Nov 29.pub

vering faith and sacrifice as a condition of salvation? Why do bad things hap-

pen to good people – shouldn’t our good works be rewarded?

According to

TheWay of the Pilgrim

this perspective is backwards, resulting

from mistakenly applying a human standard to the divine. Rather than expect-

ing our efforts to result in answered prayers, we should pray to develop poverty

of spirit and simplicity of heart, which underlies faith and bears fruit in good

works; hence, before all else we should pray.

St John of the Cross also urged persistent meditation on the Holy Spirit to de-

velop a union with God, manifesting as love; for it is through love that Christ

resides within us, stokes the flames of our faith, and acts through us to bring sal-

vation to all humankind.

Advent—Alfonso Ossorio (1951)

Prayer

How gently and lovingly

You wake in my heart,

Where in secret you dwell alone;

And in your sweet breathing,

Filled with good and glory,

How tenderly you swell my heart with

love!

The Living Flame of Love, Stanza 4, San

Juan de la Cruz

_______

P. Scott Burton

Parishioner