upon them...the constant inner conflict that goes on within this wretched soul of mine, at times!
O Father, all I can think of now is "Poor Sr. Petra!" Kidding!
ReplyDeletePadre: read my comment at Belinda's Blog. If you are 100% Irish this sort of black humor is the only kind of humor you now. Mother's milk. My family was C=R=A=Z=Y!
ReplyDeleteTerry: "Poor Sister Petra" is right!
ReplyDeleteBut she can handle herself quite well, thank you very much!
She has a rather good aim (but you didn't hear it from me!:<)!)
Maria: I think our Irish is the "northern Ireland" brand; think it, don't do it...just lob some bombs! (Please, no offense to either side here!)...
ReplyDeleteIt was still a very "Irish" upbringing; the craziness just went on behind the scenes, so to speak:<)!
We DID it.
ReplyDeleteMaria
Not with knives. With words.
ReplyDeleteMaria
......"since they are present in your daily life in order to prove you"
ReplyDeleteThis was the basis of my dream.... Correction is painful.
******************************* Thank you again for your kindness towards me.