Etsy Finds

Just as I was cutting down on my ebay shopping, I discovered a new place to spend money. Etsy is an online market place for handmade objects. A few of my favorite finds are

European polaroid artwork from StarryBlueSky,

handmade pottery from Sunrise Mountain,

journals from GraphicWorks and MayDayStudio,

purses from MeanBean Bags,

a lily-of-the-valley necklace from Roundabout,

and a leather cuff for my husband from ArtisanGraham.

Thursday: Third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Readings: Hebrews 10:19-25, Psalm 24:1-6, Mark 4:21-25

Highlights:
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in His holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure hears,
who has not set his mind on what is false,
and who has not sworn deceitfully. (Psa. 24:3-4)

...We have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus. (Heb. 10:19)

...Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it to be put on a lampstand? (Mark 4:21)

Lord God, I approach You not because of any merit of my own, but only through the blood of Your Son. Remind me that I am welcome to come, with no need for timidity. Give me boldness to shine Your light to the world around me.

Wednesday: Third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Readings: Heb. 10:11-17, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 4:1-20

Highlights:

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after He had said: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," He adds: "I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts." (Heb. 10:14-17)

"Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow..." (Mark 4:3)

Lord, thank You for the reminders of Your sacrifice in the readings this week. Thank You for Your forgiveness when the "soil" of my heart is not as responsive to Your plantings as it should be.

Precious New Birth

I've been reading about St. Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and thinking about conversions in general. Some people (like Paul) met God in such a spectacular way, and others (like me) met Him in rather ordinary circumstances. I wondered why we don't all get the bright light and the voice from the sky.

Today I was talking to a pregnant mom, and of course the conversation turned to birth, and I shared with her a few details about one of my children's births. On the way home I thought about how precious birth stories are to women--whether the story includes a dramatic intervention at a hospital or woman's own quiet bedroom. The moment your child enters the world is unforgettable.

The Lord must see it that way too. Whether we are "born again" with bright lights or a whispered prayer, He loves and treasures each of us. Perhaps our earthly definition of "dramatic" is different from His.

Psalm 116:15 tells us that the death of a saint is "precious in the sight of the Lord". I'm guessing the new birth of a saint is just as special to Him.

Tuesday: Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings: Hebrews 10:1-10, Psalm 40:2-11, Mark 3:31-35

Highlights:
Then He says, "Behold, I come to do your will." He takes away the first to establish the second. By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:9-10)

Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; Your faithfulness and Your salvation I have spoken of;I have made no secret of Your kindness and Your truth in the vast assembly.

“Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)

Jesus, my Savior, I praise You that You offered Yourself for me...You adopted me into Your family! Enable me to proclaim Your kindness and Your truth.

Finding Today's Readings

I use this link:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/

You can read today's Gospel reading at sacredspace.ie, along with prayer suggestions.

Read about today's saint here: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture//liturgicalyear/calendar/year.cfm?y=2008&m=5

The Daily Office is here: http://www.universalis.com/Europe.Ireland/0/readings.htm, with prayers and a longer list of daily readings. I read the Irish schedule, but there are many oter schedules available.

If you follow a liturgical reading plan online, please leave me a comment with a link to your reading schedule.

Saturday: Second Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Readings: Heb 9:2-14, Psalms 47:2-9, Mark 3:20-21, or John 15:9-17

Highlights:

...the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God... (Hebrews 9:14)

As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. (John 15:9)
You are my friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:14)

For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring, a great King over all the earth. (Psa. 47:2)

Lord, You are awe-inspiring. You, the great King, offered Yourself as a sacrifice and in Your great love You speak of me as Your friend.