L.A.Benson

Catholic. Secular Discalced Carmelite (OCDS). I discuss depth-psychology, and Carmelite spirituality, scripture, theology, philosophy

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Man is by nature contemplative

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Little of faith vs. faith of the little

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Blessed Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

If purification and transformation of vision is necessary to look on Christ without being scandalized, how much more is it necessary when we are looking at the Church!

Henri de Lubac

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

How do you understand the verse “Give us the courage to enter the song”? How do you interpret it?

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

“The struggle between Christ and antichrist rages openly. The world is in flames: do you wish to put them out? Contemplate the cross. The eyes of the Crucified gaze upon you. They question you and appeal to you.”

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

[Fr. David Paternostro, SJ @DavidPaternostr]

Nathan: So there’s a man who stole a poor shepherd’s beloved ewe and is all around terrible

David: Who is the man?

Nathan:

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Saint John the Baptist was a Carmelite btw

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated with so much pomp because it seems to enfold within itself the Nativity of Christ, our Redeemer. It is, as it were, midsummer’s Christmas Day

Prosper Guéranger

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Seek first and chiefly the kingdom of God and his justice and all these things will be added unto you

This is the aim and petition that is most pleasing to God. To obtain an answer to the requests we bear in our hearts, there is no better means than to concentrate the strength of our prayers on what is more pleasing to God. Then he will govern us not only the salvation we beg for but whatever else he sees is fit and good for us, even though we do not ask for it.

For God is such that if people live in harmony with him and do his will he will govern them whatever they want, but if they seek their own interest it will be unless for them to speak to God. Because they do not put all their trust in God, nothing turns out well for them.

Saint John of the Cross

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

@EamonnClark It’s a blessing to be able to help you grow in your spiritual life 🙏🙏🙏

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

When something distasteful or unpleasant comes your way, remember Christ crucified and be silent

Saint John of the Cross

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites...But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting

"Try to think lowly and contemptuously of yourself and desire that all others do the same."

St. John of the Cross

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

@EamonnClark Imagine being a left handed redhead. Devastating

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

"When you give alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing"

The left signifies the hunger for human praise, and the right signifies the desire to fulfill God's will out of love for God. Do not mingle evil intentions with good.

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

@Brumairian Big true

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Contemplation prepares man to accept suffering

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

You must not think that these events belong only to the past, and that you who now hear the account of them do not experience anything of the kind. It is in you that they all find their spiritual fulfillment. You have recently abandoned the darkness of idolatry, and you now desire to come and hear the divine law. This is your departure from Egypt.

When you became a catechumen and began to obey the laws of the Church, you passed through the Red Sea; now at the various stops in the desert, you give time every day to hear the law of God and to see the face of Moses unveiled by the glory of God.

Origen

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

Savior, your crucifixion marked the end of your mortal life; teach us to crucify ourselves and make way for our life in the Spirit. May your resurrection, Jesus, bring true greatness to our spiritual self and may your sacraments be the mirror wherein we may know that self

St. Ephrem

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

The diabolos is the opposite of the symbolon

[L.A.Benson @leeabenson]

This the truth each Christian learns,
Bread into his flesh he turns,
   To his precious blood the wine:

Sight has fail’d, nor thought conceives,
But a dauntless faith believes,
   Resting on a pow’r divine.

Here beneath these signs are hidden
Priceless things to sense forbidden;
   Signs, not things are all we see: