40 seems like a significant number. It was used in the bible numerous times. 40 years the Israelites wandered through the wilderness. 40 days Jesus fasted and prayed. According to an article on biblestudy.org (http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/40.html)
"Mention[ed] 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation."
Interesting! i do feel like these past 40 days have been a period of testing. Temptation lurks at every corner. In fact, just last evening my son called and said we should go out for Pho. I never like to turn down dinner with family, especially my kids, so of course I said yes. Problem was, I wouldn't have been able to make it to the restaurant until 7:30. And I have been trying to cut my eating off at 6:00, 7:00 at the very latest.
Thankfully, he called while I was finishing up with a student and said maybe we should eat at home. He was going to play basketball and was not that hungry. My son has been working on discipline too!
I told him later, that I was glad he cancelled and saved me from myself!
I woke up bright and early and went for my walk. Today is breakfast with my mom day. My heart is heavy. I was shocked and saddened by the massacre in Charleston, SC. A young white man opened fire on a group of African Americans during a bible study, killing 9. Senseless. But opens the fresh wounds of racism in our country.
I decided to just walk this morning. I didn't find any music on my radio that moved me. So I scanned until I came to the Catholic station. And they were doing their morning offering. The prayer resonated with me and I would like to share it here:
"
My God, I offer you my prayers,
works, joys and sufferings of this day
in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.
I offer them for all the intentions of your Son’s Sacred Heart,
for the salvation of souls, reparation for sin,
and the reunion of Christians.
Amen." (fromhttp://www.loyolapress.com/morning-offering-prayer.htm)
And from my favorite saint:
"The Prayer of St. Francis is one of the best known and best loved prayers in the world today. Attributed traditionally to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), pictured above, its actual origins are much more recent. Nonethless it beautifully reflects his devotion to God! " (http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/the-prayer-of-st-francis.html)
The Prayer of St. Francis
"Mention[ed] 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation."
Interesting! i do feel like these past 40 days have been a period of testing. Temptation lurks at every corner. In fact, just last evening my son called and said we should go out for Pho. I never like to turn down dinner with family, especially my kids, so of course I said yes. Problem was, I wouldn't have been able to make it to the restaurant until 7:30. And I have been trying to cut my eating off at 6:00, 7:00 at the very latest.
Thankfully, he called while I was finishing up with a student and said maybe we should eat at home. He was going to play basketball and was not that hungry. My son has been working on discipline too!
I told him later, that I was glad he cancelled and saved me from myself!
I woke up bright and early and went for my walk. Today is breakfast with my mom day. My heart is heavy. I was shocked and saddened by the massacre in Charleston, SC. A young white man opened fire on a group of African Americans during a bible study, killing 9. Senseless. But opens the fresh wounds of racism in our country.
I decided to just walk this morning. I didn't find any music on my radio that moved me. So I scanned until I came to the Catholic station. And they were doing their morning offering. The prayer resonated with me and I would like to share it here:
"
Morning Offering
My God, I offer you my prayers,
works, joys and sufferings of this day
in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.
I offer them for all the intentions of your Son’s Sacred Heart,
for the salvation of souls, reparation for sin,
and the reunion of Christians.
And from my favorite saint:
"The Prayer of St. Francis is one of the best known and best loved prayers in the world today. Attributed traditionally to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226), pictured above, its actual origins are much more recent. Nonethless it beautifully reflects his devotion to God! " (http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/the-prayer-of-st-francis.html)
The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Blessings and happiness on this Saturday!
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