Deuteronomy 10:12-21
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet the LORD set His affection on your fathers, to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, you over all the other peoples, as it is this day. So circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck any longer. For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your glory and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.
Deuteronomy 11:22
For if you are careful to keep all of this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and cling to Him,
does god favor some over others
God's favor is not based on personal merit but rather on humility and openness to His grace
His grace is available to all who seek perfection
all humans are called to cooperate with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which is a gift available to everyone, further supporting the notion that God's grace is not exclusive
God does not favor some individuals over others; rather, He extends His grace and invitation to all, regardless of their circumstances.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
W]hen you do confess, you should do so in this manner:
In regard to thoughts and imaginings (whether they concern judgments, or other inordinate objects or representations, or any other motions) that occur without being desired or accepted or deliberately adverted to: Do not confess them or pay attention to them or worry about them. It is better to forget them no matter how much they afflict the soul. At most, you can mention in general any omission or remissness as regards the purity and perfection you ought to have in the interior faculties: memory, intellect, and will.
In regard to words: Confess any want of caution in speaking with truthfulness and rectitude, out of necessity, and with purity of intention.
In regard to deeds: Confess any lack of the proper and only motive—God alone without any other concern.
By such a confession you can be content and need not tell any other particular thing, however much it may battle against you. Receive Communion on Pentecost in addition to those days on which you usually receive.
When something distasteful or unpleasant comes your way, remember Christ crucified and be silent.
Live in faith and hope, even though you are in darkness, because it is in these darknesses that God protects the soul.
Cast your care on God, for he watches over you and will not forget you. Do not think that he leaves you alone; that would be an affront to him.
Read, pray, rejoice in God, both your good and your salvation. May he grant you this good and this salvation and conserve it all until the day of eternity. Amen. Amen.
SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS
Letter 20 to a Discalced Carmelite nun suffering from scruples
Shortly before Pentecost, 1590
A Good Confession:
In regard to thoughts: lack of purity and goodness you ought to have in memory, intellect, and will.
In regard to words: lack of truthfulness and purity of intention.
In regard to deeds: Confess any lack of the proper and only motive—God alone without any other concern.
When something distasteful or unpleasant comes your way, remember Christ crucified and be silent.
Live in faith and hope, even though you are in darkness, because it is in these darknesses that God protects the soul.
Cast your care on God, for he watches over you and will not forget you. Do not think that he leaves you alone; that would be an affront to him.
Read, pray, rejoice in God, both your good and your salvation. May he grant you this good and this salvation and conserve it all until the day of eternity. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment