A Good Habit

I am thinking of a good habit I began to cultivate many years ago. I began to offer to Jesus every care, anxiety, frustration, suffering and pain, no matter how small, in union with Christ’s passion and crucifixion to be put in the hands of our beloved Lady Mary, to be shared by her and Jesus, with sinners and the souls in Purgatory. I emphasized sinners because the holy souls are safely in God’s hands, while sinners have to make the turn about from their unholy ways to the blessed mercy of God.

    Over the years the good habit has become so entrenched in my way of life that I do it many times each day.

    In my latest illnesses it has been a blessed comfort when the going is almost unbearable, because without it, it would be unbearable. But, there it is with me all the time, and to know that Jesus is right there all the time, walking with me through it all is to make me realize it is not wasted, that I am sharing Jesus’ redemptive work.

    May I humbly suggest that all of us in our fraternity strive to cultivate this good habit so that it will be a beautiful bouquet of roses there all the time for Mary to distribute where she wishes.

    A good habit don’t you think? All for one and one for all, we are God’s children on earth. Aren’t you glad we are Franciscans?

    Pax et Bonum.

    Ruth Vogel, SFO a Franciscan, by the grace of God, thanks be to God.