Speaking the Truth

We don’t like to speak the truth about evil because we’re going to hurt somebody. Let me tell you, you are going to hurt somebody, but that Somebody is God. If you would rather hurt God than your neighbor, there is something wrong with your spirituality. It’s your obligation to speak the truth and everyone can either take it or leave it. But truth must be in us. We live in such poverty of the truth today.
- Mother Angelica

Monday, January 5, 2009

Penance God's Way

Penance doesn't mean a thing if it's not God's will. - Mother Angelica

Mother uses an example of St. Teresa of Avila who thought she would do all of these penance activities during Lent. And then she got so sick she had to be in bed and everyone had to wait on her. When she complained to the Lord about it, He told her that she did her penance, now it was time for His.

Isn't that neat? We are nothing. It doesn't matter who we are and what we do, He has the final say! We can do what makes us feel better for our sins. Blog, pray, fast, help the poor, but all that matters is God's penance for us. The penance that we think may be appropriate for our sins, may not be what He had in mind. And He always has His way, doesn't He?

2 comments:

Tracy said...

This is just excellent and very true, thank you for sharing such insightful words to live by:)

Karen said...

Oh you're so very welcome! Thank you for reading! I just love Mother Angelica. She's very straightforward... a lot like me!!