Category Archives: Spirituality

Claiming God’s Love and our Original Goodness

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen wrote the following in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son.  “I do not think I am alone in this struggle to claim God’s first love and my original goodness. Beneath much human assertiveness, competitiveness, … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God from whom all good things come that he does this. The will is what a man has as his unique possession.” – … Continue reading →

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We Are the Amazement of God

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Papa Luciani, in his book Illustrissimi, writes to Charles Péguy, a French writer and a fervent Catholic who died in the first World War. He was also the author of many religious poems, and was noted for accenting Christian witness … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“There are those who think they have no talents. This isn’t true. Everyone can smile. Everyone can listen. Everyone can be kind. Everyone can show interest in his neighbor. We all have a talent to be used for the greater … Continue reading →

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The Paradoxes of Forgiving

Posted on January 14, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The Great Paradoxes of Forgiveness Easy but often inaccessible Available but often forgotten Liberating for the other and even more so for ourselves On everyone’s lips and yet misunderstood Innate to the human heart and yet illusory Vital for humans … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Do you want to be happy for a moment? Then seek revenge. Do you want to be happy forever? Then grant forgiveness.” — Henri LaCordaire

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Quote for the Day

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“It does not matter what our status of life is financially, socially or scholarly, as long as we live that lifestyle honestly, not trying to be something or someone that we are not. We have to learn to be ‘transparent’ … Continue reading →

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The Deacon as “Confessor”

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Nearly ten years ago, the Church celebrated the Jubilee Year of Deacons. I liken it to this year’s Year of the Priest. I was reading a homily of Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, then President of the Pontifical Council for the … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“How marvelous is divine wisdom, for it brought salvation through the cinders of humility.” — St. Bonaventure, OFM

Posted in Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | 1 Comment

The Trinitarian Dimension of Diaconal Spirituality

Posted on December 13, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Much is written about diaconal kenosis, that is, radical self-emptying, self-donation for the sake of the other in the manner of Jesus who emptied himself of all trappings of his divinity in taking on our flesh for our salvation. This kenotic … Continue reading →

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The Core Spirituality of the Diaconate

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Being a relatively new deacon, I have been pondering how to describe in a concise manner the spirituality of the diaconate, its relationship to marital spirituality for us married deacons, and its common elements with our brother clergy the priests … Continue reading →

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Quote of the Day

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“In Jesus, I begin to discover the truth about myself, my true identity, my real relationships with others. Like Jesus, I am a beloved son or daughter, someone with whom the Father is well pleased!” — Marie Beha, OSC

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Quote for the Day

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“To think on Jesus is like a breath of new life. His kindness fills one to the brim. His sweetness is in overflowing measure.” — St. Claire of Assissi

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Why ask for visions and signs?

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Many of us, when in dire straits or faced with doubts about our faith and the direction of our lives, are prone to asking God for some sign or vision to show us the way and to reinforce our shaky … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Peace is not the absence of violence but the unity of love. It is the love that flows from the wounds of the crucified Christ and the love that embraces us in the Eucharist.” — Ilia Delio, OSF

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