Read and Reflect

Read: Take a short Scripture passage (5-10 verses). Read it slowly — out loud if possible. Repeat it 2-3 times. Don't rush. You're not reading for information; you're listening for God's voice. Reflect: Ask "What does this say to me? How does it apply to my life? Where is God leading me?" Sit with whatever strikes you. (Ep 560, 603)

Catechism sources (PD) teaches:

The examples are taken from Holy Scripture, from the parables of Our Lord, from incidents in His life, and from the customs and manners of the people of His time. These are made applicable to our daily lives in reflections and exhortations. The plan of the book makes it very simple and handy.

(Source: baltimore_catechism.txt)

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches:

So then that which generates may be coexistent from eternity with that which is generated from it. But some one will say perhaps, Well, I understand now the eternal Father, the coeternal Son: yet the Son is like the emitted brightness, which is less brilliant than the fire, or tile reflected.

(Source: catena_aurea_john.txt)

Doctrinal Foundation

T4.G.010 (Sententia communis (common teaching)): Prayer is a necessary means of salvation for adults. God grants the grace of perseverance to those who pray for it perseveringly. Without prayer, the necessary graces for salvation will not ordinarily be received.

• Scripture: Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

• Fathers: He who prays well, lives well. He who lives well, dies well. He who dies well, all is well.

From the Sources

St. Thomas Aquinas (catena_aurea_john.txt):

So then that which generates may be coexistent from eternity with that which is generated from it. But some one will say perhaps, Well, I understand now the eternal Father, the coeternal Son: yet the Son is like the emitted brightness, which is less brilliant than the fire, or tile reflected image, which is less real than the twig. Not so: there is complete equality between Father and Son. I do not believe, he says; for you have found nothing whereto to liken it.

St. Teresa of Avila (book_of_foundations.txt):

I began by speaking to him about finding a hired house at any cost, into which we might go while this underwent repairs ; and then I took comfort when I saw so many people come in, none of whom reflected on our folly, which was a mercy of God ; for had they done so, most certainly the Most Holy Sacrament would have been removed.

St. Teresa of Avila (book_of_foundations.txt):

As this happened so often, I reflected on it after a time, for then there seemed no reason for dwelling on it, and saw it came more from my own satisfaction than from any love of God; for when we go to com- munion there is a sense, for the most part, of tenderness.

Additional Sources

Three kinds of evils to which the soul is liable when not in darkness ; with respect to the knowledge and reflections of the memory. Ex- planation of the first . ° ° ‘ . ° ° ‘ - 250

CHAPTER III.

Of the second evil, coming from the evil spirit through the natural ap- prehensions of the memory __, ; : ‘ é ° + 253

St. John of the Cross (ascent_of_mount_carmel.txt):

thoughts and knowledge, which naturally occur to the memory .

CHAPTER VI. Of the second kind of apprehensions: the imaginary and supernatural . 259

CHAPTER VII.

The evils inflicted on the soul by the knowledge of supernatural things if reflected upon. Their number . ° . . . . - 260

: CHAPTER VIII. Of the second evil : the danger of self-conceit and presumption , . 263

CHAPTER IX. Of the third evil: the work of the devil nee the imaginary appre-

St. Francis de Sales (03_catholic_controversy.txt):

It is in great measure this spirit which gives him such an affinity with our age in that sympathy with the weak and miserable which is one of its best and.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (autobiography_oconor_1900.txt):

Ignatius said that Master Natalis and others of the Society had often asked him to give a narrative of his life, but he had never as yet decided to do so. On this occasion, however, after I had spoken to him, he reflected upon it alone.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (autobiography_oconor_1900.txt):

In the meantime the divine mercy was at work substituting for these thoughts others suggested by his recent readings. While perusing the life of Our Lord and the saints, he began to reflect, saying to himself: "What if I should do what St. Francis did?" "What if I should act like St. Dominic?" He pondered over these things in his mind, and kept continually proposing to himself serious and difficult things.

Church Fathers (Confessiones_english.txt):

For we were no less afraid of our pains, nor did we pray less to Thee to avoid them; and yet we sinned, in writing, or reading, or reflecting upon our lessons less than was required of us.

Church Fathers (Confessiones_english.txt):

Not unto Thee, my God; but before Thee unto my own kind, even to that small part of the human race who may chance to light upon these my writings. And to what end? That I and all who read the same may reflect out of what depths we are to cry unto Thee. For what cometh nearer to Thine ears than a confessing heart and a life of faith?

Catechism sources (PD) (baltimore_catechism.txt):

The examples are taken from Holy Scripture, from the parables of Our Lord, from incidents in His life, and from the customs and manners of the people of His time. These are made applicable to our daily lives in reflections and exhortations. The plan of the book makes it very simple and handy. The Catechism is complete and distinct in itself, and may be used with or without the explanations.

Catechism sources (PD) (baltimore_catechism.txt):

He gives light, heat, and air, without any one of which we could not live. He provides for us also food and clothing, and long before we need or even think of these things God is thinking of them. Did you ever reflect upon just how much time and trouble it costs to produce for you even one potato, of which you think so little?