A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri Day 8 – Mp3 audio and Text

Day 8 – Overcoming Excuses for being Sad “It is necessary to notice that many times these sufferings are products of our imagination, and a joyful spirit dispels them easily. In fact, many times they are trifles, or even without any foundation whatsoever. For example: a person forgets to greet someone because of a distraction, causing that person to presume it is out of malice or scorn. Or again, a word comes from the mouth of someone--perhaps in simplicity or jest--and it is immediately interpreted as an offense. Many times the disgust is disgust because we want to be disgusted, like spooked horses who jump backwards not because there may be an occasion for fear, but because they themselves create the fear. ...As for true and real tribulations and adversities, notice that if they are not taken with a joyful abandonment to God, they will become much heavier! They will damage the spirit and lead to impatience, lack of charity, murmuring against God, and even against one’s own body. Drive sadness far away from you, for sadness brought death to many (Sirach 30:23). Thus, afflictions of soul, desolations, desperation--see how they foster more sadness! ...Yes, these things impede joy if one looks upon them with a worldly eye, if one seeks their causes in the earth, or in creatures, and does not look upon them with the eye of faith, or does not believe that all comes from God... nothing happens contrary to His will. And it is from God our father--he is a father like no other father--who permits all things for our good, so may we reflect on the grace attached to it and the reward prepared for us.” The post A Novena in Honor of Ven. Bruno Lanteri Day 8 – Mp3 audio and Text appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.