Harpa Dei

Download PDF As we progress on our path of discipleship and the Lord sees that we take it seriously and strive for holiness, He responds to our efforts by sending us so-called “passive purifications”. There are those who are frightened just by hearing this word. They are not aware that it is a sign of […]

Download PDF Yesterday we had talked about the importance of a regular rhythm of prayer. If this becomes a norm for us, we will also have built a refuge to protect us from the temptations of the world, which want to draw us away from what is essential and drag us towards what is superficial.

Download PDF “My Lord and my God, grant me everything that draws me closer to you.” – exclaims St. Nicholas of Flüe in the second part of his famous prayer. In mystical theology this part of the spiritual path would be called the “illuminative way”. This means that after the intense processes of purification –

Download PDF In dealing with the so-called “cardinal virtues”, one would normally begin with the virtue of prudence. However, since in the previous days we had discussed the ascetic struggle against the passions, it is appropriate that we first deal with the virtue of fortitude. The virtue of fortitude Indeed, we need this virtue in

Download PDF During the last days of our holy journey towards the Feast of the Resurrection, we have taken a look at the vices that besiege our soul and want to subjugate it. By resisting and fighting them, as the masters of the spiritual life vividly teach us, we are actively cooperating in the process

Download PDF The most difficult spiritual vice to overcome is undoubtedly pride. It takes a constant struggle and a strong grace from God to flee from pride and to live in that humility which counteracts and decisively weakens it. John Cassian describes pride in these terms: “It is a cruel beast, which fiercely attacks even

Download PDF On our journey towards the great Feast of the Resurrection, we have to go through each day consciously and with God’s grace, as a stage on the way. For this we need perseverance, for on our journey we may encounter a demon which the desert fathers called “acedia” or the “demon of the

Download PDF In our Lenten itinerary, we continue today with the struggle against vices, which is part of the purgative way. On this occasion, we will focus on the vice of “tristitia”, i.e. sadness. Fight against sadness “Chase sorrow far away” says the sage Ben Sirach, ” for sorrow has been the ruin of many,

Download PDF Continuing the theme of fighting against vices, we will talk today about greed and wrath. The fight against greed John Cassian points out that this vice should be easier to fight, because its object is not rooted in our nature. However, if we have given greed a place, then, according to Cassian, it