"Jesus, here is John the Milkman"

When St. Josemaria was a young parish priest, there was a milkman who entered his Church every morning for a few seconds. "Jesus, here is John the milkman." To the young priest, that prayer seemed simple and beautiful (Weekly Video: 01'21'').

Click Here for the Video

I found this video clip and was charmed by the story. I like how St. Josemaria shounds like heesh lishping.

Today's Message from Opus Dei

In Opus Dei, they speak of the "heroic moment"--that first moment of
the day when you awake and must choose whether to hit the snooze
button or start the day. They consider it a heroic act to mortify
oneself ("die to self") by getting up immediately and offering your
day to the Lord.

If this is indeed a measure of heroism, I am a villain whose perfidy
may never be fully plumbed.

All kidding aside, I did manage somehow to get out of bed at an
early-esque hour today and I found this in my inbox. Once again, I
think it's good advice.

MESSAGE
October 23, 2007
"Practice meditation for a fixed period and at a fixed time"
Practice meditation for a fixed period and at a fixed time. Otherwise
we would be putting our own convenience first; that would be a lack of
mortification. And prayer without mortification is not at all
effective. (Furrow, 446)

Overcome any sluggishness you may feel, and the false excuse that
prayer can wait for later. Let us never put off this vital source of
grace until tomorrow. Now is the right time. God, who is a loving
spectator of everything we do, watches over our most intimate needs.
You and I, I tell you once again, we need to confide in him as we
might confide in a brother, a friend, a father. Tell him, as I am
telling him now, that he is all greatness, all goodness, all mercy.
Tell him also, 'This is why I want to fall in love with you, despite
my rough manner and poor hands, soiled and ill‑treated by the dust and
grime of this earth'...

Each day without fail we should devote some time specially to God,
raising our minds to him, without any need for the words to come to
our lips, for they are being sung in our heart. Let us give enough
time to this devout practice; at a fixed hour, if possible. Before the
Tabernacle, close to him who has remained there out of Love. If this
is not possible, we can pray anywhere because our God is ineffably
present in the heart of every soul in grace. (Friends of God, 246.249)

“God does not lose battles”

I get a daily email from that nefarious organization known as Opus Dei. Below I've copied the email reflection I got yesterday in the mail.

I don't think it's especially profound, but I do think it is indicative of the manly nature of St. Josemaria's advice. For a guy like me who tends to beat himself up when he falls, this stuff is really encouraging.

For a while I was getting a daily reflection from another religious order and it was good, but Escriva's words seem to always have more depth, wisdom, and virility than the other group's.

When I went to my first Opus Dei meeting 5 or 6 years ago, I told the friend who invited me that I had never experienced anything like it. "That was the drumstick of faith," I quipped. "There wasn't an ounce of fat on it. No red punch, no 'hi-how-are-ya's--just strong meat and Grace. Wow." I still feel like that.

The image that's not displaying is the Opus Dei logo.

MESSAGE October 21, 2007 "God does not lose battles" If you fall, get up with greater hope. Self-love alone is incapable of understanding that an error, when put right, helps us to know and to humble ourselves. (Furrow, 724) Forward, no matter what happens! Cling tightly to Our Lord's hand and remember that God does not lose battles. If you should stray from him for any reason, react with the humility that will lead you to begin again and again; to play the role of the prodigal son every day, and even repeatedly during the twenty‑four hours of the same day; to correct your contrite heart in Confession, which is a real miracle of God's Love. In this wonderful Sacrament Our Lord cleanses your soul and fills you with joy and strength to prevent you from giving up the fight, and to help you keep returning to God unwearied, when everything seems black. In addition, the Mother of God, who is also our Mother, watches over you with motherly care, guiding your every step. Holy Scripture points out that even 'the just man falls seven times' [1]. Whenever I read this phrase my soul trembles with love and sorrow. This divine indication shows us Our Lord once again setting out to meet us and speak to us about his mercy, his tenderness and clemency that know no limits. Be sure of this: God does not want our wretchedness, but he is aware of it, and indeed he makes use of our weakness to make saints of us… I prostrate myself before God and I state my situation clearly. Immediately he helps me, he reassures me, and I hear him repeat slowly in the depths of my heart, meus es tu! [2], I know the way you are, as I have always known it. Forward! (Friends of God, 214-215)  [1] Prov 24:16 [2] 'You are mine' (Is 43:1)