I have much to repent of, that is for sure!

So how do we do this? Well there is the seeking of penitential practices in our lives such as fasting or not eating between meals or the little things that are sacrifices such as even kneeling when we would rather sit. But I have been told that we do not so much have to seek these things out in a special way. Sister Lucia said so as well. There are opportunities for sacrifice every day. Perhaps it is hot but we do not complain. Perhaps we do not like the way someone is driving (not speaking of our learning teens here) and we bite our tongue. Maybe it is putting up with an unjust criticism. Maybe it is going the extra mile at work. Or perhaps it is smiling when we are really rather grumpy inside.

I read that St. Therese had a little string of ’sacrifice beads’ and she would keep count of the little sacrifices that came her way daily.

We wish to offer these small things back to God for our own sins and for the sake of the graces needed in this world.

How Our Lord loved the Magdalene! A sinner can become a pure soul and a saint and she is only one of many examples that we have.

As we approach the Solemnity of the Assumption, perhaps we can ask St. Mary Magdalene to help us become pure souls too and to not let the little sacrifices available to us each day get away.

And most of all, let us all partake in frequent confession–the Sacrament of Penance–that squashes that pride that always wants to be number one in us.

What do you think?

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Ave Maria!