Fate vs. Destiny

MORNING PRAYER:

Good Morning… Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God…

Fate vs. Destiny. If there was ever a time to talk about this it would be now. 

Fate vs. destiny basically comes down to choice. We are a generation of people who have been motivated by a search for meaning and purpose. What is the reason that we were born? This compels us in a way that other generations have not been compelled. Can you imagine your grandparents and great-grandparents thinking deeply about what their purpose in life was? The need for survival was at the center of all decision-making to them. Most people followed a path of school, family, a paycheck, and providing for their families. But we in this generation and in this culture find ourselves asking about that deeper soul motivation: “For what reason was I born?”. And this is really a prayer. We need to hear our calling and know that deeper reason for why we were given life. 

In this moment of transformation, the world was almost sent on a retreat. To think about how we will transform in this moment of time. This is an opportunity to engage those elements of our fate vs. ouClip Art - Fate Destiny Future | Clipart Panda - Free Clipart Imagesr destiny. What is fate? What are we fated to do? What are we destined for? What are the choices we are making during COVID-19? No one is moving through this time without something changing.

Fate is when we relinquish the power of choice to the circumstances. When we are born, some things are given. We have elements that make us up, like our biochemical elements, our DNA, our gifts, our intelligence. But fate is when we give up. We say “There’s nothing I can do here”. We give up our God-given power of self and co-creation. 

Destiny is when we are in those moments, we choose to write the end of our stories, the end of our moments. We say “No, THIS is how it will end. I will not give this Destiny Fate Stock Illustrations – 2,746 Destiny Fate Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstimecircumstance any power”. Destiny is determined by us deciding in the moment whether we will create what is to come next and recognize that we are not helpless. 

“I cannot be helpless here”. 

“I will adapt to the moment and to the circumstances”. 

“I didn’t know I could do this, but I will move through it. I WILL.”

Of course, Jesus’ life had a destiny. Scripture tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave us His only Son, to die for our sins and that all who believe in Him shall have Eternal life.” Can you imagine if at the Wedding Feast of Cana, as Mrs. Estes spoke about earlier this week, Mary came to Jesus saying that the wine had run out and Jesus gave into fate and said “Oh that’s too bad. Better luck next time.”Free Jesus Wedding Cliparts, Download Free Clip Art, Free Clip Art on Clipart Library

Or if, as Mr. Ciccone spoke of yesterday, someone tries to dim our shine and we accept their definition of who we are and make ourselves small so that they may feel big? That would be giving into fate and not controlling our destiny, and I’m pretty sure that that is not in God’s plan for us.

There is a phrase that goes: “if you find yourself walking through hell… walk faster!”. I think that quote exemplifies where we are in our world today and shows that we can all become leaders and change the course of our own history. So let’s all stand together today, and walk a little faster, taking control of our destiny, and not giving into the times we presently find ourselves in.  How to Walk Faster | Power Walking - YouTube

Let us pray… Dear God, You have a plan for all of us. If we have a pulse, we have a purpose. Let us remember today and always of your all-knowing power and wisdom, and seek to serve each other on our quest to discover what we are truly meant to be. 

Saint John Baptist de La Salle… Pray for us…

Live Jesus in our Hearts… Forever!

Joseph DeLeo, Teacher, Morning Prayer December 10, 2020

 

Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind. -Emerson

Good morning. Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God.

There is a piece of artwork in my classroom that a student made for me a few
years ago which contains a quote from the philosopher and poet, Ralph Waldo
Emerson. It usually hangs proudly behind my desk, but for some reason, it keeps
falling off the wall and landing next to my school bag. I’ve re-pinned this
artwork to my corkboard a few times, but every few days I arrive to school just
to find the piece one the floor…right next to wear I keep my bag. I’m ashamed
to say that I finally gave up on trying to re-pin this art to my wall. I figure, the
painting should just stay where it seemingly wants to be…on the floor…next to
my bag. The quote that is painted on the canvas reads, Be silly, be honest, be
kind. -Emerson.

Be Silly Be Honest Be Kind | The InstaPaper

The “Emerson” refers to the author, but it almost reads as a
directive to me personally. Ironically, since the painting sits next to my bag, it is
one of the first things I see every morning. This quote is pretty simple
really…Be silly, be honest, be kind, and recently my students have reminded me
how powerful this quote can be…and boy… I needed it. We need to allow
ourselves to be silly, go off-script, l et our guard down. We need to be honest
with each other and ourselves, how am I doing? How are you doing? We need to
extend acts of kindness, no matter how small we think they are. So, as we go
about our day today and i n the days ahead, l et us do our very best to make time
to be silly, and always be honest, be kind.
Let us pray,
Lord, help us to be the best version of our honest selves. Give us the strengthFree Free Mercy Cliparts, Download Free Clip Art, Free Clip Art on Clipart Library
to take a step back and be present with and for each other. We also thank you
for the gift of those in our lives who are beacons of kindness, honesty, and
silliness. And may we always be reminded of your presence in our lives and in
those around us.

 

Saint John Baptist de La Salle….Pray for us
Live Jesus i n our Hearts…Forever

Stephen Emerson, Math Teacher, Morning Prayer