From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   God's mercy brings healing of mind, heart, and body   
      
   So what is the significance of these ten lepers asking for mercy? They   
   know they are in need of healing, not just physical, but spiritual   
   healing as well. They approach Jesus with contrition and faith because   
   they believe that he can release the burden of guilt and suffering and   
   make restoration of body and soul possible. Their request for mercy is   
   both a plea for pardon and release from suffering. Jesus gives mercy   
   to all who ask with faith and contrition.   
      
      
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   April 15th - Saint Hunna of Strasbourg   
   (born, unknown; died 679)   
      
   Saint Hunna is a lesser known saint, but one no less important. (She   
   is so "lesser known" that no definitive portraits or pictures were   
   able to be found of her--therefore, the posted pictures are simple   
   images representing her holy life, but do not necessarily depict the   
   saint herself). Saint Hunna  is remembered for her love of and service   
   to those less fortunate than herself, despite prevailing prejudice.   
   Hunna’s actions, at a time when the class system was firmly   
   entrenched, created difficulties for herself in her daily life, and   
   embarrassment for her noble husband. Yet, she did not shy away from   
   her service to the poor, as she understood it to be her duty as a   
   Christian.   
      
   Saint Hunna was born into a privileged life, the daughter of a duke in   
   Alsace. She matured and married Huno of Hunnaweyer, a nobleman, and   
   together they settled in the diocese of Strasbourg (now France).   
   Together, they produced one son, Saint Deodatus, who eventually became   
   a monk (and then a saint!). Saint Hunna was devoted to the Lord,   
   raising her son with constant teaching, and living the virtues of the   
   faith. She spent her days caring for her home and estate, and in   
   prayer, while her husband traveled on diplomatic and political   
   missions.   
      
   But this didn’t seem to be enough for Saint Hunna. In her prayer, she   
   felt called to do more, to serve others. By the Lord, her eyes were   
   opened to the poverty and general squalor that the peasants and   
   servants lived in… and she felt moved to assist. Hunna began making   
   daily trips from the estate into the local villages and fields,   
   visiting her poor neighbors, offering them religious instruction, and   
   working for them. At first, she simply offered to do their laundry,   
   earning her the title, “holy washerwoman.” Hunna would travel from   
   home to home, collecting soiled clothing, and then spend the better   
   part of each day washing and scrubbing the clothing clean. When the   
   clothing was too dirty, or too threadbare to mend, she would replace   
   it with a new article.   
      
   As time went on, her washing service expanded to any task that her   
   neighbors needed help with--cooking, cleaning, childcare, even more   
   demanding physical labor. She also instructed in ways of cleanliness,   
   assisting with hygiene. Saint Hunna regularly performed the greatest   
   act of service, bathing those who were unable to bathe themselves.   
      
   Saint Hunna demonstrates to us great selflessness, borne out of love   
   for the Lord. She willingly left her life of privilege on a daily   
   basis, eventually being shunned by those of her class and station, to   
   intercede in the lives of those who had no one to care for them. She   
   treated the poor, the sick, the forgotten as equals to herself,   
   offering them basic human respect, love, and charity. Saint Hunna   
   welcomed all into her life as the family of God. The life of Saint   
   Hunna provides a gentle reminder of our own hesitancy to venture   
   beyond our comfortable lives, to actively engage in community service   
   to those in need. We are mindful of the fact that we are called to   
   service and social justice, and that embarking on that mission may be   
   difficult or even painful. We look to Saint Hunna as   
   inspiration--inspiration to embody the love of Christ, and to share   
   that love with others in service.   
   by Jacob   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "Do not disturb your soul at the sad spectacle of human injustice ....   
   One day you will see the inevitable triumph of Divine justice over   
   it."   
   --St. Padre Pio   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   Praise the Lord!   
   O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;   
       for his steadfast love endures for ever!  [Psalm 106:1]  RSVCE   
      
      
   <><><><>   
      "Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with love   
   and compassion.  Make me attentive to the needs of others that I may   
   show them kindness and care. Make me an instrument of your mercy and   
   peace that I may help others find healing and wholeness in you."   
      
      TIRED OF PRAYING? TRY THIS...   
      Rest, put your head back and clear your mind   
      of thought and worry.  And say   
      "This is my prayer, I want to listen to the voice of God."   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)