If my title sounds familiar... It is a hymn used at the time of Pentecost in church. We are only two days from the vigil of Pentecost... the time when the
Apostles were gathered in the upper room along with Our Spiritual Mother of God, Mary most Holy... they were fearful and alone they thought after our Lord had entered heaven in front of their eyes at the Ascension... But He told them that he had to leave in order for the Spirit to come to them and set them on fire with love and the graces necessary to carry Him forth to the world! There was a huge rushing of wind and the Spirit was on each of them in the form of "tongues of fire". They were no longer afraid and alone... they were filled with the fruits of the Spirit...peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, patience... the place where these are listed is escaping me right now... I did read 1Corinthians 13 - which is the love chapter and truly is not possible without the Spirit within us!
As I was looking for the fruits of the Spirit I came across the part in Ephesians that Paul talks about putting on the Armor of God - this would translate once again into the life giving Spirit that we are blessed with at our confirmation and baptism!
"Build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God's armor now!... So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with rightousness as your brestplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield, for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows of the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the Word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occassion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason stay alert and never give up; pray always for all of God's people." Ephesians6:10-18
I am distressed by the damage that I am encountering to family and to marriage - the people that I am encountering on my new job reveal to me the sad state of family in so many lives... there are a few beacons to family that I have encoutered also, but for the most part there is no "knowledge of the truth". The value of putting your faith first and then asking the Lord to show you His path for you whether it be married, religious life of single state... it like speaking Greek... I found myself cast down into the depths by the desperate sharing of a divorced woman... "I just want someone to love me and pursue me and want me for who I am!" I could picture Jesus standing there with His arms open wide in love and forgiveness for her and the happinesss that she could find there! To turn to Him and know that He wants her to come to know Him and follow Him into the healing of all that has "hurt" her over the years. That is where she would start to find this happiness that she is so desperately seeking! When she comes to that place... then the Lord can work in her life and give her the peace and acceptance that she so hungers for!
I would like to share a wonderful story of a woman that I have known for years... About 10 years ago she became very sad about her marriage to the point that everytime we were together she "looked" so sad and would even cry out in her deep hurt and desperation in tears at times... this seemed to go on for maybe a few years, and to be honest to hear that she had decided to call the marriage quits would not have surprised me terribly... as she just seemed to be in the deepest of despair, and what appeared to be hopelessness.
She was very good about not sharing any details of her disappointment with her husband, but did at one time share that she had moved out of the bedroom into another one in the house. I had thought that as a unfortunate thing, because in my marriage that is where a lot of healing takes place... My mother in law told me early on in my marriage; "Never go to bed angry with your spouce." And I have to say that the few nights in the last 31 1/2 years that Pat has turned a cold angry back to me... have been long and filled with the most excruciating mental pain! The thought of that hurt and pain night after sleepless night is too hard to think about!
Now all these years later, I see that my friend has stayed married, not only that but seems to have healed her marriage! I was especially struck a few years ago when I attended their son's wedding... I wept for Joy... when she and her husband, walked beaming for joy, arm and arm with their son down the aisle. It could have been so different and sad... if she had taken the most common and little thought of route of walking away from "the cherished cross" in her life... the sacrament of marriage! I just had to share with her the letter that Susan/Little Sister Hallel had written to her sister Nancy on the event of her engagement!
This was her responce to me as I acclaimed her making through some hard times, and challanges in her marriage, and coming out the other side..."The way I look at "our cherished Cross" is our cross is what ever draws us closer to Jesus. What ever propells us into increased dependence on our Father. For so many days/weeks/months the only way I was able to not "self destruct" was by keeping my eyes and thoughts pointed upwards and trusting the many promises I would read in scripture. Jesus gave me many opportunities to see his hand on my life and to know that He cared deeply about our marriage."
Thank you, dear friend, for being an example to many that yes... marriage is difficult when two become one... the glue that holds us together through thick and thin is the Holy Spirit. Without that marriage has become easily disposable or so they think... truly that leads to much more suffering and pain for the couple as well as the children that they together have brought into the world! Your example is a shining light that is put on the lampstand to show others the way!
Jesus we love you and honor you... "come Holy Spirit be our guest and in our hearts take up they rest....To every sense thy light impart and shed thy love in every heart. To our weak flesh thy strength supply: Unfailing courage from on high!"
"Be content to feel this mysterious grace sweetly awaken in the depths of your spirit. Forget everything but God and fix on him your naked desire, your longing stripped of all self-interest." The Cloud of Unknowing written in the 14th century by an unkown mystic... Jesus we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia! Bless-bless, Barb
After sharing the touching thoughts of our children wearing the shoes of their parents and grand parents... I thought that it would be fun to share my "collection" ... enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment