I was drawn to the front picture window to take in the bright full moon shining down and the lights filling the world with hope from our front bushes last night. As it turned out Pat had worked late into the early morning hours hauling manure out of the barn overnight, and had told me that he could see better with the moonlight than the back lights on the tractor. "The clouds cleared away and the moonlight was so bright that I could see the back of the spreader better than with the lights from the tractor." So when I first heard the reading from Isaiah 30 at mass this morning, I immediately smiled remembering what Pat had said about the bright moonlight. Then after returning home and gathering with Pat by the woodstove and Advent wreath to share morning prayer - we shared this verse and Pat spoke about his experience overnight. It is so great when The Word speaks to us in such a personal way. Kind of silly maybe, but we all know that we are being personally loved and cared for by our Lord, and this touches us in a personal way, and makes us smile at His touch!
I have started going through my house organizing and cleaning one cupboard or drawer at a time... Yesterday it was this cupboard where all our movies, music, scrapbooks, picture frames stuff goes. I came across a book containing Susan's graduation pictures I had taken. I found this one taken at Camden by someone else, and I took it out to add to the Advent wreath as it feels like a hug from my Little Sister Hallel!
Today is the feast of St Nicholas and I came across a great post on just what he means to us in the true meaning of Christmas...
"For Catholics, what is recalled about Nicholas is not just his mighty deeds, but his continued participation in the life of the Church as a member of the Communion of Saints. Through our participation in the Eucharist we celebrate his life and witness, he celebrates with us from his place in heaven, and together we worship the Lord who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. There is therefore a spirit of Saint Nicholas that transcends the boundaries of heaven and earth, a spirit which is greater than Nicholas himself, for it is truly the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, which every saint bears into the world. This Holy Spirit reminds us that while many in our culture wage a war against Christmas, we know that Christ's victory has already been accomplished, and his triumph is evident in not only the witness of saints like Nicholas, but in the willingness of Christ's followers in every age to proclaim boldly, and even defiantly, that the Holy Child born in Bethlehem is truly Christ the Lord. "
I thought that this closing paragraph by Fr Steve Grunow - http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/saint-nicholas-and-the-war-against-christmas/1270/
was a very wonderful way of expressing The Saints are to us in revealing The Holy Spirit at work!
Rosie and kitten snuggle.
The Gospel ends with these words today - "Without cost you have received, and without cost you are to give." Matthew 9:6 St Nicholas is a glowing example of giving generously to all - a true sign that he is filled with gratitude for all the Lord has loved and forgiven in him. I truly do feel that way after just leaving the confessional this morning. Such a wonderful way to enter the 2nd week of Advent! A reminder not to focus on my sin, but rather on the gifts I have been given to share with the world around me! Lord, I am yours!
Jesus, I am yours, and I long to do a better job with sharing my gifts/talents in order to multiply your LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT in this world...Most especially in my domestic Church/family, as those closest to us we tend to treat worse! We are so blessed to have all the help on our journey - Your Sacraments - today Eucharist and Reconciliation on first Saturday were such a gift to me and now I am asked to give without counting the cost, The Saints with Our Spiritual Mother, Mary the Mother of God, at the lead, The Word of God, the sacramentals... for me the rosary is so much a part of each day as I pray without ceasing - with every beat of my heart and every breath that I take - "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..." Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke under the arm of my Susan in my heart!
the Magnificat used a meditation of St Catherine of Siena, so I googled her quotes - Wow!
She says it so much better and simpler than I do, but I so agree with this!
We believe by Newsboys
Maria's advent wreath in Texas!
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