I remembered that a few years ago A Screwtape Letter for the Unappreciated Mom ended up in my e-mail, and I just loved it. And so, since imitation is the highest form of flattery as well as a great technique for developing one’s writing, I thought I’d try my hand at writing a diabolical letter regarding a homeschool mom.
Of course, there is no way I can scale the spiritual heights required, and I have no ‘answerable style’. But since this is just for fun and encouragement, I thought I’d give it a try. Here it is:
O blessed Jean-Marie, pray for us and obtain for us grace to make amends, by a generous love, for the outrages that Jesus receives in the Blessed Sacrament.
On October 16, 2016, the Church of God raised another saint to her altars. The canonization of Saint Manuel González in our day is a timely gift bestowed upon us by the solicitous hand of Divine Providence. We might well describe him as one of those saints of the Blessed Sacrament. All saints are Eucharistic saints, but some are more characterized by their devotion to the Eucharist than others. The life and mission of Saint Manuel was entirely and explicitly Eucharistic.
By Francis Fernández
The Lord is always willing to listen to us and to give us whatever we need in any situation. His goodness is always in excess of our calculations. But it requires a corresponding response on our part, with a desire to get out of the situation we are in.
According to the famous opening line of Anna Karenina, happy families are all alike while every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Tolstoy’s lack of interest in ordinary family life seems to be widely shared among authors of literary classics.
You will show me the path of life; the fulness of joy in your presence, O Lord. [1147]
Jesus uses different images to teach us that the path that leads to Life, to holiness, consists in the full development of the spiritual life. He speaks of the tiny mustard seed which grows into a great tree
I will still wear my pajama pants when necessary, but they'll serve to remind me of the insight I've been given... And I will also keep a pair of non-Minnie Mouse head pants nearby just in case.
Without humility and a spirit of service there can be no effectiveness and it is quite impossible to practise charity. Without humility there is no holiness, for Jesus does not want conceited self-centred friends in his service: the instruments of God are always humble.
What do I have to offer that is worthwhile for others to read? What words can I write that have not already been penned? Is there anything original left to say? Is it vain to try?
This is what was swirling in my head as I sat uninspired at the desktop computer, trying to come up with some thing that would honor God, reveal some small truth, or encourage someone to find meaning in life, or a way to serve the Lord, in my column.
