 Vince had a rough day at school yesterday. As a result, he was punished by not getting a story before bed. That's the deal. That's always been the deal. He's always known this was the deal.
That doesn't stop him from complaining and whining and trying to weasel his way into getting a story before bed, though. So after his bath, the whining started. "But Mommy, I'm really sorry. I've been really good tonight, right? I'll be good tomorrow, too!" "Vincent, you didn't listen at school. If you don't listen in school, you don't get a bedtime story. You know that." "But I've been good all night!" I started getting annoyed, but as usual, a quick tap on the shoulder reminded me I sometimes sound an awful lot like that. How many times have I pushed off prayer or good deeds or something because I could "get it all in" later? Heck, all throughout college, I figured I didn't even need to go to Mass or anything because I'd eventually become one of those little old ladies stooped over in Church after the "good part of life" was behind me. I need to be CONSISTENTLY GOOD. I can't just rack up points "at the end" because, in truth, no one knows when the end is. God doesn't ask us to listen to him "at the end." He asks us to listen to Him always. Just some food for thought I ended up chewing on.
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Many of us take part in the Catholic tradition of picking a patron saint for the year. Some of us even use the lovely Jen Fulwiler's' Saint Generator to do it! I typically choose a saint along with my Religious Education students on the first day back from Christmas break. For 2014, however, I did not do that. This year, God had a specific patron in mind for me, and it took me until this week to finally appreciate the wisdom of His choice. As I wrote back in January, a friend sent me a St. Philomena prayer card out of the blue. Just that weekend, I'd laughed at the idea of St. Philomena being my patron because I couldn't fathom why God would stick the poor girl with the likes of me. However, getting that card made me realize that was precisely who God sent for me. So here I am in December - almost a full year later. I've kept her card and medal next to my computer this whole time, still not completely sure why God would choose to have this sweet, chaste young girl for my intercessor. Until now. Some of you are aware that I have my Religious Education students give oral reports on their patron saints. I have them choose patrons for each semester, and their projects were due this past Tuesday. One of them had chosen St. Philomena. Now I know the story of St. Philomena pretty well, but for some odd reason, I never knew what she was considered the patroness of. As part of her report, my student explained to the class who she was partial to. Does anyone here want to take a guess what my dear Saint Philomena is patroness of?  Patroness of the Youth with predilection for babies and children. Protectress of young married couples, many times giving the joys of motherhood. Assists and protects expectant mothers. Comfront of the afflicted and imprisoned. The solace of the suffering and sick. Consoler of afflicted mothers who invoke her for material or spiritual help for their children. Great helper of students and those who sit for examinations. When invoked she encourages many conversions. Conversion of sinners and return to the sacraments. Assists priests in their work. For all Spiritual and temporal problems. There is no case too trivial or unimportant to concern her. She exhibits her greatest patronage towards her devotees by leading them to the love of Our Lord and Our Lady. Patroness of the Living Rosary. Protectoress of the Children of Mary.  |
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