The Truth fills our lives

With Jesus on the altar in the humble undecorated monstrance used by the Community - so familiar after the almost 6 years since Hallel has entered the Community of the Lamb - I was blessed with midday prayer shared with the Community in Kansas City on our way back from visiting Maria and Joseph and family in Texas in February!  Last night I was transported in heart, mind and spirit to be with them as I read the Gospel for today the night before!  It is a great loss to our very close family to not have Hallel in our day to day lives, yet there are those very powerful moments and experiences we have due to her call.  We have learned from them to really "chew" and take in the Gospel each day starting the night before.  How the excitement builds within me as I finish evening and night prayer and turn to the readings for he next day- What will the Gospel be?  Joy fills me and excitement, such a wonderful frame of mind to enter sleep!  Last night I was particularly struck with a closeness with my dear daughter, Little Sister Hallel, as I know she too is taking in Jesus through His Word!

In September - the gift of sharing time with Hallel and her community in Kansas City at the dedication of the Little Monastery there! 
Even when Hallel was home for her home visit a year ago - her, John and I would mendicate the Gospel for the day - we would speak each line numerous times and then chant them.  It is quite something to see how the Holy Spirit reveals deep seeds that are planted within the words.  They even spend time sharing "echoes" from other places in the Word that speak about similar issues or points that come out.  When they go out into the world to beg for their food from the poor - they also represent Christ as they are filled with The Word and share it!  We see in the Community the mercy and non-judgmental attitude they embrace all they meet.  This was so beautifully expressed in an article we just read in our diocesan paper - The Prairie Catholic - this idea of LOVE and mercy, which Pope Francis promotes!

The 5 together a year ago!!!  Just praying with John and once again hearing him speak with so much LOVE for Our Lady - "the most beautiful woman in the world!"  Just sharing email prayer with a mother of a 23 year old son, who has just had seizures return after hopeful surgery to correct the problem... possible scar tissue from the risky surgery that seemed to heal him.  It reminded me of John and now the worries we are facing with his changes in his brain possibly due to the whole brain radiation.  So hard on these young men to face these new challenges, and wonder what the Lord has in store for them.  But as mothers we know without a doubt that the Lord does have a plan and is in control!  I shared with her that I am using Lourdes water liberally and often, and know the LOVE John has found for Our Lady stems from his two trips to Lourdes and bathing in the healing waters of the miraculous springs both times!  I am willing to share some that we brought back!  http://www.dnu.org/news/newspaper/documents/JAN.2013MASTERISSUE.pdf  John's article in the Prairie Catholic and his healing in his own words. 

What JOY to see Hallel in the midst of our beautifully remodeled Church and with our Community of Faith last April!
Jesus, today in the Gospel you healed from afar , if only we have the Faith that it can happen as you say!  The second miracle in Cana after the WINE!  The wine was gallons and gallons of JOY!  Your Blood comes from the wine and fills us with the ability to take your love and mercy into our lives and world.  Most especially into our domestic church/family where we seem to struggle the most to give without counting the cost.  To live the motto of the Community of the Lamb - "Wounded, I will not cease to love." is truly what you show us on the Cross and is not humanly possible!  Only with You and your Truth can we embrace our Most Cherished Cross and find LIFE eternal!  Jesus, we need you - we are weak and fail so often in our sinfulness.  May we go forth filled with the knowledge and LOVE of You and your Bride, The Church.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
"... another misreading of Pope Francis' message, 'which some Catholics fall victim to, is to say 'yeah, yeah, yeah, fine about mercy, but let me tell you about the rules.' "
Pope Francis 'is saying that's not the way to sell the faith. The most interesting thing about him... is his emphasis on mercy, and his repeated talk about Jesus and the Gospels and the primacy of charity, rather than rules or laws.  If we want to evangelize, we need to describe what we love about the faith, and not the kinds of rules and laws, that we all should, of course, attend to.  Pope Francis message is that what draws people to the faith is God's mercy... that we need to love God and our neighbors, that charity is paramount, that we need to take care of the poor, that the message of the Gospels is God's mercy."  John Garvey from the article in the April Prairie Catholic - In the first year, Pope Francis has challenged all to live the Gospel
"Pope Francis' genuineness is his concern for the poor: 'It's who he is.  The way he's living is perfectly consistent with the message he's preaching.  He lives like a poor man, he takes care of the poor... it's not just a token.  It's the best evidence of his sincerity."  John Garvey

Hallel with her Goddaughter, Therese...

No wonder she found great JOY in getting this for her and her dolly, Anna, for her birthday a few weeks ago!  Made by mom with love and worn with a recognition of its meaning - listening to the call!

Danielle Rose - pursue me, Lord