http://www.discerninghearts.com/cat...zabeth-of-the-trinity-with-dr-anthony-lilles/ This retreat by Dr. Anthony Lilles was conducted at a time shortly before her canonization, thus the continued reference to her as Blessed. I just listened to the 1st session and realized how different a place I am in (also we are in) than when first Josephite and I ventured into its waters. Therefore I'm going to restart this retreat beginning next Tuesday and plan on finishing it before the end of May. There are 17 sessions each taking a little less than 30 minutes. I won't be listening on consecutive days since life gets in the way. Probably I will listen and reflect and then write some commentary on the session here in this thread in light of how I respond and/or what the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart. If anyone listens to the first session and decides to continue then feel free to share your thoughts and blessings. If you do, you may even get to the finish line before I do. I would simply ask you to reference in each post to which session your thoughts pertain. Since doing so would be personal, (it is not necessary but I would think better) if you listen to a session and pray/reflect before reading my comments/insights or some other member's input about that session. In that way, what you choose to share (not necessary), would best reflect what God has spoken to your own heart.
Mario, the link doesn't work. I'm interested in doing the retreat but not, you'll be relieved to hear, in sharing my reflections. Can you find a link that works?
Thank you Mario. What a wonderful time to revisit the beautiful words and teachings of St Elizabeth of the Most Holy Trinity! I have listened to two of the Mp3 you linked to, over the last few days. I must listen to these again before I attempt to comment. They are profound. They touched me deeply, needless to say I have been distracted and yes (attacked) since listening to her words; however, this has given me more resolve to continue with this retreat. May God supply the protection/forbearance needed. Dearest Heavenly Father thank you for your continued graces and blessings which we receive through your Divine son Jesus, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Oh Divine Infant Jesus may we always receive your most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity worthily and May you Our Dearest Little King remind us always of your passion, death and resurrection which you beheld from your infancy for Love of us and of all mankind. Amen
Dear Mario, I have just listened and tried to contemplate St Elizabeth's words on the first day of the retreat. Nescivi....I no longer know anything This is St Elizabeth's first word, 'Nescivi', By this word she gently states that all external knowledge is but naught, as it bears nothing in comparison to truth, the truth being God the Logos the eternal Word, the truth is Jesus who is knowledge of the Father! I was struck by many lights of St Elizabeth, she states she was created to be praise of Gods Glory (this is her name) but she exalts Jesus as the perfect praise of Gods Glory! So what does this mean? It means we are all to be Praise of Gods Glory as Our Lord is! Jesus revealed Gods Glory to special souls while on earth and the Blessed Virgin Mary is the singular created being to house God Himself, showered with truth and manifests our Lord Jesus in the Flesh thus outshining all other celestial entities let alone human souls.! Our Lady's role is particular! And yet God Gave her to us as our Mother. How blessed are we! The Blessed Virgin Mary penetrated the depths of Christ and has been ordained by God to form our souls into the image and likeness of her son. This then brought to my mind; gold or silver being purified in fire. I have much more I wish to comment on, but must leave it now. God Bless us all on our pilgrimage home. Amen
I'm so glad we can join together again, Josephite. May others not hesitate to share. How special to hear Elizabeth speak on Day 1 of the inner cellar where she desires only... Phil 3:10 ..that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. In the last few years, this has become my go to verse, though in my cowardice, I'm still but a novice. But Jesus has placed in my life since last you and I journeyed together, a cross that will remain with me until death; it will become heavier as the months pass, a faithful companion. And yes, Our Lady is there with me in her tenderness, so I am blessed, as you are, with her maternal guidance. In mentioning Our Lady, you said: This then brought to my mind; gold or silver being purified in fire. And so, I too am reminded of my favorite epistle: 1Peter 1:7 ..so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. My joy has a ways to go before it is exalted. May this retreat help me experience its depths more fully! St. Elizabeth of the Most Holy Trinity, pray for all, like Wherever, who are praying with us on this journey.
The cross, a faithful companion. How beautiful! St Elizabeth states on this the first day of the retreat............. 'That there is no access to God, except through the Cross' Additionally, she states; "it is in time that Eternity begins"! (Much to ponder here) Once in Heaven we will be unable to offer Jesus our cross, for the cross will be no more! it is only in time that we are offered this special privilege. Therefore, as you are doing Mario, may we all offer our crosses especially the most difficult ones, to Jesus while we have this fleeting chance, while trusting and knowing God will supply the strength, forbearance and grace to do so. As His little children, he hands us the bread that nourishes us. God Bless
Ah, Day 2, and I see how I have progressed only a little in the "Fortress of Holy Recollection". Perhaps progress is a poor connotation since it implies "...I'm done with that and have moved on to higher ground." I recall once sharing a wound caused by a family member, with one of my deacon brothers, at which he replied, "Oh, you mean...". I suddenly exclaimed, "Yes!" for he had hit the bullseye! The memory now remains, but the pain has vanished. That is what I correlate the Fortress with: to be with Jesus in silence and to perceive reality as He sees it, not as I perceive it in my woundedness. But silly me, I'm in the habit of collecting new wounds, or compounding old ones. About three months ago I was driving to Holy Mass with Geralyn; she said something innocently which connected with a wounded memory. I became very irritable and basically had to clamp my mouth shut to avoid dumping on her. Still, she sensed my predicament (stony silence) and thought she was at fault. I mention this because I now perceive the Fortress of Recollection as related to the holy water of Lourdes where one can be bathed and healed of such memories (as God wills). In my weakness, however, I want to be able to purchase a ticket to the Fortress, but it is only the Holy Spirit who opens that door as He sees fit and in His perfect timing. St. Elizabeth, teach me how to surrender my heart, mind, and will to God in prayer.
Mario I have listened to the second MP3 and believe I remain stagnant in the spiritual life! But this is good! At least I'm not going backwards ! Praise God I do not see improvements in myself. I am still wretched. However the words of St Elizabeth are very consoling. St Elizabeth states that our soul must always be in our hands. So we remain composed amidst the noise and excitement of everyday life as God jealously guards the soul that attempts to remain in the fortress of Holy recollection. I still feel afflicted by the internal and external assaults in my soul and hence I realise the many faults I have; however St Elizabeth states that Jesus finds rest in such imperfect souls! How wonderful! I think it is because, if we strive to place God first no matter what the obstacles, He is happy with the striving and remains resting in our soul!. This is edifying. May we all find this fortress of Holy recollection, where Jesus imparts truths and miraculous consolations even though we remain wretched.
Thank you, Josephite. I must be honest in acknowledging my sins and shortcomings. But as you say, there is a sense of striving or persevering in seeking a deeper union with the Lord in prayer. It translates into less doing and more of resting in the arms of the Shepherd. It's so tempting to grade myself by the number of rosaries, litanies, chaplets, Liturgy of the Hours, fasts, sacrifices, and kind deeds I aim to do. St. Elizabeth hastens to show us of what this rest consists. Day 3, which focuses on Ephesians 1 points us in that direction. I'm listening quietly. https://www.discerninghearts.com/ca...treat-day-3-beginning-pray-dr-anthony-lilles/ Eph 1:5 He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 18 ...having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe. 2 Cor 3:17...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
I often think of the words of the hymn: “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea. Day by day, His clear voice soundeth, saying “Christian, follow me.” one day at a time
That's the tune I am used to, above.. But I like yours very much. My video sounds almost like a dirge
https://www.discerninghearts.com/ca...treat-day-4-beginning-pray-dr-anthony-lilles/ I want to stress that if I move ahead of any of you on the path of this retreat, by all means, continue at your own pace. And above all don't allow my input to direct your thoughts and reaction to each day's reflection! Yesterday, I stayed after Holy Mass to pray the Rosary with others. Communal prayer is a wonderful type of prayer, the same is true when I pray the Rosary with my beloved Geralyn. But such prayer does not allow for pauses and thus is not conducive to rest in the stillness of silence. But then silence can be scary. Finishing a Rosary contains an inherent danger of checking it off my to-do list. But it is safe. Today, St. Elizabeth speaks of the darkness of prayer which might lead to a deeper experience of Jesus. That is scary because I can't personally do anything to force Jesus' hand. If in my meditation, I receive the light of a bit of wisdom, great. But what frustrates and scares me is the darkness without input. To wait in the dark silence usually stirs up thoughts of "constructive ideas" like chores that need to be done or homilies that need to be completed (very relevant at the moment). To set aside these, and trust and await the light of Jesus is what ultimately counts, even if He seems to be out-of-town at the moment. But St. Elizabeth encourages us: 5 And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light. This is where I find myself: afraid to surrender in the darkness so Jesus can envelope me in His Light. The Lord is in the driver's seat. How do I not take the wheel?
