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Sunday after the
Ascension
Thoughts for the Week - Fr. R. Taouk
17th May 2015
On the
Thought of Our Heavenly Home by St. Alphonsus Liguori
How happy it will be to be saved! To
leave this place of exile and enter the heavenly Jerusalem,
to enjoy that perfect day which shall always be day, and
always joyful, free from all cares, and from all fear of
ever losing so infinite a happiness.
We ought always to sigh for
Paradise,
saying: When, O Lord, shall I be delivered from so many
anxieties, and think of nothing but loving and praising you?
When will you become all to me in all things? When shall I
enjoy that unchanging peace, free from all affliction, and
from all danger of being lost? When, O my God, shall I find
myself swallowed up in you, and behold your infinite beauty,
face to face, and without a veil? When, O my Creator, shall
I possess you in such a way that I may say: My God, I cannot
lose you anymore! Meanwhile, O my Saviour, while you see me
an exile and afflicted in this land where I have to be
fighting in ceaseless internal struggles, help me by your
grace, and console me in this so difficult a pilgrimage.
Whatever the world may offer me, I
already know that nothing in it can give me peace but yet I
fear if I have not help from you, the pleasures of the
world, and my evil inclinations may draw me down some
precipice. Seeing myself an exile in this vale of tears, I
wish to think continually of you and rejoice in your
happiness; but the evil desires of the senses often cry out
within me and disturb me. I wish to keep my affections ever
occupied in loving you and thanking you; but the flesh
entices me to enjoy sensual delights. Hence I am constrained
to exclaim: "Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me
from this body of death?" (Romans 7).
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make
haste to help me. Remain very near me, my beloved Saviour,
and give me the patience I need to overcome the continual
attacks by which I am tormented. How often, when I apply
myself to prayer, random thoughts draw me away, and distract
me with a thousand follies! Take from me, too, the great
repugnance I feel to anything that hurts my self-love. I
have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant. O
beloved Shepherd of my soul, seek me; abandon me not, as I
deserve. Seek me and save me; take me and hold me tightly
upon your shoulders that I may not leave you again. Even
while I am longing for Paradise, I am terrified by the
remembrance of my sins; but the sight of you, my crucified
Jesus, consoles me and encourages me to hope that, one day,
I shall come and love you, beholding you unveiled in the
Kingdom.
Mary, Queen of Heaven, continue to be my advocate.
Through the Blood of Jesus Christ, and through your prayers,
I have a firm hope of being saved.
PRAYER: O,
beauteous home, where love's reward, Love will itself
bestow; where my sweet and loving Lord Himself unveiled will
show. When shall I see that blest abode, and there behold
and love my God? When will that wished for day arise? While
now I cry, 'twixt smiles and tears, Ah, when? Ah, when shall
end my fears? O Paradise! O Paradise!
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