Love of the Lamb.

Isn't the image of a lamb so beautiful? Not only should it bring to mind our Lord who gave Himself up as a gentle lamb for our sins, but it also should serve as a reminder of how one should act. A lamb represents gentleness, purity and a willingness to be led; He is our shepherd, we are His lambs. Lord, help me to die to myself daily and so imitate You, the sacrificial lamb.

Stepping Stones..

In this painting St. Francis has one foot on the world, the other firmly planted by the foot of the cross and he is reaching out, holding onto Christ crucified. I adore this painting. It shows so well how tiny our earthly lives are in the big picture; how short our life span is in comparison to eternity. Look how tiny, insignificant and almost unnoticeable the world is next to Christ and the deep, deep love between Him and the saint. One must struggle and fight through this world, but, the reward is well worth the pain.

Sweet Lord, this world is nothing but a stepping stone on the path to eternal life. This world will test me, try me, refine me so that I may more worthily enter Your kingdom.

Silently Adoring

Prayer isn't always in beautiful, perfectly articulated words or lengthy speeches. Sometimes prayer is just the silent amazement of one trying to grasp the greatness of He who is infinite; trying to understand a love stronger, fiercer and more tender than can be found in this world. It is enough simply to be in His presence, silently adoring.

Who Is Best Off?

Today I moved in to my dorm, found out how much I really do dislike new settings, and was reminded that God really will take care of me. The task of moving into my dorm stressed me out and even after I was all unpacked I was still uncomfortable, then my parents left, I had to fill out more paper work and I was on the verge of tears "What am I thinking!? I can't do this!" I felt panicked, scared and upset; so much so that I couldn't face the cafeteria for dinner but instead went one of the smaller chapels on campus to pray. 

This chapel is quite tiny so it's rare to find it empty, but, lo and behold, I opened the door and found it empty. Just me and Him; close and intimate. I almost started crying out of relief. For some reason I had been not turning to God in prayer at all the past few weeks but that time in adoration made me feel like the prodigal son; I was home, I had returned, I was accepted. I cried during most of my time in the chapel but it was good. 

I went to adoration a second time in the dorm chapel and, while I didn't spend a long time, I found even more comfort:

"You are wretched wherever you are and no matter which way you turn - unless your turning is to God. Why are you easily upset just because things do not go your way?

Who is there that gets his or her own way all the time? Neither you, nor I, nor anybody for there is no one in this world without troubles or difficulties whether that person is a king or the Pope. Who is best off? Only the one who is willing to suffer something for the love God."

- The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A. Kempis

Sweet Love, I offer to you my every fear about this up coming school year. You have a plan for me and You have given me just a taste of the blessings and growth that You grant through this school. I offer my stress, my nervousness and my lack of comfort. This is for You - it's all for You. My Love, how beautiful You are!

Buona Festa!

Happy Feast of the Assumption!

"Men do not fear a powerful hostile army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary."
--St. Bonaventure

"Before, by yourself, you couldn't. Now, you've turned to our Lady, and with her, how easy!"
--St. Josemaria Escriva

"If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you."
--St. John Vianney

"If you ever feel distressed during your day — call upon our Lady — just say this simple prayer: 'Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.' I must admit — this prayer has never failed me."
--Blessed Mother Teresa 

"So your strength is failing you? Why don't you tell your mother about it? . . . Mother! Call her with a loud voice. She is listening to you; she sees you in danger, perhaps, and she—your holy mother Mary—offers you, along with the grace of her son, the refuge of her arms, the tenderness of her embrace . . . and you will find yourself with added strength for the new battle."
--St. Josemaria Escriva

"Only after the Last Judgment will Mary get any rest; from now until then, she is much too busy with her children."
--St. John Vianney

If you're interested, this page has many many more quotes about Mary.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless!

Well you exist, don't you?

I cannot determine or decide my own worth. Nothing I could ever do (or not do) on this earth could decrease my value as His creation. God created me; simple as that. He didn't have to but He chose to. I was thought of, I was formed and I was made. Even as I type this I feel as though I'm battling the voices in my head "proud! vain! how dare you think you have any worth. What have you done!?" Well.. who cares what I have done? It's all about what He has done. I am nothing. The vanity is in thinking I could become good enough for His love; to think I could become worthy of Him. I am nothing but He is everything. So much freedom is found in admitting that I am a sinner and a failure but He knows that.. and He brought me into this world anyway.

So the answer to the question "Why should I try? Why can't I just give up?" is answered simply 'Because you are here.' I exist therefore I am loved and I have purpose. It is an unavoidable, logical, solid, wonderful Truth... that I always seem to forget.

be calm

Mystical Rose

One of my favorite titles of our Lady is the Mystical Rose. She has so many lovely and fitting titles but this one has just stuck with me. The image of rose calls to mind her beauty, not flashy and calling attention to itself, but gentle and subtle until one notices and wonders how they over looked such beauty. The rose is simple and delicate, like our Lady, but is also has strength because of the thorns. Mary never claimed any strength in herself but humbly surrendered to the great strength and power God chose to display through her while on earth and then grant to her as the Queen of Heaven and Mediatrix of All Graces. The word 'mystical' makes me think of her intimate relationship with the Trinity as Mother of God and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. I also especially connect this title with her purity, chastity and total selfless surrender to our God; the rose does not make itself beautiful, rather, it is cared for by the gardener just as Mary who allowed herself to be wholly shaped by our Lord and in doing so returned all the glory to the One who made her so.

Because...

"The Christian does not think God will love us  

because we are good, 

but that God will make us good  

because He loves us." 

- C.S. Lewis