January 27 Ifprovidencefar from usthe reason forneglectingthe soultoworry aboutimprovingour body, has beeninfinitewisdomof God tobeput in our handsall meanstobeautifyour soul,alsoafter havingdeformedwithfault.Enoughthat the soulwants to collaboratewith divine gracetoits beautycan reachsuch splendor,such beauty,such beauty thatwill attractto itself,for love orastonishment,not onlyin the eyes ofthe angelsbut those ofGod, toaccording to the testimonyofthe samescripture: "King, ieGod, hewill desire yourbeauty." (November 16, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase-Ep.II, p226.)
Grace isa gift that Godour Father hasgiven ushispure mercyandthe ever faithfullove for us.Thereforewe mustalways be opento the promptingsof the HolySpirit thatGod willalways actingand increasinglyin us.The grace ofGod always actsdramaticallyin people whotake risks andtrust Godfully.Sin causesus to killthat grace, that actionof God,the divinepresence in us.Sowealways try tobe vigilant, alertonnot missat leastconsciously and deliberatelyto this verygood fatherbecause theslightest distractioncan leadto total lossofthe work Godisdoing in thesoul of the person.When I speak of"minimal distraction"I refer tothe attitude thatknowing thatgoes against theSpiritwe striveforpride,selfishnessor negligentlytocontinue growingin us.Let us laborthereforetowalk thenarrowpath thatincreasinglyis becomingwiderand appealingif we discoverthat Jesusis the Way.Let us not hesitatetoabandonitto the graceof Godand walkhurrieddown the pathof their mandates.
January 26 Keep up the goodcheer;abandon yourselfto theDivine Heartof Jesus;and all yourworriesdéjaselashim.Putalways in thelast place in thegroup of those wholove the Lord, takingeveryone bybetter than you.Betruly humblewith others,because Godopposes the proudbut gives graceto the humble.The more yougrowthe graces andfavorsof Jesus in yoursoul, the morehumble youshouldalwaysimitatingthe humility ofour Mother in heaven, which,at the momentit becomesMother of Godandservant of theservantdeclareshimselfGod.Inthe prosperousandadversethingshappento you,alwayshumble yourselfunder the mighty handof God,acceptwith humilityand patience,not onlythose things that areto your liking,but also,andwith humilityand patience,all the tribulationshewillsendto makeever morepleasing tohim andmore worthy ofthe heavenly homeland. Beingtemptedis evidentthat the soulis verypleasing to the Lordsign.Thereforeacceptsall inattitude of gratitude.Do not think thisisjust myopinion,no;the Lord himselfgave hisdivineword: "Andbecause you arepleasing to God- saysthe angelTobias(andin the person ofTobiasto allsoulspleasingto God)-wasnecessary for you totrytemptation." Come on, then,beloveddaughterof Jesus;and be gladtoo,even amidthe temptationsand tribulations, knowing wellthat thisis asingulargift thatthe goodnessof the heavenly Fatherdounto thy soul;and aroundforever grateful toknowsuch a goodFather,through HisbelovedSon Jesus Christ. (January 29, 1915,AnitaRodote-Ep.III, p. 48) Whenchosenthe soulbegins to experiencethe affectsofAmado,also startshis wayto Calvary andhislifeCruz.The fightsare intenseand exhaustingbut the strengthalwayswellof Him who isthequintessentialForce.Muchtrue humilityand how muchhumbletruth!It is tocultivate theperson who hasceasedmeet God.Discover that Godis watching youwith a predilectionstillin testingand sufferingsof dailylife is notsimply a matterof sentiment, but ofaffection andspiritual sense.It is therefore necessarythat the soulleavesin God andthat allowstheGood Shepherdbeguardedandguided by himaccordingto the love andmercyasGood Father.Jesus of Nazarethteaches us howto bethe life andwhathas tobe deliveringone whomthe Lord calls, soat all timesexclaimwith him"Fatherif possibleawaythis cup from me,but notdo mywill but Thine. "This will bringpeace amidthe stormand faithfulnessinthe midst of trial.Abandon yourselfasconfidentinthe Lord's handsasa child inthe arms of hisfatherand thencomewhatever.
January 22 Father,I can notget overthis pain;inthe effort tome, I feelwiped out,I feel faint;andI could not tellwhether or notaliveat the time.I ambeside myself.Painand tendernessare opposedmeand reducemy soul toa bittersweetfading. Hugsbeloved,that currentlyoccurin profusionandsaythatwithout pauseextent,are not able toextinguishitacutemartyrdom offeeling unable tobear the weight ofan infinite love. (January 12, 1919,Fr.BenedictofSanMarco inLamis-Ep.I,p1111). Love hasmadefinding andhas awakened in mea volcano ofpainand lovethat I can notdescribe thesharpmartyrdom thatmy soulis living.I do not knowifI live or die, just know thatthe outpouringsof the Spirit ofGod,the loveand hugstipthatsurroundsmedothat is beyondme.Althoughthisbeing out ofmebackmore andmore strongly tomy realityimmenselybeloved creatureof God.The volcanoof fire thatGod's lovehas awakened in meburningmeandnot extinguished,calcinedand does not consumeme.God of love andgoodnesshow bigand howdeep is the loveyou professto souls whoso conscious of theirweaknessput all their trustand hope inYou.YouohGod of love!Never ceasetomake them feelyour love andmercyuntil theyincreasinglyare goingtoenthrallyou,theyoudoingyours andyou'rebecomingTi.Here isthis poor soul, look at herwithsuch loveandcompassionthatsheand makeyoufitwhileall be for goodandsalvation ofthe souls entrusted toher and foryour greaterglory.Amen.
January 21 My soulmeltsof pain andlove,bitterness andsweetnessat the sametime.What shall I doto holdimmenseperformanceof the Most High?WhatI have inme, andis ofsuch a joyitbrings me,without beingable to avoid,tosaythe Blessed Virgin:"My spiritrejoicesin God mySavior." WhatI have inme,and I feel theurgent need tosay withthebride in the Songof Songs: "I foundmy soulloveth...I hugged himandnotlet him go."Butthat's whenI feelunable tosupport the weight ofthis infinite love, to keep itentirely onthe smallnessof my existence;andI am filledwith terror,becauseyou may have toleaveby theinability tocontain itin the narrow spaceof my heart. This thought, which, moreover,is not unfounded(I measuremy strength, which arevery limited,incapableand powerless tohavealways stronglyembraced thisdivine love), Itorturegrievesme, and I feelthatmyheart skipschest. (January 12, 1919,Fr.BenedictofSanMarco inLamis-Ep.I,p1111).
Lovecauses death inthe belovedtothe lovercan generatea new life.This deathis not carriedout withouta deeppain thatmeanssheddingtemporaryandown "self" thatwillgenerateabundant lifeeternaland proper "Other".How much pain, howmuchsuffering andconfusionexperienced by thesoul thatis inthis state.However,at the same timeis enteringa peaceandatruetrust wheremore thanexperience the pain,experiences love, mercy andthe caress of theLover whospeaks to theear andsays:'Comeafter MeI'm the only onewho can give youthe true andeverlasting love.I am thefull truthhasto givea deep,solidand trueto your lifemeaning.I am theAlpha and theOmega, the Beginningand the End,whichmade you andconstituted.I have created youfor me.Only for me-The soul thathears thesewordsdiscovershisincalculablesmallness andthesame timethe way howGodisraising.What is thislove?WhyGod can lovemeso much?How canlove like thatCreatorthe creature?My God, sweet loveof my life!Do not let go,do not walk away, do not abandonmebecausewithout you I'mlostwithout youI would die.Without youperish!I have nothingor anyone elsewhere to turn.Iam unableto containthefire volcanothat yougeneratein me, andat the same timewish to continueexperiencingyoursanctifying presence,renewingyourpresence, yourpresencefills the soul withhope.
January 20 I seealmostabsoluteinability toexpressthe workof the beloved.Theinfinite love,withits immensestrength,finallyconqueredthe hardnessof my soul;andI lookcanceled andreduced to impotence. He leavesspillingfullyin thesmall glass ofthis creature,untoldsufferingandmartyrdomis unable tocarry the weightof this immenselove.Oh!Who will come tosupport me?What shall I doto bring theinfiniteinto my little heart?WhatI do toalwayskeep in thenarrow cellof my soul? (January 12, 1919,Fr.BenedictofSanMarco inLamis-Ep.I,p1111).
My God,my shieldandrock inmeunder.What mysteryisthis?Immersed in theoceanof your divinity,in the seaof Your mercyand theinfinity ofyour love.LIt is impossibletoput into wordswhat Godgenerates inthe soul thatis entrustedto yourcare.The first thingyou do tous is thatwe are not aloneandthatlife thatyou agree toyourchosenlife'spainand suffering.Onlychosen soulscan discoverand refinethe immenseevaluatethesufferingof exile,thedisappointmentand lackof understanding.Butohhow wonderful itis to discover thatthis is theway of the saints!OMGYou'reslowlyconqueringthe soul ofanyone whoisslowly discoveringthe immenselove you havehim.Thissoulreaches such adegreethat onlyminorityisbefore herthe immensity ofyour Love,EternalTrue and Living God.Beingtheperson isincreasinglyoverwhelmedbeforeyour greatnesswhileyou witnessthe raisingYou offerhim afterbeing captivatedbyTi.Ohterrible mysterythatGod wanted tocome live,to dwellin peopleallow.LetYourselfSweet loveof my soulbe mystrengthand my fortress,my defenseand myeternal life.
January 13 Estatecarefulnot tolose sight of thedivine presencebecause of theactivities you do.Neveryou undertakesome taskor other actionanyone,having raisedbeforethe mind to God, guidinghimwithholy intention, actions thatyou are making.You will dothe same withthanksgivingat the end ofall your activities,examining youif all you've donealong the straightdesiredat firstintention;andif you findstainedhumblyaskforgiveness from the Lord,withthe firm resolution tocorrect errors. You must notdiscouragenorgrieveifyour actionsdo notcomewith perfectionseekingyour intention;Whatyou want!We are fragile, we areearth, andnoroadproducesthe same fruitsasthe intentionof the sower.But,toour miseries,alwayshumble ourselves, recognizingthat we are nothingwithout God'shelp. (December 17, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase-Ep.II, p. 273)
How muchweneedmeetingto focusour attention onthe essential andimportantin our lives.How easilyandoftenwe canperform a number ofgood things, maybe evenexcellent, butwithout God.Whenavert our eyesand loseattentionin the God ofJesus Christ,in His divinity andin His mercy,everything we do, whetherin wordor deed,if notinspired by God, everything isvain.How importantisthis.The challengepresented to aChristian soulis big, strongand demandingthatat all timeshehas toturn the mind, attention, lifeand heart toGod.All thisneeds tobe carried outwithgood intentionfrom the beginningto the end,and not just fora pettypersonal orprowhorelizaintention.That the constantexamination of consciencewe makealwayslead usto encounter Godandlearn to recognizethat what littleof righteousnesswhich we live isthanks tohis loving presencethatneverleaves ustogether.Becausewe recognizethatwe owe everythingto providenceand loveGod has for usso thatour innerbudthe mostsublimeand humblesong ofthanksgiving forall that Goddoes in us.
January 6 I have theeyesalways fixed onthe east,in the middleof the nightthat surrounds it,to distinguishthat miraculousstar thatguidedour parents tothe cave of Bethlehem.But invainfixedmy eyes tosee the emergence ofthis brightstar.The moreI look, the less Iget to see;The moreeffort and moreardentlyIknow I look,the more Iam involvedingreater darkness.I'msingleday, I'm aloneat night andno lightcomes toenlighten;nevera drop ofrefreshmentcomesto fana flame thatconsumes mecontinually, neverconsume me. OnceI felt,inthe most intimate andsecret partof my spirit,something very delicatethat I knownot how toexplain it.The soulbegan to feelhis presence, unable tosee it;and then, I'll sayso,he approachedso closelyto my soulthat itclearlywarnedhis touch;exactly-to give apale figure-as often happens whenourbody touchesanother bodyclosely. I can not sayanythingabout it;onlyconfessto him that,at first,was seized witha greatpanic;butthis panic,graduallywas transformedinto acelestialeuphoria.I foundthat I no longerwas in a stateofwayfarer;andI could not tellif,when this happened, I realizedit or notI was stillin my own body.Only God knows what;and Iknownot to say anythingmoreto givebetter understand thisevent. (March 8, 1916,Fr.BenedictofSanMarco inLamis-Ep.I,p756.)
Withwhat tendernessanddeep lovewe celebrateon this daythe Epiphany.Godhas put hisdwelling amongmankind,nowreveals thatdoes not comefor a few,butfor all humanity.Sincethere is no differencebetweenslave or free,male or femalebetweenbetweenpaganorJewish.God hastwinnedall of us andhas given usthe ability to besonsthrough ourmembership in the Bodyof Christ.JesusChristtodayhas been revealed aslight to the nations.Wizardsdiscoveredby thestarlightwaspoor and humble Christwas bornin a stableradiatedfor all humanity.Wizardswent on the road,left theirstability,securityleftleft theirpossessions andtook to theadventure insearchof the King ofthe Jews.They knewwhat it meant to"go afterhim", iefollow in his footsteps,dothe same path andend up asandwhereheended up.The wizardsalong with thepagan worldrejoicedbecause wewerebornthe Savior.InsteadHerodwas troubled,was soengrossedthatall he wantedwas to keepselfishlywhatGod himselfhad given him.Hisconfusiontook himevenend thelives of so manyinnocent childrenandmakinghis reigna kingdomof darkness anddeathto spare.The chief priests andscribes of the peopleevenknewof thathappy eventremainedindifferent.What isyour attitude: that ofthe Magi,Herodorthat of the scribesand priests?Christhas beenrevealed tomankindgrant youthe grace tofeel himclose, veryclose to yourmind and yourheartso that youcan givejoyfulwitness to the loveof God in yourlife.A lifewhich reaches itsfullness in themoment when Godwanted to become man, that Yoube likeHim."Riseand Shine"byyour works, your faith, ofyour hopeand yourcharity.HappyEpiphany.
January 5 The maximumfourthis thatof eternity.Shortlyshould matter toGod's childrento livethis very briefmomentsthat pass, providedthey livein gloryforever withGod.Daughter,believes thatgoingandaimedtowards eternity,you'veput therefoot.As long asshe ishappybecause of you, so whatarethesetransitory momentsof sufferingfor you? The fifthmaximI beseechyou havealways fixedin the mind,is that of theapostleSt. Paul: "Look atmeI do notboastof anythingexcept the crossof my Jesus". Keep inyour heart, my child, Jesus Christcrucified,and all thecrosses of the worldwill seemroses.Those whohave feltthe pangs ofthe crown of thornsSavior,who is the head,in any wayfeelother wounds. (November 15, 1917,AntoinetteVona-EpIII, p822..)
God our Fatherhas given usthe grace tobe part of yourBeing. It istruly gloriousand wonderfulpowerto discover thatfrom all eternityhavebeen with him.Yesmy dearchildrenthisis a reality.We are partof your being.Perhapswhen we didwhen wecreatedwhen weformednobreathedHis Spiritin us?We aresomehoweternal asHethat isalreadywhat we mustalways aimat all times.However, we knowthat at somepoint Godhimself sentus to earththat we should befollowers ofthe establishmentof His Kingdom.Therefore everymanand womanis discovered andfoundson and daughterof Godnever toput theiraspirationsin this world wherewe are pilgrimsand strangers.Rememberingour trueidentity and ourearthly pilgrimagehasto makeconstantlyaspireto eternalhomelandwhere we canfullyshare lifewith the Onewho created us.Soavoidall thatseparatesyou from the desireto livehappilyin heaven.Do notlet yourselfbe enveloped bythe liesof this worldnorwhatapparentlyis sosublime, so beautifuland so goodthat makesturn awayyour mind,your heart andlife of Godand his Kingdom.Never thinkthat situationsandadverse circumstancesareplayingyoulivebyreason thatGodhas forgottenyou,just thinkthat in thesemomentsarecloser to theheavenly homelandbecause you are livingthe reality ofthe Crossin your life.LaCruzby weighingit,will never be morethan that ofJesus Christ.Remember thatHeloadedContigoandTi.Thank himand transforminto aCireneofor others,so thatthose who have nofaithyouhave,candiscover itbyyour worksand givegloryand praiseto our FatherGod, Creatorof the entire universe.
January 4 Thethird maximis that youobserve what theDivine Mastertaught hisdisciples: "What hasbeen missing?". Carefullyconsider,my deardaughter,this passage.Jesus toldthe apostlesto everyone,no money, nostaff,nosandals,nosaddlebags,dressed onlyin a robe;and thensaid, "WhenI commandedthus,did you lackanything?"And they saidthat nothing hadlacked. Now,I say, my child:when you weretormented, even inthe time that, unfortunately,did not feelmuch confidence inGod, tell me,did you everfound yourselfoppressedby suffering?I'll answerno.Why, then,-Iwould add- not havingconfidence in overcomingall otheradversities?If God has notabandoned youin the past,how canabandon youinthe future asnow, more thanin the past,you want to beyoursfrom now on?Notopics thatyou can think ofsomething wrongin this world,because maybeyou will notever happen.But in anycase,if youensue,God will give youthe strength tocope.The Divine MastercommandedS.Peterto walkon water.S.Pedro,theblowing windand the dangerof the storm, he was afraidand thismade himalmostsubmerge;Masterasked for helpand herebuked him, saying: "?thou of littlefaith, whydid you doubt';and,extending his hand, grabbed him.If Godmakes youwalk onstormywaters of adversity, do not hesitate, mydaughter, fear not;God is with you;take courageand bereleased. (November 15, 1917,AntoinetteVona-EpIII, p822..)
The Love ofGod to menhas been manifested intheextraordinaryhumanityof all time,ofall racesfrom all culturesof allskin colorsandall social stratamanner.His providencecoversofeach otherends of the earth.Faced with such aloving Father whohas shown ushis faithfulness,hiscloseness andhumanityinSublimeIncarnation of hisSon Jesus Christ andhasbeen manifestedas the savior ofall mankind, what have weto fear?Repairsforhow important itis Youopen yourselftoGod andto experienceunlimited trustin the One whohas no limitsto love,serveandforgive.Allows theaction of the HolySpirit to actonce and forallin your life andradically changes thelife thatmakes you happy.Lifedoes not allowyou to live infull communion with God.Thesinis deathin the person.Lifedoes not germinatewhere sinbecause sinkillsthe graceand presenceof God inone's life.Thus, discoveringthe magnificentgift ofGod's providenceagain, you'llalsorediscoveryour dignityas a person,as a daughterof Godand as a memberof the Body ofChrist.The faithfulness of Godis eternal andhas sealeda pacta new and eternalcovenant with You, soyou have nothingto fear.Ifat some point inyour life,evenifright nowyou arecrossingthe stormycloud ofloneliness,meaninglessness,of grief, illness, lackof Faith,Hope,Charityandpresence ofGod in your life, always thinkit's timethatyoulettakethe handof Jesus thatneverletyou sinkindeep mireofsin and death.Trustbecause inso lovingFatherand His SonJesus Christunder the actionof the HolySpirit inyour life does notallow you to missthatworth more thanthe birdsof the sky.Courage, trustin Godand Hewill play!
The second maximI wantyou to takeforeverengraved inyourmind,is that God isour Father;What do youhave to fearwhenthe daughter ofsuch a father,without whoseprovidencewillneverfalla hair of yourhead?Notreallyvery strange thatwhile wechildren ofsuch a father,andwecan haveanother thoughtthanthat oflove and serve?Take careand governsyour soul and yourfamily ashe wants,and do not worry;because ifyou do this,you'll see howJesus cares foryou."Think of me,Ithink of you," Jesusonce saidto St.Catherine ofSiena;andWise says: "Eternal Father,yourprovidencegoverns everything." (November 15, 1917,AntoinetteVona-EpIII, p822..)
The person whoacknowledges God ashis FatherandCreator,always and at alltimesshall be a personwho walksgentlyunder the eye ofGod.It will bean ever-confidentperson becausetheir safety andconfidence does notdependneversuccessesorfailures,successesorfailures ofthis life, butthatalways walkshandofgodloves youforeverandneverlet your footstumbleon the stone.Sowe discoverthat our securityand the wholemeaning of our lifefrom faithin God.We canalsobe certainthat ourjoy and ourdeep senseof life does notderive fromthe moodsin whichwe find ourselves,norcloudy daysorstrenuoussunny,butknownin the loving handsof our FatherGod andbe certainthatyou're important tohim. Hecares foryou,you,of youshow yourselfto Him, letapapachar, feelthemost important andmost pamperedof Goddearest person.Always lives inhis presenceand watchall yourlife andthose around youwill be afloodof peace, lightand graceof Godlife.Goodbyesorrowsand falsesheltersbecause onlythe heartof God givesus the securityto be at peacewith Himand ourselves,and this generatesa deepgladness of heart.
January 2 To livecontinuallyin adevout life,you do not needbut to acceptyourgenerousspiritandsome excellentmaxims. Thefirst one Iwish you,is thisSt.Paul: "Everythingis ingood to them thatlove God."And by the way, since Godcan andcan draw goodevenfrom evilwith whomhewill do thisbut with those who,without reservation,delivered tohim?Eventhe same sins, of whichGod in Hisgoodness, wehaveremoved,are ordained bydivineprovidencefor the good ofthose who serve him.If theholy KingDavidhad not sinned,he would never haveacquiredsuch a profoundhumility;norhave lovedso ardentlyMagdalenaJesus,if he hadnot forgivenmany sins;and Jesuscould not haveperdonárselos,if shehadnotcommitted. Consider,mydeardaughter,this great workof divine mercy:hebecomesour miseriesinfavors and,with the poison ofour iniquities,makeshealthy changes inour souls.So tell me, whatwill dowith hisgraceour sorrows,our sufferingsand persecutionsthat troubleus?And so, even if youhappennot to sufferafflictionsof any kind,believes that ifyou loveGod with allyour heart, allwill becomegood;and althoughyou achievenotunderstand wherethis goodwill, besureit will.IfGod putsbefore your eyesthe mudof ignominy,is butto give backa clearer lookandto makeadmirablebefore hisGod, asa decentand friendlyshow.And if Godmade you fall, it's togetyou what youdidtoPaultomake him fallfrom his horse. Therefore,itfallsnotmake youlose courage;Go forarenewed confidenceand deeperhumility.Discouragedandimpatientafter ithasfallen into error,is a ployof the enemy,iscedeweapons,isgiving up.Therefore, you should notdo it, becauseGod's graceis always attentivetoyour aid. (November 15, 1917,AntoinetteVona-EpIII, p822..)
May the LordGod ourFathergrant youthe grace todiscoverthe action ofthe HolySpirit in yourlife so thatall of itisfull ofjoy andbliss.God has usedeveninyour weaknessto increase theirlove and mercyfor You.You,for your partin the battledo not despair,remains faithfulto the last momentof your life.Combatin season andfirst withan intense lifeof prayer andrelationship with God.Afteralife fullof gracethroughthe sacramentsthat ourHoly MotherChurch offers usthrough hisholy ministers.Constantlyfeeds yoursoul, yourmind and yourheart withholy wordsofOurGod throughScriptureand strive toalwayslive andat all timesejercitándotecharitywhich is Godfor you tobe a worthyson of ourheavenly Father.Thuseverythingin wordor deedyou perform,absolutely everythingwellresult initself andall they needthe love of God.LoveforGod with allyour heart thateverythingbecomesfine and socanreflect the glorythat God shareswith all menand women worldwide.Nomatter ifyour weaknessmakes you fallinto sin.God is generousandforgivingknowas long as youdo not remainprostrate beforeevil.Thatfalls anddifficulties arereasonto get up andalways aspire toGod's holinessand gloryhe shares withall the saintsthat You'realsoone day withHimeternallycontemplatingits wonders.