light shines, darkness hides. 

Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wiles and wickedness of the devil. 

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all other evil spirits, who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. 

Amen. 


Dear Angel, in His goodness God gave you to me to guide, protect, and enlighten me, and to bring me back to the right way when I go astray.

Encourage me when I am disheartened.  Help me to become more Christlike and so some day to be accepted into the company of Angels and Saints in heaven.

Amen.

hugs n’ blessings to all those praying tirelessly to battle the darkness in the world & send forth light.

toadstools & the queen

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Photo Courtesy of Kristyn Brown Photography

An anxious man once advised:

“All I can tell you is exactly what my father-in-law advised me early in my own marriage:  “You have a choice to make, you either get on that train or you get out of the way because this train is not stopping.” And just so you know…it never will.” 

Moral of the story: A train’s tightly shackled caboose always follows along…because it can’t go anywhere without it.

Readings of the day for Friday, February 5, 2016.

Gospel Reading

Mark 6:14-29 (RSV)

King Herod heard of it; for Jesus’ name had become known.  Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.”  But others said, “It is Elijah.”  And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”  But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”  For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her.  For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him.  But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe.  When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly.  But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.  For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.”  And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”  And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”  And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”  And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”  And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.  And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head.  He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Divine Love was found in the friends who came to gather what remained.

hugs n’ blessings to all who receive mercy,

for the sake of his sorrowful passion,

from the one True Prince of heaven.

 

Clothe me in Hope & Mercy. 

I’m walking through the Twilight Zone of Deja’ vu as we enter into 2016. Same bat time, same bat channel, just a different year. And yet, I can acknowledge & embrace that magically…mercifully…

I. AM. BLESSED.

And so it is that, as the year winds down, I do not seek to set resolutions. In their place I instead release, like incense to the Heavens, grateful proclamations of thanks!

Thanks to a God who during a year, admittedly full of sadness, kept me free from bitterness & blame.  Thanks for the wise Sages He sent, who have guided, supported, & sustained me. May their words below burn like sweet perfume, as I release them…with no need to carry these into a New Year.

For God has strengthened me. He has grown me. He has reminded me that like the Cedars in the forest, with love as my mission...What could ever break me?

One by one I symbolically let them go. One by one I say thank you. One by one I turn and walk away. Clothed instead in my new coat of Hope & Mercy. May it keep my heart warm every time I profess,

“I. AM. BLESSED.”

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And I pray that you too may find a ‘new covering’ this year, in just the right size for you!

hugs n’ perfumed blessings as you ring in the New Year!