Inspirational Thoughts

A PRAYER OF SUSANNA WESLEY

You, O Lord, have called us to watch and pray.
Therefore, whatever may be the sin against which we pray,
make us careful to watch against it,
and so have reason to expect that our prayers will be answered.
In order to perform this duty aright,
grant us grace to preserve a sober, equal temper,
and sincerity to pray for your assistance. Amen.

The author, Erma Bombeck, described the complex task God had in creating mothers. Afterall, He had to create a creature who would “run on black coffeeand leftovers; have a lap that disappears when she stands up; a kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair; six pair of hands and three pairs of eyes.” It went somethink like this: An angel pleaded with God not to work so hard. “Lord,” said the angel gently, “Come to bed.” “I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to Myself.” The angel circled the model of a mother slowly and said with a sigh, “It is too soft.” “But tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You can’t imagine what this mother can do or endure.” Finally bending over and running her finger across the cheek, the angel pronounced: “There’s a leak. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.” “It is not a leak,” Said the Lord, “It is a tear.” “What is it for?” asked the angel. The Lord answered, “It is for joy, sadness, loneliness, pain, disappointment and pride.” “You are a Genius,” the angel replied. The Lord looked somber, “I didn’t put it there.”

“Confession heals, confession justifies,
Confession grants pardon of sin….Believe it
Firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never
Despair of the mercy of God.
Hope and have confidence in confession.”
– St. Isidore of Seville