The questions and feedback were a large part of the talk. It was good to have family there - familiar with his story and asking him to focus on his gut-wrenching decision to do whole brain radiation and the stem cell transplant when he was brought back to life after the bomb was dropped on his stem cells - the source of LIFE. Then in the clean soil - the seeds/his own stem cells were replanted to take root and grow within him - the new John without any cancer cells left and healed of PCNSL! Surrounded by prayer!
John speaking about the prayers...
On the way home yesterday we wrote down the 5 decades for each mystery of the rosary we think would be amazing to add... The Miracles of Christ, The Healings, and Forgiveness Mysteries. As we pondered what would be included in the Miracles... the loaves and the fishes feeding the 5,000, the raising of Lazarus, The calming of the storm, The walking on the water, and then we thought and thought... the miracle of casting the nets on the right side of the boat and catching 153 large fish after a night of catching nothing! It was with great JOY that I discovered that this was the Gospel for today when I wearily read the Gospel for today the night before. And it was joyfully in the midst of my being sick with a cold and having grandkids here today while Ruth prepares her house for first communion of Mary on Sunday... that I read it to John this morning! When we were talking about it on the trip - I recalled that it was the risen Lord, who was in this story, and sure enough in John 21 this morning there it was! Such a beautiful story of looking to Christ and obeying his commands to us- even when we are sick and weary and have spent the entire night trying to accomplish it on our own. Once He tells us where to look and how to go about His will for us - we are overwhelmed by the results!
Lighting a candle for John in the Eucharistic chapel before hand. John has fallen in love with Our Lady on his journey - and spoke of his trip to Lourdes early in his journey when we went to France to support Hallel as she took her habit. "The water is so cold and they do not put your head in the water, so Fr Craig found a pitcher and we poured the water over my head - that is where I needed the healing. The water felt warm on my head!" I had not known that he experienced the warmth on his head, and that speaks very powerfully of the miracle - transformation of John by his call to Faith and finding the wonderful most beautiful woman in heaven and earth there to touch and intercede for him from that point onward! She was so comforting to us as were all the prayers that surrounded us and the sacraments that ministered to us.
Morning mass with my parents - the Thursday of Easter... so filled with LIGHT and LIFE!
It is so thrilling to hear the apostles sharing The Truth of Christ in the Acts readings these days. It is much like John now burning to share to whomever will listen that he has been changed by the Paschal mystery in his life! There was a small beautiful sharing before he spoke about how each day we are called to die to those things in our lives, and the result of that death is so that the risen Christ may live in us more fully! John said that he was amazed to hear his entire talk summed up in this Paschal Mystery! So true! He is filled with the Holy Spirit/The risen Lord after dying to his lack of Faith through the brain cancer the Lord allowed him to experience along with the ataxia he is left with and now the prayers needed to keep the fears of dementia away.
We drove straight to the Catholic School to hear the spring concert with Simon and Mary. Afterwards we were invited to come to their rooms and play games with them. John and I played SkipBo in Mary's room and once 17 years ago John's room! John seemed to revel in the memory and we had fun - grandparents and uncle come to visit time!
Paul helped Simon's class transplant seedlings outside.
Jesus, we thank you for helping us to make room for you in our lives - clearing away our selfish ways and making room for the Spirit to live and breath and change us to be obedient to your commands to lower the nets and take a catch we are unable to find alone. On our trip up to John's talk we had a 45 minute talk with Hallel in France... John was telling her that being back at square one with a job rejection and back looking..."I am in a dark place." "Well, John get out of the tomb." Hallel said to him and he laughed out loud as did his mom. Yes, risen Lord, Jesus Christ, You are showing us each day that with the dyings we experience - You are there to take us by the hand and lead us out of the tomb into the bright Son-light of new LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!!!
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
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