"Consecrated in Truth." John 17: 19

We have been set apart as sacred - consecrated in Truth!  Jesus carries on a coversation with his Father today, and we are able to be there listening to His Truth in the Word - John 17 - the Gospel for today!  He asks his Father to "Consecrate them in the Truth.  Your Word is Truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.  And I consecrate myself to them, so that they also may be consecrated in Truth."  I wanted to see what consecrated truly means - "set apart as sacred!"  Wow!  That is telling us that we are truly HIS, and LOVED, and able to resist the wiles of the devil, and become with each day more close to becoming saints!  How?  By prayer,the sacraments, the Word and persevering in our Spiritual journey - following Him down the narrow path carrying our Most Cherished Cross!  "We are still in the fight. We want to be saints.  We love Jesus.  We want our children to love Jesus, and we want Jesus Christ to be in everything we do.  We are not here to quit.  We are disciples of Christ.... Let us be saints, together - to be anything less is not to have lived."  This quote is from Maria and Joseph's last Christmas letter - they are truly witnessing that they are consecrated to HIM!  They are taking very seriously sharing this "set apart as sacred" to their children also!  It does have the consequences that Jesus is talking about today - "I gave them your word, and the world hated them."  We do not fit in with the ideas and values of the world, and we are disliked for what we believe and share about our faith  - the Truth!

In the howling wind we finally got our garden tilled and some of it planted last evening.  It was challanging, but feels good to look out there this morning.  So many distractions today... I just am feeling that I need to make this short, and so... I just wanted to share this thought from Cardinal Dolan on Facebook today - From a Cardinal Dolan tweet..."God's time is not our time. We prefer the microwave. He prefers the crockpot. The food is usually better."  Just to remind us that we are His, and that we cannot really understand his timing, and how He is at work in us.  There are plenty of times that we have a road block ahead - when we thought we were on the right path.  Lord, let us trust in YOU, and know that we are "set apart as sacred!"  Like today with all the people, phone calls, and confusion... you are telling me to keep this short and hopefully sweet today! 

Lord, may we find your peace in the midst of LIFE... the distractions of all those in our domestic Church/family that look to us for love, care, nurturing, and reminding them that they are "set apart as sacred" - consecrated in Truth!  We are to do that foremost in all that we do out of LOVE for them, and when we lift them up daily in prayer.  Jesus, we are not here to quit.  "We are disciples of Christ.  Let us be saints, together - to be anything less is not to have lived."  So True!  We are striving to attain your gift of Eternal LIFE, and we find that only in YOU! We are asking for the truth of Humility, and the knowledge that we are nothing without YOU!  May we leave all behind of our selfishness, and come totally to YOU!  "O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the works of your hands."  Isaiah 64:7  Mold us into a humble earthen vessel that can provide a drink to the thirsty!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia!

Bless-bless, Barb                            Therese and David making rosaries for new little cousin, Rose Ida.  Rose your name is a beautiful reminder of Our Lady's beautiful rosary prayer.  It has graced our lives with the Truth of your Son, Jesus Christ!   

Therese and David cooling off at a water park at the zoo in hot El Paso, TX!  Maria's blog has more.

"By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast.  For we are the handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them."  Ephesians 2: 8-10

"Because the Virgin loved him more than anyone else, rightly did the Lord love and honor her more than any other... Then let us rejoice and be glad in Mary, for she is the faithful advocate of us all in heaven.  Her Son is the Mediator between God and men; she is the Mediatrix between her Son and men.  And, as it befits the Mother of Mercy, she is most merciful.  And she knows how to have compassion on human weakness, because she knows of what we are made.  For this reason, she never ceases to intercede for us with her Son... No matter how horrible our spiritual weaknesses, we must never despair of her mercy, as long as we are willing to accuse ourselves in her sight and beg for her intercession with a repentant heart.  There is no doubt that we will experience her help, for many are her mercies, and great mercy is given to all who call upon her.  Blessed be God who, in his great mercy, has given us such an advocate in the court of heaven, one so powerful,so merciful, so familiar with his Majesty."

Paul the Deanon (799) Consecrated in the Truth with Mary

Mary, we had your merciful compassion with us on our journey with John's brain cancer - we are healed now for over 2 years!  After John left Lourdes - he said- "It was very good!"  "Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen"

John arrives at Lourdes!  August 2009!

So many prayers - so hopeful and trusting in her Mercy and intercession!

Just out of the baths with the healing miraculous waters on his head - "I had them pour water over my head, because that is where I need the healing!"

Thank you, Mother of Heaven and Earth, we come to you with all our needs!  Christ Jesus, loves you and listens to you!  We are healed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlnEtGh3QXE&feature=related... this song came back to me on a birthday of a friend, who is young and struggling with addictions - come to Our Lady to intercede in the courts of Heaven - Jesus Christ the Lord!