Love – Page 2 – Saint Vincent Ferrer Foundation

An Affirming and All-Inclusive church

wpengine2021-01-24T20:18:42-05:00

Our modern society prides itself on being welcoming, inclusive, and open to all ideas. This appeals to people who donu2019t feel comfortable with a u2018rule-based spirituality.u2019 Yet in such a welcoming u2018churchu2019 of the future - where the sinner and the sin are affirmed and made to feel safe - it is the Divine Child who is excluded and shunned. The worldly do not welcome the longed-for Messiah because the spirit of antichrist reigns over them and the serpent dwells in their midst. Do we really want Jesus to come? Are our hearts cold and distracted by worldly concerns or shall [...]

An Affirming and All-Inclusive churchwpengine2021-01-24T20:18:42-05:00

Active Love is a Harsh and Fearful Thing

wpengine2021-01-26T08:04:54-05:00

At Christmas, we celebrate how God became man so that man might become god. The serpent tempted Eve with this good. Fallen man still wants to make himself god without God-made-man, without His Church, without Christmas. Yet to enter into Heaven, we can't bypass Christmas and the Mystery of Christ's Incarnate Love. So many think that they have the right answer (idealists). Clinging to this "love in dreams," man actually carves out a pit into which he falls once reality sets in. Active love is a hash and fearful thing as compared to love in dreams. One must humble himself, stop [...]

Active Love is a Harsh and Fearful Thingwpengine2021-01-26T08:04:54-05:00

A Specific Devotion for Our Time

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

Every single soul wants to be happy; yet few know how. Only by loving God - putting Him first - can man be happy. This is what Mary's Immaculate Heart does so perfectly. She desires God and His will alone. This is the fundamental reason why we must be devoted to her Immaculate Heart. It is not just a 'Marian devotion,' but it is at the heart of the Mystery of God and of man's existence. Man's problem is he does not love God enough! The more you contemplate Mary's heart, the more you will overcome your selfishness. And God has [...]

A Specific Devotion for Our TimeDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

Idolatry of Natural Morality

DVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:39:03-05:00

Epicureanism, Stoicism and Pragmatism are each ethical systems that man have turned into a form of idolatry. Though some of these systems may be better than others, they all share a fundamental flaw: they are purely natural and lack a supernatural perspective. Christian morality, patterned upon Christ, is based on supernatural charity and is epitomized by a willingness to sacrifice for the good of another person. Lent is coming! This is a privileged time to grow in this sacrificial love. There will indeed by unexpected crosses and tests to help us fill up what is needed tp perfect our supernatural love.

Idolatry of Natural MoralityDVRodriguez2020-02-26T08:39:03-05:00

The Grace of Divine Love

DVRodriguez2020-01-02T09:10:08-05:00

The greatest treasure, the most important thing in life, is to love Jesus. To love God above all things, to love the things of God, and to be able to sacrifice everything for Divine Love - no grace can be greater. God’s Love is an immense Mystery. Just consider the amazing condescension of God in coming down from Heaven. Meditate upon this as you gaze on the manger scene, recite the angelus, or hear the Last Gospel. If He has spent Himself entirely for me, I should spend myself entirely for Him. It is easy for man to get distracted and [...]

The Grace of Divine LoveDVRodriguez2020-01-02T09:10:08-05:00

Penance Prepares Us

DVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:50:42-05:00

Christmas Vigil is a day of penance, of fasting and abstinence. Why? So as to make room for Christ on our hearts. Jesus comes to save us and to judge us. We have to be prepared. The better one prepares, the more one will be disposed to receive Him, His Love, and His grace. Prayers by St. Alphonsus and meditations upon the Holy Family are aids in this preparation.

Penance Prepares UsDVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:50:42-05:00

Love Effects a Likeness

DVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:08:44-05:00

After four millennia, despite many Old Testament priests, prophets and kings, charity was cold and fallen man still lacked the ability to have a true and wholesome friendship with God. Man needed Love Itself to come and effect some likeness between God and man, for love is only possible among those who have some level of equality. Thus, God's Perfect Love was so inflamed that He planted His Love in the Blessed Virgin’s womb and He is born to us today - to draw out love. Yet love not only equates, but willingly subjects the lover to the loved one. Dear [...]

Love Effects a LikenessDVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:08:44-05:00

Love Jesus with the Heart of Mary

DVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:04:22-05:00

The Infant Jesus grants special graces during Christmastide. [1] Pray for these special graces and persevere in asking Baby Jesus for them. I urge you to put greater faith and trust in the Love of Our Savior Jesus Christ. [2] Especially pray for the grace to love God from this day forth with your whole heart. Now, it isn't just about loving Jesus "in our own way" because each one of us is a fallen human whose soul carries hurts, sorrows and scars. Amongst other things, this prevents us from truly loving after the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Our love is all too [...]

Love Jesus with the Heart of MaryDVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:04:22-05:00