It was so great for Ruth and Maria to talk and compare notes... as they have dealt with the same situation. This is our official miracle baby #4 - Ruth has 3 since her rupture and now Maria has had her first!
It was powerful to read about the two saints for today - St Cornelius and Cyprian from the 3rd century. How there was a huge persecution of the Christians and many when faced with torture and death renounced their Faith in Christ and His Church. I asked myself - "What would I do if faced with some horrible slow torture leading to death?" The thing that really rang close to the message of Pope Francis for me was how these two men were forgiving and loving and allowed these shaken shamed Christians to return ... "viewing them with the merciful eyes of Christ." Isn't this the message of our new pope?
The first reading today is the wonderful one from I Corinthians 12 - the Body is one but has many parts..."all the parts of the body, though many , are one body, so also Christ." Once again reminding us that although some of us are strong enough to stand up to persecution and death for our faith. Maybe some are weak and falter, but later they are filled with shame and remorse - asking for forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation they are then given that mercy and unconditional forgiveness and then transformed and on fire with His LOVE they can then make a amazing difference in their worlds! Yes, the example of the martyrs is so important to us in showing us that we can face all obstacles and make a difference with our sacrifice for Christ and His Church, but also those that are here with us and forgiven their weakness can also bring LIGHT into the world of darkness!
Tomorrow I will be heading up the Cities about supper time to start my journey to Texas and be with Maria and her family! I am excited and prayerful that all will smooth out with my newest grandson, and he will be healthy and happy in the arms of his family before I get there. Please join me in these prayers for health and strength. He appears to be doing fine after the little glitch in his first few minutes of life. They totally seem to feel that it was just because he was a bit early. The important thing was to get him here safe as well as Maria. It was the right window from the surgeon's perspective, and so Maria is pondering that in her heart for the future.
Jesus and Mary we love you and ask you to hold all that happens with family close to your heart burning with love for us. We are weak and turn to you when we fail and fall down... as you are reminded in the 100th psalm from mass today - "We are his people: the sheep of his flock. Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends... For he is good, the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations." After being with the 4 generations, we are blessed to have on this journey, these last few days... this promise is ringing in my heart, mind, and soul this day! May you go with me on my travels and time away from the farm in the land of Big Army. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
I came across this today... it looks like my baby Luke, and reminds me of our prayers last evening with the 4 generations before Nancy's little ones went to bed. Gus was loudly and clearly and enthusiastically saying the Our Father with his great-grandmother, grandfather, and mom... that's 4 generations of Faith/Family/Farm! So heart warming/touching!
Third Day - Born Again!
Mary's wonderful birthday card for grandpa
Rose loves Dommy!
A breakfast shot... Dominic is not on the menu!
One last thing I just read this on Nancy's blog and found it to be wonderful... I would love for you to take the time to be rejuvenated in your Catholic Church and it's wisdom about LIFE!
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