I am very excited to be in Mark 4 for readings these days and today's Gospel does not disappoint. Why? There is much drawing our thoughts back to 5 years ago and our cancer journey with John. And the journey started with Mark 4:35-40... on Father's Day 2009! The day that we took John into the ER in Marshall and heard for the first time that there was something in his brain, came home called Susan in France and heard the words - "Mom, this is the storm and Jesus is in control." Yes, it is Jesus calming the storm and it is the reading tomorrow... I looked ahead and am anticipating. Yes, that Gospel will forever bring me back to remember how we gave it all to Jesus as He is truly in control of our lives... lymphoma of the brain was the worst thing I could envision for my 20 year old son. We just had our 6 month check up at Mayo a few weeks ago, we recalled his 5th birthday celebrated on the day that his stem cells were transplanted on Jan 27, 2010, we are following a friend through chemo and radiation - ringing the bell today - which recalls our journey, and most of all just having the privilege to sit through John's sharing his story with over 50 kids along with teachers and friends at Wabasso a couple nights ago. Flooding back so powerfully!
The Gospel today is from Mark 4 and is the reading just before tomorrow's calming of the storm... it is the parable of the mustard seed, and reminds us that all we need is the tiniest seed of faith to have huge results in our lives..."Once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." Jesus' words to us this day telling us how he can use us to His honor and glory and when necessary use words.
It has been a wonderful morning with conversations with all of our children... that means first of all a call to Rome at about 4:30p their time, and getting Hallel on the phone! She had wonderful news for us! She will be coming to the U.S. for Easter week! She just found out today, and we are thrilled and already knowing that we will be making many Verly trips down there in the almost month that she will be in KC! She, hopefully, will be able to meet her 3 new nephews... We had to call then to North Carolina and catch Maria in her new home - they arrived late yesterday afternoon and found a wonderful clean new home and their truck outside to unload all their things in the next few days! "The kids are outside playing and the grass is green." So wonderful after the desert for 3 years! Maria was glad to get the news as soon as possible in hopes that they can get there to see Hallel while she is home at some point. That led to calls to Ruth and Nancy with the news of great JOY, too!
Lord, we are so excited and happy to think that our far away in distance not in love or sharing in The Spirit daughter, Little Sister Hallel, is set to return close by in Kansas City! How I have been praying for "a real hug" and the Lord saw fit to give me that gift. Of course, I want to just go there and be there as long as she is here, but we must refrain ourselves and wait until the right time and we are invited to come and share in their lives! It is hard to be patient and hold back, and it is such a blessing that we are welcomed as family and are able to share in their prayer life and each day we are given to be with them. The words of Psalm 37 in the mass today are ringing in my heart and soul...Trust in the Lord and do good that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart's requests. Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him, and he will act. He will make justice dawn on you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. Reminded of the healings of John and the call of Hallel and the LIGHT shared by Ruth and Paul for the world to see, and our family now getting settled in North Carolina, after the wonderful month of close sharing we were gifted, and having the joy of sharing life with Nancy and her little ones here on the farm while Bill travels with work, and, yes, having John here to share our life as he thanks God for the cancer which brought him to Faith and the plan that remains a mystery and keeps him on his knees asking the Lord! Thank you Lord most of all for being able to share our Faith/Family/Farm with all our children and grandchildren. Even Hallel loves to share her farm roots with the rest of the Community of the Lamb! "Do you have a player that you can put a DVD in and watch a movie about the farm?" "Yes, mom, that is what I want from you for Christmas." It is in the works! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Ruth and Paul have a motto that they live by in their marriage - "Be life-giving in what you say and do." It has caused me to pause from time to time and assess myself with Patrick Gerard Joseph!
How I long for this to be true!
Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me
The Afters - Broken Hallelujah
I love this song and how they spell Hallelujah!
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