A few doors down the hall from where John sleeps is the chapel with Jesus in the tabernacle! He showed it to Nancy, Gus and I... a very special place, and I am sure that John will spend some quiet moments on his knees asking for direction and calming peace as he tries to discern his call. He already speaks fondly of the leg space in the extra deep pews set far back from the one on either side- indicating that he has tried them out a few times already!
He is also aware that statues representing St Mark and Mary the Mother of God are in the chior loft overhead. Such a powerful reminder of the Communion of Saints and Angels, who join our Lord in surrounding us and filling us with the knowledge that we are not alone on our journey of LIFE! We are in the company of a wonderful and glorious FAMILY of FAITH! The heavenly army that join us in battle against the hardships that come with life, and trying to discover the path of selfless LOVE! Giving ourselves to Jesus!
The Gospel today is in Luke and the pharisees "watched him closely to see if he would cure..." We trust HIM and know that He will in his own time, and that Jesus is in control!
Our Lady of Perpetual Help is there... she is our icon of Mary here in Marshall, and how appropriate that she is there for John! Of that there is never any doubt that she will always help any, who ask for her help! It was just so good to see her in the gathering room on the wall. "Our Lady of Perpetual Help is here!" Jesus, along with your wonderful Mother, who was always there at your side after she was your Gateway into this world... Thank you for the experiences of faith John is experiencing in this first step in seminary. We know and trust that you have cured him of his cancer and now he is asking - "Why was I spared?" He is hearing a call and message to him from you, and he is willing to take the major steps to discern your call to him. We are all so grateful for his deep faith rooted in the knowledge that he "watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure..." and YOU did! You healed him, and spared him for a deeper purpose to share your LOVE and Truth with all those he meets! "Like the deer that yearns for running steams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; my soul is thirsting for God, the living God." Psalm 42:2-3
John is ready to go forward, and sees the beauty of your priesthood, and serving you and your Church with his LIFE and his LOVE and his LIGHT! We rejoice in and with you, O Lord! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
"I pray that God may sustain hope in my heart. I know that God's grace can make something out of my nothingness, and therefore I must not - I will not - be discouraged.
My trials have opened my eyes, my ears, and my heart to something I never noticed in my youth. Maybe it is because I have finally started listening to people. The fact is that many people are suffering, many of them more than I. Indeed, suffering is deeper than the immediate external struggles that engage most of us. Everyone has something missing in life, something that does not measure up to a once-cherished hope, something that inhibits freedom, some burden that tires, some hunger that is never satisfied.... We suffer in Christ, who is God's love made personal and particular to each one of us. Jesus is God drawn closer to our wounded humanity, so close that he takes is upon himself - not merely in some general way but in a way that encompasses each one of us."
John Janaro
Mom Verly with all her daughters - beautiful!
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