Peace

This morning on our way to school, Lilly and I prayed the rosary for peace.  I felt called to do so last night as I was watching President Obama's speech about Syria.  When I am driving to school, I am basically driving as close to NYC as I can get without going through a tunnel.  Hence, I see the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower every day.  This year I explained to Lilly in the most simplistic (age-appropriate) way possible why there is a Freedom Tower.  We include the people who keep us safe in our  nightly bedtime prayers.  It is never, ever an easy thing to discuss violence with our chidlren, but I believe it is as important as it is hard to do.

It takes a lot longer to say the rosary with a 5 year old, but I believe those prayers...those of our children...are heard loudest of all. Her vision of peace is most likely a lot different than mine.  But doesn't it start with our 5 year olds?  If our 5 year olds do not have peace in their lives, I cannot see how they can grow up to be peaceful adults.

So today, and every day, let us PRAY for peace.  Let us TEACH peace.  Let us ACT peacefully.  And let it begin with ourselves.  And our little ones.

Lent is around the corner

Lent starts this coming Wednesday.  Most of my Catholic friends grew up giving something up for Lent.  It was often something that could, in a way, be easily controlled by our parents...no ice cream, sweets, TV.  As I matured, I learned about picking something to give up that had meaning of some sort, something a little challenging.  I also learned, probably because I went to Catholic school, about doing something extra.

Fast forward to the present time and I have been contemplating what I will do for Lent this year.  I came across an article on Busted Halo that presents the why and how to decide what to do for Lent eloquently.  I know that I want this Lent to be one of spiritual growth for me.  Maybe I will go to bed earlier so that I can wake up earlier to have dedicated praying time every morning.  Maybe I will give up something like the cream in my coffee.  I really LOVE my coffee with cream in it, so every time I drink it without it, I will remember what I am doing and why.  It is definitely something for me to think about and pray about in the next few days.

What are you going to do for Lent?