Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“The Christian life is simply a process of having your natural self changed into a Christ self, and that this process goes on very far inside. One’s most private wishes, one’s point of view, are the things that have to be changed.” CS Lewis
For this transformation to take place, we need to die to ourselves…in very particular and very personal ways, so that Christ can fully live in us.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Do not be afraid of Christ!…He does not take away your identity; he does not dishonor, debase, or affront your reason; he does not oppress your freedom!” (St. Pope John Paul II, May 21, 1983)
My High School Cross Country coach worked us hard. Long runs through the city of Birmingham, hard training sessions up and down rugged and mountainous paths…always demanding and focusing on details of technique. Our team was consistently one of the best in the State, and we all knew our coach was the key to our success. Don’t be afraid of Christ! He will challenge you, and show you a more difficult path at times, because he wants you to win the battle against your passions and the temptations of the world. He wants you to experience the peace and fulfillment that come from a generous surrender to God’s plan. In short, he wants to bring out the best in you!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn’t mean anything else.” ~ C.S. Lewis
In our daily communication with each other and especially, parents with their kids, we need to find a language that will make sense and be easily understood. This takes effort and this is a very real tangible way of loving.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“The space which each of the spouses makes exclusively for their personal relationship with God not only helps heal the hurts of life in common, but also enables the spouses to find in the love of God the deepest source of meaning in their own lives.” Pope Francis
One of the most powerful images for me as a priest is to see a couple kneeling down, praying together in a Catholic Church. Christ notices and blesses this effort in a big way! Why not bake this into your weekly date night out?
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends in Christ,
“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.” St. Edith Stein
Does America need more incredible athletes? Does America need more attractive models and movie stars? Does America need more “Tech Gurus”? America needs Saints!! We need men and women who know and love Christ and transmit this love in spite of personal, heavy crosses. I think of the 10 moms I know who are currently supporting a downs syndrome, autistic or special needs child (including my sister in law!), all with a great spirit of Faith and huge generosity. I think of a 13 year old boy who is suffering from a displaced jaw and is constant pain 24/7 (unable to take pain medication) but he is not complaining and he is praying for strength. I think of a mother of 4 children was been bed ridden in a dark room for a month due to a serious concussion sustained from a car accident (she is prayed rosary and quietly tried to offer this up). I think of the countless people with cancer and health problems, “tough marriages” and really difficult human relation issues, who are patiently enduring this with love. As a priest, I see a lot of suffering and this list is just a small sampling. These are the Saints, these are the modern day martyrs, these are the ones who radiate the peace and joy of Christ! It is incredible how much good just one holy person can do!
TKC!
“Joy is distinct not only from pleasure in general but even from aesthetic pleasure. It must have the stab, the pang, the inconsolable longing.” –C.S. Lewis
Happiness is often a momentary sensation resulting from material or physical pleasure. Joy runs deep, and brings a peaceful calm, the fruit of a sincere friendship with Jesus,…yet the obstacles and difficulties in life still remain.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Please see my latest LifeZette article on my experiences with St. John Paul II: http://www.lifezette.com/faithzette/my-life-changing-encounters-with-a-modern-saint/
TKC!
“Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself.” CS Lewis
You can either avoid the porcupines that God has providentially placed in your lives or you can try to love them and maybe even hug them…this is one of the most effective pathways to deep sanctity!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“I have learned now that while those who speak about ones miseries usually hurt, but those who keep silence hurt more.” CS Lewis
Kids sanctify parents, and besides this daily reality, so many other difficult relationships and heavy crosses can weigh down the hearts of so many people out there. I encourage all of you to take it to Jesus, and allow him to lessen the load and soothe your aching heart!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” GK Chesterton
When is enough, enough? Try pulling your excess spending back a bit, and give some of that extra money to a charitable cause…trust me, God will bless you with more than enough peace and inner fulfillment.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC