Our Lady is key for you Sanctus. Flee to her in your distress and contemplate her heart pierced by the swords of unimaginable sufferings. Take refuge in her Immaculate and pure heart. Hang on to her mantle, cast all your worries upon her. Say her rosary never known to fail.
Not to be facetious, Josephite but at least you're not having a book, multiple interviews, a netflix series etc etc broadcast all over the world on your youngest's perceived slights and your 'failings' as a parent and grandparent:- along the lines of: " Willy grabbed my collar, broke my necklace and pushed me on to a dog bowl...." Even the greatest in the land can have ungrateful children. Seriously though, your prayers will hopefully gradually soften your daughter's heart from stone to flesh. I think our young are particularly adamnant against all notion of a God because then they would have to TOTALLY recalibrate their lives. Their vehemence is protective. I notice a difference even between ones born 6 years apart. It shows that even in 6 years society's antipathy and hatred for God ramped up big time, and this is the result. I think prayer for our children is the only and best answer. I prayed from the heart for my youngest daughter before an image of Christ's face a couple of years ago to show her a glimpse of His face and lead her away from a very unhealthy situation and relationship and miraculously it worked. She is still not a believer though, but I'll keep going! Not to do bad, amateur psychoanalysis but she might feel the whole idea of 'Christian Charity' led to her assault and is determined to protect herself from further hurt and being 'taken in by do-goody stuff'. God can soften hearts, for certain.
I will also and I’ll be praying for all for our children, in addition. Their innocence is stolen from them at such a young age these days especially with technology like the Internet.
Thank you, Carol. And they grew up with an absence of prayer in school. They had already taken Bible reading out of school by my time in the 1950’s. Then prayer went out. Then they took the Ten Commandments out of the courthouse. But our faith in God, who answers prayer, can move mountains. Thank you, Logos, for sharing.
Prayers would be appreciated if possible. I booked a pilgrimage today for the coming months. Feeling under attack at the moment.
Lovely to have a pilgrimage to look forward to, Sanctus. In the Spring will be lovely. Now go put the kettle on. Will pray for us both while you're having that tea.
Do you have that knowledge, Sanctus? Sorry, I don't mean to be pushy. I know it is difficult for you. In one sense, what you are feeling is an existential anxiety, which means you are truly alive. You are not sleeping. You are fully awake. But do not be fooled by your feelings. Trust in Scripture. Allow yourself to rest. All things are passing, but Jesus said His words will never pass away. Sanctus, here is another reason to believe that God forgives your sins and mine. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1: 21) And what were Jesus's last words? It is finished. That is, His Work of Redemption. And one of his last acts of mercy was to show His redeeming power by the forgiving the Good Thief. Now, who are we to put up our hands and say to God, "ehh, sorry God but you're wrong there ... my sins can't be forgiven"? Are we to contradict the Divine Words of Scripture? Just something to ponder in your heart. This is how St. John Paul II put it in his encyclical, Rosarium Virginis Mariae: "Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion and forgives the sins of all who draw near to Him in humble trust - the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which He continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation." It all comes back to Sr. Lucy's vision at Tuy, in Pontevidra, Spain. What was front and centre in that vision of Jesus on the Cross were the words: Grace and Mercy. Let us seek God's grace through our Blessed Mother and we may reasonably hope to obtain His mercy.
