Category: Words of Wisdom

“Truth is not determined by a majority vote.” – Pope Benedict XVI

Let us be careful in listening to what other people say. While it is true that we must always have an open heart to listen, we must also have a mind of wisdom to discern what is true. For even the voice of the majority can be wrong, and the action of the crowd cannot be fully trusted.

Let God Himself reveal the truth to you. Seek in silence and learn to listen to that gentle voice. In that voice is wisdom, peace and strength. In that voice is freedom and love.

Do not listen to what other people say if it is an accusing and condemning voice. On the other hand, do not listen also if it speaks merely of tolerance without justice or mercy without truth.

Listen instead to the spirit of holiness. In that holiness is both love and truth, righteousness and peace.

He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.
– Luke 23:22-23 (WEB)

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” – Genesis 2:18, WEBBE

We are not made to be alone. We are made to love. To love each other, and to love God most of all.

For what is life if not spent in love? What is eternity without love?

Love alone lasts forever because God is eternal, and God is meant to be our dearest Friend.

THIS IS MY FRIEND

Let me tell you how I made His acquaintance.
I had heard much of Him, but took no heed.
He sent daily gifts and presents, but I never thanked Him.
He often seemed to want my friendship, but I remained cold.
I was homeless, and wretched, and starving and in peril every hour;
and He offered me shelter and comfort and food and safety;
but I was ungrateful still.

At last He crossed my path and with tears in His eyes
He besought me saying, Come and abide with me.

Let me tell you how he treats me now.
He supplies all my wants.
He gives me more than I dare ask.
He anticipates my every need.
He begs me to ask for more.
He never reminds me of my past ingratitude.
He never rebukes me for my past follies.
Let me tell you further what I think of Him.
He is as good as He is great.
His love is as ardent as it is true.
He is as lavish of His promises as He is faithful in keeping them.
He is as jealous of my love as He is deserving of it.
I am in all things His debtor,
but He bids me call Him Friend.
(The Friendship of Christ, Robert Hugh Benson)

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” – C.S. Lewis

There are many reasons why we suffer. At times it is our fault. At times it is another’s. There are also times when everything is a mystery which only God can reveal in time.

There are sufferings though that are meant to help us. The hurt tells us that we are not where we should be or that we are with those who are not capable of loving us. This kind of suffering is not by God’s Hand, yet He allows it so we may remember and so we may seek another path. They help us seek another way where there is healing, where we can be taken care of, where there is the happiness we’ve been yearning for.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. – Luke 6:21, WEB

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” – Mother Teresa

There are times when we wonder where God could we found. Could we really love Him even if we do not see Him? Where could we possibly find Him?

We can look for Jesus in money and we won’t find Him there. We can look for Jesus in success and we won’t find Him there. We can look for Jesus in pleasure and we won’t find Him there.

But try to fix your gaze elsewhere. Look for Him among the humble and among the poor. Look for Him among those who are children at heart. Look for Him among those who are sick and helpless. Look for Him among those who are yearning to be loved.

Suddenly, you are not alone anymore. You are not trapped within yourself anymore. You realize that you can give something. Your life matters. Jesus waits for you, and you can finally touch His face.

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.” – Matthew 25:34-36, WEB

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is today, to save many people alive. – Genesis 50:20, WEB

There are many things that happen in this life that hurt us. We do not know why such things have happened. We can’t understand how God could ever allow such things to even touch His beloved ones.

But one thing only is certain. That God is good. And in His goodness, He will never allow anything evil to happen without bringing to pass something which is far better!

“I entreat you, my dear daughter, for the honour of God, do not be afraid of God, for He could in no way wish to bring the smallest evil upon you. On the contrary, love Him much, because He desires to do you the greatest good.” – St. Francis de Sales