Jesus Speaking E-Book

Gabrielle Bossis

• Herausgeber: anna ruggieri
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

A Daily Devotional based on the popular spiritual classic He and I

Jesus began speaking to French mystic Gabrielle Bossis when she was in her sixties. The conversations continued to the end of her life, and became the beautiful spiritual classic He and I. Jesus Speaking is a beautiful devotional taken from the original book of conversations between Jesus and Gabrielle. A carefully chosen Scripture passage complements every excerpt from the book, along with a meditation on that day’s reading.

Bossis’ intimate conversations with Christ are instructive as well as inspirational. An invaluable guide for anyone looking for growth in the spiritual life, Jesus Speaking encourages readers to cultivate a daily habit of prayer and a personal relationship with Christ through the Church. Jesus Speaking is a daily devotional that will inspire readers of spiritual classics.

Born and raised in France, Gabrielle Bossis (1874–1950) was a single woman and a nurse during World War I, who later became a playwright and touring artist. Her journals revealed a rich spiritual life. The French edition of Lui et Moi (He and I) has been translated into many languages and sold worldwide.

Leseprobe

Jesus Speaking

Heart to Heart with the King

From the Writings of Gabrielle Bossis

Edited by Maria Grace Dateno, FSP

Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data

Names: Bossis, Gabrielle, 1874-1950, author. | Dateno, Maria Grace, editor.

Title: Jesus speaking : heart to heart with the King / written by Gabrielle Bossis ; edited by Maria Grace Dateno, FSP. Other titles: Lui et moi. Selections. English. Description: Boston : Pauline Books & Media, [2019] | “Excerpts are taken from He and I by Gabrielle Bossis published by Pauline Books & Media which was originally published as Lui et Moi by Beauchesne et ses Fils.”

Identifiers: LCCN 2019006145 | ISBN 9780819840318 (pbk.) | ISBN 0819840319 (pbk.) | 9780819840325 (ePub)

Subjects: LCSH: Devotional calendars. | Jesus Christ--Meditations.

Classification: LCC BV4811 .B62313 2019 | DDC 242/.2--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019006145

Excerpts are taken from He and I by Gabrielle Bossis (© Éditions Médiaspaul, 250, rue. Saint-François Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 2B9 [Canada]). Reprinted by Pauline Books & Media. He and I is a condensed version of the original French edition Lui et Moi published by Beauchesne et ses Fils, 117 rue de Rennes, Paris.

Scripture quotations from the letters of Saint Paul are taken from the New American Bible, Revised Edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

All other Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design and art by Danielle Victoria Lussier, FSP

Handlettering by Marie Heimann of Fawnly Prints

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

“P” and PAULINE are registered trademarks of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Copyright © 2019, Daughters of St. Paul

Published by Pauline Books & Media, 50 Saint Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491

eBook by ePubMATIC.com

www.pauline.org

Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

Contents

Foreword

Preface

How to Use This Book

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Appendix

Foreword

I’m a lover of books, and books have changed the course of my life on more than one occasion. Some books I read once and pass on. Other books I just can’t let go of.

He and I, the classic work by Gabrielle Bossis that is the basis for this devotional, definitely falls into that second category. I came across a copy of He and I during my first year in the convent, and forty-five years later it is still one of the most beloved titles on my book shelf!

Although He and I is a conversation between Gabrielle and Jesus, as the reader I can’t help but feel that Jesus is talking directly to me in a personal, intimate way. Heart to heart. Friend to friend. Lover to lover. It’s something I don’t think we ever outgrow: this need of our heart to hear the voice of the One we love.

People are so hungry for a real, vibrant relationship with the Lord but can be at a loss as to how to go about it. How do you pray when you feel tired and distracted? What do you read to quiet your heart and focus on Jesus? And how do you even start a conversation with Him with all the worries and problems that clamor for your attention even before your morning coffee?

I’ve spent many years working in our Pauline Books & Media centers across the United States, and I’ve heard countless requests for a book that could help people who

have lost their spouses,

just discovered they have cancer,

have lost hope in life,

would like to pray but don’t know where to start,

want a devotional that will get them through the day,

have been disappointed,

need something inspiring to give as a gift,

need a prayer-starter for Eucharistic Adoration,

want a book for someone who doesn’t like to read (this one always has me shaking my head).

Well, I can honestly say, THIS book fits the bill for all the above!

Each one of us is special to Jesus. He wants a personal, close relationship with you and with me. The short daily text in Jesus Speaking is meant to be savored and carried in your heart. It is a collection of word gems that will open your heart to feeling loved and cherished by the Lord. And everyone longs for that because we were all made for Him.

JULIA MARY DARRENKAMP, FSP

Preface

Gabrielle Bossis was born in France in 1874, into a fairly well- to- do family. She remained single all her life and had many interests and pursuits, such as the fine arts of painting and music, horseback riding, and embroidery. She was very active in her parish and socially. During World War I, she worked as a nurse.

Later in life Gabrielle began writing, producing, and acting in plays. She traveled internationally for her work, and her plays were much in demand. During this time, her many friends and acquaintances were completely unaware of a very deep interior life that was beneath all these activities. She had always been inclined to prayer and contemplation, but beginning in her early sixties, Gabrielle frequently heard Jesus speaking to her, and she wrote down the words she understood Him to say—a practice she continued until her death in 1950.

Gabrielle knew these words were intended not just for herself, but for everyone, so she anonymously published a collection of the messages toward the end of her life. It was called Lui et Moi and was very well- received. After her death, more volumes came out and were translated and distributed widely.

In English, the one- volume edition that is condensed from the several French volumes is called He and I and has become a modern classic. Even today, many people who read the words that Jesus spoke to Gabrielle feel as if these words are personally addressed to them.

Jesus Speaking is an effort to introduce new readers to these loving words by providing short selections from He and I, together with Scripture passages, for each day of the year. The index in the back of this book indicates where each He and I selection is taken from. The messages in He and I are dated according to when Gabrielle wrote them.

How to Use This Book

Below are some suggestions for using this book for daily prayer. Feel free to follow anything helpful and leave aside anything that is not.

If you do not already have one, it’s good to decide on a set time for daily prayer—at the same time each day, if possible. The time you spend with Jesus is vital to your spiritual life, so it’s better to schedule time for it and sometimes have to delay or skip it, rather than just “try to fit it in” between the tasks of the day. It doesn’t have to be a long period of time—start with ten minutes if that is what is possible for you. Early morning before your day gets going is a good time. Another possibility is before you go to bed.

When you sit down to pray, take a moment to prepare by breathing deeply a few times and calling to mind that you are in God’s presence. Jesus has been looking forward to this moment. Take any concerns or tasks or annoyances that are in your thoughts and imagine placing them in His hands. You can let go of them for now and take them back later (if you want to!).

Read the Scripture passage and then the selection from He and I. Read slowly, out loud, if feasible. Read them over a few times.

If a word or phrase strikes you, pause and stay with it for a while.

Notice what stirs in your heart. It could be joy, consolation, anger, surprise, confusion, hope, disappointment, desire, love, frustration . . . anything! Whatever is in your mind and heart, show it to Jesus. Ask Him about it, talk to Him about it, or just sit with Him in the midst of it. Pay attention to anything Jesus says to you or points out to you.

If nothing in particular strikes you in the reading, or if you need something to help you enter into the passage, read the prayer prompt at the bottom and then read the Scripture and the quotation again. If you don’t notice or feel any particular stirring, just tell Jesus you are happy to sit with Him quietly. If you have difficulty escaping from your distracting thoughts and concerns, just keep putting them back in Jesus’ hands and tell Him you are happy just to be able to be with Him.

Toward the end of your prayer time, you might consider writing in a journal something about what moved you and what you felt Jesus was saying to you. You could also write any decisions or resolutions you have made, regarding how you want to respond to these gifts in the day ahead. For example, your response could be an action or an interior change of attitude.

At the end, thank Jesus for the time spent with Him, and pray:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ask for Mary’s intercession that the graces of your prayer may bear fruit. You can use this prayer or one of your favorite prayers to Our Lady:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known

that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help,

or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

JANUARY

January 1

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love” (Jn 15:7–9).

So great is My longing to have you come nearer. I have so much to say to you, so much to give you . . . Come. Nearer, always nearer . . .

Tell Jesus how close to Him you want to be, and then remain silent and listen.

January 2

And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection (Col 3:14).

Do you realize that love is the one and only goal and that everything should serve to lead you to it? A very little thing becomes big if it takes you to love. And an important work is absolutely nothing if it fails to lead to love.

Look at the big and little things of the day ahead, and offer them to Him with love.

January 3

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;

I will sing and make melody.

Awake, my soul! (Ps 108:1).

Your longing to love—this is love . . . In your soul there is a door that leads to the contemplation of God. But you must open it.

When you realize that longing to love is love, what stirs within you?

January 4

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,

his mercies never come to an end (Lam 3:22).

Love calls to love. Answer Me, child. I am thirsty for you. What intimidates you? Your repeated neglectfulness? Your deficiencies, your vagueness, your absentmindedness, your distressing memories? I take charge of everything. I collect miseries and make glorious things out of them.

Imagine what it would be like to have Jesus make “glorious things” out of the miseries in your life.

January 5

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

A sacrifice joyously made is no longer a sacrifice. It is only what one refuses that is costly—what one does halfheartedly. So up with your cross on your shoulder, and on your way! Near Me, always nearer to Me.

How can you respond to what Jesus is asking? Ask Him for the help you need to do so.

January 6

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts;

so I am helped, and my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him (Ps 28:7).

Give Me the joy of helping and transforming you. Surrender everything. Let yourself go. Tell Me often about your great longing. Do you think I would resist?

What would it be like to trust Jesus this much?

January 7

[H]e said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

If you have failed in something, you say, “My dear all, I could have been more faithful today. Forgive me.” You humble yourself most sincerely. And without your knowing it, I press you to My heart burning with love. That is what you call grace, and My grace is sufficient for you. Do you believe that?

Imagine Jesus pressing you to His heart. What would that be like?

January 8

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

Offer Me all the crosses of the world. There are so many just now and few think of offering them to Me in expiation for sins. You who do know, help, so that nothing may be lost. Give Me hearts. Give Me souls. I am thirsty. Always.

Call to mind the current sufferings and tragedies around the world, and offer all the affected people to Him.

January 9

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Even by your ordinary actions you can make amends for ingratitude and save sinners. I saved while sweeping the workshop. Always be one with Me.

Tell Jesus how much you appreciate knowing the value of even your smallest actions.

January 10

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then it was said among the nations,

“The LORD has done great things for them” (Ps 126:1–2).

Tell Me why you love Me and how this love began; tell Me all that you want to do for My love. Of course, I know all about it, but to hear it from you is a joy to Me, like a story ever new.

Have you ever thought of your relationship with Him as a story? Talk to Him about it.

January 11

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness

of his servant (Lk 1:46–48).

Above all, don’t ever grow weary of our intimacy. Vary. Improvise. Perfect. Increase. Call upon the Spirit of love to help you. Ask My mother to show you—she who never left Me. Even when you feel good for nothing, give Me this nothing. Didn’t I create with nothing?

What is one thing in your relationship with Jesus that you could vary or increase?

January 12

“They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them” (Jn 14:21).

Be one with Me in My toil as a carpenter. It is not what you do that matters, but the way you love Me while you work. And love is oneness.

Look at the day ahead, choose one task or duty, and decide how you can love while you work.

January 13

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Mt 7:7–8).

Why do you ask so little? Come to Us, My child, and ease Our longing to show compassion. Don’t ever forget that the people around you are there in order that you may plead for them.

Be extravagant! What’s the biggest thing you can ask from God? Ask for it right now.

January 14

So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith (Gal 6:10).

And if you are the means of bringing one or many into frequent fellowship with Me, do you think that I could fail to be grateful, not only for the glory gained by it, but above all for the joy it brings to My heart.

Did you ever consider that you could bring Him joy this way?

January 15

The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD,

and the neediest people shall exult in the Holy One of Israel (Isa 29:19).

Fall in love with your God—this glorious Reality. And if you are in love with Him, you will think about Him more often. It is this remembrance of Me that I want in you, this desire to please Me, this fear that people offend Me, this joy in My kingdom.

What would it look like for you to fall in love with God?

January 16

The LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night (Ex 13:21).

Let yourself be taken swiftly. Instead of running away, throw yourself into My arms and lose your bearings. I’ll love you like that—blind, letting Me lead you.

Throw yourself into the arms of Jesus, handing over to Him all your concerns.

January 17

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you (Jas 4:10).

Humble yourself for your shortcomings. It is your faults, My children, that make you unhappy. . . . Look at your shortsightedness. Your cowardice and laziness in making any effort to improve. Your willingness to stagnate in your usual petty ways. Your negligence in studying the model of My life.

What makes you unhappy? With courage, show these things to Him.

January 18

For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;

your faithfulness extends to the clouds (Ps 57:10).

Tell Me that at last you believe in My immense love ever- present in you, that you are always sure of it. My grace would increase in proportion, even to the point of a miracle, for what is a miracle but a token of love’s simplicity?

How can you respond to what Jesus is saying? Show Him what is in your heart.

January 19

“I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am” (Jn 17:23–24).

Why do you talk to Me as though I were so far away? I’m very near . . . in your heart. Don’t feel sad about a distraction even if it lasts some time. Just pick up your loving contemplation where you left off.

Thank Jesus for His promise to be always in your heart.

January 20

Teach us to count our days

that we may gain a wise heart (Ps 90:12).

God . . . When you see Him, how you will want to have served Him, to have loved Him, to have glorified Him without counting the cost, and with all your heart! Don’t be afraid of trials. They only help you to go higher. They make you love Me more.

What are you facing today, and how will you have wanted to act when you look back at the end of your life?

January 21

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God (Phil 4:6).

Don’t get the idea that it is the greatest number of prayers that touches your God. It’s the way you speak to Him. Be irresistible in love, abandonment, and humility.

What would being “irresistible in love, abandonment, and humility” look like for you?