Rose isn't too sure about that thing in her hair for St Patrick's day, but then she will only meet her aunt Mary in heaven and learn about the beauty of St Patrick from her. The kids did watch that kid version cartoon movie, that we have had since their mom was a kid, about St Patrick yesterday, along with St Bernadette, and St Nicholas. Such good things for the kids to watch, and learn about these amazing and wonderful human beings that can teach us how to be Saints! Yes, St Patrick's day has always been big in my life most especially after my younger sister, Mary Susan, was born on that day in 1957 - I was 6 1/2 years old when she came into the world! Like me... she was dark hair and eyes after having two blond sisters between us - my dad is blond with blue eyes. We shared a lot over the years, and when I married my farmer, Pat, she came to help me during my second pregnancy - I would have toxemia and be on bedrest the last few months. She fell in love with my life on the farm, and eventually found and married her dairy farmer from Wisconsin. She was Godmother to two of our girls - Nancy and Susan. I say "was", because when Susan was about the age of Rose now... Mary died of lymphoma cancer at the age of 28... leaving behind her new husband and 20 month old daughter, Audrey. Today would have been her 55th birthday, but she will be forever young.
Our Mary Angela in front of the Easter tree - a lilac tree from the huge hedge that surrounds our house - with her shamrock headband in honor of her namesake, Aunt Mary in Heaven. Realizing that Mary's birthday - St Patrick's day was more than likely most always, if not always in Lent. Before we became Catholic that did not amount to much, but in The Church it makes it less festive to have a birthday in Lent. Mary's Goddaughter, our second daughter, Nancy Anna's birthday is April 2, and it has even been on Good Friday a few times - never Easter though. It makes you grow up a lot to have your birthday on Good Friday as a young girl. You realize quickly that what Jesus did for us on that day means a whole lot more than birthday cake and presents. I am sure that my sister felt a bit of that after she became Catholic at age 13. Yet that lenten season is very powerful for all of us. The good things and special things in LIFE become that much more wonderful when you do withtout them for 40 days! Also with the Lenten practices of almsgiving, fasting and prayer - we learn better the lesson that Jesus showed us the LIFE and LOVE He showed the poor and sinful when He walked on this earth! "The sick need the physician." He reminded us.
Behind the kids with their St Patty's day headbands is a special watercolor of my sister that her Goddaughter, Nancy made for me! Her other Goddaughter, Little Sister Hallel... the paper Hallel that we made to be at Nancy's wedding... looks on with a smile.
The amazing Gospel today is the woman taken in adultery - John 8:1-11 This Gospel message has stopped me short of saying hurtful things to others in what I thought to be righteous indignation. Things that I thought were blatantly wrong, and that I should stand for what is right or the truth and say something. I would remind myself - "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." It was like a bucket of cold water was thrown on my flaming feelings of anger or hurt. I would think of my own ugliness and sin, and realize that I was in no place to cast a stone at them that would hurt them and hurt the loving relationship we had. I knew that it would cause a painful seperation, if I mentioned this to the persons, and I was stopped short by listening to Christ's words to me. I just prayed that there would be a more loving way of sharing with them the Truth and Beauty of LIFE, LOVE, and LIGHT. That I could be mindful of my own sins, and make strides in my walk with Christ down the narrow Path carrying my Most Cherished Cross!
I had to get out my St Francis statue to watch over us now as we have a new humble Pope Francis looking over our Church since last Wednesday!
My garden statue of St Francis is now standing at the side of Our Lady, and the new Holy Father has shown us by his actions of taking flowers to a special altar in Rome to Mary... that he loves her with a special and deep LOVE!
Jesus, so many blessings are filling us with wonder and awe in this last week! We are learning about the new man you have called through the intercession of the Holy Spirit to become our new Pope/Papa! Papa Francis, and he is looking to the beautiful example of St Francis of Assisi! The man, who is most like Christ of all the Saints, even to carrying the wounds of Christ on his body - the stigmata! So humble is this man, and how important it that to model for the world that we are in the world but not of the world. Once again Simon told us the profound Truth he discovered in his childlike vision of LIFE, and LOVE, and LIGHT! "God is better than money. And that is why Susan/Hallel is poor!" It was the first time that his Godmother, Nancy, had heard him speak so simply about this amazing deep thought... we all marveled at how he had captured so much in this simple statement! It reminded us of how we do not need stuff rather we gain our happiness and strength in Faith, and Family, and yes for us - Farm!
Ruth and Paul's 3 oldest helping take some calves to the other barn yesterday.
Yes, Lord we know that LIFE is the most important thing. When Ruth and Paul welcomed Rose - someone said to them: "Congratulations, but you also have to write out the checks." Yes, kids do cost us money, but there are ways to share amongst siblings, and not give them all the trappings of the world. There are hand-me-downs that work just as well as the lastest fashions, and keep a child from becoming too mindful of clothes and all the accessories. Yes, Lord, LIFE is a gift, and we need to hold our heads up high when we are displaying for the world that we are open to LIFE! There is no comparison to welcoming a new member into the family to a vacation home or a new boat or the latest car of truck! They are not even in the same category or level! May we take to heart the message today from the Gospel and hesitate when we are going to hurt someone righteously. "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more." May we find a way to show Your LOVE to those around us, and may they then make better their lives with YOU. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
■By Pope John Paul: “Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it”.
Happy Feastday to my husband and wonderful 5 month old Grandson, Patrick!
At Cross Christmas!
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