As we all shivered in Church this morning and as we drove to Pat's mom's and then back home... looking at all the new leaves there on the trees and the blades of green grass everywhere... it seemed like they were all stunned and shivering too. The temperature was about 34 degrees as we drove in to church... we have all been luxuriating in the warmth and the sun for this past week, and watching the leaves and grass start to bask in the warmth here so early and think by the temperature that it is May or June... not to be! It is only March yet, and it is probably going to be interesting to see how it all turns out... with more than likely killing frost yet to come more than once! Lord, we love to see the early spring - we pray for the protection of all our beloved trees and blossoms. Spread your warmth around them and over them. This is how I felt this morning, as we gathered for wonderful fresh rolls in the Church basement after mass. The 4 generations gathered around a happy table - Pat's mom, the matriarch, Pat and I, with our daughter Ruth and her husband and soon to be 4 children- she is just a month away from the arrival of #4, so with her growing size many asked today when he or she would arrive! As I passed Pat's cousin, she asked me how my morning was going...thinking about just receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at mass- where heaven comes down to earth - "It couldn't be better!" I said with a huge smile and a nod, and without saying a word we knew that we totally understood each other. We have just been at the Table of the Lord, and experienced the closest to heaven we ever will experience here on earth! All our loved ones in heaven were there, all our loved ones far away that share our Eucharist anywhere they may be in the world are there - Hallel in France with her Community, and to be there surrounded by family - 4 generations all bursting with LOVE and LIFE is all a person could ever hope for! Talk about the ultimate experience of HEAVEN!
As I am writing today I am sharing with a friend on email about a surgery her 2 month old grandson will be having at Mayo this week. He will be staying at St Mary's hospital, and she mentioned the time they have already spent in this glorious Church in the midst of the hospital.
she writes..."Will check on him tuesday since he will be in pediatrics at St. Marys-we went to mass at 4:30 on thursday -such inner peace and serenity-such a gorgeous chapel-----------I know we will spend quite a bit of time in the chapel during his surgery-it is expected to last 3-4 hours" Oh, the memories that came flooding over me at her words! The way that we felt that we crawled on our hands and knees to the chapel the day that they were taking John to surgery to do his brain biopsy - we were terrified, out of our minds, that our 20 year old son was having a needle pass through the back of his brain to discover what the tumor was in his brain! We wept on our knees, and beseeched the Lord to protect our son, and that the news wouldn't be too impossible to heal! We had to give it all to HIM, and TRUST that He was in control! The first day of the Journey - cancer/healing - was a huge reminder of this motto that we learned to live by - "Jesus, I trust in you!" When we called Hallel in France on Father's day 2009, to tell her, as we headed to Sioux Falls with the words ringing in our hearts and heads - "there is something abnormal in his brain." "Mom, do you remember what the Gospel was today?" "Yes, it was Jesus calming the storm - Mark 4:35-40." "Well, mom,this is the storm and Jesus is in control." How that helped me to remember to give it all to him, and Trust no matter what! I am not saying that I did it perfectly, and when the cancer came growing back through the chemo, and I called out, terrified, for the prayer warriors to fall on their knees for us.... Once again - from our Bishop LeVoir this time - a strong voice telling us to repeat this at the time of circumstances out of our control and understanding - "Jesus, I trust in you." How that has been my ROCK ever since! Thank you, Lord!
Thankfully the newborn calves have that soft hair covering them to keep them warm on this chilly day, and Pat is sure that they have a lot of soft corn stalk bedding to snuggle into, because I am sure that they are noticing a chill in the air as it has dropped 40 degrees without the warm sun too to keep them cozy. I am sure that many are filling their bellies with the warm milk from their mommies, and then finding a nice nest in the bedding to take a nap.
Jesus, thank you for being in control of our lives. There are often those things that are hard, and that we can't understand. It is at these times that we turn to you, and need you the most. I remember one time that I was telling Hallel in France that I was so weak and such a mess compared to others that were so strong and uncomplaining. "Mom, when we are weak is when Jesus comes to us, and when we turn to HIM!" Suddenly I realized that I wanted to be so weak! I wanted Jesus to be as close to me as He is capable - within me! Just like He entered me in the Eucharist this morning, and now is a part of me! Just like He entered my heart through the planting of the seed in His Word this morning, and every time that I read His Word! Just like He dwells within me, and guides me through His Holy Spirit! Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to know that I am humble, and weak, and need you with me now and forever! Jesus, I trust in you. Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb"I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be..."
John 12: 20-33 The amazing Gospel for today! We lose ourselves in YOU, O Lord.
Hoping that the lilacs can make it! How I love them! Jesus, we trust in you.
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