Conversion

Great Danger of the Lukewarm State

DVRodriguez2026-03-11T07:48:57-04:00

We are to walk in love, with the charity of God in our soul. This begins by God giving us His sanctifying grace so that we are lovable and have the ability to love Him in return. That grace is meant to increase until we die. Yet we often forget how necessary it is to show this love of God every day and abide always in a state of grace. Our soul is divided, wanting things of this world. We become complacent falling into a state of sin and then returning to a state of grace. Let not your soul become [...]

Great Danger of the Lukewarm StateDVRodriguez2026-03-11T07:48:57-04:00

Penance Requires Prudence Humility and Prayer

DVRodriguez2026-03-02T11:26:56-05:00

Jesus goes into the desert for 40 days. We follow His example in order to break the hold that the world has on us. We will be tempted, especially by our flesh. We must shut this down right away and not attempt to dialogue with the temptation. We must also not tempt God by trying to force His help with imprudent penances. Not should we impose lenten menaces upon another. Remain humble because pride goeth before the fall. Take one day of lenten penance at a time. Don’t beat yourself up if you fail. Instead ask God for help and keep [...]

Penance Requires Prudence Humility and PrayerDVRodriguez2026-03-02T11:26:56-05:00

Holy Family Calls us to Conversion

DVRodriguez2026-03-01T08:10:08-05:00

A simple way of thinking about Conversion is doing something good for the love of Jesus, that you have not done in the past, and offering it to Him as a gift. Ask yourself “What do I do for the love of Jesus?” The Holy Family provides the perfect model for each of us. Strive to imitate them. It is never easy to make true and lasting changes in our life. It is impossible without God’s grace. Confession is indispensable for conversion. The Sacrament has five necessary steps; work at doing all five well.

Holy Family Calls us to ConversionDVRodriguez2026-03-01T08:10:08-05:00

Hell is Real

DVRodriguez2026-02-15T23:09:07-05:00

The Magi were guided by a star with represents truth and symbolizes Heaven. They brought gifts to adore the Lord. The most acceptable gift we can offer is a contrite and loving heart. Jesus calls us to conversion; to become like Him. How narrow is the gate that leads to life and few there are that find it. We must be guided by the desire to reach Heaven. We should also reflect upon the reality of hell. The soul that seriously considers hell will be moved to conversion and be saved.

Hell is RealDVRodriguez2026-02-15T23:09:07-05:00

Go to the Cave with Faith

DVRodriguez2026-02-03T09:20:52-05:00

Christ was born, named and circumcised in the cave at Bethlehem. Enter therein and consider that this Child, Who is God, came down to earth for love of you and that He suffered so much to pay the penalty for your sins. He has granted you this new year that you may thank and love him more. Yet too often we go through life and our heart never changes. So offer Him your heart, ask him to transform it, making it like to His own Heart. These are the steps we need to take if we truly wish Him to teach [...]

Go to the Cave with FaithDVRodriguez2026-02-03T09:20:52-05:00

The Mammon of Iniquity

DVRodriguez2025-08-07T12:38:55-04:00

Our Lord praises the unjust steward’s shrewdness: he saw himself as he is and did what it took to survive. All created goods (mammon) are given to us by God to be used moderately and prudently. In this way we are “friends” to them and they help us reach God. But when we misuse them they turn to evil (iniquity). What created things are you misusing? Some common ones are technology, alcohol, debt, friends, and clothing. A basic Catholic life, with the penance of prayer and sacrifice, will help us use all created goods as God intended.

The Mammon of IniquityDVRodriguez2025-08-07T12:38:55-04:00

Help Us O God Our Savior

DVRodriguez2025-03-29T23:06:10-04:00

Year after year goes by and we don’t really live a conversion. This is because it is not easy to change our heart, intellect or will. We need God’s grace and we must never tie of praying for it. We sin because we don’t see supernatural realities. We fail to see the evil of mortal sin, the horrendous fires of hell, the beauty of Heaven, or Christ dying for us at Mass. Like the blind beggar, pray “Have mercy on me,” and beg “Lord, that I may see.” Make a serious effort this Lent to commit yourself to prayer, fasting and [...]

Help Us O God Our SaviorDVRodriguez2025-03-29T23:06:10-04:00

Cooperate with Actual Graces

DVRodriguez2025-03-03T17:29:18-05:00

Each of us struggles mightily with conversion. Let us not receive the grace of God in vain. Sanctifying grace – the life of God – gives us eternal life. Actual grace is a supernatural help which God bestows upon us daily to work out our salvation. When we cooperate with grace we merit more graces. But the abuse of God's grace prevents us from receiving further graces. There is direct relationship between the amount of grace in our soul when we die and the level at which we will experience the beatific vision of God for all eternity. God is faithful. [...]

Cooperate with Actual GracesDVRodriguez2025-03-03T17:29:18-05:00

My Son, Give Me Thy Heart

DVRodriguez2025-03-03T21:04:32-05:00

Septuagesima season is another example of the great need for us to recover our Catholic Faith. God is calling each of us to be converted to Him with all our heart [intellect & will]. Penitential practices – such as prayer, fasting and almsgiving – are meant to bring about this conversion. To give God our heart, we must be less attached to our own will (that's the biggest problem in all relationships). We also give him our heart by being faithful to the Church's lex orandi, lex credendi. In all this, we look to imitate the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of [...]

My Son, Give Me Thy HeartDVRodriguez2025-03-03T21:04:32-05:00

Put Ye On the Lord Jesus Christ

DVRodriguez2024-12-08T21:14:44-05:00

In giving us His Son, God could give us nothing more. And He gives us everything. God provides this season of Advent so that we will change! Strive to make it a holy season. Father lists numerous ways to grow in Advent. Do not displease Christ. Conform your will to His. May He reign over you. Behold His Heart which has loved so much that It has given itself completely and spared nothing. How do I respond? By Christmas, we must be clothed more with Christ and less with our own self will. Unite my heart with Thine and my will with [...]

Put Ye On the Lord Jesus ChristDVRodriguez2024-12-08T21:14:44-05:00