DAILY GRACES

Image by PixelsTalk.net

GOOD SUNDAY AFFIRMATION

While cleaning out a closet, I rediscovered some past journals; one entry filled with the goodness of praying…to share with you on this good Palm Sunday.

“God can give three graces to a soul in prayer.

 *grace to experience different spiritual things,

*grace to know and understand what you experience in prayer and

*to be able to share these experiences with others.”

Hosanna Painting by Tom Dubois

“Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.”

Psalm 111:2

FASTING

GOOD SUNDAY AFFIRMATION

The Power of Fasting by Rumi

“There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness…If the brain and the belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire…When you’re full of food and drink, an ugly metal statue sits where your spirit should…When you fast, good habits gather like friends who want to help…Don’t give up to some illusion and lose your power…A table descends to your tent – Jesus’ table…Expect to see it, when you fast, this table spread with other food, better than the broth of cabbages.”

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…I am humbled by this powerful invitation…

Thank you Rumi for the courage to fast…

TIMELESS TRUTH

Landscape Painting by Lucid Being

GOOD SUNDAY AFFIRMATION

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace they may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble.  It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.  Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, Copyright 1952

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…Although a lengthy poem, Desiderata resonates eternal truth for everyone…

…do you agree..?

 

 

 

 

GOOD HEART

Blessed Heart Image on eBay

GOOD SUNDAY AFFIRMATION

The Gift of an “Unhardened” Heart

“…Look at your heart!  It tells the story of why you were made.  It is not perfect in shape and contour, like a Valentine heart.  There seems to be a small piece missing out of the side of every human heart.  That may be to symbolize a piece that was torn out of the Heart of Christ which embraced all humanity on the cross.

“I think the real meaning is that when God made your human heart, he found it so good and so lovable that he kept a small sample of it in heaven.  He sent the rest of it into this world to enjoy his gifts, and to use them as stepping stones back to him.”

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This meditation was written by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen famous for his persuasive preaching.

…I find this writing so comforting…I hope you do too…

 

 

EVERYTHING AQUAMARINE

OFF THE CUFF Writing

Looking through an opaque window pane

Soft aquamarine playful as the Irish coastline

Stone cold heart so far from the flames of love can be melted in union with God

a prayer forming within beauty and nature

  by Georgia O’Keeffe

Because prayer gives life and Lent sets the stage for praying better

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…I yearn to pray better…what about you…?

 

SAVED BY SOPHIA

GOOD SUNDAY AFFIRMATION

The place – The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Georgia, 1952.  On that stifling summer day, Fr. Thomas Francis was among the 90 monks helping to construct the cement monastery as it stands today – and what a manually monumental project that was back then!  Thomas shaking on the ladder reached for the 30-foot ledge realized he had “passed center of gravity.”  OMG!  Life flashing before him, Thomas ushered his guardian angel Sophia who then pushed him to grab the building ledge avoiding a fatal plunge.  He heard a voice say “get a big crowbar, stupid” as he stabilized himself on the ladder and continued to work.  Fr. Thomas never told anyone what had happened that day, so grateful Sophia had saved his young life of 26.

I recently visited with my special friend Fr. Tom who gave me permission to share this awesome angelic story with you, which he had confided in me so many years ago.  As we hugged so long, he exhorted me, “The Beloved is the Holy Trinity, God is Love, this Lent, pray to them.”  I’m doing just that.

 

ULTIMATE BEAUTY

The Virgin by Joseph Stella

GOOD SUNDAY HAIKU

Eyes so innocent

A smile sparkling in truth

Mind so beautful

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O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you