The Last Pieta carved by Michelangelo. Three drawings, not cartoons, were made of the Sculpture. The 3rd one was enacted upon. This statue was carved the last 6 days of Michelangelo's life.
A simple faith.
Psalm 109:21-31
21 But you, O God my Lord,
deal on my behalf for your name's sake;
because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!
22 For I am poor and needy,
and my heart is stricken within me.
23 I am gone like a shadow at evening;
I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting;
my body has become gaunt, with no fat.
25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
when they see me, they wag their heads.
26 Help me, O Lord my God!
Save me according to your steadfast love!
27 Let them know that this is your hand;
you, O Lord, have done it!
28 Let them curse, but you will bless!
They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!
29 May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;
may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!
30 With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
31 For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
Prayer by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
Oh, make me see Thee, Lord, where'er I go!
If mortal beauty sets my soul on fire,
That flame when near to Thine must needs expire,
And I with love of only Thee shall glow.
Dear Lord, Thy help I seek against this woe,
These torments that my spirit vex and tire;
Thou only with new strength canst re-inspire
My will, my sense, my courage faint and low.
Thou gavest me on earth this soul divine;
And Thou within this body weak and frail
Didst prison it--how sadly there to live!
How can I make its lot less vile than mine?
Without Thee, Lord, all goodness seems to fail.
To alter fate is God's prerogative.
When we begin the Gospels, we find God only works with the frailty of human life. The wise men didn't always know where to find Jesus.
The Disciples didn't always want to be found near Jesus.
And Michelangelo became known to the Vatican trying to pass the sale of his statues being of antiquity. The Vatican wisely knew the statue was not ancient and instead took up Michelangelo. Michelangelo began the deceptive sale because he was pressed with political upheaval with his world in Florence and by his patrons the Medici. Eventually, Michelangelo would return to Florence to try to help them, only to return again to his ongoing 40 years on the works of God.
If Michelangelo had given up hope, if he had not pressed on in hopeless times, his full life would never have emerged.
God welcomes our prayers. The Gates of Heaven, where Peter is given the key, are always open. Peter has learned a thing or two, living with Jesus Christ.
Luke 11
5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
The prayer not to be forgotten does seem pretty impudent. Until we realize Jacob Astley, gave this as his battle-prayer at the Battle of Edgehill.
We are all in a battle of sorts. And to live with faith, hope and Love is a daily choice. The prayer isn't impudent and is the ongoing life we all have.
Abba,
Live in my soul, help this to be a favorite place of Yours. Allow me this day to see the Blessings You've given.
Dwell in those I love, that we will encourage each other. During this time of good news, worry, speculation, boredom and fear, help us to chose the Good Portion to hold on to Your Love.
To rest and find comfort in the morning. To find renewal during the day. To be at peace in the evenings. To comfort and help those You've Given me. To strengthen me with Your Wisdom and Love.
The Blessing of seeking You and Your Kingdom first. To Live in Love, Peace and Joy.
This day traveling the High Ways of Heaven.
Sext or Midday Prayer (Sixth Hour = approximately 12 noon)
The Lord's Prayer is said Nationwide for the Nation and your prayer requests. We ask the Blessing of seeking God first and His Kingdom here on earth and Heaven. We pray to Live Love, Peace and Joy.
Nones or Mid-Afternoon Prayer (Ninth Hour = approximately 3 p.m.)
We pray for the ill to not have suffering. We pray the Virus to stop. We pray for Health Care to have hope, strength and relief. We pray for God's Miracles and His daily Love enfolding us.
Amen in Jesus Christ.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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