When I was looking at pictures to use with my sharing today... I came across the October story of Patrick! If there was ever a poster child for dying to self - Patrick Joseph is that! He died in the womb after being without oxygen for 20 minutes - he was brought to LIFE and was healed! Just as with John we feel that Patrick has a special calling and will be the Lord's boy! He taught many the reality of PRAYERS being heard and answered as the Lord takes pity upon those so poor and helpless before HIM!
Patrick one day old with his cool cap on his head that was there to protect his brain from damage... Lord, in the last 4 years we have been taught over and over that we are not in control of life, but are weak and need YOU. The times of struggle and pain and sickness and any of the hard things that come to us - that is when we know that we cannot do it alone - we need YOU! May we forever keep the Truth within us that we need to listen to You and your Bride, The Church, alone. The wrong message of the world is so contrary to yours to us! How often do we hear in advertising for things that make life more easy and indulgent - that we need to do what we want and to have what we want without thought to others or to our Faith? All the time! The message of the world is opposite that of Christ's today! Without even knowing it we are forever bombarded by selfishness and we start to think that we are entitled to seek pleasure and the easy way out of life. May we bring to mind the picture of our Patrick, who embraced the Cross in the womb and showed us that in our helpless and lowly state is where we find Christ's healing and LOVE/LIGHT/LIFE! "Take up your Cross, and follow me." May this ring in our hearts as a bell that calls us to be YOURS alone, and not to listen to that nagging and demanding voice of self. Looking to St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross today as she modeled listening to YOU and giving her LIFE for the Truth. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia.
Joe returns from Afghanistan to be at the side of Patrick! He sang to him in the midst of NICU! I am sure that Patrick has that deep memory and LOVES when his dad sings and plays the guitar for him and his siblings now! Bless-bless, Barb
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Serve the Lord with gladness! Jesus, we trust in YOU!
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