Contrail over the desert at sunset Picture by Ann Kirner
The Holy Spirit inspired our blog.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Emphasis mine Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
We pray you had a very Joyful Easter.
Gail and I went to Connecticut to celebrate Easter with our sons, Dave and John, and their families.
Usually, we head back on Easter Sunday, but Heather asked us to stay the day and enjoy the night.
We watched Basketball games and just relaxed and enjoyed each other.
This doesn’t sound like much one could write about, but you would be wrong.
I have spent my life partially enjoying the moment (Holy Spirit) but also thinking ahead to what must be done next (satan).
Gail and I said we would spend the night and head back Monday morning.
Sunday night was filled with great conversation, and I asked the family if they would read and pray Psalm 91 to protect their loved ones if I sent them the book.
We also explained that we live in a terrifying world and that the one positive way to protect ourselves and our loved ones is to pray Psalm 91.
All said yes.
All agreed, and later today, we will send them the book.
I felt Joy because I didn’t keep my belief in God’s protection hidden. We offered to buy the book and send it to them. I felt some were excited to get this book and check it out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know we are in very trying times.
On Monday, we had an uneventful ride home. When we arrived, I thanked God the Father for the safe trip.
Two hours later, Gail and I walked to the Scarborough Library to watch a movie.
For the first time, just as I started walking to the Library, where the movie was being shown, I again prayed Psalm 91. I had never done this before and didn’t know why—I just said the prayer.
As always, Gail was ahead of me and crossed Route One ahead of me.
When I arrived at Route One, I noticed the two lanes before me were empty, so I headed across to stand in the center island, about three feet wide. The light had changed before our light, and twenty cars came barreling down at me at forty-five miles an hour. I realized my mistake, waited for an opening, crossed safely, and said, ” Thank you, Father.”
After the movie, Gail stayed to talk to a friend, and I started my walk home.
I had to cross Route One again; you might think I learned from my first attempt. The light was red, so I didn’t need to push the walk safely button. (You might think I learned from my first experience, but no, I hadn’t, and this is why I would change the Responsorial Psalm from, The poor one called out, to In my case, The stupid one called out. It’s a man thing, and the cars were stopped. I walked past the middle strip, and the light, which hindsight made me realize, turned green. The car in the fast lane saw me and stayed stopped. There wasn’t a car in the slow lane. I didn’t look, I just kept walking. Suddenly, just before I would step out onto the first lane, a car sped past me at thirty miles an hour. Two more steps, and I am on The Hallelujah Train home.
In my youth, I would have shown him he was number one and said many other words to display my displeasure at almost killing me, completely ignoring my stupidity.
Interestingly, I felt Peace.
Thank you Father is all I, we said.
We emphasized when the poor one called out, the LORD heard because first thing that morning, and every morning, we pray Psalm 91, and that day I said the prayer twice.
God Heard my Prayer and took care of the Poor (Stupid) one who called out, and I twice crossed over safely.
Thank you, Father, for taking care of me.
We put the Psalm below the highlighted area in blue (which, sadly, we can’t do in the blog) because, as you now know, these words pertained directly to me.
Join Team Jesus:
We suggest starting every day this quarter with, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”
Sidebar:
Two weeks ago, we asked anyone who experienced a change in their lives by saying the six prayers we suggested during Lent to write to us in the comment section.
Below are some of the comments we received.
I’m very grateful for you saying we should thank God for the difficulties. When I do this, I am putting my trust in God, that whatever it is, He is with me, and will turn it into good. It takes away the worry and sadness. Helen
Thank you for the reflection, Fred. Your highlighted/bold verse of the Psalm is the very one that struck me this morning as I read it. I truly am lowly, but Jesus has (as you so often say) makes us fantastic. Peace Jerry
| Thank you, Fred. Your influence through these Catholic Moments has undoubtedly changed many. The idea that we are “fantastic” is a Christian attribute that onlookers can’t help but admire and strive for. Really amazing stuff Mr Prince. Keep up the good work as you are making a difference in many lives. Have a blessed and “fantastic” Holy Week. Anonymous Hi Fred, I agree with Jen. Being thankful for every little thing does make a difference. I can do nothing apart from Him. Pray-Decide-Don’t Worry. Easier said than done. St. Joseph is one of my very favorite Saints and I enjoyed the connection you described above. Blessed Easter! Lizzie Thank you, Fred! I’ve been trying to start my morning with your prayers and also incorporate them throughout the day, and it DOES make a difference! Being grateful to God all day long can’t help but remind me of all of the ways God shows me his love in small and big ways. Jen At Mass today, we had the Gospel reading about the road to Emmaus. After explaining the links between Him and the Old Testament, Jesus said, “Oh, how foolish you are.” That line jumped out at me (Holy Spirit). For those who haven’t learned the Nine Fruit of The Holy Spirit, ”Oh, how foolish you are.” For those who refuse to throw satan out of their lives, “Oh, How foolish you are.” For those who refuse to thank God the Father for the DIFFICULTIES God the Father has ALLOWED in your life, “Oh, how foolish you are.” For those who refuse to include God in all their endeavors today by praying, Weeeeeeeeeee, “Oh, how foolish you are.” For those who refuse to thank God all day for all God does in your life, “Oh, how foolish you are.” For those who are not Fantastic, “Oh, how foolish you are.” For those who don’t need God’s protection, “Oh, how foolish you are.” We want to thank our readers for their comments. Maybe one of you will try what we’re suggesting and see a Fantastic change in your life. People have testified to the change they experienced this lent by praying the prayers we suggested. If you didn’t keep a copy of the prayers, my email is below, and we will be more than happy to send them to you. Picture: Contrail over the desert at sunset, Ann thinks it is from a SpaceX Rocket. Picture by Ann Kirner Please keep Snapping! If you want a copy of the prayers we discussed, email me. fprince101@gmail.com Remember, if you want to submit a picture, no people, please, because we have to get permission from that person to use their photograph. By submitting a picture, you agree to let us include it in our next God Thoughts 2024 book. |
