Jesus, himself will teach us how to visit the elderly…

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photo by Jeanne

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2022
“Illness weighs on the elderly in a new and different way compared to when one is young or an adult. It is like a hard blow that falls in an already difficult time. In the elderly, illness seems to hasten death and, in any case, diminish that time we have to live, which we already consider short. The doubt lurks that we will not recover, that “this time it will be the last time I get sick…”, and so on: these ideas come. One cannot dream of hope in a future that now appears non-existent. A renowned Italian writer, Italo Calvino, noted the bitterness of the old who suffer the loss of the things of the past, more than they enjoy the coming of the new… The Christian community must take care of the elderly: relatives and friends, but the community. Visiting the elderly must be done by many, together and often. We must feel a responsibility to visit the elderly who are often alone, and present them to the Lord with our prayers. Jesus himself will teach us how to love them.”
Pope Francis

You have no permanent home. You are ever expanding to meet God’s call. Love your neighbor as yourself…

let the olives reign

painting by Neil Waldman

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022
“When you are old, you are no longer in control of your body. One has to learn to choose what to do and what not to do. The vigour of the body fails and abandons us, even though our heart does not stop yearning. One must then learn to purify desire: be patient, choose what to ask of the body and of life. When we are old, we cannot do the same things we did when we were young: the body has another pace, and we must listen to the body and accept its limits. We all have them. I too have to use a walking stick now.”
Pope Francis

Have you been pushing too hard and need a break?

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The tarot card of the day is the reversed King of Wands.
You need some time to recharge. This is not a time to start new projects but rather to finish up old ones. So tie up loose ends and permit yourself to relax.

The King sits on his throne, looking off into the distance. He appears to be waiting for something, but it’s unclear what.
His staff is planted firmly in the ground in front of him, and his crown sits atop his head. The King’s clothing billows in the wind as if he’s been here for some time. On the throne, salamanders are crawling around, symbols of transformation.
You may be feeling burned out from working too hard or taking on too much responsibility. You can’t keep going at this pace forever and need to recharge your batteries.
This is a time to finish up old projects and tie up loose ends, not start new ones. Get some sleep, take a hot bath, or just put your feet up and relax with a good book.
Ignore any guilt you may feel for taking time off. You deserve it, and you need it. Instead, relax and recharge, so you can get back to your responsibilities with a clear head and a fresh perspective. Taking on all the world’s problems at once will not help anyone, least of all you.

Patience Is Critical Right Now
The salamanders on the throne suggest that transformation is happening, even if you can’t see it yet. Your life is going through a significant change, and patience is essential. Things will eventually fall into place, but it will not happen overnight.
So be prepared for some bumps along the way.
Don’t worry about what other people are doing or what they think of you. This is your journey, and you must take it at your own pace. Then, the people who matter will understand and support you.
Go with the flow and let things happen as they will. Trying to force things will only make them harder. So instead, be patient and trust that everything will work out.
Be Considerate of Others
While you may be feeling burnt out, others are in the same boat. They may not be as vocal, but they’re struggling too. So be considerate of their needs and try to help wherever possible.

You may have been concentrating your frustrations on the people around you without even realizing it. If you’ve been snapping at your loved ones or being short with them, take a step back and try to see things from their perspective. They’re probably just as stressed as you are.
Being considerate of others doesn’t mean you have to take on their problems. You can’t fix everything, and you can’t be responsible for everyone. Just try to be understanding and supportive, and offer help when possible.
Remember that everyone is dealing with something, and we all need a little kindness.
Don’t Worry About What They Think
You may be trying to please everyone and meet everyone’s expectations, but you’re not doing yourself any favors. You may have been putting on a brave face and pushing yourself harder than you should. It’s time to let go of that and focus on what’s important to YOU.
Other people’s opinions shouldn’t matter, especially regarding your happiness. You know what you need to do, so trust your gut and go for it. What other people think is just noise. Tune it out and focus on what’s important to you.

Today’s Suggested Action
Starting today, think about what you need to do to take care of yourself. Make a plan and start taking small steps. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to be something. You can’t keep going at this pace forever, and you must take care of yourself before you burn out completely.
Apologize to the people you’ve been taking your frustrations out on and start fresh. Rest and recover your energy. Everything else can wait. When you begin to finally put yourself first, you’ll be surprised at how everything else will open up.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022
“War is a failure… a defeat before the forces of evil. Let us touch the wounds of the victims: the massacred civilians, the refugees, the mothers who lost their children, the boys and girls deprived of their childhood. Let us look at reality through their eyes. In this way, we will be able to grasp the abyss of evil at the heart of war. Nor will it trouble us to be deemed naïve for choosing peace.”
Pope Francis
 

Get in touch with your emotions…

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The tarot card of the day is the reversed Ace of Cups.
The Ace of Cups reversed urges you to take a step back and re-evaluate your emotional needs. It’s time for some self-love.

The hand from the clouds is holding a chalice overflowing with water. The chalice is turned upside down, implying that you are oblivious to your emotions. You can be suppressing your feelings or feeling overwhelmed by them.
You have been putting your own needs last, and as a result, you are feeling depleted. Your relationships are not fulfilling your emotional needs, and you might be separating from a close friend or romantic partner for these reasons.
It’s time to prioritize yourself. You must attend to your emotional demands. This might be a time of healing and restoration for you. Allow yourself some alone time to reconnect with your emotions.
Spend time in the outdoors, meditate, or write in a journal. Make a creative expression of your emotions. Allow yourself to feel your feelings rather than stifling them.
When you concentrate on your own emotional needs, you can nurture your relationships healthily.

Pick Up the Pieces
You have the power to change your situation, even if you are dissatisfied with your connections. You can take steps to improve your relationships or end them if they are not healthy for you.
Despite the fact that your world may appear to be crashing around you, this is a season of new beginnings.
Allow yourself to grieve, and then accept that it is time to move on. Learn from your mistakes because they will help you create healthier relationships in the future. You are strong, and you will find happiness again.
Reconnect with Yourself
You have been so distracted by other people and by your relationships that you have lost touch with yourself.
You have given too much of yourself to bosses, partners, friends, and family members, and your cup is now empty. Being in this state is not sustainable, and it’s time to reconnect with yourself.

Grab at the opportunity to focus on your specific needs; you can’t pour from an empty cup; fill it first. Then, go out and do things you love.
Get in touch with your emotions, and nurture your relationship with yourself. Find your passion, and pursue it. Nourish your soul, and you will be able to nurture your relationships in a healthy way.
Reconnecting with yourself might mean making some changes in your life. For example, you might put a stop to a relationship that is not healthy. You might quit your job, change your living situation, or finally tell off that toxic family member.
Your energy around this time will focus on making changes in your life that will help you connect with yourself. This is a recurring theme for you, so be sure to pay attention to the inner voice of wisdom that’s been nudging you lately.

Heed the Warning
The Ace of Cups reversed is a warning that you are not taking care of your emotional needs. It’s possible that you’re in an unhealthy relationship or that you’re suppressing your feelings.
It’s time to make some changes because this will cost you a lot of money in the long term.
Ignoring your feelings will only serve to exacerbate them. They’re like a volcano that will eventually erupt if you don’t let them out.
Whether it’s journaling, painting, or talking to a therapist, find a healthy outlet for your feelings. Don’t bottle up your emotions, or they will come out in unhealthy ways.

What You Need to Do Today
It’s a complicated time but also a time of new beginnings. First, allow yourself to grieve the end of a relationship, job, or situation. Then reassemble the pieces and begin the process all over again.
You, like everyone else, have earned the right to be joyful. So start today and begin to attend to your emotional requirements. Set clear limits in your relationships and speak out when necessary. Maybe you’ve usually been quiet about something that bothers you, but today is not the day to hold back.
Speak your truth, and the truth will set you free. You will get through this, and you will be stronger for it.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2022
“We can speak of an “architecture” of peace, to which different institutions of society contribute, and art “art” of peace that involves each one of us. All can work together to build a more peaceful world, starting from the hearts of individuals and relationships in the family, then within society and with the environment, and all the way up to relationships between peoples and nations.”
Pope Francis

where dialogue promotes nonviolence…

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022
“Peace is the ardent yearning of humanity today. Consequently, there is an urgent need, through dialogue at all levels, to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence. This dialogue must invite all people to reject violence in every form, including violence done to the environment.”
Pope Francis

 

Psalm 139
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
            you know when I sit and when I stand;
            you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
            with all my ways you are familiar.
I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
            you knit me in my mother’s womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
            wonderful are your works.
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
            nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
            when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
 

Is the excitement in my life a sign of GRACE?

Add some excitement to your life!

The tarot card of the day is the Knight of Wands.
At the moment, you may be feeling restless and eager to start something new. That’s because the Knight of Wands is signaling you to take action and move forward with your plans.
The Knight of Wands is a Minor Arcana tarot card. It is associated with the element of fire and thus represents passion, motivation, and enthusiasm.
The most prominent symbol in the Knight of Wands card is the wand. The wand is a phallic symbol that represents masculine energy, assertiveness, and sexuality. The wand is also associated with the element of fire, which further reinforces these themes.
Other symbols in the card include – the horse, which represents power and endurance; the laurel wreath, which symbolizes victory; and the sunflower, which represents vitality and life force.
When the Knight of Wands appears in a reading, it is often an indication that you’re about to embark on a new journey or venture. It could be a physical journey, such as moving to a new location, or a symbolic journey, such as starting a new project or undertaking. With the Knight of Wands, success is very likely if you take action and remain enthusiastic about your goals.
Charisma and adventure.
Just like the Knight, you are full of charisma and determination today. You’re not afraid to take risks and look for new challenges. You can be a bit impulsive, which might get you in trouble. But overall, you’re drawn to living life to the fullest.
The Knight of Wands loves adventure. He’s constantly seeking out new experiences and is never content to stay in one place for too long. So if you’ve been feeling restless or bored, the Knight of Wands is here to shake things up and add some excitement to your life.
Focus your energy on your goals.
The Knight of Wands represents the power of the imagination. It’s encouraging you to dream big and focus your energy on your goals. You may be feeling very determined and eager to get things done lately. Be careful not to overdo it, though, or you may burn yourself out. Nevertheless, things will be exciting and full of adventure, so go for it.

You are feeling determined and motivated to achieve your goals. You may be taking risks or exploring new territory. You are confident and optimistic about the future. Things are moving quickly, so stay focused and don’t get sidetracked. Keep your eye on the prize.
This card can also indicate that you are assertive and independent. You may be feeling restless or impatient, wanting to take action. You may be impulsive or competitive, but you are also courageous and full of vitality. You have the ability to make things happen.
The Knight of Wands is a reminder to stay true to your goals and pursue your dreams with passion and determination. Don’t let anything stand in your way!
Beware of impulsiveness.
The Knight of Wands is a very impulsive card, always charging forward and taking risks. He’s the type of person who will jump into something without thinking it through, then figure out the details later. This can be both a good and a bad thing – on one hand, he’s always up for new adventures and experiences; on the other hand, he can be reckless and get himself into trouble.
When the Knight of Wands appears, it may indicate that you’re in danger of becoming too impulsive or rash. In this case, the Knight suggests you take caution and plan wisely.
The Knight of Wands can indicate that you are in danger of getting carried away with your passions. Instead, find a way to channel that energy into something constructive. Don’t let your anger get the best of you or act impulsively without thinking things through. Be courageous and go after what you want, but also stay grounded and realistic about what is possible.
In short, the Knight of Wands advises that you seize the moment and go for it. But do so with caution, and be ready to face whatever comes your way.
Maybe you’re feeling bored and ready to shake things up. Go for it, but remember to take everything with a grain of salt today. If you’re feeling like something new, start small – you don’t want your impulses today to become regrets tomorrow. Even changing your environment for the day will help to keep things fresh while you’re in this active energy, so go explore a new cafe or take a hike somewhere you’ve never gone before.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022
“The One and Triune God, dear brothers and sisters, must be manifested in this way – with deeds rather than words. God, who is the author of life, is transmitted not so much through books as through witness of life.”
Pope Francis

Our life is not a possession of our own, but rather a gift to share with others…

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caricature by Wilson Grant of Logan Grant and Jeanne Poland

 MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2022
“Jesus speaks in silence in the Mystery of the Eucharist. He reminds us every time that following him means going out of ourselves and not making our life a possession of our own, but rather a gift to him and to others.”
Pope Francis

On The Days I Am Not My Father
by Scott Owens
I don’t yell. I don’t hold inside

the day’s supply of frustrations.

My hands stay open all day.

I don’t wake tired and sore,

dazed from senseless, panicking

dreams. On the days I am not

my father I hold my son

when he cries, let him touch my face

without flinching, lie down with him

until he falls asleep, realize

that just because he has a sharp tongue,

just because he’s sometimes mean,

just because he’s smarter than me

doesn’t mean he’ll become my father.
On the days I am not my father

holding you is enough until

holding you is no longer enough

for either of us. I listen well.

I let things go unfinished,

in an order I didn’t plan.

My mouth is relaxed. My teeth

don’t hurt. My face stays

a healthy shade of pink all day.

On the days I am not my father

I don’t fill the silence with my own

irrational rants. I don’t resent

the voices of others. I don’t make fun

of you to make myself feel better.
On the days I am not my father

I don’t care who wins

or loses. The news can’t ruin

my day. I water plants.

I cook. I laugh at myself.

I can imagine living without

my beard, with my hair cut,

without the fear of looking

too much like my father. On the days

I am not my father I romp

and play, I don’t compare myself

with everyone else, the night

is always long enough, I like

how much I am like my father.
“On The Days I Am Not My Father” by Scott Owens from The Fractured World. © Main Street Rag, 2008. Reprinted with permission.

Do I affirm with my life that I need to give myself to others?

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SUNDAY, JUNE 19, 2022
“Today we can ask ourselves if our life reflects the God we believe in: do I, who profess faith in God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, truly believe that I need others in order to live, I need to give myself to others, I need to serve others? Do I affirm this in words or do I affirm it with my life?”
Pope Francis

We are one in Christ and always giving to the Father and the Holy Spirit…

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caricature by Wilson Grant of Annika and Oliver

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Caricature of Logan Ray and Jeanne by Wilson Grant

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

“Let us not forget that God’s Spirit is closeness, compassion and tenderness. This is what God is like, he knows how to caress. And old age helps us understand this aspect of God which is tenderness. Old age is the special time of freeing the future from the technocratic illusion, it is the time of God’s tenderness that creates, creates a path for all of us.”

Pope Francis

Those that belong to you will find their way to your arms.

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Angels of Abundance Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue and Grant Virtue
Today’s message is all about sharing instead of competing. You may be working hard to succeed right now, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the journey to get there. Keep in mind that you’ll never have to endlessly chase something if it’s really meant for you. It might be about your dream job, your college degree, your business, or even your lifetime partner—still you are advised to cooperate instead of competing.

Let your angel help you find the people that are meant to be in your life.
Sometimes, it may be hard for you to be cooperative with people because competition is natural in our careers, the corporate world, in businesses, in relationships, with our friends, or with any part of our lives. Getting that dream job or receiving praise because of your degree and academic accomplishments is indeed very flattering—who doesn’t love compliments, right?
But then, in order to have those things, there’s no need to rush or prevent you from enjoying the whole journey. Usually, in order to climb up the high wall triumphantly, the best thing to do is to help each other. Uplift other people and they will also reciprocate. One good deed deserves another and paying it forward is an excellent practice.
Look at the world we’re living in now. New technologies are being discovered. The power of the internet has taken the world by storm. There are so many things you can do without pushing yourself to be in a field that you’re not meant to be. Online education is something that many people are pursuing these days.

Through online education platforms, you can develop your skills as you have the freedom to get the course you like. Here, you can also find people with whom you can collaborate while you’re on your way to success.
There’s no need to follow the path that most have forged before you because you are unique—and you’re meant to carve your own destiny. Let the angels guide you on the road you’re supposed to march on. Ask them to direct you to people you can work well with, until you achieve what you’re aiming for.
Cooperating and collaborating with other people don’t just happen in situations like online education or on another virtual platform though. It’s also applicable when you’re doing it with people who you can actually interact with in person. It may also be with your friends or your neighbors whom you frequently see.

Divide the work and get multiplied success by cooperating with others.
It’s not only in certain tasks that collaborating with others is needed. Cooperation is essential for society to grow and function well. Competition may even lead to resentments, if it’s not a healthy one. However, teamwork will eventually lead to victorious outcomes which can bind people together.
Today, as you prepare yourself for work, school, or for anything you need to accomplish, ask your angel for guidance. Let go of the competitive mindset if it’s not a healthy one. If there’s really someone you need to compete with, it’s yourself. Be better than who you were before. Track your own progress without comparing your life to others.
Today, your angel wants to remind you that life is better if you have someone to share your highs and lows with. No matter how rich you are, how lofty your degree is, or how respected you are in society, you will always need to work with other people. After all, no man is an island. We all need each other.
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