tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post2900733399952478359..comments2024-03-25T11:09:41.538-04:00Comments on a minor friar blog: Diabolical TemptationsBrother Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07780326836452864455noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-80079685066741507142011-02-17T10:50:59.496-05:002011-02-17T10:50:59.496-05:00Thanks to all for the wisdom!Thanks to all for the wisdom!Brother Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07780326836452864455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-28106631771270417662011-02-17T10:49:30.540-05:002011-02-17T10:49:30.540-05:00Thanks very much for this post, Father. It is some...Thanks very much for this post, Father. It is something I've thought about often. <br /><br />Bear with me, because eventually the following reflection is on topic:<br /><br />It took me decades to discover it, but forgiveness is a choice not a feeling. Realizing the need to forgive, I would forgive and have feelings of forgiveness. Then the original offense would come to mind, the feelings of forgiveness would flee and I was back to square one.<br /><br />Fortunately I encountered some teaching that went something like this: Forgiveness, like love, is a choice. It is primarily in the will, not the feelings. So a) choose to forgive. A simple act of the will, a simple choice.<br /><br />But this is not enough, for the old memories will come flooding back at some point.<br /><br />After choosing to forgive, b) pray for the person. Not a novena, not even a rosary, a more or less perfunctory prayer- for after all, in thinking about the person and the offense you are going very near to temptation. An Our Father, a Hail Mary- make it brief.<br /><br />Repeat as necessary. <br /><br />This works. For the genius of it is that at bottom the old memories, the temptation to anger and hatred are just that, temptations that come from our ancient enemy.<br /><br />When he discovers that these temptations lead to prayer, he will leave you alone.<br /><br />Now, after further reflection and experience with this line of thinking, I have come to the conclusion that it is very likely that many thoughts come my way from the evil one, not only memories of old injuries, but of anything that will get me out of the will of God, distractions of all types. Even sensual temptations often originate in the mind, and can be escaped by thinking of something else. An article on municipal bonds or a blog about temptation can be a very effective antidote to the latest temptress that the culture offers up. Again, the escape has two facets a) distraction; b) prayer. Again, when Satan finds his temptations leading to prayer, he will go away…for a while. Anyway, this is my experience.Lee Gilbertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-76501734189791973862011-02-16T15:31:03.668-05:002011-02-16T15:31:03.668-05:00I will preface this comment by saying that I am in...I will preface this comment by saying that I am in no way advocating the idea that correct and faithful adherence to the rubrics is unimportant, but you hit the nail on the head with your observation concerning those who allow their scrupulosity over the liturgy to prevent them from participating at (albeit poorly celebrated) otherwise valid celebrations of the Eucharist. What a miracle the Eucharist is, and how pleased the devil must be by keeping souls from it! I come across this with some regularity.Padre Paulushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18345787413378864753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26883902.post-21743528980059182172011-02-16T11:31:46.076-05:002011-02-16T11:31:46.076-05:00Wow, Father, thank you so much for posting this. I...Wow, Father, thank you so much for posting this. It's so true, and I found it truly helpful!<br /><br />God bless you,<br /><br />PeterPeter D. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16226280683101269341noreply@blogger.com