Interior Glances

But Be Transformed

You are a Breath of God

Painting: Rembrandt, 'Aristotle with a Bust of Homer,' detail

The Weaving

'My life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors;
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
and I, in foolish pride,
forget He sees the upper,
and I the underside.

Not til the loom is silent
and the shuttles cease to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas
and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful,
in the Weaver's skillful hand,
as the threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned.'

Benjamin Malachi Franklin

What You Want, As You Want

'Lord, may I think what You want me to think.

May I desire what You want me to desire. 

May I speak as You want me to speak. 

May I work as You want me to work.'

St. Pedro Poveda Castrovede

Painting: Peter Vilhelm Ilsted

Nothing Else...

N Shuman photo

Sweet Union

 

'Perfection: is it not a loving, sweet union of the will with that of God?'

St. Vincent de Paul 

Photo 2015 N Shuman

So That...

'Do not conform yourselves to this age 

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

so that you may judge what is God's will, 

His good, pleasing and perfect will.'  

Romans 12:2

Painting: Paul Gauguin

How to Unite Your Will to God's Today

"During the activities of the day, spiritual as well as temporal, as often as you can ... unite your will to God’s ...

Do this either by a simple, loving glance at God, or by a few words spoken quietly and cast into His Heart; by assenting in words like:

‘Yes, Lord, I want to do this action because You want it,’ or simply, ‘Yes, Father,’ or ‘O Holy Will, live and rule in me,’ or other words that the Holy Spirit will suggest to you. You may also make a simple sign of a cross over your heart, or kiss the cross you are wearing. All this will show that above everything, you want to do the holy will of God and seek nothing but his glory in all that you do..." 

St. Jane de Chantal                                                                                      

Painting: William Merritt Chase, Wash Day, 1886

                                         

Let Yourself be Led

'Let yourself be led 
by God's hand 
without looking too much 
where He is leading you, 
provided that you remain 
quite submissive and 
in His hands.'

Dom Marmion








Painting: Alessandro Turch, 
detail of Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery

Where You Are Meant to Be

'May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.'

St. Therese of Lisieux

Painting: William Bouguereau, Kiss

Faithful to the Present Moment

'We must 
be faithful to 
the present 
moment, or 
we will 
frustrate 
the plan 
of God for 
our lives.'

Solanus Casey
















Painting: Winslow Homer, The Reaper

Unfurl

'Unfurl the sails, and let God steer us where He will.'

St. Bede

Painting:  Thomas Somerscales, Barque, 1910, in US public domain due to age

Whenever a Storm Threatens...

                    'Do as vinedressers or gardeners whenever a storm threatens...
                    They run to a shelter and stay there in peace until the storm passes.
                    That is what I want you to do with the grace of God.
                    Always remain quiet and calm in the shelter of God's will,
                    under the almighty protection of the Most High.'

                           St. Paul of the Cross

                           Painting:  Walter Withers, The Storm, Google Art Project

God is Still Breathing You

'You must live like 
warm wax to be 
molded by God,
having no desire, 
wish, or hope
other than 
the will of God...
You are 
a breath of God, 
and God is still 
breathing you.'

Sister Mary Elizabeth White VHM















Painting by Rembrandt; detail

When all is Darkness

                      
                         'O Jesus, when all is darkness
                         and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
                         give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength.
                         Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power,
                         so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see 

                         Your hand, Your purpose, 

                         Your will through all things.'

St. Ignatius Loyola  

Painting: Jean-François Millet, The Sheepfold, Moonlight

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