MERTON QUOTE (Hard & austere)
"The way of Christian holiness is, in any case, hard and austere. We must fast and pray. We must embrace hardship and sacrifice, for the love of Christ, and in order to improve the condition of man on earth. We may not merely enjoy the good things of life ourselves, occasionally 'purifying our intention' to make sure that we are doing it all 'forGod.' It is not enough to make pious gestures."
LIFE AND HOLINESS, (page 19)
What steps am I taking to make life better for others?
Thanks Wayne Burns
posted by Dan Phillips @ 7:35 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
GIVING AND RECEIVING.....The fast that pleases Him most is the fast wherein somone else finds great gain....example, the fancy meal we do without and there is rice for the whole village. Must that not delight the heart of God? When we say 'no' to self and others are blessed in the gift, is that not according to His heart? "Is this the fast I desire?"
LOVE IN SIMPLE THINGS......There is a love that exists in the very simple things...the glance...the touch of the hand...the smile that says 'it's OK...' So many times in the day, we will not have a great act of charity to show our concern...BUT...many times there will be a little something to give up and show love. Recently, a man gave up his seat so I could sit with my invalid wife. God bless him and all who do the kindly Christ-giving who make such a difference in our world.
SPEECH FASTING........How many times we had a chance to honor Christ by our silence....BUT...we missed it...a little gossip...a little dig...a little put down...a little jealousy over the gifts of another...an exclusion of someone who would like to be invited too...a question rudely answered...an impatient word when we could have spoken kindly..etc.. God sees all and nothing is overlooked. 'As long as you did it to one of these...'
DELAY THE MAIL FASTING...........One of my favorites. The mail comes...lots of stuff...lots of junk for the trash...BUT...there is one piece of mail that we are dying to open. A dear friend puts that item on the bottom of the pile simply as a 'fast.' A very little act of self denial for the glory of God. A tiny thing that beomes something beacuse it is done in memory of Him Who gave all for us. 'And not even a cup of cold water, given in my name, shall go without reward.'
THOSE HARD TO LOVE FAST.........This is not easy. Being really nice to that person that we find so hard to love. Different life styles...different outlooks...different attitudes...whatever. We all find them...or they find us. How pleased Christ must be when we 'fast' from acting differently with them when they are hoping that we will simply be nice to them. Not easy...but...it is a gift to give to our God. 'If you love those who love you, what is that? Even the heathens do that much...'
UNITY FAST..........Christ prayed 'that they all may be one...' Here is a fast that delights the heart of God. When we give to others that respect and love that we ourselves hope to receive in our religious choice. How can we hate in the name of love? All religions stress 'love' and to rejct others is a form of hate. Over sixty years ago, we had a dear neighbor. Loving and full of faith...always helping out...always showing love. What a great kindly woman! We had thought that Heaven had only our denomination in it...wow, we were wrong...our neighbor, is there with the brightest crown. 'My ways are not your ways...as far as the east is from the west, so far are My thoughts from yours...'
PRIDE FAST..............Think of the fast of humility...the fast that rejects foolish pride...the pride that says 'I can go it alone'...the pride that says 'How self sufficient I have become...etc. What of the choice that says....'Lord, be merciful to me a sinner'...'Lord, I cannot do this good all by myself'...'Lord, what do I have that is not a gift from Thee?'.... There are different ways of fasting and God is pleased with the deep love behind each one. Blest be the Lord in all His mercies. May he lead us still.
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