Color your soul with the Mass; Church Fathers: Day 188

Last updated on: January 29, 2018 at 6:39 am by Pete Socks

Color your soul with the Mass; Church Fathers: Day 188 2018-01-29T06:39:23-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Jacob of Serugh tells us that our souls take on the color of whatever we think about. We should let our souls be drawn to the sights and sounds of the Mass, and then we will be dyed with holy colors.

Life flows from the service of the house of God; you who love life, do not refuse the profit that comes from it.

The human soul receives impressions; whatever she meditates on, she is dyed with that and becomes the same color. When she hears the dirges of the wailing women, she overflows with grief and pours out tears over the departed; and when again she hears the songs and jests of the actors she turns wanton, so that with a loud voice she may pour forth laughter. When she hears bad news, dread comes upon her; but if she hears good news, she is glad. And every wind that blows towards her moves her; and in whatever direction it be, each time she turns.

So when she hears the sound of the service of God’s house, spiritually she is moved with love towards God; and she despises the evil world and its affairs, so to speak, and comes in and mingles with these godly meditations; and she clings to and loves that spiritual conversation. She scorns the world and its affairs and its doings; she is steeped in these voices of holiness, and all carnal thoughts depart from her. And the soul scorns the love of the world and its pleasures, and thoughts of wantonness and neglect. And when she hears these voices that are sung to her, she is chaste and lowly and full of hope and moderation.

Therefore it is right that whoever enters in to give himself to prayer should stay long in God’s house. –Jacob of Serugh, On the Reception of the Holy Mysteries, 653-655

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What music was running through my head just now? What TV shows was I thinking about just a while ago?

Would the Mass have been a better thing to occupy my mind?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, through your Mass lead me to perfection, and make me perfectly worthy of the grace of your sanctification.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Church Fathers

Previous Post

January 28, 2018

Find your delight in heavenly food; Church Fathers: Day 187

Next Post

January 29, 2018 Off the Shelf 057 with Brian Engelland - Force for Good

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz