Branching-Out

ABCs

Posted by Sharon Krause on Jun 25, 2021 6:00:00 AM

Sometimes, it is helpful to get back to basics, to simplify what we have made complicated. Whether we are talking about life in general or a particular area of life, it is good to occasionally go back to the ABCs and regroup.

Since I am a word-and-letter person, I will concentrate on spiritual life. It can be overwhelming to concentrate on too many subjects at once, so let’s just use a few of the many ABCs.

“A” reminds us of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are all asked to do many ordinary things during our lives, but Mary was chosen to the extraordinary, to carry and give birth to the Savior of the world. The Bible passages about the angel’s visit are not long, but Mary’s fiat and the everlasting effects of her generosity and humility should propel us into a feeling of wondrous gratitude.

Another favorite “A” for me is “Abba.” St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians (4:6-7) tells us,

And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

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Topics: Annunciation, Bible, Catholic Faith, RENEW International, sacrament of baptism, Scriptures, Sharon Krause, Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Abba

Keeping it Handy

Posted by Sharon Krause on Jan 5, 2021 6:00:00 AM

It is almost time for me to put away at least some of my Christmas decorations. I am a figurine collector. All year round, most of the flat surfaces of my living space display some sort of decorative accessory amid framed family photos. Christmastime is special, with a number of angel figurines, three figures of singing children figures, and two Nativity scenes. There is also a Christmas village with small figures engaged in seasonal activities. So it is a job to put all these decorations back into their storage boxes.

I noticed this morning something that should have been obvious. The traditional décor is sharing the space with additional occupants: small bottles of disinfectants and sanitizers. I had left them out so as to be handy and to remind my husband and me of the importance of trying to avoid contracting any viruses lurking beyond our domicile.

I have a bowl of peppermint candies handy near my front door; I often grab one on my way out the door just to make sure my breath is not offensive to anyone I might encounter.

I got to thinking about the idea of keeping important things handy. I possess a large number of small prayer pamphlets and holy cards I have gotten from many different sources. They are stuffed in among books on my three bookcases, but they are not really handy or obvious reminders like the sanitizers on my tabletops.

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Topics: Bible, Christmas, catholic program renew, prayer, renew catholic program, RENEW International, rosary, pandemic, covid-19, decorations, Nativity scene, handy, accessible

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