Thank you, Goodbye and Godspeed to all (well, almost...)

On this day, I am upheld by the grace of God and the prayers and good will of many souls.

Truly my life and vocation are a tremendous grace, 

and I could not be faithful to it all without the help of your prayers and encouragement.

I offered my Holy Communion this morning for the intentions of all.

All my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings are for the intentions of Jesus' Sacred Heart;

If I live for Him, I live for you, too. 

He loves you and desires all your good.

There will be two more posts on this blog, scheduled to appear after I go,

one today, and one on Monday.

Then, I will be quiet and hidden. I promise.

In the meantime, 

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, we love you, save souls!

St. Dominic, Pray for us!

 St. Benedict, Pray for us!

My Jesus, I trust in You!

(image sources are linked directly to the images)

More evidence...

Giving thanks again for the Word's ineffable Love...


yesterday...
banquet breakfast banter
sun-kisses
kayakers from across the Bay, here for Mass
my mother's famous pasta macaroni salad
my father's ever-astonishing theological library includes ELM's The Way of the Disciple!
time for the Word: personal reflections on passages Exodus and Matthew, followed by a reading of Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word to compare notes
fresh raspberries from my own backyard
a cup of cold water...the Word in action! (Mt 10:42) Lord, reward her! It is you who have accomplished all we have done!
blowing bubbles and chasing butterflies with happy girls
moments slowing...
The Empath: one of the best Star Trek episodes ever! So much to think about...
quiet time by the Bay again


today...
sleep-in despite best intentions
another quadrant of cross-stitch finished...maybe a week's worth of work left!
Celebrating the feast day of our holy father St. Benedict
Mass readings that I didn't prepare for
coffee at breakfast
the internet connected (finally!)
lunch with three amazing little ones...
so that's the way the cookie crumbles!
strength from above
and forgiveness
liberating humility...no soy madre!
piano practice
letter beautifully written by my Betsy
broken afternoon
invitation to slow down and maybe get more sleep tonight
and to focus my attention on the Word because I don't have all the answers today...
nor do I ever, but He does.

...though the day runs short, there are many more gifts to come from the Heart of the Word, if only I know how to see and give thanks!

Joining the Gratitude Community at A Holy Experience today and every Monday:



Lord, thank you for the example and patronage of our holy father St. Benedict. Through his intercession, help me and all of his children to respond to your countless blessings in a spirit of love and mercy, and to offer you a sacrifice of joyful praise throughout this day! Amen.

Words about Listening on the Feast of St. Benedict

I cannot read or think of this quote from the Prologue of St. Benedict's Rule...

"Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart."

...without thinking of these beautiful lines from Psalm 45:

"Listen, o daughter, give ear to my words, forget your own people and your father's house. So will the king desire your beauty--he is your Lord, pay homage to him!"  (Psalm 45:10)

This is from the reading for Lauds this morning (according to the Liturgy Archive):

"Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the LORD. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug." (Isaiah 51:1)

And, on the subject of listening, who can forget our Lord's admonition:

"He who has ears ought to hear." (Matthew 11:15)

Lord, open my ears to hear your Word, my mind to comprehend, and my heart to love. Open also my lips, and I will praise your holy Name forever!