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August 5,
2008
Wind Beneath My Wings
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The Writing Contest
Evelyn Heinz
McHenry, Illinois
Back when I was in the eighth grade at St. Stephen's School in Streator, Illinois, I was looking forward to graduation. About a month before graduation, someone came to our classroom to announce that a local jewelry store was holding a writing contest for all the eighth grade graduates. The prize was a new watch! There would be one for a boy and one for a girl.
There was a buzz of excited voices and our teacher, Sr. Servatia, held up her hands for us to quiet down. The person who announced the contest then passed out the information forms that we would take home to our parents.
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From the book 101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer
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The Daily Grotto
Danielle Bean
Friends for Jesus
Cause of Our Joy
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Rejoice in Me
by Msgr. David E. Rosage
Bounteous Mercy
Psalm 69:17
Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is your kindness;
in your great mercy turn toward me.
Like the psalmist, we have experienced the bounteous mercy of God all the days of our life. His mercy and compassion is ever present if we humbly and sincerely acknowledge our sinfulness and strive earnestly to make our offenses few.
Our prayer for forgiveness will always melt the heart of our compassionate Father, for his mercy endures forever. We can be certain that when we pray for forgiveness, our petition will reach the throne of mercy.
May our prayer always be the same as the man in the temple: "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
(Lk 18:13)
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A Smile from Home - Danielle Bean
Today's Thought
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pictures and links to go with this text.
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Greetings from London with Sister Janet Fearns, FMDM
Pause for Prayer
Visit Janet's Blog to see pictures to go with this text.
On a personal note…
Flying lessons
Was it the baby’s first flight? It was a very young gull, dark grey against the gathering gloom, perched on the rooftop. It should not stay there throughout the night as it would be too dangerous. The young bird was hungry and, every so often, would open its beak and utter a plaintive note very unlike any sound from its attendant mother, For her part, she was anxiously trying to encourage her offspring to make the effort to fly, but the baby was too scared. For sure, it did open its wings and extend them a little, but no wider than as for a practice, something it would have done in the nest.
The mother perched a short distance along the roof, uttering encouraging sounds, repeating the same noises again and again. She tried to give flying lessons, launching herself from the roof and circling around her obstinate and frightened chick. When that did not work, she moved to the other end of the roof and once again attempted to give instructions in a quiet, gentle tone, but her offspring would have none of her teaching.
The young bird stubbornly refused to do anything other than cry a strange, squeaky cry. It, too, knew that it must move. A rooftop, even that of the chapel, was not a good place for a nocturnal roosting place.
The mother became increasingly agitated. There was so little that she could do. Her watchful head moved ceaselessly, looking out for danger. At this time of evening, none of the local hawks would attempt to tackle a young gull, especially with its mother standing guard, but might an owl try something? Was it still early enough for a crow to have a snack?
Squealing plaintively, the youngster decided to stand up, rather than crouch against the roof tiles. That was progress! It flexed its left wing, extending it almost to its full span. Standing one-legged for a moment on its left leg, the chick shook it slightly, but, stubbornly, it intended to do that and nothing further. Within seconds, it was motionless once more.
The mother gull stood patiently, still encouraging her youngster with a quiet twittering sound. Suddenly the young bird stretched out both wings and began flapping them once or twice, but still with no serious intention of moving. Yet it was a step in the right direction. Once or twice, it looked down the roof and made as if to launch itself into the air, but no. The youngster was still too scared…and with every minute that passed, the evening was drawing in.
The adult was beginning to lose patience. She flew off, leaving her chick alone. It nearly did the trick. The youngster fluttered its wings again, but still would not fly.
Time ticked on. The young gull had been standing on the chapel roof for three-quarters of an hour. It started to call its parent, but she did not reappear. Other gulls soared overhead and continued on their way towards Liverpool Bay, only a few miles away. The youngster stood almost motionless, looking very lonely as the darkness deepened.
Yet, as night drew closer, the mother reappeared. She perched herself a couple of yards away from her offspring and stayed there throughout the night. It was only as the sun began to appear over the horizon that she left… and this time, with her child.
There was a curious fascination in watching the two birds in what was an unfolding parable. Was not the female gull behaving like God, staying close, encouraging, not forcing, teaching and, finally, liberating? Are not you and I the youngster, timid, stubborn, testing, independent and yet also terribly in need of support, fragile and yet with an inner strength? With a little help and support, the baby could fly.
With God’s help, so can I…
God bless,
Sr. Janet
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Spiritual Blessings from Father Rory Pitstick
A Virtual Retreat
Reflections following the Daily Liturgical cycle
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Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
Mt 14:22-36
Daily Readings
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Aug 5 Tuesday
From today's readings:
No reflection today
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