John and Hallel outside the temporary monastery that the Community of the Lamb is living in. It is located in an old rectory next to one of the many neighborhood churches in a poor area of Kansas City, Kansas. About 4 blocks away the new monastery is taking shape quickly. For updates as it grows and soon to open this summer - you can check on their site - http://www.communityofthelambusa.org/monastery_progress.html. Now they are starting the work on the inside!!! It is so wonderful to see the progress, and to know that they are putting down roots in the heart of our country. We were just talking to a person, who failed to see the value of the contemplative life - "My neice is an sister, and she works a job plus is going back for her doctorate. She says; 'Are their prayers any better than mine?' " It seems that many people are of the impression that unless you are gainfully employed or making money to support yourselves - that you are lazy, and taking the easy way out, or wasting time and money by spending your days in prayer. I see it as a very necessary and important job! If it weren't for all the religious in convents and monasteries praying for this world - I would hate to think how much worse off the world would be! I see prayer as hugely important, and the lesson that religious, who appeal to us to support their work in contemplative prayer by contributing to them...as teaching us the beauty of humility, and being dependent on others as a small child would be. How often does Jesus tell us that we need to be as small children and that we can learn from watching them? Constantly and emphatically!!!
We are all excited around here as Snowball just had the first calf for the year - it is a heifer and her name is officially Snowcrystal! Snowcrystal is very fitting with the frost on the trees today after the fog!!! I will have pictures galore by evening - I am sure!
Jesus, it is so wonderful to have the excitement and wonder of new LIFE around us. Be with calving that all may go smoothly this year. Keep Pat rested and healthy as he is busy around the clock with the needs of the new little ones born on these cold days. Thank you for the prayers we receive from the Community of the Lamb - as they model for the world the power and beauty of being humble and asking for us to reach out to them. May their new little Monastery - Christi Lumen - Light of Christ - be a beacon on the hill for all those that are lost and alone. Jesus, there is are so many ways we are misled - we think that we need to be totally self-sufficient and not rely on anyone or even on YOU, O Lord! But this is not what is the Truth - we need to humble ourselves and depend on YOU and your Bride, the Church! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
"Be merciful, just as your Father in heaven is merciful." Luke 6: 36-38 The Gospel for today!
"What pleases God, is to see me love my littleness and my poverty; it is the blind hope I have in his mercy. This is my sole treasure." St Therese of Lisieux
In honor of the birth of Snowcrystal with the sledding hill behind.
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