"Life-giving, joy-giving knowledge of Jesus..."

The two sisters had playtime last evening.  Mary sang to her and helped her jump in her jumper and then would swing her out and back.  She laughed with glee and would cry for her sister to come back when she left to do her homework.  So special to be already  sharing joy and getting to know the bond of sisters sharing time.  Today the Gospel is that very abrupt and direct one where his mother and "brothers" are wanting to see him in the crowd... His responce - "My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God and act on it."  Luke 8

Sr Ruth Burrows a Carmelite nun from England writes;

"Life-giving, joy-giving knowledge of Jesus and of the Father doesn't drop in our lap from heaven.  WE have to work for it.  'Come to me,' says Jesus, and we must go to him.  And the prime way of going to him is by intent, loving absorption of Scripture, particularly the New Testament.  Put simply; we must strive to acquire an intellectual knowledge of Him, of his attitudes,values and teaching.  This intellectual knowledge is certainly not intimacy, certainly not a 'knowing Jesus,' but it is an indispensable ingredient for intimacy and real knowing.  It is work we have to do, a practical expression of our earnest desire to get to know our Lord."

I see this so powerfully in the way that our Church goes through the Bible for us daily in the readings of the day.  Even if unable to attend daily mass... it is such a blessing to read them and ponder them as they each day have a Gospel reading and an accompanying OT and psalm.  On special feastdays there is a second reading usually from the New Testatment that adds to the depth and joy of learning to "know" HIM!  It is also wonderful to spend time reading and studying on our own alone or in guided study groups.  I find that I look for groups that are within the Church as there seems to be a united effort to tear down the Catholic Church in many of the others, and I don't need or want that.  I was interested to hear that the college Catholic kids are having a study group to learn apologetics and how to defend your faith when it is attacked.  As Catholics this is just something that we face.  The True Church is, of course, going to be attacked by those that have chosen to not be in it.  I find this especially true of those that, for one reason or another, left it behind.  That is hard as for some of us that is our own family!

Lord, may we do the work with great joy - discovering the Truth that is to be gained through your Word!  Over and over we see how those that are called to be your spouse take that time with great vigilance - time with you in your Word as well as the Sacrament of the Eucharist!  Two real ways that you are present to us!  We can also find your LOVE, and LIFE, and LIGHT there for us in our daily lives!  May we take the time to learn of YOU, and to carry that forth into our lives within our domestic Church/family!  Thank you for your Beauty in all that surrounds us - it pulls us out of our selfish inward ways and brings us out into the breathtaking wonder of your world, the beauty found in the little ones so miraculously here, the peace and beauty we find in the beautiful churches, the chapels of the Communities of yours... all around us we "see" your LOVE reflected back to us!  We are surrounded by your LOVE and your Truth!  We are YOURS, O Jesus!  We long to be more and more yours and less and less selfish and sinful.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

Psalm 104 - a Grand Hallel Psalm!

"Bless the Lord, my soul!

Lord God, how great you are!

You made the moon to mark the months;

the sun knows the time for its setting.

When you spread the darkness it is night

and all the beasts of the forest creep forth.

The young lions roar for their prey

and ask their food from God.

At the rising of the sun they steal away

and go to rest in their dens.

Man goes forth to his work,

to labor til evening falls.

How many are your works, O Lord!

In wisdom you have made them all.

The earth is full of your riches.

I will sing music to the Lord all my life,

make music to my God while I live. 

May my thoughts be pleasing to him.

I find my joy in the Lord. 

Bless the Lord, my soul."

I am just back from following my husband in the grain cart and then moving him... my time in the pickup at that slow pace always give me wonderful time with Him and His Word through the rosary!  As soon as I pick up the beads and feel them in my fingers and the prayers and meditations begin - the world around me takes on an even richer beauty filled with Peace, Joy, Hope, Love and all the wondrous wellspring of graces from above!  Any chance I get throughout the day I am at prayer and the rosary is my vehicle drawing me heavenward!  Thank you, Our Lady, for your vehicle of grace- your prayer, The Rosary!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFQX1PYpD68  Come to the Well by Casting Crowms seems to be called for here!