How am I going to live my life today?

"You can complain about it. Or you can do something about it."

Used with permission from Meg Hunter-Kilmer. Check out the sizzling hot quote and wise words from Meg on the need to be engaged politically in the present moment. Here’s more about Blessed Hildegard Burjan, too.

1. “There’s usually two responses to something. You can complain about it. Or you can do something about it. I chose the latter, within seconds. And it was the easiest decision ever.” Love this collaboration that brought to life the concert that was not meant to be heard. (And you can listen to the whole concert here, including a gorgeous rendition of “What Wondrous Love” that is perfect for Lent.)

2. When This Professor Got Cancer, He Didn’t Quit. He Taught a Class About It. “‘I’m very conscious that I have limited time left,’ he said. ‘So I think about that. How am I going to live my life today? Is this a worthwhile way to spend my time?’ The class, he said, was worthwhile.” Powerful storytelling by Kate Selig at the NYT: here’s a gift article.

3. Someday I might tell you how this icon of the Mother of God (from the cover of Give Us This Day) carried me during a time when I needed it most. But for now, enjoy the incredible work of Ukrainian iconographer Iryna Kirepko. 

   

4. “‘When I show up to church late, everyone stares and glares. When I show up to a meeting late, everyone stands and applauds — because they know I almost didn’t make it.’ The two-line story took my breath away: a testimony from an alcoholic in recovery who had found a warmer welcome in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in church basements than in the sanctuaries upstairs.” If you feel late to Lent or everything else in life, here’s my latest for OSV News: You’re not too late (and neither are the ones late to Mass).

5. Got Easter gift ideas? I need your help. As a type-B parent, I am routinely surprised by the arrival of things like annual holidays. Since all our shopping habits have now changed (Amazon, Target, everywhere, sigh), I need to crowd-source where to buy Easter stuff EARLY so it arrives in time. Here’s what I got; what can you add?

   • Be A Heart is always my go-to, so I snagged these cute vintage tin eggs for the youngest kids. You can always use THISMESSYGRACE for 10% off anything.

   • My friend

     Haley Stewart
     sent us some beautiful books from Votive, so one kid is getting a book about Blessed Nicholas Steno, the father of geology: The Riddle of the Tongue Stones. 

   • I found adorable saint/biblical peg dolls on Etsy, including for the kid who never gets anything with his name on it. (If I had my own Easter basket, you better believe this Dorothy Day peg doll would be in there so fast…)

   • Decided the teenagers are getting gift cards: one to keep and one to give away to strangers. Will report back on how much they hate (me for) this idea, HA!

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