2- Three Tools for Holiness (Mt. 6)

by Fr. Dave Kueter, OMV

This talk is available on tap/CD through St. Joseph Radio

More info - http://www.spccom.com

 

[cont'd] The world is turned upside down. Example 1) A U.N. report - a) World poverty,  those who have and those who have not:  U.S.A. - Cosmetics - 8 Billion a year, 6 Billion would pay for basic education of all in the world. 2) Ice Cream  - Europe - 11 Billion, - 9 Billion would provide clean water and safe sewage for all. 3) Pet Food - America and Europe - 17 Billion, - 13 Billion would provide basic nutrition health for everyone in the world.

 

The statistics are striking and disturbing. The world seems to value these secondary things. What does that say about the state of our humanity.... the question of original sin. The tool of almsgiving - our relationship to the world and to each other. To reestablish that relationship...

 

Almsgiving giving  is a fundamental tool of holiness - our relationship with life and the people around us. Think of how we view this basic tool of holiness.

 

The third basic relationship  is to ourselves... perfect control of all our relationship... integrity - wholeness - The feeling of integrity - to think that this was heaven... The role played by original sin to cause the damage.

 

St. Paul, there is a part of me that wants to do good and knows what's wrong and we do it.

 

# 3 Fasting: It must be an essential tool of holiness. Fasting is using the highest faculty of human will to control the body's desires. Make the decision for example not to eat, the stomach begins to  growl.  The intellect and will say No. The lower must be subject to the higher faculties... a once a week from food that becomes habitual, scip breakfast.

 

It brings about a clarity of mind. Something that accomplishes his or her mind to God. There is also three others, body, soul, physical; each has its own needs. We need to control all three mentioned. You have to fast on all three levels. Fast emotionally, to satisfy every desire we have..

 

Say NO to emotional desires: a) The need to get attention and people's affections. St.Teresa. the Little Flower, Carmelite Nun... There is also spiritual fasting in the sense of the human spirit... The intellect and will do have their appetites. Take for example curiosity; it is of the intellect. How many useless things that we know or seek. We need to do it right on three levels. He gave the example of the person on a salad diet but coupled with the need to consume brownies also. We are only fasting on one level. Fast consistently on all three  levels. 

 

Summary: 3 fundamental tools of holiness: Rebuild the all three basic relationships of life... This will be what we will find in heaven. Looking in the face of each one of us. God loves each one of us. Revealing himself to us... Take some time to think and meditate. Ask the Lord to plan his  plan of holiness for us. The crux of every profession requires tools. Utilize the particular tools of the Church...

 

Let this lent be a model of what our life  will be. This time on earth is our time of Lent... Dying with Him and rising with Him. Use the tools to become the saint He wants us to be. Ending with Glory be to the Father.... Immaculate Heart  of Mary.

 [cinops be gone] - George H. Kubeck - Monday, Feb. 25th, 2013