This morning at mass I looked over to see an older lady friend, who just lost her husband in the last couple weeks. Due to the weather we were unable to attend the funeral, so I reached over and took her arm and said that "I am so sorry for your loss." She looked me in the eye, and merely said -"Life goes on." Pondering that through mass as we sat close to each other... I could see, knowing her, that she probably meant these words on two levels at least! Firstly that she must continue to live her life and yes - our death is a part of all of our LIVES! Then that her husband is not really gone nor not living, but he has now entered into eternal LIFE everlasting LIFE! Now that is the most beautiful part of all this! Yes, she is now to go on alone without her spouse of over 60 years, yet she finds comfort in knowing that he died a beautiful death - which we all hope for - after lunch he laid down for a nap and died in his sleep! She also finds tremendous comfort in knowing and praying for him - knowing that he was a man of Faith and will be with our Lord in LIFE everlasting! Yes, I probably read too much into this, but knowing my friend Betty Mae - I am quite sure that all of this is true, and that I have not put words or thoughts into her head.
Today ends Christmas with the Baptism of Jesus - he approaches John the Baptist for Baptism not to wash away any sin as He is without sin... "but in order to model for us the only authentic way to approach the Father... in repentance!" see www.magnificat.com "God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with HIM." Acts 10:38 - the second reading from mass today! Jesus not only went around doing good but he continues His work on earth! His Spirit dwells within you and me, and this is what we are called to do for each of our brothers and sisters, all that we live with in our domestic Church/family, all those we sit with at mass as our Family of Faith, all those we work with at various jobs necessary for our world to go on, the total stranger we encounter where ever we may be, the poor, the homeless, those in prison, those that are alone and sick! All of mankind!!!! Can we do this? Lord, help us and come Holy Spirit and enkindle in us your Way, your Truth, and your LIFE here on earth and then eternal LIFE when we leave this world.
Lord, it means to much to be reminded by YOU that life truly does go on. That death is truly a part of our lives and we need not fear. Yes, there is a sadness when we lose for a brief time the lifelong partner we have shared all with. But knowing of their time spent now with YOU brings great peace and helps us to accept. Spending 24 hours with my aging parents, of course the topic of dying and what that will be for them comes up quite a few times. We know not the time, yet we look forward to coming to be with you and leaving the aging body with its ailments behind. We place all of our aging family in the palm of your hand, O Lord. We thank you for their wisdom on our journey. WE thank you for the gift of my dad being able to hear and have conversations with his family and friends. May we come to you with repentance for all the ways we hurt you with our sinfulness and selfishness, dear Lord! We fall on our knees and give our all to YOU. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Great grandpa with little 2 1/2 year old Augustine and his daddy Bill!
"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered." Heb 5:8
My parents - much of their days spent in prayer and study - we are blessed by them!
Third Day - God of wonders
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