Рет қаралды 9,561
Fr. Mark Goring preaches on striving for holiness with the practical, classic wisdom of the ages.
We are called to strive. "Strive to enter the narrow gate" (Luke 13:24)
Love the Lord wholeheartedly.
What part must we play in our spiritual growth and progress?
There are two elements:
1) Passive
2) Active
Passive: This is the most important - we need to let God be God. We need to submit ourselves to God's work in our life. Analogies: Surgeon (Be Still) Gardener (He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does - he prunes - so that it bears more fruit). Be surrendered to the Lord's work in us. Psalm 51 - Great psalm of repentance.
Active: Our part is still a cooperation with Grace. (Sailor - working with the wind, but still are active in the process). John 55 "Without me, you can do nothing". God's grace is like a mighty wind behind us - and the Saints were masters of cooperating with God's grace.
Parable of the Talents.
Practically - how do we grow and cooperate?
CLASSIC WISDOM of the ages:
1) We need to work at one thing at a time, for a specific amount of time, and seek the Lord's Spirit and Grace to figure out what that one thing should be. Have a discipline to make one small change at a time. (Growing in virtue, or weeding out vice). Over a long period of time, we receive this engrained discipline -- virtue. Choose one area in your life that you need to change.
2) Make it a SMALL change. Have the wisdom to make one small change, and to work at it for a specific amount of time. Recommended amount of time to make a lasting change is 21 to 40 days. A good way to remember is to focus on one change a month. This change should be Holy Spirit inspired.
3) Daily reminder or prayer to pray for the grace to make this change. (Treasure in Heaven booklet - Freedom prayer)
Ask the Holy Spirit - What is the one small change that you are giving me the grace to make, that will make the biggest effect on my life. What is the change you are calling me to?
You may feel this is painfully slow. But this is not true. The Holy Spirit pace always wins the race. It is the simplest, most direct way - and it is also leisurely. So that we can be in the present moment, so we can enjoy it. The Holy Spirit inspires changes that make the biggest impact.
Run so as to win the race.
- Filmed at the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston, Texas (November 2012)
thenewevangelis... | Be inspired and equipped for the New Evangelization with videos, blogs, podcasts, articles & formation courses
Facebook: / thenewevangelist
Twitter: / new_evangelist
companionscross... | Discover the spirituality, brotherhood and mission of the Companions of the Cross and how you can participate
Facebook: / companionsofthecross
Twitter: / companionscross
vocations.compa... | Explore a vocation to the priesthood with the Companions of the Cross