As in a Beautiful Garden

'Jesus, behold my heart 

which is for You a dwelling place 

to which no one else has entry. 

You alone repose in it, 

as in a beautiful garden.'

St. Faustina, Diary no. 1385

Painting: Mccubbin, Autumn Memories, in US public domain due to age {{PD-1923}}

This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network Linkup

A Little World Apart

'If He be there within my heart
we form a little world apart,
Just He and I. I rest in Him.
And in His light all else grows dim
that once was beautiful. No art
can charm with Christ within.
When burning pains their arrows dart,
or fevered hours my pulses start,
it is not then as it hath been,
if He be here.

'My quivering soul may feel the smart
of thoughtless word, and my lone heart
drop weakly, but God's strength I win
to nerve myself; and I begin
to play in life the valiant part
of one upraised by sacred power.
Oh! Precious living is the hour,
if He be here.' 

(from Fervorinos From Galilee's Hills, 
by a Religious, Pelligrini, 1936, p.180)
 
Painting: Victor-Gabriel Gilbert, in US public domain due to age

The Way Through the Walls

Of all the 'series' done on this blog, I've probably gotten the most (personally) from the one on 'walls,' done in Lent of 2013.

I would like the opportunity to go through those reflections again, asking God to lead me, to free me of sin, to heal me of distractions and 'what ifs' - and of anything that may have put a wall between me and Him.

In order to go back through this, I am again linking these posts in chronological order.  If you would like to join in re-visiting these, click this line (or the link below) to open the first post. There will be a line at the bottom of that post, linking it to the next one in the sequence.  And on and on. The links are all to posts within this one blog.

In case anyone might like to re-visit any one particular 'wall,' I am also including the list of posts here, individually.  Clicking any line below will take you directly to that post.

I pray that our Lord, Jesus Christ, will open our hearts wide to His love!


The Door in the Wall

Let's Go In

Lord, Free Me of Sin

The Other Side of That Wall

The Wall of What Ifs

The Wall of Distractions

Sometimes We Need a Little Help

With God's Help, I Can Scale Any Wall

Grabbing the Ropes

I Ask You

The Shattered Wall



To begin the entire series on walls, click here


Photo on this post by C Wells 

This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network Linkup

On the Ruins of Self Love

"Sanctity is built on the ruins of self-love, and whenever we go against the natural bent, it is indeed the most noble self-sacrifice....

Are you in a bad humour? Laugh, if possible...

Are you tempted to anger? For the love of Jesus, be very meek and gentle.

Do you wish to avenge yourself? Render good for evil.

Are you disposed to show ill-will to anyone? Manifest great kindness.

Perhaps you are tempted to detract your neighbour? Say only what is good, or keep silence...

Should you feel inclined to speak harshly, let your words be mild and cordial.

Is there an opportunity for a slight revenge, or to inflict a sharp retaliation? Show yourself polite and obliging...

Everything tries and irritates you. Preserve your equanimity....

Indeed, is not our heart an altar whence the incense of sacrifice and our submission to His adorable will unceasingly rises up to God?  What heart could be more pleasing to Him than a heart full of love, constantly offered to Him! For we can always sacrifice upon this altar and offer ourselves with the Son of His Love for His glory and the welfare of souls!

Oh my God, make a saint of me whatever the cost to self may be."

(from Fervorinos from the Lips of the Master, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1940, pp. 139-144)


Painting at top of post: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Among the Ruins
Heart painting: Philippe de champaigne, detail

So Shall This My Matins Be

 

'A song of praise I offer,
from morn till sunset time,
and so shall this my Matins be
Vespers, Terce, and Prime...

The clatter of startled blackbird,
Trill of birds in trees,
Because I loved them dearly,
My Lord, I offer these...

The rhythm of sharpening sickle
Hum of the mowing machine,
The whirring of the thresher
when the harvest cart comes in...

The cheerful talk of my loved ones,
the sound of men at prayer,
the noise of children calling
in the still summer air.

From sunrise until dusk, O Lord,
accept my praise of Thee.'

(from Fervorinos from the Lips of the Master, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1940, pp. 437-438)

 

Paintings by Winslow Homer (top), Bruck Vásárra (middle) and Walter Moras (bottom)