The Astonishment of Faith

Cherished picture of Pat's birthday #42 or so in 1986 with all 4 girls and it looks like 42 candles in small pumpkin pies that I put in muffin tins.  Just talking to John as he is stuck in traffic going trying to get to a meeting in the Cities... discussing the Paschal mystery which he will be speaking about at TEC this weekend.  Talking with him about how through the Cross we find LIFE!  This is the Paschal mystery to me, and that in embracing my Most Cherished Cross, Patrick Gerard Joseph Verly, that I have been blessed with LIFE!  I have been blessed with the 5 here with us on our journey of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT, and then the 7 in Heaven praying for me!  Those 7 losses were so painful for me and truly represent the Cross in the suffering and pain of loss!  This is how we grow in our faith and give up of our selves/die to self so that Christ can LIVE and work through us!  Looking at this special picture of Pat smiling with LOVE and JOY at his wonderful daughters on his birthday... The LIGHTS he is determined to raise and make a difference in this world of darkness!

Pat with his grandkids is another heart warming sight!  He loves children and they know it!

Today in the Gospel we encounter Christ as He teaches and heals in a very amazing way.... He commands an unclean spirit to leave a person... it doesn't just quietly leave - it convulses him and "with a loud cry came out of him."  Mark1:21-28  Right before their eyes the people in the synagogue witness this happening - and they hear the spirit recognize Jesus as "The Holy One of God!"  Their FAITH is strengthened yet they are amazed and astonished at the words He spoke and the dramatic healing that had taken place!  As Pat and I were reading the Gospel today - I found myself longing to hear the teaching and words He had spoken as Mark mentions twice in the Gospel today that what He taught them was filled with new authority and Truth!  I wanted to hear them with all my heart!!!  How I love it when Jesus speaks directly to us in the Gospel, and to think that we missed these words as Mark did not share them with us... but did we truly miss them?  The words of Christ are recorded in the Gospels in his sermon on the mount, His last supper words in John 6, His words to the woman taken in adultery and the woman at the well, His words to his Mother from the Cross as well as to the thieves on both sides of him, His words to his disciples as He appeared and spoke after his resurrection, and even His words to the blinded Saul in the road to Damascus!

Pat with a younger little Dave - his grandchildren are drawn to his loving big arms like metal to a magnet!

We recognize Christ in the Word - as HE is the Word made flesh!  The Community of the Lamb through our Susan/little Sister Hallel, who has joined their contemplative LIFE... has shown us the beauty of reading the Gospel for the next day the night before and then bringing it forth into the new day!  Christ asks us to be His hands and feet and preaching in this world!

Casting Crowns - If we are the Body

Savor this song of Truth and may our answer be YES!

We are so happy and thrilled with our wonderful son-in-laws.... they are open to LIFE and wonderful loving and caring fathers to their children!  This Sunday Paul was leading the singing at the college and when he was sitting between songs his little Dave came to sit on his lap.

How wonderful is it for us on our journey of Faith when we discover the power of the Cross, and that through our suffering we find Jesus and His unconditional LOVE and forgiveness?  It is life-giving and humbling so that we may leave pride and selfishness behind, and embrace our Most Cherished Cross and follow after HIM down the narrow path. 

The little sisters visit baby Augustine along with new parents Nancy and Bill!

Pat was laughing about a touching scene we witnessed on our way home from visiting my parents and attending a family baby shower with Nancy.  We stopped at a restaurant with one of those play areas for Gus.  He got into a place where you had to climb from one level to the other, and Gus started to cry as he couldn't quite do it.  Bill climbed in to give him a boost gently and lovingly to help his son accomplish his tasks without demeaning him or reprimanding him.  The place was full of other parents and grandparents who were obviously touched by this dad coming to the rescue of his small son!  There was applause when Gus finally reached a tube to crawl through to the slide going down.  

Jesus, we thank YOU for the Faith we find as we follow YOU in your Word, and Sacraments, and all those we encounter on our journey.   We are so blessed to find within our domestic Church/family those that embrace the Truth and share YOUR LIGHT with us.  May we go forth dying to our selfishness and giving without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

My father, too, brought us on an amazing Spiritual Journey into The Church - all 13 of us!

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html 

Isaiah 55:1–2

The Compassion of the Lord

55 d“Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

ecome, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

2  fWhy do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

and delight yourselves in rich food.

 

the verse that changed our lives - come, Holy Spirit!

So blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Casting Crowns - My LIFESONG sing