Amazing Grace

I just wanted to jot down some thoughts I've been having during this Lent, and about how wonderful our God is.
During Lent this year, I've been trying to make it to Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings (I missed it last week, but have made the other ones).  Last night I even made it there without a child in tow, so I didn't have to chase after Charlotte whilst attempting to meditate on Christ's Passion.  This meant that I got to concentrate more last night, which was wonderful.  When we got to the station where Jesus is nailed to the cross, I happened to look down at my left hand.  It's very slight, hardly noticeable now, but I have a scar in the middle of the back of my left hand.  It's from an IV I had last year for antibiotics because of an infection, and it was placed there on Maundy Thursday and removed on Holy Saturday.  It's no stigmata, but it serves to remind me of Jesus' sacrifice, and I thank God for that reminder and that connection.

The IV is related to another grace received around that time.  I'd asked God for the grace to receive the Eucharist the day I went into labour & gave birth.  I'd been making a point of going to daily Mass during the last bit of my pregnancy (I try to go anyway, but I really made sure I went then).  I went to Mass on Friday, 26 March.  I awoke just after midnight on Saturday, 27 March, to find myself in labour.  My husband took Kieran to Mass that morning, and Fr David sent the Eucharist back to me, so God granted me that grace.

Another thing I've been doing during this Lent is to pray the Anima Christi morning and night.  I have it memorised now, so the words often come to me during the day, especially if I'm in the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  It's a beautiful prayer.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malignant enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.

Ashes to Ashes

Well, Lent starts tomorrow, so I won't be around as much.  I've been needing to cut down on computer time, and will be doing so during Lent.  I'll still be on some, but not much.  Since I agree with Sister Mary Martha that we shouldn't use Lent as an opportunity to give up something we should give up anyway, I'll also be adding in some more time for prayer.  Perhaps I can even get to morning prayer with the monks, though I don't know how feasible that will always be with the kids.  I wish you all a blessed Lent.