The Internet and the Imitation of Jesus Christ (or wise advice for bloggers)

[Dawn Marie]

The Internet and the Imitation of Jesus Christ (or wise advice for bloggers)

From the Asia District of the SSPX

 

 

 

Book One,  Fourth Chapter: Prudence in Action

 

DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God’s will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech. Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one’s opinion, not to believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom. Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. Seek the advice of your betters in preference to following your own inclinations. A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.

 

 

Book One, Sixth Chapter: Unbridled Affections

WHEN a man desires a thing too much, he at once becomes ill at ease. A proud and avaricious man never rests, whereas he who is poor and humble of heart lives in a world of peace. An unmortified man is quickly tempted and overcome in small, trifling evils; his spirit is weak, in a measure carnal and inclined to sensual things; he can hardly abstain from earthly desires. Hence it makes him sad to forego them; he is quick to anger if reproved. Yet if he satisfies his desires, remorse of conscience overwhelms him because he followed his passions and they did not lead to the peace he sought. True peace of heart, then, is found in resisting passions, not in satisfying them. There is no peace in the carnal man, in the man given to vain attractions, but there is peace in the fervent and spiritual man.

 

 

Book One, Tenth Chapter Avoiding Idle Talk

 

SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity. Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated with men. Why, indeed, do we converse and gossip among ourselves when we so seldom part without a troubled conscience? We do so because we seek comfort from one another’s conversation and wish to ease the mind wearied by diverse thoughts. Hence, we talk and think quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely. But, sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation. Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly. When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify. Bad habits and indifference to spiritual progress do much to remove the guard from the tongue. Devout conversation on spiritual matters, on the contrary, is a great aid to spiritual progress, especially when persons of the same mind and spirit associate together in God.

[michael kelleher]

D you are doing a really good job

[Dawn Marie]

(Whoops my husband didn't log out..I re-posted this in my name and deleted it under his )

Thank you Michael, you are most kind.

A.M.D.G.

[Birgitta]

Yes, D, I agree with Michael, you are doing a great job of keeping this site on track, a place for prayer and edifying reading.

[Dawn Marie]

Thanks Bekki, most appreciated.

[Cathleen]

Ouch!  I just found some areas which I need to personally work on, after reading this article.   Good thing Lent is coming up.

DM, thank you for posting this and for all the good you do with this site.  You don't know what a consolation it is to stop by here, even if it is only to say my novena prayers for the day.  (I have completed more novenas in the time I have been here than I ever managed to do on my own.)

It can't be easy steering a clear path in such stormy seas, but for what it's worth, you're doing a great job so far.  :-D