Ten Catholic Things that Caught My Eye Today (Feb. 4, 2015)

1.

"He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things." | St. Alphonsus Liguori | #dailyeSpiration pic.twitter.com/PxXUUQciwk

— Steubenville (@go2steubenville) February 4, 2015

2. Regarding yesterday’s MetroNorth disaster here in New York: Do we pray for those who have died and are suffering when we read terrible news headlines/hear grave news about people we don’t know?

3. Pope to hold Google Hangout with handicapped children.

4. On Oscar Romero, martyr:

#RomeroBeato The Shepherd Doesn't Leave His Flock pic.twitter.com/WrJeNEheg2

— Greg Burke (@GregBurkeRome) February 4, 2015

5. And, because he uses Twitter well:

#PopeFrancis: Turn Off the TV for Ten Minutes. Keep Your Gaze on Jesus. pic.twitter.com/iC5czPpCF5

— Greg Burke (@GregBurkeRome) February 3, 2015

6. Diadochus of Photice (a bishop) on spiritual perfection (via ibreviary):

The light of true knowledge makes it possible to discern without error the difference between good and evil. Then the path of justice, which leads to the Sun of Justice, brings the mind into the limitless light of knowledge, since it never fails to seek the love of God with all confidence.

Therefore, we must maintain great stillness of mind, even in the midst of our struggles. We shall then be able to distinguish between the different types of thoughts that come to us: those that are good, those sent by God, we will treasure in our memory; those that are evil and inspired by the devil we will reject. A comparison with the sea may help us. A tranquil sea allows the fisherman to gaze right to its depths. No fish can hide there and escape his sight. The stormy sea, however, becomes murky when it is agitated by the winds. The very depths that it revealed in its placidness, the sea now hides. The skills of the fisherman are useless.

Only the Holy Spirit can purify the mind … by every means, but especially by peace of soul, we must try to provide the Holy Spirit with a resting place. Then we shall have the light of knowledge shining within us ….

That kind of reminds me of this.

7. This is a very good list. I’m glad he didn’t feel confined by 2015 to share it:

My 15 Favorite Books of 2014 http://t.co/7ur6dkq9BL pic.twitter.com/AwhUhH6SAh

— Brandon Vogt (@BrandonVogt) February 4, 2015

8. EWTN has a day in court today. #ReligiousFreedom

9. From Blessed John Henry Newman in Magnificat (subscribe here) today:

What is meant by faith? It is to feel in good earnest that we are creatures of God; it is a practical perception of the unseen world; it is to understand that this world is not enough for our happiness, to look beyond it on towards God, to realize his Presence, to wait upon him, to endeavor to learn and to do his will, and to seek our good from him.
It is not a mere temporary strong act or impetuous feeling of the mind, an impression or a view coming upon it, but it is a habit, a state of mind, lasting and consistent. To have faith in God is to surrender one’s self to God, humbly to put one’s interests, or to wish to be allowed to put them into his hands who is the Sovereign Giver of all good.

10.

Let us fix our eyes on the crucifix in every difficult moment and that gaze will renew our courage. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

— Fr Patrick Brennan (@Pathound) February 4, 2015