"Duty does not have to be dull. Love can make it beautiful and fill it with life."

Thomas Merton, The Sign of Jonas, p. 286.

Prayer for Healing

God, accompany me through these difficult days
like a friend on a long walk, quietly alongside me,
allowing me to feel all that I feel.
Wrap your love around me like the warm embrace a hug.
Teach me to be gentle with myself -
to let the tears flow when my eyes become full,
to rest when my body is tired,
to seek gentle listening ears when my spirit is lonely,
and to look to you when my soul is empty.
Help me embrace and not fear the grief
that fills my life at this time.
May I take care of myself as I would nurture a child
in my arms with the food of gentle nourishment and drink of patience.
Grant me the gentle way through healing. Amen.

-Mary K. Moore

"Thus by loving we know God in God and through God for in love the Three Divine Persons are made known to us, sealing our souls not with a static likeness but with the impression of their infinite Life. Our souls are sealed with the character of God as the air is full of sunshine."

Thomas Merton, The Sign of Jonas, p. 276-277.

There is an ongoing debate about making resolutions.

Some people have resolved not to make New Year's Resolutions. I always find that ironic.

"I don't make New Year's Resolutions!"

Sounds like a resolution to me!

At any rate, I have made a resolution this year:

I resolve to read the Bible from cover to cover this year.

I actually have done for for many years (2007 being the exception). I usually find a translation I have not read previously and read about three chapters a day. In order to keep myself motivated I usually read from three different parts of the Bible at one time - also it gets me through those rather dry parts like the Book of Numbers.

Now you have all read my resolution - and You are welcome anytime to check on my and see how I am doing! Part of any worthwhile resolution is being accountable.

Happy New Year to all of you!!

ron

"I think the chief reason why we have so little joy is that we take ourselves too seriously."

Thomas Merton, The Sign of Jonas, p. 273