This calf has not been put out with the other calves and cows in the big barn, because he is weak. Pat is not sure if it might have a weak heart or lung problems, but there is some mysterious reason for it being slow and not having the energy of the others. It nurses on its mother and then just lies down a lot in the soft corn stalk bedding. It is there for the grandkids to have a calm quiet calf to pet and spend time with. There are many reminders that with cows having their babies... there are the same kind of issues that we face with having our babies. With the cows and calves - there is a vet that can be called for a C-section if needed, but the tests aren't done for a bad heart or lungs, and generally the ultrasounds are not done in the course of the pregnancy... although there is such a thing as ultrasounds done on some high class cows. There is sometimes that sense of helplessness with calving out cows, where with human babies in the same situation of medical intervention needed... would be in intensive care and everything being done for them. There is a different bar for animals as compared to humans, and that is only right. But there are the mysteries that cause Pat to worry and wonder, and lots of times in the end they don't make it, even though Pat has put so much time and energy into caring for them specially!
Pat really enjoys having interested people out with him... He loves that the grandkids enjoy their time in the barn with the animals, and that his grandsons are "grandpa's helpers." He just asked me to come out and put up an electric fence later, so I will be armed with camera and try to get some photos of the new healthy adorable calves. This one is the only weak one of the bunch. Pat and I just shared morning prayers before he headed out to face his busy day - never knowing just what the day with hold with calves coming fast and furious. He had about 5 born yesterday with a bit of drama in there. John just called for an update, and was very interested and a bit disappointed that his pet, Baby, and two cows, who had Bertha for a mother, have all had bulls so far. Luckily Snowball had a heifer (girl), and Mary definitely needs to show a female calf! 
Mary finds a curious and friendly one... back to our prayer and reading of the readings for the day today! The Gospel rang like a bell for us after an amazing experience that we had last night at faith formation - a Hunger Banquet! It was a very compelling hour put on by two young girls to show us the poverty of the world as compared to the priviledge we have here in the U.S. There was one table of 8-10 where the food was more than they needed and could really eat... there were two other tables for those with a bit more - out of dire poverty- where about 16 of us got rice with beans and a fork to eat it with. Then the rest of the kids and teachers were on the floor, and were given a small serving of rice and water, and were to eat it with their fingers! Our eyes were open to the uneven distribution of food in this world, and how we are growing fat while there are babies dying from starvation every second in this world! Then to read the Gospel today from Luke - the story of the rich man and Lazarus! He did not "see" that this man covered with sores needed and wanted even the scraps from his table, and as a result his eyes were only opened to him when he was in the flames of hell... Luke 16: 19-31 After reading and praying together... Pat and I sat silently taking it all in... in light of the powerful sharing last evening. Pat said that there are many people that are not seen, and he started to mention people that we both know from different situations in our lives. It made the idea of poverty and those that we are called to "see" and serve come much closer to home! Yes, we are called to help those in the world that have nothing. One thing mentioned in a video that we watched that really struck me - "If you have a car, no matter how old or run down, you are rich in the eyes of the world." Wow! We take so much for granted, and the way that we consider wealth is so out of hand in this country! I pray that we can "see" those around us that are unseen in their need, and reach out to them with love and caring, and material means if that is part of their need!
Moms on one side and babies on the other... Jesus, may we look at the world with eyes wide open to the reality of the need. May we without hesitation give without counting the cost to those that we encounter. Show us how to give, and really make a difference and sacrifice of our indulgences. They shared last night that America could feed the world with the amount of money that we spend on ice cream each year! I know it was just cute, Lord, but some of the kids at my table said; "I like ice cream!" All the more reason that giving up that luxury to feed the world would be so amazing! There are so many willing and wanting to make a difference for those that die and suffer, Lord! Show us how to reach out so far away and make a difference, but mostly may we look around us in our own lives and communities and "see" those in need! May we "feel" the feeling of hunger and remember those that know nothing else but that feeling. Lord, open the way for us to share. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb"Only Luke contains the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12: 13-21) as well as the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus... Why are the poor called "blessed?" Is it because they are not blinded by wealth and are open to God, or because they are to be beneficiaries of the kingdom as proclaimed by Jesus, which will reverse the structures of poverty and oppression?... The evil of the rich man is that he is blinded by his wealth; he does not see Lazarus.'
Fr John Donahue S.J.
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