Morning Prayer by Jacob Ashley

Footprints in the sand - at Surfers Paradise

A number of years ago my uncle-

Brother Baptist Will, a De La Salle Brother,

gave me this morning prayer -  it is quite beautiful.

Oh Lord

Help me today to realize that

you will be speaking to me,

Through the events of the day,

through people, through things and through all creation.

Give me the ears, eyes and heart to perceive You,

however veiled Your presence may be.

Give me the insight to see through the exterior of things to the interior truth.

Give me the spirit of discernment.

Oh Lord,

You know how busy I must be this day,

if I forget You Lord, do not forget me.

Jacob Ashley, 1579-1652

“Who am I to stand in God’s way?”

St Mary of the Cross, Feast Day 8th August - “who am I to stand in God’s way?”

Dear Children,

Mother Mary MacKillop is quoted as saying – “who am I to stand in God’s way?”. Her feast day in the 8^th August. The great feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Mary the Mother of God is the 15^th August. These two women are models for us; they listened to the still voice of God within and followed. 

Who do you know who has listened to the voice of God directing their lives and followed humbly the paths by which they have been led?

You and I can hear the voice of God speaking into our lives. God is love and to follow God is to love as he loved. 

The prophet Jeremiah 7:1-11 reminds us - How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord, mighty God! When we live in the love of God we find peace and can be peacemakers in our world. God wants to dwell with us and in us. So children remember to speak to Jesus often, and spend time listening to hear his voice in your life – Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

God bless you

Sue

Inspiration from Thomas Merton

"Love winter when the plant says nothing" (Thomas Merton)

Icon of Our Lady of Tenderness



Icon Our Lady of Tenderness

Writing this image of Our Lady of Tenderness began in March when we first took possession of our  property in the country. We have enjoyed the "retreat" time that we have found as we escape the city.

I have discovered several aspects of this embrace of the Mother and Child that I had not noticed before.

The left arm of Christ it raised to the Father, in an attitude of praise, longing, love, reaching and sheer joy.

The right arm of Christ is around the neck of his mother. This speaks of  love, embrace, a need to be held, protected and cherished.

Do these gestures speak to us of the divinity and the humanity of Christ?

The Mother of God caresses the child and protects him with the strong gentle hand.

In an icon there is usually a place of the viewer to enter.  I feel the black area under the arm of Christ is the place I can enter into the embrace of the Mother and Child. I invite you to enter into the embrace and find the love of Christ and His Mother for you.