St. Michael Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do, thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God, cast into hell satan and all of the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory to God in the Highest!

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Cleaning the Kitty Litter.

I would be a big, fat liar if I said that I enjoyed the job of scooping poop or cleaning the litter boxes.

God know, 
and He really does,
how much I hate these tasks, 
but,
when it's something that needs to be done,
you do it.


Paul seems to agree in Romans 7: 15

"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate."

Yes, I hate cleaning kitty litter and scooping the poop,
but 
what does this have to do with God?

This is a Catholic blog, right?

Since Adam and Eve were escorted out of the Garden for their sins, all people became subject to the baseness of sin, with the exception of the 
Mother of God 
who was conceived without the stain of original sin on her soul.  
Other than Mother Mary,
there is no one who has not sinned.
There is no one who does not deserve to die because they have injured God through our sins.

Paul was also a sinful man.  He was no exception.  However, after his conversion, Paul sought holiness and perfection.
He felt frustration because, despite his best efforts, he continued to sin.

"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good.  So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me."
Romans 7: 15-18

Paul was given one particular temptation.  We don't know what it was, but he refers to this temptation/sin as a "thorn in his side."  Paul felt that this was God's way of keeping him 
humble.
The Lord answered Paul, too.

"And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.  Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me;  but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. "

2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 

Like the rest of us who struggle with the sin condition, we can look to St. Paul as an example.
Remember, the Lord said to him,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

When we step aside, and let God be God, whether we ask for relief from a sin condition, we give God the room He needs to work in our souls.  
God wants to be God for us.
So many times, we don't trust Him to take care of our needs, 
but,
when we move over and say,
"Lord, help.  I can't do this on my own."
He smiles.
When we say, "I submit to Your Holy Will,"
He moves in our lives.

Now, what do you think He might do, if I said,
"Ok, Lord, the litter box stinks."
He might make me aware of a better litter, but I don't think He'll let me get out of cleaning the boxes.

Sigh.

Lord, I offer this chore to You.
I really don't like it, but we both know it has to be done.
Thank you for the gift of the kitties.
I offer up everything to You
for Your Honor and Glory!
Yes, even the smell.
Praise to You,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Praise!
  
 
 


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