Make me meek and humble of heart

Jesus often spoke of humility and it is a virtue we all need to have today.

We often pray, "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine."

God loves a humble heart. We will learn humility if we steadily examine our thoughts, words, and deeds. We learn more deeply that Jesus Christ is the eternal center of our lives. Everything orbits around Him. Praise Him.
From Jim Tetlow S.J.

All of us need to examine each day how we are being humble. The humble are grateful; they do not complain, but seek to serve.

Jesus certainly gave us an example of what it means to be humble. He actually stooped to wash the feet of His apostles before the Last Supper when He gave us the gift of Himself.
 

Praying during Holy Week

 We all need the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. I would like to share a prayer taken from Healthy Spirituality by Jean Wise that seems to cover all I am praying for and I find helpful:

O God, as war between Russia and Ukraine rages, we pray:

• For all in hiding, searching for safety…
• For those forced to take up arms…
• For all journeying to new lands, leaving behind homes and loved ones…
• For children surrounded by confusion and chaos…
• For those in Russia who bravely advocate for peace…
• For journalists risking safety to report the truth about daily events…
• For those consumed by the power to dominate and control, that they are filled with compassion for all people…
• For the difficult work of diplomats, world leaders, and international organizations …
• For all providing welcome, protection, and sustenance to those who have fled…
• For medical workers as they attend to the injured…
• For all grieving those who have died…

In your mercy, receive our prayer.

Let us intensify our prayers for peace during this Holy Week. 

Palm Sunday

Today we begin Holy Week. Jesus will enter Jerusalem with crowds acclaiming Him; later that week, crowds will condemn Him.

As we follow Jesus, let us enter into the feelings and desires of His Heart. 

This is a special week in which we unite ourselves with Jesus. Let us find some time for silence and solitude to enter into the mystery of His Passion, Death, and then we will celebrate His Resurrection with joy on Easter Sunday. 

Hunger for Communion

 Catholics hunger for communion and Holy Communion. When we receive Holy Communion, we know by faith that we are receiving Christ and being made more like Him. It is a great gift and one that all Catholics are called to take part in the Eucharistic celebration by reverently receiving Communion. Then we are to go forth and strive to create communion among all. As we approach Holy Week, let us thank God for the gift of the Eucharist. 

"Do whatever He tells you." John 2:5

Jesus feeds the hungry

 We read in the Gospels how Jesus fed the multitude; now, Jesus wants us to have compassion on those who are suffering from hunger. 

"O God, may the Spirit of the Risen Chrise inspire me to rededicate myself to ending hunger in the world you created for us. Grant us boldness and courage to persuade our nation's leaders to change the conditions and policies that allow hunger to persist."

No one should suffer from hunger here

 "O God, look with compassion on the one in nine Americans who face hunger in this country. Preserve their dignity as they struggle to get enough to eat. May those looking for jobs find new opportunities to earn a living. May those who are unable to work be supported and sustained by their communities."

"Happy are those....whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth...who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry." -Psalm 146:5-7

"They will hunger no more" -Rev 7:16

 Lord God, let us pray for our president, members of Congress, and other elected leaders. May they be moved to make ending hunger in our own country and around the world - especially now for refugees- a priority for our nation. Grant our leaders clear minds and generous hearts to sustain and improve those programs that provide help and opportunity for so many people. We ask this in the name of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. Amen.

"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to the cry of my supplication." - Psalm 86:5-6

Give Us Today Our Daily Bread

 This is a prayer from a booklet with daily prayers to end hunger and it is published by bread for the world, bread.org/pray - if you visit this site you receive prayers and other resources for fulfulling God's vision of a world without hunger.

I thought this fifth week of Lent would be a good time to pray for those who do suffer from hunger.

"O God, I pray for all those around the world who struggle with hunger and suffer from malnutrition. Grant them the strength and courage as they work for themselves and their communities. May conflicts cease, crops flourish and good governance grow. In the name of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life for the world. Amen."

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3: 22-23

Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side

Today the responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 23, mostly 1-6. (It is one of my favorite psalms.)

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, in verdant pastures he gives me repose.

Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side

With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

 The Responsorial Psalm: "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."

I hope we can all say that we are filled with joy because we are truly aware that the Lord has done great things for us. If we are not filled with that joy, perhaps we should be reflecting on all the graces and gifts that the Lord has given to each of us.

The Gospel is from John 8: 1-11 and is the story of the woman caught in adultery. The Gospel does not mention the man; the scribes and Pharisees only brought the woman and made her stand in the middle while they tell Jesus that they caught her in the very act of committing adultery. According to the law, they are to stone such women. To test Jesus, they ask him what he thinks. Jesus just bends down and begins to write on the ground with his finger. He tells them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again, he bent down and wrote on the ground. They went away one by one, beginning with the elders. When he was left alone with the woman, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' Then Jesus says, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on do not sin any more."

I Dream A World

 I came across this is clearing out old files and thought I should share it today, but I do not know the author.

                             I Dream A World

I dream a world where men no other men will scorn,

Where love will bless the earth and peace its paths adorn.

I dream a world where all will know sweet freedom's way,

Where greed no longer saps the soul, nor avarice blights our day.

A world I dream where black or white, whatever race you be,

Will share the bounties of the earth and every man is free,

Where wretchedness will hang its head, and joy, like a pearl,

Attends the needs of all mankind- of such I dream, my world!

First Friday and April Fool's Day

 

I am not sure what mischief will be around today, but it is good to remember that it is April Fool's Day.

It is also the First Friday and I have been reading the life of Pedro Arrupe. I think I mentioned before that the title of this book is Pedro Arrupe: Witness of the Twentieth Century, Prophet of the Twenty-First, by Pedro Miguel Lamet. I is almost 500 pages, but I am loving it. He had great devotion to the Heart of Jesus and helped others to have it also.

I have just finished another book that I loved and read in just a few days this week. It is the life of Mother Xavier Murphy, RSCJ, who came to America in 1822 and spent the years until her death at Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Most of that time she was superior and had a great influence on that part of Louisiana. The title of the book is Anna Xavier Murphy, RSCJ: (1793-1836) Missionary to Louisiana and the authors are Mary Blish, RSCJ and Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ. It was published for the bicentennial of our school in Grand Coteau, but we did not have any copies here until I asked and received this one from Sister Osiek. I am most grateful and it has now been given to our library so others may enjoy it.

Xavier Murphy was a holy Religious of the Sacred Heart that worked tirelessly to spread the faith in Louisiana. The boarding school flourished under her direction and she had a very small community. She was able to receive 100 boarders when she built the rest of the beautiful building that one can see today.