Connie Rossini's Blog, page 13

In the spirit of Elijah

Fresco of Elijah from the Rila Monastery in Bulgaria (photo credit: Wikipedia).

 

In the past week we’ve celebrated two major Carmelite feasts: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16) and the prophet Elijah (July 20). These two great saints in different ways exemplify what Carmelite spirituality is about.

Elijah demonstrates the prophetic aspect of Carmelite spirituality. The Carmelite seal bears these words of his as a motto:

With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of Hosts (1 Kings 19:10).

Consumed with zeal for holiness

Elijah was not afraid to confront the rulers of his day. He risked death to preach repentance to King Ahab, while Queen Jezebel launched an anti-crusade to wipe out God’s prophets. He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mt. Carmel to see whose god would consume a sacrifice with fire from Heaven. After winning that contest (surprise!), Elijah had all the false prophets killed. He led the people to re-commit themselves to the true God.

Then he went and prayed that, seeing their repentance, God would send rain. Elijah’s prayers had kept the land in drought for three years.

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Eli′jah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again seven times.”And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising out of the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:42-45)

Since medieval times, Carmelites have seen the cloud as a symbol of Mary. She rises from the sea of our fallen humanity, a human being herself, yet without the stain of sin. She pours down on God’s people the pure water of His grace from Heaven. So the return of rain to the land of Israel is also a prophecy of the Woman whose cooperation with God’s grace will bring about the Incarnation.

Here are some more facts about Elijah:

His name means, “Yahweh is God.”He heard God speak to him in a gentle whisper (or “still, small voice”).He nearly despaired because he thought he was the last surviving faithful Israelite.He said, “The Lord my God lives, in whose presence I stand” (1 Kings 18:15).He raised a boy from the dead.He was taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire.

And here’s the fact that inspires me most:

“Elijah was a man just like us” (James 5:17).

Prayer and action

The spirit of Elijah, fiery as it is, courageous, uncompromising, is also a spirit of contemplation. He knows that he lives continually in the presence of the Lord. He lives as a hermit on the mountain. His prayer is both contemplative and world-changing. Like John the Baptist who prepares the way for Christ, he prepares the way for redemption. He founds a school of prophets on Mt. Carmel.

Elijah was a man of action and a man of prayer. Since his time, many people have pitted action and prayer against each other. For those of us living in the world, prayer and action compliment each other. We hold fast to the truth, we proclaim it fearlessly. We risk our lives if necessary to remain faithful to Christ. And we withdraw daily into the cave of our hearts to commune with God in the stillness.

The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Eli’jah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. (James 5:16-18)

We too can be people of powerful prayer and action. In the spirit of Elijah, we can change the course of history.

Connie Rossini

Don’t forget to get your copy of Trusting God with St. Therese, on sale Contemplative Homeschool.

And the winners are . . .

If you missed last week’s post, you missed the announcement of the release of Trusting God with St. Therese. You also missed a contest. I am giving away one signed paperback to each of these two readers:

Joe SalesDelores Huemiller

Congratulations! I will send you both an email asking for your mailing addresses.

Thank you, everyone who entered. If you didn’t win, there will be more opportunities in the next few weeks. In the meantime, please consider buying Contemplative Homeschool.

Are your fears, doubts, and frustrations keeping you from intimacy with God?

How is your spiritual life going? Are you feeling frustrated with yourself? Are you distraught over your lack of progress? Do you keep falling into the same sins repeatedly?

Welcome to the human race!

No, I’m not trying to dismiss your concerns flippantly. Sometimes we just need a reminder that we are, after all, fallen. Adam’s sin affects us all. But here’s something you may not have realized:

Your sins do not shock God!

God is used to sinners. He has centuries of experience with them. He even came down from Heaven to live among them. Then people criticized Him for eating with sinners instead of the “righteous.” Yes, He loved to hang out with people like you and me.

God delights in showing mercy. He delights in lifting our burdens. He delights in carrying our yoke with us, comforting our sorrows, calming our fears.

In chapter 10 of Contemplative Homeschool.

Win a signed print copy of Trusting God with St. Therese!

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the day! Happy Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Trusting God with St. Therese is now available on Amazon for the Trusting God with St. Therese" width="150" height="150" />Contemplative Homeschool.

Holiness takes more than inspiration

Woman with a Bible by von Uberfeldt (Wikimedia Commons).

 

My first post at SpiritualDirection.com went up on Tuesday, when I already had my regular post up here. But I know many of you who have not already read it would like to do so. I am going to reblog the first few paragraphs here, then link to the rest.

But first, I’d like to let you know that I’m just waiting to receive the final proof for my book. God willing, I will have it ready for purchase by next Wednesday, the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Originally I was going to just have pre-orders begin that day. But both the digital and print versions should be completed, so I have decided to make them available at once. The official launch date will remain August 6, but I am planning many events between now and then. Make sure you check back next Wednesday to enter a giveaway contest and learn about all the special events, bonuses, and contests. Thanks for your prayers!

And now here’s the post from SpiritualDirection.com:

I’ve been pondering lately why I am still working on some of the same spiritual issues I knew I had a problem with years ago. Recent reading and deep thinking have changed my perspective on life. But I realize I’ve been in this place before. I’ve thought about these same issues before, but I haven’t made much progress. I want this time to be different. How should I proceed?

Have you ever experienced something like this:

You attended a retreat and your soul felt rejuvenated. Or a saint’s biography moved you to say, “I want to do that too!” Perhaps a homily gave you a spiritual insight you had never had before. Or a conversation with a more advanced friend urged you forward.

You were inspired. You felt excited about living for God. You were determined to follow Him more closely. For a while, you succeeded. You sailed along on the inspiration. Holiness seemed easy. You resisted temptations without hesitation. You prayed more faithfully and fervently.

Then one day you awoke and the inspiration was gone. Temptations hit you before breakfast, and you began giving in. Soon you were back where you started, before that retreat, book, homily, or conversation.

Read more: http://spiritualdirection.com/blog/2014/07/08/holiness-takes-more-than-inspiration#ixzz377njUQNBOther posts you may likeContemplative Homeschool.

Helping your choleric child grow in holiness

Choleric, Sanguine, Melancholic, and Phlegmatic. Each of us has one of these as our primary temperament. Some have a strong or weak secondary temperament as well.

Today I’m taking a break from talking about my book to return to the new project I’ve talked about a little before–making a spiritual growth plan for children of each temperament. First I’ll give a little overview of the four classic temperaments, tell you a little more about this project, then delve in deeper to help you with your choleric children. At the bottom you’ll find a special download to help you.

What are the four temperaments?

The four classic temperaments are choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic, and sanguine. Catholic philosophers adpoted them from the Greeks. There are several good sources for learning about the temperaments from a Catholic perspective. Art and Laraine Bennett have written several books on the temperaments. Contemplative Homeschool.

Catholic Vitamins podcast interview: G is for Goodness

While we were celebrating the holiday weekend, I took some time to speak by phone with Deacon Tom Fox of Catholic Vitamins. Contemplative Homeschool.

10 digital copies of my book available for reviewers

It’s time for our next giveaway! I am going to give a PDF version of Trusting God with St. Therese to ten subscribers who agree to review it online.

Here are a few other details:

7 copies will go to readers in the continental U.S.3 copies are reserved for readers living elsewhere.I will be awarding them on a first-come, first-served basis.Email me at crossini at comcast dot net if you’d like to try for a copy.Tell me where you plan to review the book: blog, Amazon, Goodreads, etc.Readers who have won a contest in the last 6 months will have to skip this one. (Sorry, Bice.)My immediate family members are disqualified. (If you’re really nice, I might give you a print copy later.)

If you are not currently a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Trusting God with St. Therese" width="150" height="150" />Contemplative Homeschool.

My original posts on trust

I am crazy busy right now making the final edits and proofs of my book. Thanks for your continued prayers. Here is one answer to a prayer I never had the audacity to ask: last week Dan Burke invited me to write for his website SpiritualDirection.com. This is a great honor, and I credit your prayers for it. I will link to my posts there as soon as one appears.

For those of you who missed them, or who would like a refresher, here are the original posts on trusting God that led to Trusting God with St. Therese.

Contemplative Homeschool.

You’re more like St. Therese than you think

 

Do you think you have little in common with St. Therese? Think again.

If I’ve learned anything in writing Trusting God with St. Therese, it’s how much Therese’s struggles were like mine. Consider these points:

Therese was born weakened by Original Sin.It took her years of grace and hard work to overcome family tragedy.She had difficulties relating to other children at school.She suffered from scruples. God repeatedly made her wait for things she believed were His will.Her family members misunderstood her spirituality.She felt natural aversion to people with difficult personalities.She feared losing her remaining loved ones.Spiritual darkness and dryness in prayer were her norm.Great deeds for God were beyond her capability.She suffered terrible pain.She was tempted to despair.

Now tell me that none of those sound like you.

Think you can’t become a saint? Think again.

Therese believed in the same God you do. He was her strength and her righteousness. He can be yours as well.

Connie Rossini

Other posts you may likeTrusting God with St. Therese" width="150" height="150" />Contemplative Homeschool.