A Month of Thanks: Day 15

I am thankful for the chance to study the lives of some of the saints. Like Hildegard and Teresa. Both of them have qualities I see in myself, as well as many more I really need to strive to imitate and attain. But because I can self-identify with them, it gives me hope that I, a tremendously flawed sinful individual, can also be holy. Like one of my former professors said in my course on Saint Augustine, his first name wasn't always saint. And there was a really cheesy song about how saint are just the sinners who get up after they fall.

Today I read this quote for my girl Hildie, "I too cower at the puniness of my mind, and am greatly wearied by anxiety and fear. Yet from time to time I resound a little, like the dim sound of a trumpet from the Living Light."

I am relieved to know a great saint and doctor Church also felt somewhat completely inferior, but still there is hope.

A Month of Thanks: Day 2

On this feast of All Souls, I am thankful for all those who love me now and have loved me while they were here on this earth. Especially my grandmother, both my grandfathers, and my step mother.

And remember this prayer that Fr. Drew wrote:
"All our family and friends who have died, pray for us as we pray for you, that you may have everlasting life.

Unanswered Prayers or Blessing in Disguise?

So I was flipping through my journal from when I gave my BYA talk, because sometimes I need to read the affirmations from my fellow speakers, and I found an entry I wrote about St. Monica

From August 27, 2007 about 7 PM (in Adoration)

Today is the feast of St Monica, the patron saint of unanswered prayers.

Monica is just about the ultimate example of palanca. She lifted Augustine up in prayer everyday for years, seemingly without success.

He remained the faithless playboy he had been.

But deep down God was working, bringing Augustine to Ambrose.

It's funny how we think of our prayers and the way we want them answered, but God has different plans.

Monica probably wanted a quick, Paul-on-the-way-to-Damascus conversion for Augustine, but instead it was years and years, subtle turn by subtle turn.

Had Augustine had an instantaneous conversion, I think we'd lack an incredible example in our church. I know I relate better to Augustine than to someone like Therese of Lesieux.

Plus, Augustine opened the way for intellectuals in the Church. Without him theology wouldn't be what it is today.

St Monica has me thinking about unanswered prayers in my life. If prayers = instant gratification, I don't think that would be good. I have to agree with Garth Brooks--sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know the spacing and line breaks are strange, but I wanted to copy this how it was in the journal.