Monday, February 13, 2017

Doing the Nineveh 90

Last year, I read about Nineveh 90 on Fr. Heilman’s blog. Briefly, it's a 3 month program of intense physical and spiritual discipline as we strive for personal holiness and pray for special intentions.

I balked at the program because it *is* intense. I doubt I can do everything, especially that intense physical exercise. I can't even do a pushup without falling over. So yeah, I'm weak. And sometimes I get very sleepy at Adoration. Fasting is okay but we are a foodie family so it's always a struggle and there is CAKE that is tempting me right now. But God is so good. He gave me some help from Matthew Kelly. It's got practical suggestions for developing discipline, both physical and spiritual. For instance, every hour I say a quick prayer and offer up that hour's work for a person who comes to mind. This way my work becomes a prayer.  

With God's grace I hope to live Ephesians 6. It even  includes instructions for battling evil:
 
Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Nineveh 90 begins Feb. 13, 2017 and ends on May 13, 2017 (on the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima). We’ve been preparing for this all of January. I am so grateful to have a faithful partner right here at home. Yesterday was Septuagesima Sunday (the first of 3 Sundays before Lent so that we’re not caught unawares when Ash Wed comes along) and we had a lovely celebration for our newly ordained deacon with a High Mass with Byrd’s Mass for 3 Voices. He chanted the Epistle and Gospel so beautifully and I kept thinking how much we could use such a talented tenor in our choir!
 
Copied from CCW
Pray for us. I'm stepping away from unnecessary Internet use even though I enjoy reading about and sharing good books, movies, kitten nonsense, proud mama moments, photos and so much more. I'll miss it but I should probably be reading more of the Bible and Saints and less of the news. I leave you with this quote from St. Catherine of Siena: "If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!" Thank you, Fr. Heilman, for organizing Nineveh 90 (this is the dedicated website).

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. 

 


 

6 comments:

Mirka Breen said...

The kitties just ARE. We have to work at it...

Vijaya said...

I know Mirka. Didn't someone write a book about learning everything in life from their cat? I should dig my copy out.

Ruth Schiffmann said...

I love your hourly prayer habit, Vijaya. Beautiful.

The verse that helps me most to get through seemingly impossible challenges is I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Vijaya said...

Ruth, I love that Philippians verse. Thank you. I have it on one of my notebooks and should write it out in big letters on all of them.

Unknown said...

I am assuming that I must forgo sweets on Vslentines Day.. Any thoughts?

Vijaya said...

Andrea, I think you can be a little bit relaxed on a Feast Day, esp. if you want to celebrate with your sweetie. A little chocolate kiss as a token of love isn't so very indulgent. But perhaps you can exchange love notes instead.

I've been thinking about this too because of a parish event for couples. Alas, my husband is sick so I'm not sure we'll even go. But there is still that cake ... Thanks for stopping by and let me know how it goes. Prayers.