Live From Immaculate Conception Parish Union, Mo. Solemn Celebration of St. Joseph Head of the Holy Family

Today we celebrated St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church. I was very happy to remember him, since he has done so much for my life. I think that it was at Carmel that I first was introduced to him, since St. Teresa of Avila had a great devotion to him.

Fr. Matthew Mitas, our pastor spoke very highly of him and recounted his vitrues and offices in relation to the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. Now who wouldn't be amazed at the responsibilities of this man. When we consider him during the Catholic Liturgy, and remember him as we did today [ FR. Mitas recited the Litany of St. Joseph after Mass at the altar] then St. Joseph is quite a light in relaiton to both Jesus and Mary.

The Liturgy today brought profound Peace to my soul, especially after Communion. To believe that we receive the Body, Soul, Blood and Divinty of Christ into our souls, how can we not come as spotless before Our Lord, but I am not spotless. In fact, after Mass, I found myself considering my sins and had to go to confession. This is a profound consideration, since grace enlightens our souls and means that we must change for others.

I cannot look at others, but I have to take control of myself. Fr. Mitas gave some wise counsel to me and as always confesison brings abundant grace to our souls. Many things disturb us, but nothing disturbs us more than infidelity to our true selves: 'know thyself.'

Thank You, Divine Lord,

IP CRL

When centering Myself for prayer I find that there is a confusing element in my heart; I call this the pull of the senses. On the other hand, there is that lifting of the Spirit unto God, which I identify as assent to faith. This assent is not the leaving of the body but an integration of the body and spirit unto God-this I identify as the 'Spirit of the Incarnation.'

St. Thomas and St. Damascene taught about lifting of our mind to God or unveilling our mindsw to God who sees our intentions adn heart within; this is the asceticism that comes from a TO-GOD life. Though it is TO-GOD is is not AWAY form humanity, rather I find myself pulled into a compassionate feeling in a greater hope for humanity. This is a hopoe which experience distinguishes from what is given. Anyway, repeating the Name of Jesus is a consoling aspect of this Prayer.

I know that this is part of what is means to search for Orthodoxy in my life; it is a questing after God, which St. Benedict called 'a searching for God.' This knowledge of God, which is called spiritual is talked about frequently by the Desert Fathers and Hesychastic Fathers. I find myself strained to live this inner call of the Spirit of God, yet I know I should.

IP CRL