That picture shows the consequences of the Addison's disease she suffered until she was just almost a skeleton of her former rather full physique. They had no treatment for it then. This pic is lovely. She seemed always to live within....with "her Three"....overcome by Them: As a child she had quite a temper which she worked hard to control and finally to overcome: Shows her former full face:
Day 10 (con't): From yesterday: Ps 45:10 Hear, O daughter, consider, and incline your ear; forget your people and your father's house; 11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him; Elizabeth uses Ps 45 to paint the picture of a maiden leaving the familiar surroundings of family life to be wed to the king. She applies this to our seeking in Holy Recollection the solitude and love of the Father. She states that everything in us must be forfeited: desires, fears, joys, and sorrows (especially for loved ones). When these four are in the driver's seat during our daily lives, then we are like leaves in the wind, driven by our immediate circumstances, in search of peace and quiet. I want to bring up a correction concerning what I wrote in my above summary, yesterday. St. Elizabeth did say we need to forfeit the four powers of desires, fears, joys, and sorrows, but I now realize she meant only to the degree that they are disordered and disrupt the peace of our souls. An example given was the power of sorrow. If we are sorrowing over a cross in our lives and give into discouragement, then we need to repent and forfeit it in order to recollect our hearts in prayer. Such sorrow is disordered and tends to separate us from God. But if we are sorrowing because our sins have grieved the Heart of Jesus, then that is a correctly ordered power drawing us toward the mercy of God. So disordered powers create "noise" in our souls and need to be put to sleep (a theme from another saintly Carmelite, Teresa of Avila). So to use the above verse from Psalm 45, to properly incline our ear in prayer we need to consider our disordered passions and set them aside (forfeit them). Holding onto our disordered powers clouds the perception of God acting in our hearts and lives. St. Elizabeth equates this with living in the flesh, where life becomes drudgery: Romans 8: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. That is why in the noise of today's culture, contemplative prayer seems like an oddity. We can perceive many who live according to the flesh. They run from solitude and silence, for such would expose them to the reality of their disordered hearts. On the other hand, Day 10 mentions that St. John Paul II said mature souls long for silence! Maybe that's why Padraig keeps running off to the country! Back to St. Elizabeth: When we quiet our powers and put them to sleep in the prayer of recollection, then the Holy Spirit is able to draw our hearts into an experience of the awe of God's love and beauty. In this way, we are transformed and become more and more the praise of God's Glory! May I be mature enough to long for silence! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Yesterday when I read...... everything in us must be forfeited: desires, fears, joys, and sorrows (especially for loved ones). I thought wow, I have many imperfections in my life! As I have desires, fears, joys and sorrows. But then I realised there is a deeper meaning to this, so I did not let it concern me. And today you have answered the above.... "but I now realize she meant only to the degree that they are disordered and disrupt the peace of our souls". That is so true! I think our desires, fears, joys and sorrows are the human expression of our unique experience on earth. They contain the essence of who we; of where God has placed us and what He allows to mould us. By offering them to God in thanksgiving they attain their real wealth!, their infinite wealth! and God delights in recieving them! They are like little uncut diamonds that we take to the Master Craftsman for him to cut and polish!
Day 11, 12, and 13: Colossians 2:12-15 12 ...and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him. The other night, Geralyn and I went to a seminar which emphasized a holistic approach to living with diabetes. It stressed diet, exercise, correct sleeping patterns, and spirituality, in addition to the counting of carbs for accurate insulin intake. It was worthwhile, but I mention it because there are some similarities between contemplation and non-Christian forms of meditation. However, in this section of the retreat with Elizabeth of the Trinity, the necessity and primacy of Jesus Christ is stressed. Perhaps breathing techniques can help lower stress, but only Jesus saves; contemplation is the saving and sanctifying work of God in our souls. Elizabeth's focus on the above verses highlight this fundamental difference. Notice the key elements: faith, baptism, the Cross, and Resurrection. Contemplation is a continuing process of sanctification in our personal heaven (see post 14). Jesus has triumphed; He disarms the disordered powers in our hearts. As we enter into the solitude of the Father in Holy Recollection, the Word strips these unruly powers and nails them to the Cross. This exceeding love of God is revealed in the Cross and by it my will becomes conformed to the Divine Will. In the daily activities of life, we thereby increasingly bear the fruit of self-control through the Holy Spirit, despite exterior and interior trials. I am reminded of the verse from Song of Songs: 2:4 He brought me into the cellar of wine, he set in order charity in me. This takes us back to post # 12: Elizabeth encourages us to persevere that we may become more recollected in prayer and experience it's fruits: neshe've. And John of the Cross states that entering into what St. Elizabeth would later describe as the "fortress of Holy Recollection" would heal the wounds of our souls. Elizabeth then points to Psalm 27 and asks to equate the warring foes to the unruly powers in each of our souls. Jesus sets us high upon a Rock! 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies round about me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
This exceeding love of God is revealed in the Cross and by it my will becomes conformed to the Divine Will. In the daily activities of life, we thereby increasingly bear the fruit of self-control through the Holy Spirit, despite exterior and interior trials. I think God sometimes accommplishes self control in some of His people, by allowing the weight of their cross to crush the self out of the picture! When I say 'in some of His people' I mean the people that are hard nuts to crack! Meaning yours trully
Day 14, part 1 & Day 14, part 2 Phil 1:6 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. St. Elizabeth teaches that we must be so captivated by Christ that we must be willing to be crucified with him. Personally, this reminds me of Mary at the foot of the Cross. She who was Immaculate and without blemish fully participated in the Passion, suffering in an interior silence, loving Jesus in the depths of her heart. This good work by God in my soul moves beyond any technique I may use to help bring myself into the solitude of the Father. When the brick wall of darkness tempts us to believe that we have failed and the Lord has left us abandoned, then we have truly been conformed to Jesus who cried out, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned Me?" Part 2: This segment beautifully connects the food of the Eucharist with the food of living God's will. The quoted words of St. Elizabeth are so beautifully rich that I feel at a loss to convey their meaning. If you have the 30 minutes to listen to Part 2, please do so. Though deep, I believe it will resonate in your heart. Resonating doesn't mean fully understanding, but there will be joy in it! Click on this link and then slowly scroll down the blue segments until Day 14, Part 2 is reached. Then click on it. http://www.discerninghearts.com/cat...zabeth-of-the-trinity-with-dr-anthony-lilles/ Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
Day 15, Part 1 & Day 15, Part 2 Mal 3:20 But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice shall arise with healing in its wings...(NAB) Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity now speaks of the place of Our Lady in one's life of prayer, for Mary is the Praise of God's Glory par excellence. Mary is blessed because the Almighty has done great things for her. She is the lowly one chosen by God; she is the handmaiden of the Lord. With the Annunciation, Mary reflects on Jesus within her womb, and enters into the solitude of the Father, undisturbed within her Immaculate Heart! For each of us then, Mary serves as an unclouded Mirror of the Sun of Justice. Almost imperceptibly, when we go to her she directs our gaze to Jesus, for she wants each of us to cleave to Him who has healing in [his] wings. For we must bear in mind that while she reflects, it is Jesus who shines! Still, the Immaculata mirrors with no distortion, just as her participation in the Passion at the foot of the Cross was a pure immolation. So, by inviting Mary to draw us into prayer, Jesus will respond with healing, accompanying our Consecration to her with the courage to reject sin, living for God's glory by living for others. This is why Our Lady hastens to the hill country of Judea; she glorifies God through her concern for Elizabeth. For three months, Mary serves Elizabeth's needs until John the Baptist is born. Similarly, Our Lady serves us during the times we feel nailed to the Cross like Jesus. Through our Consecration, she stands by each of us as she stood by Jesus, suffering an interior sacrifice for us, even until our last breath. Then with great joy Mary will lead us unto the heavenly court: Ps 122:1-2 I rejoiced when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!
Day 16- the Last Ps42:1 As a hart longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? And its respondent cry of hope: 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God... Ps 84:3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise! ___________________________________________________ This inner unsettled and pained heart often ponders the following: 1) the problem of death, 2) the world is not as it should be, 3) the personal burden of guilt, and 4) the longing in my heart for Someone beyond myself. St. Elizabeth points to Jesus alone as the answer: Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said ..."make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. A disturbed heart is a heart turned in on itself. A joyful heart freed from its inner disturbances is able to rest in God and focus on others (charity)! Thus do we become the Praise of God's Glory. The gift of daily prayer, of journeying with Jesus and entering into the solitude of the Father, brings healing to the heart and frees me to love. And one day the heaven of my heart and the eternal Heaven will be united. Ps 84:4 Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise!
Thank you Mario, for sharing your journey with us. It has brought back to me my love of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. At the end of her life, she began to call herself "Laudem Gloriae". Elizabeth wanted that to be her appellation in Heaven because it means "praise of glory". She said, "I think that in Heaven my mission will be to draw souls by helping them to go out of themselves in order to cling to God by a wholly simple and loving movement, and to keep them in this great silence within which will allow God to communicate Himself to them and to transform them into Himself." Elizabeth of the Trinity The Trinity - this is our dwelling, our 'home', the Father's house that we must never leave.
Fatima, Thank you for introducing me to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity! It's been a wonderful six weeks! Safe in the Solitude of the Father!
I just received my book on Elizabeth of the Trinity, full volume #1. Reading books like this, I believe, this is the type of preparation God would have us all doing now and throughout the tribulation. All our other concerns and words will serve no purpose in these times. Prayer and reflection on writings such as this are what is essential.
Amen! It is now spiritual warfare that alone suffices! 2 Cor 10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
I've been wondering what it is that I find so appealing about authentic saints? After contemplating this, I realise its the virtue of their great humility! St Elizabeth of the Trinity and many other saints through the centuries teach us truths....... through their humility! These saints live the Divine Will as Jesus taught us in the Pater Noster! And these saints never admonish others for not practicing this sublime way that Jesus is leading them, instead they allow Jesus to live in them and to lead them. Leaving all the rest to Jesus! St Elizabeth does not presume or assume that what Jesus is doing in her, needs to be adhered to by others; for their salvation! on the contrary, St Elizabeth is so completely absorbed in the Divine Will that what she writes..... just leads each soul to this state. Her life speaks for itself! Reading about St Elizabeth and her understated example of humility edifies the soul! I have been lead to reread many other writings of other great humble saints. In St Therese [the little flower’s little way], we also find that living in the Divine Will means just that! There’s no judgement on how God is leading others! but only an acceptance of the Divine Will in their own life! I believe St Elizabeth teaches us so much about truly living in the Divine will. Thank you Mario and Fatima for this wonderful thread. .
Today, Sept. 17, I am walking with Elizabeth once more through her last retreat. Various circumstances in my life during the last year have curtailed my setting aside a time of silence, an offering to Jesus without words. To recapture this quiet time I will be getting up an hour earlier. If anyone wants to join me that will be wonderful (not necessarily the same time)! http://www.discerninghearts.com/cat...zabeth-of-the-trinity-with-dr-anthony-lilles/ It is a tough commitment (one-half hour is the approximate length of each episode) but I believe it is well worth it to serve as a launchpad into the deep. I will treasure any of your insights. So tomorrow I will post my reflections around 6am EST. Some might dovetail with last year's comments, but I'm sure the Holy Spirit will provide new insights. Safe under the Mantle of Mother Mary!
DAY 1 Elizabeth uses the word nescivi which means to no longer know… anything but Jesus, to know longer desire anyone but Jesus. It is this sense of an all-encompassing relationship of which she speaks. Philippians 3: 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. I have often thought I’ve transitioned from knowing about Jesus to knowing Jesus, but this idea of being transfixed on Jesus alone is challenging. I am not a hermit. I have individuals that require my attention, time, and energies, individuals that God Himself has asked me to serve and to love. How does this all fit together? Hopefully, I will more deeply experience and understand the singularity of this divine relationship at the end of this retreat. Elizabeth states that Mary wants to convey this unspeakable secret to the depths my heart, for she better than any other creature, has plummeted the depths of the Sacred Heart. Song of Songs 2:4 He brought me into the cellar of wine, he set in order charity in me. Jesus, set in order charity within me, that I may reflect your love to others! Safe under the Mantle of Mary!
