I will say that the better prepared we are for the time of the Aviso the better chance we will have of coping well with it. It doesn't take a genius to work out that if the Aviso is an illumination and correction of conscience and that these will two things make the experience terrifying even to the point of death for some then the less illuminating and correcting that needs to be done by the time of the Aviso then the less terrifying will be the experience and the less chance of us dying of a heart attack from fear. Regular prayer especially the Rosary, Meditation, Confession, Communion, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, little acts of sacrifice (or big ones if needed), trying to lead good lives and doing good works (especially without broadcasting them) will serve well to help prepare us and even then we will be terrified. As Conchita said we would prefer to contemplate death than contemplate what we will be shown. There is no escaping. We all know this. I had better get my skates on!
Joe said, I had better get my skates on." as we should all Joe. As we should all. Hence my nom de plume, misericordia, because I plan on begging for mercy, though I have shown none. Just saw Shakespeare's, The Merchant of Venice, beautiful production, and a great teaching on mercy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-bZWZEwY21Q
It is said that when we see our souls and the pain we have caused others, that we will feel the pain that pain that we have caused others....
I sometimes wonder, Beth, as most people do about heaven and what we might get up to their. I think we often think of it as a kind of Eternal Vacation. But I wonder if that would be satisfying? Just to lie like a turnip in the sun soaking things up? I never liked sun bathing on Earth, I was always too restless. So I reckon there will be work to be done..and I hope Battles to be fought. We will see.
Ahhhh, the beautiful thing about heaven is that it is too wonderful for our little minds to comprehend! God will make it the perfect place for each of us and we will never tire of anything within it. Personally, I can't wait ....with the only hesitation being conscience of my time in purgatory. Praying St. Bridget's 12 year prayers to aid me there! I thank you for this forum....because of it, many will be enlightened and the veil to the other side will be made more clear. It is so good for us who long to be with God....it's a nurturing that is needed for us until that time.
Having raised 8 children my old mum used to get mad at the story of Martha and Mary. Mary sitting with Jesus doing nothing to help while Martha worked up a sweat as she tended to all their needs. Mum could not agree that Mary's was the better part, rather the easier part. She thought Mary should have been pulling her weight a bit more and not putting all the work on Martha's shoulders. She thought that on this occasion Jesus had it wrong. Although I don'agree with her I can see mum's point of view. For mum actions speak louder than words....but Jesus knew what he was talking about. His words were his work and vice versa. His work was the fruit of his words and his silence and His company. His words were always backed up by His actions. Perhaps the roles of Martha and Mary will find reflection in heaven. The Little Flower said " I will spend my heaven doing good on earth." That sounds like work to me. In the mass we hear of the saints "on whose constant intercession we rely for hell." That sounds like work to me. But work changes in the face of love. It becomes easier. Although my marriage eventually failed I remember the early days. Nothing was too much trouble. I would do anything for my wife without hesitation and put my full heart into it. It felt good and gave nothing but joy. Maybe for some this is the work of heaven. For others just being there may be the work. Jesus was right ...easier is better. "My yolk is easy and my burden is light." But only in the light of love. It could be that in heaven this love no longer requires suffering and pain. But I still wonder. Mary Our Mother reigns in heaven, but she still sheds tears, she still shows pain, she still is concerned with our well being. She visits us on earth to take care of us. That sounds like work. Its all a mystery. I had better get to work. These are just my morning thoughts and feelings. Nothing more. Maybe after He spoke to Martha Jesus rolled up his sleeves and joined her at the sink.
St Therese of Liseaux had a nice, wise commentary on this I must see if I can find it. Basically St Therese said it is not a matter of one sister being better than another. It is not a question of prayer over work or work over prayer. It is a question of doing the right thing at the right time. There is a time for work. There is a time for prayer. What Jesus was saying is Martha was working when she should have been listening. Mary on the other hand was listening when she should have been listening. View attachment 2993
Me too. But I always tell my husband, "It's not that the Irish love to fight; it's that they will fight for what they love!"
Evidently, there will be ruling and reigning to be done with Jesus (for the elect, at least.) That sounds like work, and surely there will be battles plenty for you, Padraig!
Yes Kathy...the Irish are very passionate....regardless of what side of an issue they defend. They have a way with words that is amusing. Love watching "A Quiet Man".....it is so perfectly them!
I always thought Kathy that what Saint Therese of Lisieaux said about heaven was very beautiful; She said that heaven is like a garden with all different kinds of flowers. Some will become roses , some lilies and some little forget-me-nots. But she said that no matter what are place or mission in heaven each of us will perfectly happy in that whatever flower we become is the flower we were meant to be from all Eternity. No one will envy the other. If peace is the child of joy and perfect peace the child of perfect peace we shall have nothing to concern about. But flowers do not sit still , they grow. I sometimes think of heaven as a pilgrim ship sailing the seas of Eternity into the very Heart of God. “Slowly but surly I want to strip her of every kind of happiness as to make a saint of her.” ― Jean Genet, Our Lady of the Flowers
Praying that the warning brings many souls back to God....permanently ! What will it take for souls to come back to God if not seeing the condition of their soul.....
A few thoughts: I keep asking myself how is this going to happen? I know it is through the Holy Spirit, but I dig deeper and ask again How? What is the warning, but an illumination of the conscience a light fully within us. We all know that this will be received through the Holy Spirit, but what is received? I have been meditating on this for some time. My thoughts and belief is that it is as if we have received a confirmation fully. Not the same as the sacrament of confirmation, even though we receive the gifts fully at that time, we are not at the stage of life to recognize all in its fullness. We may use certain gifts as we go through our life for others to draw others deeper to Christ not for our own self, yet the illumination seems to be a total recognition of all on the spot. C.C.1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. C.C.1287 This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people. On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit,a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost The very moment and not waiting for the right gift at the right time, but the all encompassing total of all. Gods last effort to show all of Himself and His love to us as if the cross was not enough! Total Knowledge of truth; full understanding of the Lord and neighbor; fear of the Lord and how we have hurt Him tremendously; fortitude to move forward without fear; counsel to direct to the right path; piety to the fullness of love Himself; wisdom to know what is right. Much as it was in the upper room at Pentecost. But, here is the kicker. We still have our free will and for some, surrounded with sanctifying grace and for others "only" actual grace. We all still need to make a choice, yes or no! That is why it is so important today to go to confession, receive the Lord at Mass, pray the Rosary and sacrifice ourselves for the love of the Lord. Today be in the fullness of sanctifying grace. Through Gods gift of sanctifying grace we are more open to the Holy Spirits entering. For those in a state of "only" actual grace working in us as many of us have been in times of our lives, it comes down to whether we are open to His mercy, open to His love, are we open to change our journey and are we open enough to say our "fiat", yes Lord! This will be the time when Divine Mercy excels and is at it's fullest. God's final attempt for those that are not walking in the straight and narrow path. Where will we be? Will we close the door or allow Him the fullness of ourselves and allow His Divine Will to flow within? The Church "All of us who have received one and the same Spirit, that is, the Holy Spirit, are in a sense blended together with one another and with God. For if Christ, together with the Father's and his own Spirit, comes to dwell in each of us, though we are many, still the Spirit is one and undivided. He binds together the spirits of each and every one of us, . . . and makes all appear as one in him. For just as the power of Christ's sacred flesh unites those in whom it dwells into one body, I think that in the same way the one and undivided Spirit of God, who dwells in all, leads all into spiritual unity. St. Cyril of Alexandria" C.C. 1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace: - it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!"; - it unites us more firmly to Christ; - it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; - it renders our bond with the Church more perfect - it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross: Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts
