Nonnie's Observations

A Reflection on Today's Reading  In our parish bulletin,   the Reflection on today's scripture reading refers to John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace." I found this so like the scripture verse in Matthew 8:26 when the apostles' fear became so great that they woke Jesus  that I had to share it with my readers.   Newton had been a slave trader and a drunk  when a violent storm threatened to sink his ship  with all those aboard.   For the first time in his life, he prayed. He was saved as were those on his ship.  After that episode, he quit the slave trade and spent the remainder of his life  repenting,  writing hymns,  and  eventually becoming a minister. Remember this tale which sums up the grace  given Newton by God whenever singing or hearing this hymn. More details of his life can be found here   and here .

A Christmas gift from two granddaughters  is aiding me on my Lenten path this year.   They had checked my wish list on Amazon.com  and saw that my number one wish  was to have a year's subscription to the Magnificat magazine  published by St. Anthony Messenger Press . Having an interest in the lives of saints, I ordered Lent with the Saints: Daily Reflections by Greg Friedman, O.F.M. Today's reading and suggestion... (Reflect, then write a petition  for some special need.) led to my composing a prayer. Lord, I ask that my trust in you grow and bloom as does the cactus in the desert. My thirst for faith in you to be quenched alone by your Word.