Ruth: Week 3 (Response.... part 1)

Ruth:  Week 3  (Response... part 1)

One of the nice things about getting my blogging done is that after I post my reflection I read the blogs of the other authors on the same readings.  It is always interesting to read the thoughts of others on the same readings.  It reminds me of how all the Catholic priests in the world preach on the same scriptures each Sunday yet all the homilies are different.   Anyway, I look forward to reading all the posts on week 3.

Right at the beginning of this section I underlined on p. 21 that, "One must have acquired in youth the habit of work, organized one's life and assumed the interior governance of oneself...."  Well I can say that I have these for the most part yet I am not disciplined enough when it comes to maintaining my prayer and scripture reading time.  In this week's section I found that Elisabeth also had to recommit herself to these over and over. It gave me a bit of comfort and challenge to be like Elisabeth ....to stay committed and to recommit when I falter.

Elisabeth, on p. 23 stated that she recommitted herself "to spread more life and light among the minds and souls I encounter along my way."  For years I have prayed "Here I am Lord, use me" and He has but it is still an interior hunger to help lead souls to the Lord and His Church.  Elisabeth also desired to work for the Lord and souls without her even realizing she was doing so. She wanted all her actions to be used for the good of others.  Do I "listen and respond" to al the inner promptings so as to be used without even realizing it?  I want to.

Elisabeth handled suffering so well.  She offered her suffering for the souls of those dear to her. She states (p. 23) that she knew that "Nothing is lost, not one grief or one tear." I have so much growing to do in this area.  To turn everything over so quickly as to not loose one tear or grief.   Wow! I am certainly not there yet.

Elizabeth, was an involved woman. A woman in the world but not of it. A woman who loved her husband, socialized, traveled yet she recommitted herself to "better serve the holy cause of God and of souls" in the mist of her life. (p. 27). She solemnly consecrated herself to God and renewed her consecration.  She was following our Lord where ever the Spirit lead.  Her union with the Lord brought her into the living presence of Christ ..... who took possession of her soul for all eternity ... to whom she gave her future.   She was grounded and lived out of that grounding.

Too many interruptions.  I will finish tomorrow.   Good night.