Category: THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT – Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 12 March – The Last Artifice of the Devil –Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin! (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 12 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXII: … The Last Artifice of the Devil –
Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin!
(Part One)

“The cunning and malicious serpent never fails to tempt us, by his artifices, even by means of the very virtues we have acquired, thus, leading us to regard them and ourselves with complacency, they may become our ruin, exalting us on high, that we may fall into the sin of pride and vainglory!

To preserve yourself from this danger, choose for your battlefield, the safe and level ground of a true and deep conviction of your own nothingness – that you are nothing, that you know nothing, that you can do nothing and have nothing but misery and sin and deserve nothing but eternal damnation.

Entrench yourself firmly within the limits of this truth and suffer not yourself to be enticed, so much as a hair’s breadth therefrom, by any evil thought, or anything else which may befall you; knowing well that there are so many enemies, who would slay or wound you, should you fall into their hands.

In order to acquit yourself well in this exercise of the true knowledge of your own nothingness, observe the following rule:

“As often as you reflect upon yourself
and your own works and worth,
consider always what you are of yourself
and not what you are by the aid of God’s grace
and so, esteem yourself,
as you shall thus find yourself to be.”

Consider first the time before you were in existence and you will see yourself to have been, during all that abyss of eternity, a mere nothing and, that you did nothing and could have done nothing, towards giving yourself an existence!

Next, consider the time since you did receive a being from the sole bounty of God.
And here, also, if you leave to Him that which is His own, (His continual care of you which sustains you every moment of your life), what are you of yourself but still a mere nothing?!

For, undoubtedly, were He to leave you for one moment to yourself, you would instantly return to that first nothingness from whence you were drawn by His Almighty Hand.
It is plain that, in the order of nature and viewed in yourself alone, you have no reason to esteem yourself, or to desire the esteem of others!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VANITY, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 March – Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness (Part Three)

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Thought for the Day – 11 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXI: … Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order
to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness
(Part Three)

“Lastly, I would here warn you of a hidden deceit of our self-love which is wont, on certain occasions, to cover and justify our faults.
For instance, a sick man who has but little patience with his sickness, conceals his impatience under the cover of zeal for some apparent good — saying, that his vexation arises, not really from impatience under his sufferings but, is a reasonable sorrow because he has incurred it by his own fault, or else because others are harassed or wearied by the trouble he gives them, or by some other cause.

In like manner, the ambitious man, who frets after some unattained honour, does not attribute his discontent to his own pride and vanity but to some other cause, which he knows, fullwell, would give him no concern did it not touch himself.

So neither would the sick man care, if they, whose fatigue and trouble on his account seems to give him so much vexation, should have the same care and trouble on account of the sickness of another.
A plain proof that the root of such men’s sorrow is not concern for others, or anything else but an abhorrence of everything which crosses their own will!

Therefore, to avoid this and other errors, bear patiently, as I have told you, every trial and every sorrow, from whatever cause arising.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/09/thought-for-the-day-9-march-of-the-devils-artifices-in-order-to-draw-us-away-from-the-path-of-holiness-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/10/thought-for-the-day-10-march-of-the-devils-artifices-in-order-to-draw-us-away-from-the-path-of-holiness-part-two/

Posted in DEVOTIO, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SELF-DISTRUST, The HEART, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 10 March – Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 10 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXI: … Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order
to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness
(Part Two)

“In like manner, if prevented by your spiritual Father, or in any other way, from attending, as frequently as you desire, to your devotions and especially, Holy Communion, suffer not yourself to be troubled or disquieted by longings after them but, casting off all that is your own, clothe yourself with the good pleasure of your Lord, saying within yourself:

“If the eye of Divine Providence had not perceived sin and ingratitude in me, I should not now be deprived of the blessing of receiving the Most Holy Sacrament but, since my Lord thus makes known to me, my unworthiness, be His Holy Name forever blessed and praised.
I trust, O Lord, that in Thy Infinite loving-kindness, Thou wilt so rule my heart that it may please Thee in all things, in doing, or suffering Thine Will that my heart may open before Thee, so that, entering into it spiritually, Thou may comfort and strengthen it, against the enemies, who seek to draw it away from Thee.
Thus may all be done as seems good in Thy sight.
My Creator and Redeemer, may Thy Will be now and ever, my food and sustenance!
This one favour only do I beg of Thee, O my Beloved that my soul, freed and purified from everything displeasing to Thee and adorned with all virtues, maybe ever prepared for Thy Coming and, for whatsoever it may please Thee to do with me. Amen.”

If you will observe these rules, know for certain that, when baffled in any good work which you have a desire to perform, be the hindrance from the devil, to disquiet you and turn you aside from the way of virtue, or be it from God, to make trial of your submission to His Will, you will still have an opportunity of pleasing your Lord in the way most acceptable to Him.
And herein consists true devotion and the service which God requires of us.

I warn you, also, lest you grow impatient under trials, from whatever source proceeding that, in using the lawful means which God’s servants are wont to use, you use them, not with the desire and hope to obtain relief but because, it is the Will of God that they should be used — for we know not, whether His Divine Majesty will be pleased, by their means, to deliver us.

Otherwise you will fall into further evils — for if the event should not fulfill your purpose and desires, you will easily fall into impatience, or your patience will be defective, not wholly acceptable to God and of little value.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/09/thought-for-the-day-9-march-of-the-devils-artifices-in-order-to-draw-us-away-from-the-path-of-holiness-part-one/

Posted in QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 March – Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 9 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXI: … Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order
to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness
(Part One)

“The fourth device of the Evil One, when he sees us advancing steadily towards holiness, is, to excite within us, a variety of good desires that, by this means, he may lead us away from the exercise of virtue, into sin.

A sick person is perhaps bearing his illness with a patient will.
The cunning adversary knows that by this means, he may attain to a habit of patience and, he immediately sets before him all the good works which, in a different condition, he might be able to perform, and tries to persuade him that if he were but well, he would be able to serve God better and be more useful to himself and others.
Having once aroused such wishes within him, he goes on increasing them by degrees, until he makes the subject restless at the impossibility of carrying them into effect and, the deeper and stronger such wishes become, the more does this restlessness increase.
Then the enemy leads him on gently and with a stealthy step, to impatience at the sickness, not as sickness but as a hindrance to those good works which he so anxiously desires to perform for some greater good.
When he has brought him thus far, with the same art he removes from his mind the end he had in view, to serve God and perform good works and leaves him only, the bare desire to be rid of his sickness.
And then, if this does not happen according to his wish, he is so much troubled, as to become actually impatient and so, unconsciously, he falls from the virtue in which he was exercising himself, into the opposite vice.

The way to guard against and resist this snare, is, to be very careful, when in a state of trial, not to give way to desires after any good work which, being out of your power to execute, would very probably disquiet you.
In such cases, resign yourself, with all patience, resignation and humility, to the conviction, that your desires would not have the effect you think, inasmuch as you are far more insignificant and unstable, than you account yourself to be.

Or else believe that God, in His surer counsels, or on account of your unworthiness, is not pleased to accept this work at your hand but, will rather that you should patiently abase and humble yourself under the Gentle and Mighty Hand of His Will.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOOD RESOLUTIONS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 8 March – On the Delusions of Some, Who Consider Themselves on the Way to Perfection

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Thought for the Day – 8 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXX: … On the Delusions of Some, Who
Consider Themselves on the Way to Perfection

“Our malignant foe, thus repulsed in his first and second assault and stratagem, has recourse to a third which is, to turn away our attention from the enemies who are close at hand to injure and assail us and to fill us with resolutions and desires, after higher degrees of perfection.

Hence, we are continually being wounded; yet, we pay no attention to our wounds and looking upon these resolutions, as already fufillled, we take pride in them in various ways.

Therefore, at the very time when the least contradiction or affront upsets us, we amuse ourselves with grandiose dreams of being ready to suffer the greatest torments or the pains of Purgatory itself, for the love of God.
And because our inferior part feels no repugnance at these things in the distance, we flatter ourselves, miserable creatures, as we are, into the conceit that we belong to the class of patient and heroic sufferers!
To avoid this snare, resolve to fight manfully against the enemies who are close at hand and actually waging war against you.

You will thus discover whether your resolutions are real or imaginary, weak or strong and so, you will go onto virtue and perfection, by the beaten and Royal Road.

But, against enemies who are not wont to trouble you, I do not advise you to take up arms, unless there appear a probability of their making an attack at some future time.
In this case it is lawful to make resolutions beforehand that you may be found
strong and prepared.

Do not, however, judge of your resolutions by their effects, even though you should have long and faithfully exercised yourself in virtue but, be very humble with regard to them; fear yourself and your own weakness and trust in God and seek His help by frequent prayer to strengthen and preserve you in all dangers and especially from the very slightest presumption or self-confidence.
For in this case, although we may not be able to overcome some slight defects which our Lord sometimes leaves in us, in order to greater, humility and self-knowledge and for the protection of some virtue, we may yet be permitted to form purposes of aspiring to higher degrees of perfection.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, GOD ALONE!, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 7 March – Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent the Conversion of Those Who Desire It (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 7 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIX: … Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent
the Conversion of Those Who Desire It
(Part Two)

“Prompt obedience, I say and not mere resolutions; for these are often fallacious and many have been deceived thereby through various causes:

+++ FIRST:
Because our resolutions are not founded upon self-distrust and trust in God, but our excessive pride, whence proceeds this blindness and delusion, prevents our perceiving it.
The light to see and the medicine to cure it, both proceed from the goodness of God, Who suffers us to fall that He may recall us thereby, from self-confidence to confidence in Him alone and from pride, to self-knowledge.
Your resolutions, therefore, to be effective, must be steadfast and to be steadfast, they must be free from all self-confidence and humbly based on confidence in God.

+++ SECOND:
When we are making our resolutions, we dwell on the beauty and excellence of virtue which attracts our will, slack and feeble as it is — but, when confronted by the difficulties which attend the attainment of virtue, the weak and untried, will fail and draw back.
Learn, therefore, to love the difficulties which attend the attainment of all virtues, more than even the virtues themselves and use these difficulties, in various measures, to strengthen your will, if you desire, in good earnest, to acquire thesm.
And know that the more courageously and lovingly you shall embrace these difficulties, the more speedy and complete shall be your victory over self and all your other enemies.

+++ THIRD:
In our resolutions, we too often look, rather to our own advantage than to the will of God and the acquisition of the virtues He requires of us.
This is frequently the case with resolutions made in times of great spiritual joy or acute sorrow, when we seem unable to find any relief but, in a resolution to give ourselves wholly to God and to the practice of virtue.
To avoid this snare, take care in times of spiritual consolation to be very cautious and humble in your resolutions, especially in your vows and promises and in tribulation, let your resolution be to bear your cross patiently, according to the will of God, nay, to exalt it, refusing all earthly and, if so be it, even all heavenly consolation.

Let your one desire, your one prayer, be that God would help you to bear all adverse things, keeping the virtue of patience unstained and giving no displeasure to your Lord.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/06/thought-for-the-day-6-march-of-the-efforts-of-the-devil-to-prevent-the-conversion-of-those-who-desire-it-part-one/

Posted in QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 6 March – Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent the Conversion of Those Who Desire It (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 6 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIX: … Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent
the Conversion of Those Who Desire It
(Part One)

“When a man begins to perceive the evil of his life and to desire to change it, the devil often deludes and overcomes him by such means as these:
“Presently, presently.”
“Cras, cras” (tomorrow, tomorrow) as the raven cries.
“I wish first to consider and dispatch this business, this perplexity that I may then be able to give myself, with greater tranquillity to spiritual things.”

These are snares in which many men have been and are still daily entangled and, the cause of this, is our own negligence and heedlessness, seeing that, in a matter touching the honour of God and the salvation of the soul, we neglect to seize, instantly that effectual weapon — “Now, now!” … “Even supposing this ‘presently’ and this ‘tomorrow’ should be granted to me, is it the way of safety and of victory to seek first to be wounded and to commit fresh disorders?!”

You see, then, that the way to escape these snares and that mentioned in the preceding chapter and, to subdue the enemy, is, to yield prompt obedience to all heavenly thoughts and inspirations.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 March – Where the heart is

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Kingdom of Heaven
is like a treasure
hidden in a field.”

Matthew 13:44

“Do not lay up for yourselves
treasures on earth,
where rust and moth consume
and where thieves break in and steal
but lay up for yourselves,
treasures in Heaven …”

Matthew 6:19-20

“For the man who loves God,
it is sufficient to please the One he loves
and, there is no greater recompense to be sought,
than the loving itself.
For love is from God, by the very fact
that God Himself is love.
The good and chaste soul
is so happy to be filled with Him
that it desires to take delight in nothing else.
For what the Lord says is very true:
‘Where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be.’”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
ather and Doctor of the Church

“Watch, therefore and pray and labour diligently
and do not delay to weave the web of your wedding-garment
that you may be found ready and adorned to meet the Bridegroom!
And remember daily that He, Who gives you the morning,
does not promise you the evening
and although He gives the evening,
yet promises not the morrow.
Spend, therefore, every moment of every hour
according to God’s will, as if it were your last
and so much the more carefully, as, for every moment,
you will have to give the strictest account!

Finally, I warn you to account that day lost,
in which you will neither have gained some victory
over your evil inclinations and your self-will,
although it may have been full of busy action,
nor returned thanksgiving to your Lord for His mercies
and especially for His bitter Passion endured for you
and for His sweet and fatherly correction,
when He has made you worthy to receive,
at His Hand, the inestimable treasure of suffering.”

Fr Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“Where is the heart which loves?
On the thing it loves.
Therefore, where our love is,
there our heart is held captive.
It cannot leave it; it cannot be lifted higher,
it cannot go either to the right or the left;
see, it is fixed. Where the miser’s treasure is,
there is his heart and where our heart is,
there is our treasure.
And what is so deplorable is
that the things which hold us in servitude,
are, for the most part, such unworthy things!”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 5 March – Of the Devil’s Devices Against Those Already Held, in the Bondage of Sin

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Thought for the Day – 5 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVIII: … Of the Devil’s Devices Against Those
Already Held, in the Bondage of Sin

“When the devil holds a man in the bondage of sin, his chief care is to blind his eyes more and more and to avert everything from him which might lead to a knowledge of his most wretched condition.
And not only does he, by instilling contrary thoughts, drive from him all reflections and inspirations which call him to conversion but, by affording him ready opportunities, he makes him fall into new and greater sins.

Hence, the thicker and darker waxes his blindness, the more desperate and habitual becomes his course of sin and thus, from blindness to deeper blindness, from sin to fouler sin, his wretched life will whirl on, even unto death, unless God, by His grace, should intervene to save him.

The remedy for one in this unhappy condition is, to be ready to give dilligent heed to the thoughts and inspirations which call him from darkness to light, crying with all his heart to his Creator:
“O Lord, help me,
help me speedily,
leave me no longer in the darkness of sin.”
And let him not fail to repeat this cry for mercy over and over again in these or the like words.
If possible, let him have immediate recourse to some spiritual guide and ask aid and counsel that so he may be delivered from the power of the enemy.
And if he cannot do this, at the moment, let him with all speed, fly to the Crucifix, prostrating himself before it and asking mercy and aid also, from the Mother of God.

On this speed does the victory depend, as you will learn in the next chapter.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 4 March – The Methods Used by the Devil to Tempt Those Who Desire Virtue

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Thought for the Day – 4 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVII: … The Methods Used by the Devil to Tempt
Those Who Desire Virtue

“You must know that the devil is intent upon nothing but our ruin and that he does not use the same method of assault with all persons.

In order, then, to make known to you some of his modes of attack, his stratagems and devices, I will set before you several different conditions of men.

+++ Some remain in the service of sin without a thought of escape.
+++ Some would fain be free but never make the attempt.
+++ Others think they are walking in the way of holiness, while they are wandering far from it.
+++ And lastly, some, after having attained unto holiness, fall into deeper perdition.

We will discourse separately of each.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 3 March – What Are We To Do When Wounded? (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 2 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVI: … What Are We To Do When Wounded?
(Part Two)

“This exercise is very displeasing to the devil, both because he sees it to be most acceptable to God and, also because, he is enraged to see himself overcome by one,over whom he had been at first victorious.
And, therefore, he seeks by many artful wiles, to make us relinquish it and, through our carelessness and lack of vigilance, he is but too often successful!
The more difficult, therefore, this exercise may seem to you, the greater violence must you do to yourself, renewing it repeatedly, even after a single fall.

And, if after any fall, you feel uneasy, distrustful,and confused in mind, the first thing to be done is to recover your peace and quietness of mind, and together with it, your confidence in God.
Armed with these, turn again to the Lord — for your uneasiness on account of your sin arises, not from the consideration of the offence against God but, of the injury to yourself.

To recover this peace, discard entirely from your mind, the thought of your fall and set yourself to meditate on the unspeakable goodness of God — how He is beyond measure, ready and willing to forgive every sin, how grievous soever; calling the sinner by manifold ways and means, to come to Him that He may unite him to Himself in this life, by His grace, in order to his sanctification and, in the life to come, by His glory, for his eternal beatication.

And having quieted your mind by these and the like reflections, turn your thoughts once more to your fall, according to the instructions given you above.

Again, at the time of sacramental Confession, to which I exhort you to have frequent recourse, recall to mind all your falls and ,with renewed sorrow and indignation at the offence against God and, renewed purpose, never again to offend Him, disclose them with all sincerity to your spiritual Father.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/02/thought-for-the-day-2-march-what-are-we-to-do-when-wounded-part-one/

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 2 March – What Are We To Do When Wounded? (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 2 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVI: … What Are We To Do When Wounded?
(Part One)

“When you feel yourself wounded from having weakly, or it maybe, even willfully and deliberately, fallen into some sin, be not over-fearful or over-anxious but,, turn instantly to God, saying:

“Behold, O Lord, what I, of myself, have done!
And what, indeed, could be expected of me but falls?”

And then, after a short pause, humble yourself in your own eyes, mourn over the offence committed against your Lord and, without falling into discouragement, be full of indignation against your evil passions, especially that which has occasioned your fall.
Then say:

“Nor even here, Lord, should I have stopped,
if Thine Goodness had not withheld me.”

And here give thanks to Him and love Him more than ever, wondering at the excess of His Mercy, Who, when you had so deeply offended Him, stretched out His right Hand to save you from another fall!

Lastly, say, with great confidence in His Infinite Compassion:

“Forgive me, Lord, for Thine own sake,
suffer me not to depart from Thee,
nor to be separated from Thee,
nor evermore to offend Thee.”

And this done, do not sit down to consider whether God has pardoned you or not — for this is nothing else but pride, restlessness of mind, loss of time and, under colour of various fair pretexts, a delusion of the devil.
But, committing yourself unreservedly to the Merciful Hands of God, pursue your exercise as if you had not fallen.

And if you should fall wounded many times in the day, repeat that which I have taught you, with no less faith than the first, the second, the third and even the last time and despising yourself and hating the sin, more and more, strive to lead, henceforth, a life of greater watchfulness.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 1 March– The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All which May Disturb His Peace of Mind (Part Three)

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Thought for the Day – 1 March– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXV: … The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All
which May Disturb His Peace of Mind
(Part Three)

“And, as anxiety at the approach of adverse events, springs up even more frequently in our hearts, you have two things to do in order to ward off this assault.

+++ The FIRST is, carefully to search out and discover to what these events are adverse, whether to the soul, or to self-love and self-will.
For, if they be adverse to your own will and to self-love, your chief and greatest enemy, they are not to be called adverse but, to be esteemed as special favours and aids from the Most High God, to be received with a joyful heart and with thanksgiving!
And, although they should be adverse to the soul, you ought not. on this account, to lose your peace of mind, as I will show you in the following chapter.

+++ The SECOND is, to lift up the heart to God, accepting all things blindly from the Hand of His Divine Providence, ever full of manifold blessings, beyond your power to comprehend and, seeking to know nothing further!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-avoid-all-which-may-disturb-his-peace-of-mind-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/29/thought-for-the-day-29-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-avoid-all-which-may-disturb-his-peace-of-mind-part-two/

Posted in QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 28 February – The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All which May Disturb His Peace of Mind (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 28 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXV: … The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All
which May Disturb His Peace of Mind
(Part One)

Antonio de Pereda y Salgado – The Liberation of St Peter by an Angel

“When we have lost our peace of mind, we should do our utmost to recover it; neither, is there any accident of life which should reasonably have power to deprive us of that peace, or even to trouble it.
Over our own sins, we have indeed cause to mourn deeply but, our sorrow, as I have shown more than once, should be calm and in like manner, without any disquiet but with a holy feeling of charity, should we compassionate other sinners and weep, at least inwardly, over their offenses.

As to other sad and trying events, such as sickness, wounds, or loss of dearest friends, pestilence, fire, war, or suchlike evils – although these being painful to nature, are, for the most part, shunned by the men of this world, yet may we, by Divine grace, not only desire but, even love them, as just chastisements upon the wicked and occasions of virtue to the just.
For, therefore, does our Lord God take pleasure in sending them and thus borne forward by His will, we shall pass, with a calm and quiet spirit, through all the bitterness and contradictions of this life.
And be assured that all disquietude, on our part, is displeasing in His sight for, of whatever kind it be, it is never free from imperfection and always springs from some evil root of self-love.

Keep, therefore, a sentinel always on the watch, who, as soon as he shall discern the approach of anything likely to disquiet or disturb you, may give you a signal, to take up your weapons of defence!

And consider that, all these evils,and many others of a like kind, although outwardly they appear to be such, are not indeed real evils, nor can they rob us of any real good but are all ordered, or permitted by God, for the righteous ends of which we have spoken, or for others, most wise and holy, although beyond our power to discern and understand.

So, may the most untoward accident work for us much good, if we do but keep our souls in peace and tranquillity, otherwise, all our exercises will produce little, or no fruit!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 27 February – Of the Ways to Rule the Tongue

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Thought for the Day – 27 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIV: … Of the Ways to Rule the Tongue

“It is very necessary that the tongue be well bridled and regulated, as we are all much inclined, to let it run wildly on, upon those things which are most pleasing to the senses.

MUCH SPEAKING springs, ordinarily, from pride.
We persuade ourselves that we know a great deal; we take delight in our own conceits and endeavour, by needless repetitions, to impress them upon the minds of other, that we may exercise a mastery over them, as though they needed instruction from us.
It is not possible, in a few words, to express, the many evils which arise from overmuch speaking.
TALKATIVENESS is the mother of sloth, the sign of ignorance and folly, the door of slander ,the minister of falsehood, the destroyer of fervent devotion.
A multitude of words adds strength to evil passions, by which, again, the tongue is the more easily led to indiscreet speech.
Do not indulge in long conversations with those who are unwilling to hear you, lest you weary them; nor with those who love to listen to you, lest you exceed the bounds of modesty.

AVOID LOUD and assertive speaking, which is not only odious in itself but, is also a sign of presumption and vanity.

NEVER SPEAK OF YOURSELF or your doings, nor of your kindred, except in case of absolute necessity and then, with all possible brevity and reserve.
If others seem to speak overmuch of themselves, try to put a favourable construction upon their conduct but, do not imitate it, even though, their words seem to tend to self-humiliation and self-accusation.

SPEAK AS LITTLE as maybe possible, of your neighbour, or of anything concerning him, unless an occasion occurs to say something in his praise.

SPEAK WILLINGLY OF GOD and especially, of His Love and Goodness but with fear and caution, lest even here, you fall into error.
Rather, take pleasure in listening, while others speak of Him, treasuring their words in the depth of your heart.

LET THE SOUND of men’s voices strike only upon your ear – meanwhile, you should lift up your heart to God and, if you must, listen to their discourse, in order to understand and reply to it, yet neglect not to cast your eye in thought to Heaven, where God dwells and, contemplate His loftiness, as He ever beholds your vileness.

CONSIDER WELL the things your heart suggests to you, before they pass onto your tongue – for you will perceive that many of them would be better suppressed altogether and never reach the ears of anyone!
Nay, I can still further assure you that not a few, even of those which you will then think it expedient to pronounce aloud, would be far better buried in silence and so, you will perceive, upon reflection, when the opportunity for speaking is past.

SILENCE IS A STRONG FORTRESS, in the spiritual combat and a sure pledge of victory.

SILENCE IS THE FRIEND, of him who distrusts himself and trusts in
God; it is the guard of holy prayer and a wonderful aid in the practice of virtue.
In order to acquire the practice of silence, consider frequently
the great benefits which arise therefrom and, the evils and dangers of verbosity
Love this virtue and in order to acquire the habit of it, keep silence occasionally, even at times when you might lawfully speak, provided this be not to your own prejudice, or to that of others.
And you will be greatly helped to achieve this virtue, by withdrawing from the society of men; for, in the place of this, you will have the society of Angels, Saints and of God Himself!

Lastly, remember the combat which you have in hand that, seeing you have so much to do, you may the more willingly refrain from all superfluous words.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, QUOTES on PRIDE, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 26 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part Four)

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Thought for the Day – 26 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part Four)

“The following which are divided for morning, noon and evening, belong to the Passion of our Lord, for we are deeply bound, frequently, to remember the sorrow endured by our Lady, on this account and most ungrateful are we, to neglect it.

+++ In the evening then, recall to mind the anguish of that most pure Virgin at the bloody sweat, the capture and the hidden sorrows of her blessed Son.

+++ In the morning, compassionate her affliction at His presentation before Pilate and Herod.
His condemnation and the bearing of His Cross.

+++ At midday, meditate upon that sword of anguish which wounded the heart of that disconsolate Mother at the Crucifixion and Death of the Lord and, the cruel piercing of His most Sacred Side.

These meditations on our Lady’s sorrows may be made from the evening of Thursday till the Saturday at noon, the others on the remaining days of the week.

I leave all this, however, to your particular devotion and the occasions offered by external things and, to express, in few words, the method by which you must regulate your senses, take care in all things and under all circumstances that you be moved and drawn, not by hatred or love of them but, by the Will of God alone, loving and hating only that which He wills you to hate or love.

And observe that I have not given you these methods for regulating the senses, for you to dwell upon them; for your mind should almost always be fixed upon the Lord, Who wills that, by frequent acts, you should apply yourself to conquer your enemies and your sinful passions, both by resisting them and, by making acts of the contrary virtues but, I have taught them to you that you may know how to rule yourself on needful occasions.
For you must know that there is little fruit in a multiplicity of spiritual exercises; which, however excellent in themselves, often lead to mental perplexity, self-love, instability and the snare of the devil.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-ywo/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/25/thought-for-the-day-25-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-three/

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ON the SAINTS, OUR Cross, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PURITY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The ANNUNCIATION, The HOLY CROSS, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 25 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part Three)

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Thought for the Day – 25 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part Three)

“+++ When reading, behold your Lord in the words and receive them as from His Divine Lips!

+++ When you look upon the Holy Cross, consider that it is the Standard of your warfare – that, by forsaking it, you will fall into the hands of cruel enemies but that, by following it, you will enter Heaven laden with glorious spoils.

++ + When you see the dear image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let your heart turn to her ,who reigns in Paradise, thanking her that she was ever ready to do the will of God that, she brought forth and nourished the Redeemer of the world and,that her favour and assistance, never fail us in our spiritual conflict.

+++ The images of the Saints represent to you, so many champions, who, having courageously run their course, have opened a way for you, wherein, if you will press onward, you also shall, with them, be crowned with immortal glory.

+++ When you see a Church, you may, amid other devout reflections, consider that your soul is the temple of God and, therefore, to be kept pure and spotless as His dwelling-place.

+++ When you hear the triple sound of the Angelus [even if these days, the sound is only in your heart and mind] make the following brief meditations, in conformity with the words which are said before each recitation of the Ave Maria.
At the first stroke of the bell, thank God for that embassy from Heaven to
earth which was the beginning of our salvation.
At the second, rejoice with the Blessed Mary at the sublime dignity to which she was exalted by her singular and most profound humility.
At the third, adore, together with the most Blessed Mother and the Angel Gabriel, the Divine Child just now conceived and forget not, reverently, to bow your head at each signal, especially the last, even to genuflect if possible!

These meditations will serve for all seasons.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-one/

PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-ywo/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 24 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 24 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part Two)

“+++ When walking, remember that every step brings you nearer to death.

+++ Let the flight of birds and the flowing of water remind you that your life is hastening far more swiftly to its close.

+++ Let storms of wind, lightning and thunder, remind you of the tremendous Day of Judgement and kneeling down, worship God and beseech Him to give you time and grace, duly to prepare yourself to appear before His most high Majesty.

In the variety of accidents which may befall you, exercise yourself thus:
+++ When, for instance, you are oppressed by sadness or melancholy, or suffer heat, cold, or the like, lift up your heart to that Eternal Will, Which, for your own good, wills that at such a time and in such a measure, you should endure this discomfort.
Then, rejoicing in the love thus shown you by God and, at the opportunity of serving Him in the way He is pleased to appoint, say in your heart:
“Behold in me is the Divine Will fulfilled, Which from all eternity, has lovingly appointed that I should now endure this trial. All praise be to Thee for the same, my most gracious Lord!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-of-using-the-senses-to-advantage-in-diverse-situations-part-one/

Posted in QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 23 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 23 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part One)

“Having now seen, by what means, we may raise the mind from sensible objects to the contemplation of the Divinity and of the Mysteries of the Incarnate Word, I will here add some aids for various subjects of meditation, that, as the tastes of souls are many and varied, so too, may their nourishment be.
This maybe *awful, not only to simple persons but also to those of higher
intellect and more advanced in the spiritual life, who, nevertheless, may not at all times be equally disposed and ready for higher contemplations.
Nor need you fear to be perplexed by the variety of the methods described, if you will only observe the Rule of Discretion and attend to the advice of others which I wish you to follow with all humility and confidence, not in this instance alone but, with regard to all other counsels which you shall receive from me.

+++ At the sight of all the things which please the eyes and are prized in the world, consider tha, all these are vile as dust, compared with heavenly riches, after which heavenly beauty do you aspire, with undivided affections, despising the whole world.

+++ When looking upon the sun, consider that your soul is brighter and more beautiful if it be in your Creator’s favour; if not, that it is blacker and more hateful than the darkness of hell.

+++ When your bodily eyes are lifted to the heavens above you, let the eyes of your mind penetrate even to the Heaven of heavens and there, fix yourself in thought, as if you are in the place prepared for your eternal and blessed abode, if you shall live a holy life on the earth.

+++ On hearing the songs of birds, or other melodious sounds, lift up your heart to the songs of Paradise, where resounds a ceaseless Alleluia and pray the Lord to make you worthy to praise Him together with those celestial spirits, forever and ever.

If you are conscious of taking delight in the beauty of the creature, remember that there, the deadly serpent lies hidden, ready and eager to wound, if not to enslaye you and say to him:
“O accursed serpent, you insidiously lie in wait to devour me!”
Then turning to your Lord God, say:
“Blessed be Thou, O my God, Who has revealed to me the hidden enemy, and delivered me from his ravenous jaws.”
Then FLY at once, from the allurement, to the Wounds of your Crucified Lord, letting your mind rest on them, considering how acutely He suffered in His most Sacred Flesh, to free you from sin and make you detest all carnal delights.
Another way of escape from this perilous allurement is, to consider what will be the condition of that object, after death, which now delights you so!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

*Proper and original meaning of “awful” – “full of awe” or “worthy of respect” or “striking with reverential awe.”

Posted in QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on MEDITATION, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 22 February – Of How Sensible Things Aid Us to Meditate on the Incarnate Word in the Mysteries of His Life and Passion (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 22 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXII: … Of How Sensible Things Aid Us
to Meditate on the Incarnate Word in the
Mysteries of His Life and Passion
(Part Two)

“The same may be said of other similar things.

+++ Let the taste of wine, or other liquid, remind you of your Lord’s vinegar and gall.

+++ If sweet perfumes refresh you, think of the ill odour of the dead bodies which were around Him on Calvary.

+++ While dressing, recollect that the Eternal Word clothed Himself with human flesh that He might clothe you with His Divinity.

+++ When undressing, remember Christ, Who was stripped of His garments, to be Scourged and Crucified for you.

+++ If you hear the shouts and cries of a multitude, think of those hateful words: “Away with Him, away with Him! crucify Him, crucify Him! ” which sounded in His Divine Ears.

+++ At each stroke of the clock, think of that deep sorrow and heaviness of heart which Jesus was pleased to endure in the Garden, as the foreboding and horror of His approaching Death and Passion began to fall upon Him; or imagine to yourself those heavy blows which nailed Him to the Cross.

+++ On any occasion of grief or sorrow which presents itself, whether your own or another’s, reflect that all these things are as nothing, compared to the inconceivable anguish which oppressed, pierced and mangled the Soul and Body of thy Lord!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/21/thought-for-the-day-21-february-of-how-sensible-things-aid-us-to-meditate-on-the-incarnate-word-in-the-mysteries-of-his-life-and-passion-part-one/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 20 February – Of the Proper Use of the Exterior Senses: Contemplation of the Divinity (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 20 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXI: … Of The Proper Use of the Exterior Senses:
Contemplation of the Divinity
(Part Two)

“And if attracted by the beauty of the creature, separate that which you see, from the Spirit which you see not and consider that all that exterior beauty, is solely derived from the invisible Spirit which is its source and joyfully say:
“Behold, these are streamlets
from the uncreated Fountain;
behold, these are drops
from the Infinite Ocean of all good.
O, how does my inmost heart rejoice
at the thought of that eternal Infinite Beauty
which is the Source and Origin of all created beauty!”

And, on the discovery, in other men of goodness, wisdom, justice or similar virtues, make the same mental separation and say to God:
“O most rich Treasure-house of all virtues,
how greatly do I rejoice that from Thee
and through Thee alone,
flows all goodness and, that all in comparison
with Thy Divine perfections, is as nothing!
I thank Thee, Lord, for this
and every good gift which Thou hast vouchsafed
to my neighbour; remember, Lord,
my poverty, and my great need of this very virtue.”

When you stretch out your hand to do anything, reflect that God is the first cause of that action and you but His living instrument and raising your thoughts to Him, say thus:
“How great, O supreme Lord of all,
is my interior joy, that without Thee
I can do nothing and that Thou,
art in truth, the first and chief Worker of all things!”

When eating or drinking, consider that it is God who gives its relish to your food. Delighting yourself, therefore, in Him alone, say:
“Rejoice, O my soul,
hat as there is no true contentment but in God,
so in Him alone, may you, in all things content yourself.”

When your senses are gratified by some sweet odour, rest not in this enjoyment but let your thoughts pass onto the Lord, from Whom this sweetness is derived and, inwardly consoled, by this thought, say:
“Grant, O Lord, that as I rejoice
because all sweetness flows from Thee,
so may my soul, pure and free from all earthly pleasure,
ascend on high as a sweet savour,
acceptable unto Thee.”

When you listen to the harmony of sweet sounds, let your heart turn to God, saying:
“How do I rejoice, my Lord and God,
in Thine Infinite perfections
which, not only make a super-celestial
harmony within Thyself,
but also, unite the Angels in Heaven
and all created beings,
in one marvellous harmonious concert!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/19/thought-for-the-day-19-february-of-the-proper-use-of-the-exterior-senses-contemplation-of-the-divinity-part-one/

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on WATCHING, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 19 February – Of the Proper Use of the Exterior Senses: Contemplation of the Divinity (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 19 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXI: … Of The Proper Use of the Exterior Senses:
Contemplation of the Divinity
(Part One)

“Great watchfulness and continual exercise is needed, for the due ordering and regulation of the exterior senses – for the appetite which is, as it were, the captain of our corrupt nature, inclines us to an immoderate seeking after pleasure and enjoyment.
The appetite, being unable, by itself, to attain them, it uses the senses as its soldiers and as natural instruments for laying hold of objects, whose images it draws to itself and impresses on the mind.
Hence arises the pleasure which, by reason of the relationship subsisting, between it and the flesh, diffuses itself, over all the senses which are capable of it, infecting both soul and body with a common contagion which corrupts the whole.
You see the evil – now mark the remedy.

Take good heed not to let your senses stray freely where they will; nor to use them when pleasure alone and not utility, necessity, nor any good end, is the motive.
And, if inadvertently they have been allowed to wander too far, recall them at once; or so regulate them that, instead of remaining as before in a miserable captivity to empty pleasures, they may gather a noble spoil from each passing object and bring it home to the soul, that, collected within itself, if may rise with a steadier flight towards Heaven, to the contemplation of God.

Which maybe done in the following manner:
When any object is presented before one of your exterior senses, separate in your mind, from the material thing, the principle which is in it and reflect that, of itself, it possesses nothing of all that which it appears to have but, that all is the work of God, Who endows it invisibly, by His Spirit, with the being, beauty, goodness, or whatever virtue belongs to it.
Then rejoice that thy Lord alone is the Cause and Principle, of such great
and varied perfections and, that they are all eminently contained in Himself, all created excellences being but most minute degrees of His Divine and Infinite perfections.
When engaged in the contemplation of grand and noble objects, reduce the creature, mentally to its own nothingness, fixing your mind’s eye on the great Creator therein present, Who gave it that great and noble being and delighting yourself in Him alone, say:
“O Divine Essence and above all things to be desired,
how greatly do I rejoice that Thou alone
art the InfInite Principle of every created being!”

In like manner, at the sight of trees, plants, or such like objects, you will understand that the life which they have, they have not of themselves but, from the Spirit which you do not see,and which alone quickens them.
Say, therefore:
“Behold here the true Life from which, in which and through which,
all things live and grow!
O living Joy of this heart!”

So, at the sight of brute animals, raise your thoughts to God, Who gave them sensation and motion, saying:
“O Thou First Mover of all that moves, Thou art Thyself immovable;
how greatly do I rejoice in Thy steadfastness and stability!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 18 February – How to Combat Sloth (Part Two)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XX: … How to Combat Sloth
(Part Two)

“Call to mind then, frequently that a single elevation of the heart to God, a single genuflection in His honour, is worth more than all the treasures of the world and that, as often as we do violence to ourselves and our sinful passions, a glorious crown of victory is prepared for us, by angels’ hands in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Remember too, on the other hand that God gradually withdraws from the slothfulm, the grace which He had once bestowed upon them; while He increases that of the diligent, permitting them, at last, to enter into His joy.

If you are unequal at first to a bold encounter with toil and hardship, disguise them from yourself, that they may not seem as formidable as sloth would represent them to you.

The exercise before you, is perhaps, to acquire some virtue by many repeated acts, by many days of toil and the enemies to be overcome, seem to you many and strong.
Begin these acts then, as if you had but a few of them to perform, that is, only a few days’ conflict to endure.
Fight only against one adversary, as if there were no more to be resisted and, in full confidence that, with the help of God, you will be stronger than they. By this means, sloth will begin to grow feeble and will make way. at last, for the gradual entrance of the contrary virtue.

I would say the same of prayer.
An hour of prayer is perhaps needful for you and this seems a difficult matter to sloth but apply yourself to it, as if intending to pray but for the eighth part of an hour, you will then easily pass on to another eighth and so on, to the whole.
But if, in the second, or any other of these divisions, you should feel too violent a repugnance and difficulty, leave the exercise awhile, lest you become weary but return to, it shortly.

You should pursue the same method with respect to manual labours, when you are called upon to do things which to sloth appear many in number and difficult of performance and so cause you much disturbance of mind.
Begin, therefore, quietly and courageously with one, as if you had no more to do and when you have dilligently accomplished this, you will be able to
perform all the others with far less labour than sloth would have you believe possible.
But if you do not pursue this method and encounter the toil and hardships which lie in your way, resolutely, the vice of sloth will so gain the mastery over you that you will be forever harassed and annoyed, not only by the present toil and difficulty which will always attend the first exercises of virtue but, even by the distant prospect of them.
You will be forever in fear of being tried and assailed by enemies, or laden with some fresh burden so that, even in the time of peace, you will live in perpetual disquiet.

Know too that this vice of sloth will, by its secret poison, not only consume, the first and feeble roots which would in time have produced habits of virtue but even the roots of habits already acquired.
Like a worm in the wood, it will go on insensibly corroding and eating away the marrow of the spiritual life.

By these means, the devil seeks to ensnare and delude all men but especially, spiritual persons.
Watch, therefore and pray and labour diligently and do not delay to weave the web of your wedding-garment that you may be found ready and adorned to meet the Bridegroom!
And remember daily that He, Who gives you the morning, does not promise you the evening and although He gives the evening, yet promises not the morrow.
Spend, therefore, every moment of every hour according to God’s will, as if it were your last and so much the more carefully, as, for every moment, you will have to give the strictest account!

Finally, I warn you to account that day lost, in which you will neither have gained some victory over your evil inclinations and your self-will, although it may have been full of busy action, nor returned thanksgiving to your Lord for His mercies and especially for His bitter Passion endured for you and for His sweet and fatherly correction, when He has made you worthy to receive, at
His Hand, the inestimable treasure of suffering.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/17/thought-for-the-day-17-february-how-to-combat-sloth-part-one/

Posted in QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 17 February – How to Combat Sloth (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 17 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XX: … How to Combat Sloth
(Part One)

“To avoid falling into the miserable bondage of sloth, which would not only hinder your progress towards perfection but also ,deliver you into the hands of your enemies, you must observe the following rules:

  1. Shun all curiosity concerning worldly things and all attachment to them and also, every kind of occupation which does NOT belong to your state of life.
  2. Endeavour earnestly, to respond immediately to every inspiration from above and to every command of your superiors; doing everything at the time and in the manner, which is pleasing to them.
  3. Never allow yourself even one moment’s delay – for that one little delay, will soon be followed, by another and that, by a third and this again by others and to the last, the senses will yield and give way more easily than to the first, having been already fascinated and enslaved by the pleasure they have tasted therein.

Hence, the duty to be performed, is either begun too late, or sometimes laid aside altogether, as too irksome to be endured!
Thus, by degrees, a habit of sloth is acquired which, as we cannot disguise it from ourselves, we seek to excuse by vain purposes of future diligence and activity, while we are all the while held in bondage by it.

The poison of sloth overwhelms the whole man – not only infecting the will, by making exertion hateful to it but also, blinding the understanding, so that it is unable to see how vain and baseless are its intentions, to do promptly and diligently, at some future season, what should be done at once but is either willfully neglected altogether, or deferred to another time.

Nor is it enough that we perform our appointed work quickly; we must, in order to bring it to its highest possible perfection, do it at the very time required by its nature and quality and with all suitable diligence.
For that is not diligence but the subtlest form of sloth which leads us to do our work before its time – not seeking to do it well but dispatching it hastily, that we may afterwards indulge in the sluggish repose on which our thoughts have been dwelling, while we were hurrying over our business!

All this great evil proceeds from the want of duly, considering the value of a good work, performed at its right time and with a spirit determined to brave the toil and difficulty, put in the way of untried soldiers, by the sin of sloth.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 16 February – Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh, Section III

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Thought for the Day – 16 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XIX: … Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh
(III) When the Temptation is Over

“ When the temptation is over, however free, however perfectly secure you may feel yourself from danger, keep far from all those objects which gave rise to the temptation, even though, you should be induced to do otherwise, for some apparently good and useful end.
For this is a deception of our evil nature and a snare of our cunning adversary, who transforms himself into an angel of light to bring us into darkness!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 15 February – Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh (Part Two of Section II)

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Thought for the Day – 15 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XIX: … Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh
(II) During the Temptation
(Part Two)

“Against evil thoughts, from whatever source arising, the remedies are as follows: (1) Occupation in the various duties proper to our state of life; (2) Prayer and meditation.

Prayer should be made in the following manner:
When first conscious of the presence of these evil thoughts, or even of such as may betoken their approach, FLY for refuge at once to the Crucified, saying:
“My Jesus! my sweet Jesus! help me speedily that I may not fall into the hands of this enemy.”
And sometimes, embracing the Cross on which your Lord is extended and repeatedly kissing the wounds of His Sacred Feet, say lovingly:
“O beauteous Wounds! chaste Wounds! holy Wounds!
wound Thou now, this miserable impure heart of mine
and free it from all that offends Thee.”

At the moment when temptations to carnal pleasures assail you, I do not advise you to meditate upon certain points recommended in many books as remedies against these temptations, such as the vileness of this vice, its insatiable craving, the bitterness and loathing, the peril and ruin of estate, life, honour, etc which follow in its train.
This is not always a certain method of overcoming the temptation – for, if the mind repels these thoughts on the one hand, on the other, they afford an opportunity and expose us to the danger of taking pleasure in and consenting to, them.
Therefore, the true remedy in all these cases, is flight, not from these thoughts alone but from everything, however contrary to them, which may bring them before us.

Let your meditation, then, for this end, be on the Life and Passion of our Crucified Redeemer.
And, should the same thoughts again, intrude themselves against your will and molest you more than ever, as will very probably happen, be not discouraged on this account, nor leave your meditation but continue it, with all possible intensity, not even turning from it to repel such thoughts but giving yourself no more concern about them than if they, in no way, belonged to you.
There is no better method than this of resisting them, how incessant soever maybe their attacks.

You will then conclude your meditation with this or some similar Supplication:
“Deliver me, O my Creator and Redeemer,
from mine enemies, for the honour of Thy Passion
and of Thine unspeakable goodness.”

Suffer not your thoughts to recur again to the subject; for the bare recollection of it is not without danger!
Neither stay, at anytime, to reason with such temptations, to find out whether you have consented to them or not – for this is a device of the devil, who seeks, under the semblance of good, to disquiet you and make you distrustful and faint-hearted, or hopes, by entangling you in such discussions, to draw you into some sin.

Therefore, in this temptation, when the consent is not evident, it is sufficient that you briefly confess the whole to your Spiritual Father and then, rest satisfied with his opinion, without thinking of it further.
But be sure, faithfully to reveal every thought to him and, neither be restrained from so doing by shame or any other consideration.
For if, in dealing with all our enemies, we need the grace of humility to enable us to subdue them, in this case, more than in any other, we are bound to humble ourselves; this vice being almost always, the punishment of pride!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE of I:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/12/thought-for-the-day-11-february-of-the-way-to-resist-the-sins-of-the-flesh-part-one/
PART TWO of I:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/13/thought-for-the-day-13-february-of-the-way-to-resist-the-sins-of-the-flesh-part-two/
PART ONE of II:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/14/thought-for-the-day-14-february-of-the-way-to-resist-the-sins-of-the-flesh-part-one-of-section-ii/

Posted in MODESTY, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 14 February – Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh (Part One of Section II)

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Thought for the Day – 14 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XIX: … Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh
(II) During the Temptation
(Part One)

“During the temptation, consider whether it proceeds from internal or external causes.
By external, I mean, curiosity of the eyes or ears, immodesty — in dress, habits and conversations which excite to this sin.
The remedies in this case are purity, modesty, the refraining from seeing or hearing anything which excites to this vice and, as I said before, fight against such vices!

The internal are either the rebellion of the flesh, or thoughts of the mind proceeding from our own evil habits or from the suggestion of the devil.
The rebellion of the flesh must be mortified by fasts, disciplines, hair-shirts, vigils and other similar austerities, as discretion and obedience may direct.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE of I:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/12/thought-for-the-day-11-february-of-the-way-to-resist-the-sins-of-the-flesh-part-one/
PART TWO of I:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/13/thought-for-the-day-13-february-of-the-way-to-resist-the-sins-of-the-flesh-part-two/

Posted in QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on VICE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 12 February – Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh (Part One of Section I)

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Thought for the Day – 12 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XIX: … Of the Way to Resist the Sins of the Flesh
(I) Before the Temptation
(Part One)

“These sins must be resisted in a way peculiar to themselves and different from the method used against any other temptation.
In order, therefore, to resist successfully, three phases must be observed. The firtst – before the temptation, the second – during the temptation and the third – after the temptation.

Before the temptation the struggle must be against those things which generally occasion it.
First, you must combat the vice but never confront it; on the contrary, avoid to the utmost of your power, every occasion and every person, where you may incur the slightest danger.
And if at times, compelled to converse with such, let it be brief, with a grave and modest demeanour and with words of severity, rather than of excessive tenderness and affability.

Neither be confident in yourself, if you are free of such temptations and, during many years of such exercises, have continued free from temptations of the flesh – for this accursed vice makes its advances secretly, often doing, in an hour, what in many years it had failed to effect and it hurts the more grievously and wounds the more fatally, the more friendly the form it assumes and the less ground of suspicion it seems to give.

And there is often great danger, as experience has shown and still shows, in connections which are indulged in, under fair and lawful pretexts, such as kindred, relations of duty, or, again, great virtue in the person beloved.

For the poisonous pleasure of sense insinuates itself into this over-frequent and imprudent connection, instilling its venom gradually, until it penetrates into the marrow of the soul and darkens the reason more and more, until at last, no account is made of things which are really dangerous, such as mutual glances of tenderness, loving words and the enjoyment of conversation and so, a change creeping over both, they fall at last into destruction, or into some temptation most difficult and toilsome to overcome!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 February – Of the Way to Resist Sudden Impulses of the Passions

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Thought for the Day – 11 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XVIII: … Of the Way to Resist
Sudden Impulses of the Passions

“Until we have become habituated to ward off sudden strikes, whether of insult or other adverse circumstances, it is well, in order to acquire such a habit, to anticipate them and desire to suffer them, over and over again and so, to await them with a mind prepared.

The way to anticipate them is, to consider the passion to which you are most inclined and also, the places wherein and the persons with whom, you are wont to converse; whence you may readily conjecture what is likely to befall you.
And should you meet with any other untoward circumstance which you have not foreseen, although you will find your soul strengthened by having been prepared to meet the other evils which you did foresee, yet may you also avail yourself of the following additional help.

At the very first touch of the insult or ‘trial,’ whatever it be, rouse yourself at once and lift up your heart to God, reflecting on His ineffable goodness and love, which sends you this affliction that, by enduring it for the love of Him, you may thereby be more purified and brought nearer and united unto Him.
And, knowing, how greatly He is pleased that you should suffer it, turn next to yourself and with a sharp rebuke, say, “O, why will you refuse to bear this cross which is sent to you, not by man but by your Father Who is in Heaven!”
Then turn to the cross and embrace it with all possible patience and joy, saying, “O cross, formed by Divine Providence before I was born; O cross, endeared to me by the dear love of my Crucified Lord, nail me now to youself that so I may give myself to Him, Who died on you for my redemption!”

And if, at first the passion should prevail against you and you should be wounded and unable to raise your heart to God, strive even then, to do, as at the beginning and fight as if still unwounded.

The most effectual remedy, however, against these sudden impulses, is to remove the cause from whence they proceed.
Thus, if you discover that, through your affection for any object, you
are thrown into a sudden agitation of mind, as often as it is presented to you, the remedy is, by persevering efforts, to withdraw your affection from it.

But, if the agitation proceeds from a person, who is so disagreeable to you that every little action of his annoys and irritates you, the remedy here, is to force yourself to love and cherish him, not only as a creature formed by the same Sovereign Hand, with yourself and created anew by the same Divine Blood but also becaus. he offers you an opportunity, if you will accept it, of becoming like your Lord, Who is kind and loving unto all men!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 10 February – Of the Order to be Observed in the Conflict with our Evil Passions

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Thought for the Day – 10 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XVII: … Of the Order to be Observed
in the Conflict with our Evil Passions

“It is of great importance that we should know how to observe a due order in this combat, lest, as too many do, to their own great injury, we should fight in a casual or desultory manner.

The order to be observed in the warfare against your enemies and evil inclinations should be as follows:

Look well into your heart and search diligently until you have discovered, by what thoughts and affections it is surrounded and, by what passion it is most tyrannically swayed,
Then, against this vice, first take up arms and direct your attack. If, meanwhile, you should be assaulted by other enemies, turn against the one nearest to you and which, at the moment threatens you but fail not, to return afterwards, to the prosecution of your principal enterprise.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli