Silent Insight

In the literal version of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, we are called to the consideration of the “Principle and Foundation”. Consider for a moment the first line of this consideration –

“Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve our God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul”

Be Still | Read | Contemplate It | Listen | Dialogue | Close With Praise and Thanks

Daily Catholic Meditations For Faith, Listening, and Peace (www.SilentInsight.com)

[Consider being in the physical presence of Jesus as he communicates the sense of urgency to accept the present opportunity and strive to draw closer daily]

He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

- Luke 13: 22-30

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Daily Catholic Meditations For Faith, Listening, and Peace (www.SilentInsight.com)

God is your Father. He is a loving Father with wonderful plans for His children. Regardless of the greatest plan you can put together for yourself with the greatest power of your imagination, His plan is better, greater, more exciting, and more rewarding. Believe in His plan. Ask Him to reveal His plan to you. Then listen…

- Source: p.38 & 39, A Call to Joy - Living in the Presence of God, by Mathew Kelly

Be Still | Read | Contemplate It | Listen | Dialogue | Close With Praise and Thanks

Daily Catholic Meditations For Faith, Listening, and Peace (www.SilentInsight.com)

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam – For the greater glory of God

Imagine the Lord speaking directly to you:

You don’t have to be clever to please Me. Just speak to Me as you would to anyone who cares about you.

Are there any people you want to pray for? Tell Me their names and ask for as much as you want. I am generous. Trust Me to do what I know is best.

Tell Me about your pride, your touchiness, your self-centeredness, your laziness. I still love you in spite of all your faults. Do not be ashamed in My presence. There were many saints in heaven who had the same faults as you. They prayed, and little by little their faults were corrected.

Do not hesitate to ask for blessings for body and mind, for health, memory and success. I can give everything.

Tell me about your failures, and I will show you the cause of them. What are your worries? Who has caused you pain? Tell Me about it. Forgive them and I will bless you.

Are you afraid of anything? Have you any tormenting, unreasonable fears? Trust yourself to Me. I am here and will not leave you.

Have you no joys to share with Me? Tell Me about them. What has happened since yesterday to cheer your spirit and comfort you? Whatever it was, big or small, remember that I prepared it for you. Show Me your gratitude.

Are there temptations bearing heavily upon you? Yielding to them always disturbs the peace of your soul. Ask Me, and I will help you overcome them.

Well, go along now. Get on with your work or play. Try to be humbler, more submissive, kinder to others. Come back soon and bring Me a more devoted heart. Tomorrow I shall have more blessings for you.

Source: God Delights in You by John T. Catoir

Be Still | Read | Contemplate It | Listen | Dialogue | Close With Praise and Thanks

Daily Catholic Meditations For Faith, Listening, and Peace (www.SilentInsight.com)

In the book, Man's Search for Meaning, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl describes survival in four different concentration camps, including Auschwitz. From these experiences, he learned valuable insight in the midst of such horror. Primarily, he held that we can’t avoid suffering but can we chose how to cope through the holding of core beliefs and values, and moving forward with renewed purpose toward which you strive. Essentially, if we have no meaning, we die.  With meaning, we live!

Consider your core set of beliefs and how closely you adhere to those beliefs.


Be Still | Read | Contemplate It | Listen | Dialogue | Close With Praise and Thanks

Daily Catholic Meditations For Faith, Listening, and Peace (www.SilentInsight.com)