"We fast and offer our bodies as a sacrifice; the outward form of this is bearing fatigue, but its essence is the intentional acceptance of death, that we may be counted fit to be mystically united in the flesh and blood of Christ. It is then that we become, in Christ's sacrifice, a pure sacrifice, capable of interceding and redeeming." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 122 #MatthewthePoor #Fasting #Sacrifice #JesusChrist #Death

"The Lord crucified Himself for the world before the world crucified Him. He carried out the offering of His body, His self, as a sacrifice on behalf of the world immediately after He was baptized when He was led by the Spirit. He gladly obeyed and went to face the test of fasting This is the volitional aspect of the cross... "Therefore, when we share in the mystery of the body and the blood in the eucharist, we share not only in the cross, but also in a mystical life poured out and a body that has struggled with severe fasting, deprivation, want, and pain." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 120-121 #MatthewthePoor #Death #JesusChrist #MysticalTheology #prayer #continualprayer #Crucifixion #Baptism #Fasting

"...if we offer anything in place of ourselves it is rejected. If we look around in search of a ram to offer instead of the self, we forfeit the promise made forever in Isaac, and even forfeit Christ Himself. For whoever fails to offer his life totally, or is dismayed at the prospect of self-sacrifice, and so of death, finds that his intention retreats and that he rejects death. He becomes evasive and offers an outward sacrifice, such as an act of service or an offering of money, or uses some other stratagem to avoid sacrificing his own self. So he loses his portion in Christ the Redeemer, for Christ redeems from death those who have accepted death." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 118-119 #MatthewthePoor #JesusChrist #Death #Resurrection #obedience #humility

"The Apostles inherited the entire life of Christ, and were eyewitnesses and partakers of His works and acts. They inherited the lengthy fasts they saw Christ Himself perform, as Christ told them: 'This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting' (Mk. 9:29). They inherited night-long prayers ('Watch and pray'). They inherited agony in prayer, with frequent prostrations and sweat like drops of blood: 'And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground... And He said to His disciples, 'Why do you sleep? Rise and pray' ' (Lk. 22:44-46). "They inherited endurance and patience amid the insults of the hierarchy and the betrayal of comrades: 'If they persecuted me they will persecute you' (J. 15:20). They inherited agony, suffering, and crucifixion, the most precious and exquisite gift they inherited from Christ: 'The cup that I drink you will drink' (Mk. 10:39); 'Then Paul answered 'What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus' '(Ac. 21:13). All these works they inherited not as acts apart from Christ, but as part and parcel of Him. Christ dwelt in their hearts through faith when they received the Holy Spirit, and they thus performed all the works of Christ according to His promises, even miracles and death." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 114-115 #MatthewthePoor #JesusChrist #StMark #StLuketheEvangelist #ActsoftheApostles #prayer #continualprayer #Suffering #obedience

"All the works we perform in the name of Christ, for His sake, and in imitation of Him - whether they be fasting, vigil, patience, endurance of suffering or persecution, service sacrificial love, or crucifixion - are but a voluntary translation of the desire to imitate and unite with Christ ('Follow me'). They express communion in spirit, heart, and intention." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 113 #JesusChrist #Work #HolySpirit #Suffering #Crucifixion #obedience #MatthewthePoor

"After fulfilling the course of our salvation with all these works, Christ stands there, face pale and wounds in His hands, feet, and side, and asks, 'Do you believe in Me? Do you believe in the works I have done? Do you really accept Me as a Bridegroom?' He does not wait to hear us say 'Yes' (only as a slothful bride); He invites us to a total communion with Him in suffering and glory alike. We thus have to prove our communion with Him in faith by having communion with Him in His works; only works testify to the genuineness of our faith. Yet He, as a true Bridegroom, did not leave us to invent works for ourselves but laid down the course of our works and life: 'I am the way;' He who follows me will not walk in darkness.' Following Him is not so much an intellectual theory as it is tracking Him, imitating His works, and sharing communion in love and suffering." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 112-113 #JesusChrist #obedience #Suffering #Conversion #Faith #continualprayer #humility #MatthewthePoor

"Being stained is the ungodly union between Satan and 'the lust of the flesh,' 'the lust of the eyes,' and the 'pride of life' (1 Jn. 2:1). These three bonds were united and shattered by Christ during His fast on the Mount of Temptation. He gave us the shattered bonds as an inheritance to live out and carry into effect by fasting in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and in the sacrament of baptism." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 111. #JesusChrist #HolySpirit #StJohntheTheologian #Sin #PrayerAgainstEvil #Satan #Fasting #MatthewthePoor

"The Holy Spirit is by nature meek and calm; His voice is never heard and His form never seen except by those that meet with one accord in the intimacy of love and await the promise of the Lord, those that open their hearts and lift their eyes to where Christ sits, demanding the right of children and seeking the face of the Father. "To these the Spirit manifests Himself as a light for the inner eye and a fire that fills the heart so that every mouth overflows with the praise of God. The young shall see the "Light of the world" (Jn. 8:12) in their visions and the old realize Him in their dreams (cf. Ac. :18-18)." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 173 #HolySpirit #holiness #Repentance #Conversion #continualprayer #Love #luminousdarkness #StJohntheTheologian #StLuketheEvangelist

"It is true that the Spirit of Pentecost was tangible and visible as flames of fire. Nevertheless, this Spirit has never cooled or died down. Its fire is latent in the hearts that know how to enkindle it with prayer, humility, and love. The fire of the Holy Spirit is alive and needs only to be fanned. It awaits the oil of grace to inflame the charisms and enhance the unction. "Blessed are those who gather every day even one drop of this oil, for they shall see how the Spirit burns and how the fragrant smell of Christ spreads abroad. Just as the busy bee gathers her honey from the nectar of flowers, we gather oil through vigil, self-sacrifice, and genuine meekness, through sweet poverty and joyful fasting, through ceaseless supplication, through honoring all people and giving thanks for everything, through a tongue that blesses every name." - Matthew the Poor in The Communion of Love, p. 173. #MatthewthePoor #HolySpirit #holiness #continualprayer #Conversion

You step up. Your heart quickens. You stare. You fold your hand into a peaceful fist. You lift your newly heavy arm. Your knuckles meet their fate. Knocking on an unfamiliar door is no easy thing. You know because you've been there before: a new schoolroom, interviewing for a job, selling, on dates, visiting a long-lost friend... Praying? That's what happens when we stop believing God wants to hear from us. Praying gets hard. It starts to feel like no one is listening. It feels like we have to earn our way back in. The door looks bigger. God doesn't work that way. He doesn't want you to think of His door as an unfamiliar and fearful one. In fact, He doesn't want you to think that there's a door separating you and Him at all. He wants you to come in. He wants you to talk to Him. He wants you to listen to Him. "For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened" (Luke 11:10). This is what the contemplative path teaches us. God loves us knowing how fragile we are. He unites Himself to us even though we sin. All we have to do is pray and the door will be opened. #continualprayer #ContemplativePrayer #StLuketheEvangelist #Fear #Anxiety #prayer #SacredScripture

Sometimes you meet people who immediately impact your life in a positive way. It's not that they've given a material thing to you. It's that they extend themselves toward you. They express a sincere interest in you. They create a bond with you based on nothing more than a shared presence. These are moments that go beyond simple kindnesses or good manners. These are experiences that change you. These are people who bend your perspective. They cause you to think of your own path in a different way. Cherish this when this happens. Savor it. Bathe in it when times get tough again. Then remember to do the same for others. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). People need each other to be lighted signposts along the way of life. Be present for them. Offer yourself to them. This is the life of contemplative action: remain always within the Lord; allow Him always to reside in you; share the love you receive in unity with Christ and make it available to others. This is loving sacrifice. This is the mystical journey. #Sacred #Love #MysticalTheology #luminousdarkness #Healing #Peace

Traveling can be joyful at this time of year. Airports are filled with festive decorations, trios play smooth jazz, travelers are energetic, and airline employees seem eager to help. But all of that can be a false idol. With inevitable delays, overcrowded planes, cranky children and impatient adults, the mood can turn frantic, anxious and sometimes downright nasty. There's some pre-planning on your part that can help you avoid being sucked into that tempest. But there's something more you can do. In the days leading up to your trip, put aside everything and take time to breathe. Give yourself permission to read Sacred Scripture or the Holy Fathers and Mothers of the Church. Take a walk. Put yourself into a meditative mindset prior to getting to the airport and keep it until you've safely landed at your destination. Christ taught us this. In the midst of everyone He met and all the things He did in this world, He took time to prepare Himself, to breathe, and to be in a state of continual prayer even in the midst of certain death. Break the strength of the travel tempest by meditating on God. You'll quickly figure out that the crowded waiting area in front of gate B53 is not all that important. Focus on the Holy Spirit. Let Him fill you with every grace and blessing. #SacredScripture #Anxiety #Hope #Peace #HolySpirit #Travel