Our Lady and House Cleaning

I was off work for the last week and my intent was to go off camping. But because my appartment was in such a bad state I decided to stay at home, do Spring Cleaning and to seell the two pups off.

Well the two pups are sold, they actually both went to the same home , to a husband and wife who appear to be crazty about them. I was gald to see them gone , in the first place because they were a handful in a small appartment with two big parents but also because I was falling more and more in love with them. ah well a smile and a sigh.

My place had to get pretty awful before I sat up and took notice.But the last few weekends , when I usually do the claening, I was doing overtime so the place had turned into a dump.

I love simply physical labour were you do not have to think a lot, it is such a pathway to prayer. The Cistercians have motto, 'Work is prayer and prayer is work'. The work that monks, Cistercians epsecially choose to so is very simple and repetitive, kind of like the rosary with a vacuum cleaner.

I got offered a top notch vacuum cleaner for next to nothing on the promise I would do a review. A machine which eats dogs hairs and anything esle in its path like some kind of monster. I swear I think that machine would have cleaned the house on its own.

But As I look round a fairly shining home this morning getting ready to go back to the war world of work I think in delight of Mary in her little home of Nazerth. She must have done exactly wheat I did. Prayed and done the housework. So I am following in the Feet of Mary trying to amke things shine and what could be better.

Maybe a small grace , maybe not, but it has filled me with such joy and peace.

Our Lady of Loreto , pray for us, Help me to see the dirt and dogs hairs in my home and in my soul and teach me how to clean them all up!!

Mary, Mother who said Yes, you have listened to Jesus, know the tone of his voice and the beating of his heart.
Morning star, talk to us about him and tell us about the journey following him on the path of faith.

Mary, who lived with Jesus in Nazareth, etch your feelings in our lives,


May your meekness, your listening silence, make the Word blossom in truly free choices.


Mary, tells us about Jesus, so that the freshness of our faith shines in our eyes and warms the heart of those who are with us, as you did on visiting Elizabeth who in her old age rejoiced with you for the gift of life.


Mary, Virgin of the Magnificat, help us bring joy to the world and, as at Cana, lead every youth who is committed to the service of his brothers do only what Jesus says.


Mary, look upon on the Agora [gathering] of Youth so that it will be fertile ground for the Italian Church.


Pray that Jesus, who died and has risen, is reborn in us, and transform us in a night full of light, full of him.


Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, heaven’s gate, help us raise our eyes.


We want to see Jesus; talk to him; proclaim his love to everyone.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope’s-prayer-for-Our-Lady-of-Loreto-10193.html

 

It's good to going back to work this morning. So strange without all those Penances. They start of a burden and end up a joy. I miss them all, like dear friends.

 

The first house I lived in in Scotland was called Loreto. My grand uncle Willie Dempsey S.J. made sure it was spelled with one t. I lived at 1 Oxhill Road. This address always made me think of the ass and ox in the stable at Bethlehem. The road was unsealed and strewn with potholes and rocks. A bit like life for so many people. On my first visit to Garabandal a couple of pilgrims from Scotland who I had never met, who knew nothing about me, and who were living in a camper van, gifted me a small bottle of blessed oil. Engraved on the bottle was its place of origin; Loreto. I was home.

 

I think St Teresa of Calucutta trained with the Loreto nuns in Ireland Joe. ..and of course I think of the beautiful Western song.

 

A clean house is a sign of a wasted life.

I love that motto. Now, whenever I say it, I'm going to feel guilty . Thanks, padraig.

 

It very rarely happens Deanna, in fact this is a first. I am very happy.

 

It is so strange how something so small can bring so much happiness. I must be going into my dotage but it delights me. It reminds me of going into one of those old convents were everything gleams and smells of wax. Like that.

 

One of the lessons I was given in contemplation was that there should be harmony between the various aspects of our lives. I forgot this lesson. Or maybe I never really paid attention to it. One of my friends who is a confirmed atheist recently brought a new book to my attention. It's all about the benefits of tidying up.

 

I always liked St Teresa of Avila for finding God in the little things like the house work. for if we do not find God in the little things we will surely not find Him in the Great. I notice for instance how many saints became saints while cleaning the toilets and answering the front door.

“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
― Teresa of Ávila

 

I give all my energy to my family and my work, so when housework is needing to be done, I get overwhelmed. When I ask Blessed Mother and the holy angels to help me, then I can manage it with an amazing lack of effort. I cannot even get off the couch without their help now.

 

I have an aunt who likes ironing. She amazes me.