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Now brethren, we urge you to praise God. That is what we are all telling each other when we say,
Alleluia.
—St Augustine
Linking with the ladies at Suscipio
Moments of Gratitude
:: an answered prayer +JMJ+
:: a few days off to somewhere with my husband…don’t know exactly where…find out when I get in the car
:: no cooking, more smiling
:: real men and ‘almost men’ in my life:
:: husband
:: sons
:: nephews
:: The Boys on 9th Street
Beauty and Lessons in the Ordinary
:: On one of the end tables in my living room is a picture my cousin sent of my father standing in front of the port authority in New York City. He titled it, “The Boys on 9th Street.” My dad in his navy blues, has one arm around my grandmother, the one I am named after but never met, wind blowing her jet black curly hair and simple flowered dress, his other arm around his youngest brother– barely 12 at the time.
My dad’s ‘white hat’ is tilted slightly back, his facial expression a combination: a smile tempered by the frown of his brow which I learned as a girl was the facial articulation that concealed much sorrow. Next to my grandmother is my cousin’s dad and my other uncle, both also young at the time of this picture. Noticeably absent from the photo is their sister who died very young, a subject my dad did not like to talk about; and my grandfather who met an untimely death one New Years Eve, leaving my father to care for this fledgling family.
They knew some really hard times…The three oldest brothers later chose to serve together in the NYPD, fending off many tempters who offered the street life as a quick fix to money woes and a ticket to the fast life with the wrong crowd. Together they resisted….together they served, firm in their principles despite their human frailties.
I never sit in the chair next to this photo that I don’t take a lesson from what I know of their many struggles..
And when I start sinking into self pity, I look at their faces, thankful that I knew ‘The Boys on 9th Street,’
who grew to be real men.
Something I’m Learning
: dying to self is not fatal
Wisdom from Gaudium st Spes
:: Laymen should also know that it is generally the function of their well-formed Christian conscience to see that the divine law is inscribed in the life of the earthly city; from priests they may look for spiritual light and nourishment.
Let the layman not imagine that his pastors are always such experts, that to every problem which arises, however complicated, they can readily give him a concrete solution, or even that such is their mission.
Rather, enlightened by Christian wisdom and giving close attention to the teaching authority of the Church, let the layman take on his own distinctive role.
—Chpt 4; 43
Praying
:: for our nation, which is Slouching Towards Gomorrah faster than any of us can keep track
:: real men and women who will, in our distinctive rolls, pray that we may be used of God to “see that the divine law is inscribed in the life of the earthly city.”
:: for safety in travel…wherever it is we’re going : )
Captured
St Michael the Archangel, protect those who defend us
+PAX
January 14th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
There is an urgency to pray in this battle…the prayers at Auxilium Christianorum have been a great aid!
What a wonderful husband. How nice…(and exciting).
Praying for blessed days for you this week. (and your server is much faster, btw)
January 14th, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Theresa, Yes I feel that urgency and have been praying those prayers from the Aux. Christ. since you first mentioned them in your post.. I signed up on day one and they indeed have been a tremendous aid.
Thank goodness my server is faster &…Thank goodness for my son’s help.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers …blessings always and +
January 14th, 2013 at 11:39 pm
I love, “dying to self is not fatal”.
So true so why is it so hard?
January 15th, 2013 at 1:58 am
Tina…I heard Father Wade Menezes quote St Francis de Sales who said the love of self is so strong it dies 15 minutes after we do!!
I thought OK that’s why it’s so hard, LOL. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings and +
January 15th, 2013 at 5:29 am
I always think of my ego,outer character as my false self, and my true self as my spirit who is hidden in God. My spirit in communion with God can only be discovered if I let the masks and costumes wither and begin the inner journey. It is so joyful, just like after a birthing, you forget all the pain
January 15th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Melanie..beautifully said…This is exactly what I’ve been taught in my Benedictine studies. I agree, it’s painful initially, but gets easier..The ole ‘practice makes perfect’ as my mom used to say.. Thanks for stopping by.. Blessings and +
January 18th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
How exciting, a secret trip! I can almost imagine the picture on your side table. Thanks for the image and lessons.
January 19th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Jenny…That picture is priceless and full of daily reminders! Blessings and thanks for stopping by +