 |
| Photo: R. Massaro St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio |
From the Imitation of Christ:
Personal penitential practices are best done in private and not openly for others to see. Do not be more inclined to the devotion of your own choosing than to those that are of religious obligation. When you have faithfully fulfilled your obligation, then if there is time left, you may perform those devotions according to your inspiration.
The same pious practices are not practical for all; for one suits one person, while another suits someone else. Different exercises are required for different times; some being more applicable for holy days, other for ordinary days. Also, we need one kind in time of temptations and another in time of peace and quiet; one when we have devotion, another when devotion is withdrawn.
As the principal feasts occur we must renew our pious practices according to the spirit of the feast, fervently asking the Saints to help us. As the liturgical year unfolds, we should make our resolutions as if we were then to leave this world for the everlasting feast in heaven.
In this way, we ought to prepare ourselves at holy season, living more devoutly and performing our duties more exactly as if we were soon to go before God to receive the reward of our labors.
But if it be delayed, we can be sure that we were neither ready nor prepared for that glory which will be revealed to us in God's time. Let up prepare ourselves better for the appointed time.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
No comments:
Post a Comment