"In silentio et in spe erit fortitudo vestra — in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. This is what the Lord assures to those who are his own. Keep quiet, and trust in him. These are two essential weapons in moments of difficulty, when there doesn't seem to be any human solution." The Forge, "Crucible" #799, St. Josemaria Escriva
In recent years, I've found myself turning to the sound spirituality and wisdom of St. Josemaria Escriva more often. I can pick up any of his "maxim"-packed books and discover I have a heavenly spiritual director at my call. His supernatural outlook along with no nonsense approach to ordinary life prove to be of great assistance not only with the storms that arise, but mostly in embracing and offering to God the simple day to day events; recognizing the "ordinary" as a path to holiness; in fact, that's what St. Josemaria is all about: sanctifying ordinary life. For those who do not have the added benefit of a spiritual director, or continue to struggle in finding just the right one to work with, I have two humble suggestions: read St. Josemaria Escriva, and pray through his powerful intercession for the help in direction you need. The least that can happen is you will be abundantly blessed. Click here for his intercessory prayer.
When "reading" a saint, I like to find out everything I can about them from several different sources; in this way, I feel I've prepared myself for better understanding and appreciation of the writings they've left to us. There are several wonderful books written about the life of St. Josemaria Escriva. You can find many of them at Scepter Publishers. Also at Scepter and now available is a unique story of this saint's remarkable life, comic book style. Yes! It's called: Through the Mountains: The Life of St. Josemaria. I can attest to the fact that this very well done hardbound book is beautifully achieved for this type of presentation."You wouldn't think of building a good house to live in here on earth without an architect. How can you ever hope, without a director, to build the castle of your sanctification in order to live forever in heaven?" St. Escriva, The Way, #60
More on spiritual enrichment with St. Escriva later this week.
2 comments:
St. Therese the Little Flower - little ways to sainthood - I appreciate this thought, much like the ordinary, it is all I can manage right now. Small things, doing the ordinary as calmly, charitably and prayerfully as I can. I get so, so frustrated at my own inability to do more.
I know exactly what you mean...keeping in simple isn't a bad spiritual practice :) In fact, I think sanctifying ordinary life by the small every day affairs we do over and over again is what it's all about - it's certainly what God has called us to as mothers in our vocations. Blessings!
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