The Immaculate Heart of Mary

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In the Catholic Church the month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  This is a devotional name used to refer to the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her joys, sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and most of all her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her son Jesus, and her compassionate love for all persons.  The image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with the pierced heart is the most popular representation.

I have always felt very close to the Blessed Mother.  She is my patron saint and our heavenly mother who intercedes for us whenever we ask and even when we don’t because she knows our needs.  When we say prayers to Mary, we are not asking her to grant what we ask,  but are asking her to take our needs to her divine Son.

Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially those so deep in our heart.

We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.
Amen.

Many people misunderstand devotion to the saints with worshiping them.  Only God is worshiped.  Quoting Catholic Answers,  “1 Timothy 2:5, Paul says that Christians should intercede: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1–4). Clearly, then, intercessory prayers offered by Christians on behalf of others is something “good and pleasing to God,” not something infringing on Christ’s role as mediator.”

Wanda

 

Re-purposing

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Daily Prompt:  Toothbrush

I was brought up by my grandmother who survived the Great Depression.  Consequently we never wasted anything and we often re-purposed things to be used as something else. For example, we never threw away our toothbrushes because they were used to clean the small grout areas of the tile in the bathroom and kitchen.   Since we learn what we live, I followed suit.

When we were moving I was cleaning out the cupboard I used to store my cleaning supplies and I came upon dozens of toothbrushes.   What was I thinking?  I had enough toothbrushes to supply the US Army for when they put recruits on latrine cleaning duty.   I decided that I didn’t need to take so many with me on the move, so I threw most of them away.

Fast forward to a few years later when I was going to re-purpose toothbrushes again since the last of what I had were finally shot.  To my dismay, I realized that the new toothbrushes were substandard.   Their bristles were falling out and did not support the pressure placed on them when I used them to clean the track in my sliding glass door.  I hadn’t realized this when I was using them for my teeth.  I guess I should be happy my teeth didn’t fall out.  Right?

So, after all of these years of saving things to be re-purposed for uses other than what they were intended, I have decided that somethings aren’t worth hanging onto especially if they have been made in the last 30 years.

Wanda

Share Your World

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Cee’s Share Your World July 31, 2017

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If you had to have your vision corrected would you rather: glasses or contacts? Or what do you use if you need to have your vision corrected?

I have had to have my vision corrected.  I wear glasses because I am unable to wear contacts.  I have a few things wrong with my eyes:  amblyopia, glaucoma, cataracts (although these are very small at this time).

Are you more of a dog person or a cat person?

Right now I have a dog.  Gracie.  She is a very sweet girl that I adoped on my birthday last year.  Growing up I had cats and dogs and when my kids were young we had both too.  I can’t say which I prefer because I love them both.  And to be honest, I love all animals.

If you were to buy a new house/apartment what is the top three items on your wish list?

For it to be big enough for my grandchildren to come visit.

For it to be big enough for a nice quilting studio.

For it to be close to church.

What inspired you this past week?  Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination. 

I was inspired by Fr. John Riccardo’s podcast on Ave Maria Radio, Christ Is The Answer.  I was listening to this while walking the dog.  Fr. Riccardo is the pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Plymouth, Michigan.   His message is deep, powerful, and connects with listeners on a very personal level.   Listening to him has helped me along my spiritual journey so much.

Wanda

 

 

The Nest

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Prompt for #SoCS July, 29, 2017:  limb

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In front of Dottie’s house there is a tree that a red bellied wood pecker had it’s nest this year.  I loved watching the birds going in and out of it.   The nest was in a big hole in a part of the tree that was dead and had no limbs so it could be seen easily.

I noticed a coupled of weeks ago that the nest had been abandoned.  I was so disappointed because I had gotten used to the birds being there.  Every day I checked to see if any other birds took over the nest, but it remained empty.

We had a bad storm the other day and the part of the tree where the nest was broken off right at the top of the nest.  What a disappointment that there won’t be woodpeckers nesting in that tree anymore.

Wanda