40 Days of Retreat - Profound thoughts from a wonderful Irish saint - Saint Ita

One day one of Saint Ita’s students ask her –
What three things most please God?

Her reply:

• True faith in God with a pure heart
• A simple life with a grateful spirit
• Generosity inspired by charity


Then her student asked her –
What three things most displease God?

She responded:

• A mouth that hates people
• A heart harboring resentments
• Confidence in wealth

40 days - Forty days was the period from the resurrection of Jesus to the ascension of Jesus - Day 31

The Virus "Stay at Home" - 30 Day Retreat - Day 30

Prayer for a Pandemic - By Cameron Bellm

May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.

The Virus "Stay at Home" - 30 Day Retreat - Day 29

History repeats itself.
This is a poem written
in 1869 and reprinted
in 1919 during the Spanish Flu Pandemic.

Written in 1869 by Kathleen O'Mara

And people stayed at home
And read books
And listened
And did exercises
And made art and played
And learned new ways of being
And stopped and listened
More deeply
Someone meditated, someone prayed
Someone met their shadow
And people began to think differently
And people healed.
And in the absence of people who
Lived in ignorant ways
Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
The earth also began to heal
And when the danger ended and
People found themselves
They grieved for the dead
And made new choices
And dreamed of new visions
And created new ways of living
And completely healed the earth
Just as they were healed.

Wow ... 1869 ... reprinted in 1919

The Virus "Stay at Home" - 30 Day Retreat - Day 28

There will be gifts from this experience

the challenge is to keep the right frame of mind.

St. Paul wrote from jail 

to the people at Philippi, 

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  

I say it again: rejoice! 

Paul urges us,

"Don't even be anxious about anything. 

Resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving." 

Then he says, 

"When you do this, when you go within yourself, 

find God present in your deepest spirit, 

then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

keeps your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." 

In the midst of the difficulties of the world

and we are living at a very difficult time, 

This is a very important message for us today.

The Virus "Stay at Home" - 30 Day Retreat - Day 27

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, full of truth for every situation we face in life.

So as we face a world enduring quarantine, business closures and a fair amount of panic. 

God offers peace in the turmoil. 

The phrase - "do not be afraid" - is found more than 300 times ! in Scripture.

Jesus is described as the "Prince of Peace" for those who allow Him to reign over their lives.

St. Paul said the peace of God surpasses all understanding, and will guard your hearts and your minds.  (Philippians 4:7)

St Peter told us to - Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

As Christians our call is to be Christ to others and bring peace. 

Today reach a hand out to someone you know is fearful.

The Virus "Stay at Home" - 30 Day Retreat - Day 26

WORLD QUARANTINE

The Latin root of the word "quarantine" is "forty".

So what does the Bible say about 40? 

The flood lasted 40 days.

40 years Moses fled Egypt.

40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments.

Exodus lasted 40 years.   Jesus fasted for 40 days.   Lent is 40 days.

40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth.

A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents "change”.  It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change.

Something will happen after these 40 days. Just believe and pray.  Remember, whenever the number 40 appears in the Bible, there is a "change".

Please know that during this "quarantine" rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ.  The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.

So, during this time, enjoy it with your loved ones and return to the family altar together. Family prayer is a great blessing.  Through prayer you will see the changes God can work in you and in your home.  Christ promises us that everything works together for the good for those who love God: Romans 8:28!

Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40.

Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census.  Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.

Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision.  May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.

May these days of "quarantine" bring spiritual liberation to our souls, our nation, and our world.

The best is yet to come.
Trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!✨