The Measure of Fraternal Charity
August 13, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Charity, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations
The Measure of Fraternal Charity Presence of God – O Lord, make me understand the full meaning of Your words: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22: 39). MEDITATION When Jesus gave the precept of fraternal charity, He Himself set its measure: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). This measure is so great that it would be difficult to exceed it,... Read More
The Excellence of Charity
July 30, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Charity, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations
The Excellence of Charity Presence of God – Make me understand, O Lord, the pre-eminence of charity, that I may apply myself to it with all my heart. MEDITATION The three theological virtues, having God for their immediate object, are superior to the moral virtues which are directed to the government of our conduct; but among the three theological virtues, charity holds the primacy. It holds... Read More
Charity
July 23, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Charity, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations
Charity Presence of God – O Lord, grant that by charity I may really participate in Your life of love. MEDITATION Faith makes us adhere to God by means of knowledge; hence, it is especially related to our intellect. Hope makes us adhere to God by the conviction that we will one day possess Him in heaven, and therefore, it is related to our desire for happiness. But charity seizes our entire... Read More
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
July 16, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Mary, Meditations
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Presence of God – O Mary, Beauty of Carmel, make me worthy of your protection, clothe me with your scapular, and be the teacher of my interior life. MEDITATION The Blessed Virgin is a Mother who clothes us with grace and takes our supernatural life under her protection, in order to bring it to its full flowering in eternal life. She, the Immaculate, full of grace from... Read More
Divine Omnipotence
July 9, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations
Divine Omnipotence Presence of God – O God, use Your almighty power to convert me entirely to Your love. MEDITATION “I am the Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1). With these words God revealed Himself to Abraham. God is all-powerful because He can do all that He wills; and this He can do as He wills, when He wills, without any limitations. “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, He hath done, in heaven,... Read More
God’s Infinite Goodness is Diffusive
July 2, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations
God's Infinite Goodness is Diffusive Presence of God – O infinite Goodness, continually communicated to creatures, teach me how to imitate You. MEDITATION Goodness is not confined within itself; its characteristic is to diffuse itself, that is, to communicate itself to others, “bonum diffusivum sui,” good is diffusive of itself; the greater the good, the more it tends to diffuse itself.... Read More
Divine Simplicity
June 25, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations
Divine Simplicity Presence of God – O Lord, Thou who art infinite simplicity, simplify my mind and my heart, that I may serve Thee in simplicity of spirit. MEDITATION God is the unique simple Being because He is one in His essence and in all His perfections. When St. Thomas speaks of God’s simplicity, he presents it as the absence of all that is composite. In God there are not quantitative... Read More
The Trinity Within Us
June 18, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Holy Trinity, Meditations
The Trinity Within Us Presence of God – O Most Holy Trinity, who art pleased to make my soul Your dwelling place, deign to share with me Your divine life. MEDITATION Jesus came not only to reveal the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, but also to establish ties of the closest friendship between our souls and the three divine Persons. He is not only the Revealer of the Trinity, but the Mediator,... Read More
The Heart of Jesus Our Refuge
June 11, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Cisterian Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Meditations, Sacred Heart
The Heart of Jesus our Refuge Presence of God – O Jesus, deign to take me into Your Sacred Heart. Grant that it may be the sanctuary where I may be recollected, sheltered, and find my rest. MEDITATION The liturgy of the Feast of the Sacred Heart presents to us the Heart of Jesus as the ark of salvation, our shelter and our refuge. “O Heart of Jesus, ark … of grace, pardon and mercy, O... Read More
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
June 9, 2018 by Dan Burke
Filed under Carmelite Spirituality, Dan Burke, Divine Intimacy, Holy Spirit, Mary, Meditations, Memorial
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Editor's Note: “Divine Intimacy” has no entry for the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Therefore, we offer the following reflection for your meditation and prayer. Presence of God – O Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, make me docile to His divine motions. MEDITATION “The Blessed Virgin Mary,”... Read More
