Rose learning from big sister how to wash windows. This day we are shown a child by Jesus and told "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me... For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest." Jesus speaking to us when we allow ourselves to get big, and inflated, and in the way- preventing the Holy Spirit from doing it's work within us - in the Gospel today in Luke 9:46-50
It is very important as parents to plant those seeds of Faith inside the hearts, minds, and souls of the little ones we have been blessed to share our journey called Domestic Church/family with. Each new member we are given only expands our LOVE and does not stretch it more and more thin. Our LOVE grows more and more! In the process of raising my LIGHTS to the world - I thought that it was very important to consider a call to priesthood/religious life! I had to send them an hour away to a Schoenstatt camp to see sisters in habits as there were none in our area. To me wearing the habit is a very real sign to the world of your being a Bride of Christ, and I say this having very good friends that are Sisters out of habit. I see that the young girls, that are answering the call now do seem to feel this way too... they want the sign to the world in their habit and veil - that they are set apart in a special way and are wanting the world to know that this is a beautiful option for each to consider. That Christ could be asking them to leave all behind and to give their all to HIM! Such a wonderful call to Holiness in this special LOVE for HIM!
This was a sight to behold today as a sweet friend from TEC shared this today. It portrays much the same wonder and specialness that Mary, Simon, and David had as they were allowed to come close to see Marie lay on the floor - humbly giving herself to Christ in the beautiful ceremony where she took the habit of the Community of the Lamb and changed her name to little Sister Inez (Agnes in Spanish). My parents are deeply touched to see the ways my kids and grandkids are exposed to such depth and beauty of what our Church has to offer each one growing up in The Church. May they each consider that the Lord could be calling them to a personal call to be HIS! I certainly did consider it in a very real way - living for a month behind the enclosure with the Cenacle Sisters in Wayzata one January and writing a paper about religious LIFE. I would say that each of my girls considered it also. Maria, much like me, lived with the Poor Clares for 5 months and prayed and asked for direction. She found that it wasn't for her, yet her time with them cemented a family bond of prayer with them for a lifetime!
From the ceremony in Kansas City... Marie lay on the ground barefoot and prostrate...
O eternal God, O abyss of charity, clothe me, clothe me with yourself, O eternal Truth, my gentle Lord, O my love.
Wholeheartedly I prostrate myself before you, O Lord, I do not abandon me to my own will, you have done so much for me, in your great love have mercy on me.
O eternal God, o abyss of charity, clothe me, clothe me with yourself, O eternal Truth, my gentle Lord, O my love.
Planting the seeds of JOY!
Other young girls from the neighborhood were invited, so wisely, by the Community to come close and watch with their eyes of Faith!
"During your postulancy you have experienced the LIFE of the Community of the Lamb, a very simple life of fraternal communion, of prayer, of study of the Word of God, of preaching the Gospel, a life of poverty and of abandonment to Divine Providence, of mendicancy, a life of humble and joyful service to the community, where together you all attach yourselves to live the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, announcing the universal reconciliation of men and the return of Jesus.
Do you desire to live this life according to the Purpose of LIFE of the Community of the Lamb?
Yes, I do with the grace of God! answered Marie - soon to become Little Sister Inez!
"May the Lord have you put off the old nature with its practices and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
The tunic - "Receive the tunic. May the Lord clothe you in mercy and tender compassion! Let the same mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus; may the Lord clothe you in strength and gladness."
The scapular ( the long straight piece that goes over their head and covers them front and back)
"Receive the scapular, this blessed garment, it is the yoke of Christ, meek and humble; wear it joyfully and, along with it, put on the humility and meekness of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The belt - "Receive the belt. May the Lord gird you with fortitude and truth, may he keep you awake in love and find you watchful at his every coming."
the sandals - "As you put on the sandals, may the Lord grant you the zeal to spread the Gospel of peace, the promptness and attention to every form of obedience and to every good deed, the patience and vigilance to carry out the offices of the night and of the day."
The veil - "Receive the veil, and sign of your belonging to Christ. May he clothe you in his fidelity and may your heart remain undividedly his."
The rosary - "Receive this rosary, and may the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, help you to enter the mysteries of her Son Jesus Christ, she of whom are entrusted all the children of St Dominic. May Christ be fixed upon your hearts, he who was fixed onto the Cross for all."
Beautiful glowing, Little Sister Inez, at the end of her day of celebration! We look with new eyes at the habit and veil she wears and all that it means to her and to the world that surrounds her!
Lord, how touched and forever blessed we are to have this wonderful Community of the Lamb in our family and now to have a little Monastery - Lumen Christi - Light of Christ in the heart of our country! We see with eyes of Faith the LIGHT that it is for this poor community in Kansas City, and also for many in our country. The Truth is filling our world with LIGHT/LOVE/LIFE! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barb
Keep the farmers safe, O Lord!
"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the Gospel of peace, besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18
Generations exposed to the LIGHT of Truth! Just off the phone with Maria in El Paso - "I love Pope Francis, and his message of LOVE! We must LOVE as Christ has asked us to - the dogma will never change, so why beat it to death. We will win those to Christ with LOVE and not judgemental hatefulness! Pope Francis' love for the poor reminds me much of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and how she touched and changed the world by embracing the poorest of the poor!"
A picture from El Paso today - a trip by the homeschoolers to a pumpkin patch!
I was looking for the way that the Community sings Salve Regina and found this from Sister Act - the best! As John says it makes good fun of our rich and wonderful Church. Don't you think that our Lady is smiling when she sees this too? Yes!!!!
So excited that the date has been set for the Cannonization of JPII and John xxiii- April 27th, 2014 - Divine Mercy Sunday/ 2nd Sunday of Easter - so appropriate!
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