March 2010

Being Present To God And Life

by Fr. Ron Rolheiser OMI
Shortly after his conversion, St. Augustine penned these immortal words: “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 unlovingness I plunged into the lovely […]

When You Are Sick

My son, when you are sick do not be anxious, pray to the Lord to heal you. Give up bad habits, keep your hands unsoiled, and purify your heart from all sin.
Offer incense and memorial gift of fine flour and rich offerings according to your means. Then consult the doctor; remember that he was established […]

The Doctor

Give due honor to the doctor, for you need him and God himself established him.
Healing, in fact, comes from the Most High; the gift of healing comes from the Sovereign.
The doctor’s expertise gives him prestige and wins for him the admiration of the powerful.
The Lord created the medicinal herbs which grow on the earth, and […]

Truly Wise Man

The truly wise man teaches his people, and they benefit from his knowledge.
The wise man is full of blessings; those who see him call him happy.
The wise man will win the confidence of his people; his name will live forever.
My son, test yourself during the course of your life; see what is harmful and avoid […]

Own Heart’s Advice

Do not consult s woman about her rival, or a coward about war, or a merchant about exchange rates, or a buyer about selling, or a jealous man about gratitude, or a selfish person about generosity, or an idler about any kind of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, or a lazy […]

Advisers

All advisers give advice but some seek only their own gain.
Distrust the person who offers advice, lest he takes advantage of you; first of all, ask yourself what he lacks, and what his own interest suggests to him.
Perhaps he says to you, “You are on the right road,” while he keeps his distance, to see […]

Friends

Every friend says “I am your friend too,” but some friends are only friends in name.
Is it not a deadly grief when a companion or friends turns into an enemy?
One kind of comrade takes advantage of his friend’s good fortune; in time of trouble he turns against him. Another kind shares his friend’s suffering, for […]

Choosing A Wife

The stomach takes all kinds of food but one food is better than another.
Just as a tongue can distinguish the flavor of game, so does the alert mind detects lies.
A crooked heart causes sorrow, but an experienced person knows how to get even with him.
A woman will accept any husband but some daughters are […]

Prayer of the Humble

The one who serves God wholeheartedly will be heard; his petition will reach the clouds. The prayer of the humble person pierces the clouds, and he is not consoled until he has been heard. His prayer will not cease until the Most High has looked down, until justice has been done in the favor of […]

Generous Giving

The sacrifice of the just man pleases God and will not be forgotten. Honor the Lord with a generous heart and do not be stingy with the first fruits of your harvest.
Offer your gifts with a smiling face and when you pay your tithes do it gladly.
Give to the Most High as He has given […]