MYSTIC BLOG

Who wrote this?

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:04:47 +0000

“The key to heaven was hung on a nail.”

Like Augustine

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:13:36 +0000

John Wesley, like Augustine, spent a great deal of time trying to obey God and failing to do so. When they finally found victory they gave testimony to a new life. Here is Wesley’s testimony:

“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. I began to pray with all my might for those who had in a more especial manner despitefully used me and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart. But it was not long before the enemy suggested that this cannot be faith; for “where is thy joy”? Then was I taught that peace and victory over sin are essential to faith in the Captain of our salvation; but that, as to the transports of joy that usually attend the beginning of it, especially in those who have mourned deeply, God sometimes gives, sometimes withholds them, according to the counsels of his own will. After my return home, I was much buffeted with temptations; but cried out, and they fled away. They returned again and again. I as often lifted up my eyes, and he sent me help from his holy place. And herein I found the difference between this and my former state chiefly consisted. I was striving, yea, fighting with all my might under the law, as well as under grace; but then I was sometimes, if not often, conquered: now I was always conqueror.”

Nice Testimony

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:31:44 +0000

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Augustine

Why we are New Day Monks

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:18:37 +0000

“As the wars of religion (surrounding the Reformation) subsided and the bloody persecutions came to an end, a remarkable but often overlooked similarity in devotion emerged. The Catholic Church and the Protestant churches, which were now growing in number, had drawn as far from each other as possible and continued to denounce each other. Yet both sides began to embrace forms of piety and devotion that became increasingly similar. From the seventeenth century onward, devotion to Christ would develop in the various divided groups strikingly similar lines. Bitter acrimony gradually gave way to silence, and the different trends in the Protestant world shaped themselves into new identities, often in conflict, as between Anglicans and Puritans in England or between Baptists and Lutherans in Germany. Despite division, persecutions, and animosity, a remarkably but largely unrecognized common ground appeared—a renewed devotion to Christ in His divinity and humanity. Is it possible that this historically inexplicable between warring churches had its roots in a reality beyond them all and present within those who sincerely sought to be disciples of the same Christ? Is it possible that Christ’s grace was calling all who sincerely invoked His name, that the same dynamism of grace shaped the spiritual lives of those who sought Him and drew close to Him in the different churches? Is it possible that this great dynamism and mystery of Christianity with all its wounds and scars is the universal presence of the Holy Spirit? And does this Spirit not invite to a mysterious center all who believe and trust in Him with all their desire?

Wonderful

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:29:38 +0000

The other gods were strong, but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

Edward Shillito

The Soldier’s Perspective

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:55:00 +0000

“Those who will want to be more devoted and signalize themselves in all service of their King Eternal and universal Lord, not only will offer their persons to the labor, but even, acting against their own sensuality and against their carnal and worldly love, will make offerings of greater value and greater importance, saying: Eternal Lord of all things, I make my offering, with Thy favor and help, in the presence of Thy infinite Goodness and in presence of Thy glorious Mother and of all the Saints of the heavenly Court; that I want and desire, and it is my deliberate determination, if only it be Thy greater service and praise, to imitate Thee in bearing all injuries and all abuse and all poverty of spirit, and actual poverty, too, if Thy most Holy Majesty wants to choose and receive me to such life and state”.

Ignatius of Loyola

God help us

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:05:17 +0000

“Let no one wear a mask, otherwise he will do ill; and if he has one, let him burn it.”

St Philip Neri

Still true today

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:47:04 +0000

”The Lord has always revealed to mortals the treasures of his wisdom and his spirit, but now that the face of evil bares itself more and more, so does the Lord bare his treasures more.” St John of the Cross, … Continue reading →

Desert Wanderer

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:16:40 +0000

I am parched, weary

as I stumble around

aimlessly in this desert.

Why do I wander

away from the stream

of living water?

I could follow it –

be continually refreshed –

but I choose to stray

away from that which

gives me life.

I choose to walk

in places that drain me –

that take life from me –

and replace it with death.

The law of love

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:16:15 +0000

The law of love demands no arduous nor afflicting work, nor loss of money; it does not involve shame, or any dishonor, or anything worse; it puts no obstacle in the pursuit of any art or profession. The general keeps the power to command, the laborer can work the ground, the artesian can carry on with his occupation. There is no reason to retire into solitude, to eat unusual food, to be inadequately clothed, or endanger one’s health, or to resort to any other special endeavor; it suffices to give oneself wholly to meditation and to remain always within oneself without depriving the world of one’s talents.

Nicholas Cabasilas