We’re above freezing here, and I must say, 36 degrees feels like a heat wave indeed! The sad part, though, is that the melting mess is destroying the beauty that was…
And isn’t that just a beautiful image of the spiritual life and Lent?
I found some more Lenty-helpers, and one of them is too good not to mention as a bonus up here: the Lent Calendar from FamilyRosary.org (link opens a PDF). It’s just what I needed this year.
1. Speaking Shakespearian
Because who doesn’t need this English to Shakespearian translator?
Observe: “You big fat idiot!” becomes “Thee big bacon-fed clotpole!”
I’m not creative enough to come up with others, but please send me yours. PLEASE. It’s a service you render and a charity to ye small editor of this newsletter… 😉
With a nod to Rebecca, who immediately came to mind when I found this treasure.
2. Puzzle much?
Not just jigsaw puzzles online, but puzzles you can complete together.
3. Saint of the Day: St. Polycarp of Smyrna
St. Polycarp was a disciple of St. John the Apostle, friends with St. Ignatius of Antioch, and spiritual teacher of St. Irenaeus of Lyon. There’s a lot to be said for him, but I was caught by this: At age 86, he was put in a stadium in Smyrna to be burned alive. 😱 The flames didn’t harm him, though, so they finally killed him with a dagger, and then his body burned.
Image source: Good Shepherd Fine Arts on Etsy.
Food for thought from St. Polycarp: “Stand fast, therefore, in this conduct and follow the example of the Lord, ‘firm and unchangeable in faith, lovers of the brotherhood, loving each other, united in truth,’ helping each other with the mildness of the Lord, despising no man.”
Prayer for today: God of all creation,you gave your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the gospel. May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory. 🙏
Find the sun, my friends, and let me know where it’s been hiding… 🙄 Thank you, too, for the kind words and wisdom you so gracious shared after my confession last Friday. 🌹
Blessings and coffee,
Sarah