Monday, September 7, 2015

Labor Day 2015..."it is Christ in you"

Yes, it's Labor Day and all that means... the end of summer is what strikes me foremost.  But pondering how it celebrates the way we have to work throughout our lives... it suddenly struck me that the word Labor also applies to giving birth for us mothers out there.  It is a very apt way of describing the pain and work it takes to deliver a baby into the world...Labor!  I love to celebrate that this day, and so I wish to devote my thoughts and post to that this day - Labor Day 2015! 
Mary in the distance with our dog appearing to be leaning her head against her... Mary rode a donkey for days at 9 months pregnant to arrive in Bethlehem and find no room for them in an Inn - she had her baby, Jesus,/went through labor in a barn and laid him in a manger.  Alone having her first child and attended by her husband, Joseph.  Now that is quite a radical way of experiencing labor... there is no doubt that the guardian angels were watching out for her and her Son of God. 

Carrying this idea of Labor more deeply and personally into my life... considering the Truth shared with me by St Paul today in Colossians 1:24-2:3...  it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.  It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.  Yes, we are called to bear Christ to the world!  We are called to bring forth the Christ in us, and share it with the world around us - and when necessary use words!
 I admit that I am not the best at doing manual labor. I do enjoy keeping my home and meals and that kind of work.  But I adore the idea of labor in giving birth on all levels.  No, it wasn't great to go through... it did make the arrival of that child wonderful in the relief of having that horrific pain behind you.  It is very true that when you look upon the face of your newborn - the pain is quickly forgotten.  The pain of childbirth is about the most intense many of us have experienced...  a definite cross in our lives - but what a beautiful icon of how we find LIFE through the Cross which now has become the Tree of LIFE!
 John's new patio as he will be living in the rectory of St Mary's in Tracy... he is now the DRE of Tracy/Milroy/Walnut Grove!  St Francis looks out over the garden on the other side.

I love LIFE and have always been devoted to being open to ALL LIFE in our marriage - as a result we have 7 in heaven and 5 here with us on earth!  http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html  I can really get convicted to want to evangelize - bear Christ to the world in all ways possible, but I see that I lack in my sinfulness and weakness most especially with those the closest to me in my domestic Church/family.  It seems that we allow ourselves to fall into our self-centeredness and laziness with those the closest to us.  Lord, help us!  One thing we have in our favor is that when we are weak and struggling is when we turn to Jesus and ask for his help!
I love this picture of John framed in the doorway of the parish he is called to serve the youth as DRE!

Lord, much prayer is needed for us to stay close to you in sharing LOVE and Mercy.  May each moment and all that we do be always surrounded and filled with your LOVE/LIFE/LIGHT!  We adore and are filled with the Truth from your Word and Sacraments - so blessed by our Church which is there to always help us stay on the narrow path to Heaven - carrying our Most Cherished Cross and following after you.  Yes, we are called upon to embrace the pain of The Cross in our lives and to Labor to bring LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT/Jesus into this world.  May your Truth be recognized and followed no matter the cost!  Today in the Gospel you healed on the Sabbath... doing Good!  May our withered hands, heats, minds and souls made whole by you now be your hands, feet, heart, mind and soul - bearing You to the world of darkness, sin and death.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
We thank you for all your mercies unto us during the past week, for the preservation of our lives, for our health, for our strength; for the blessings of home, of love, of friendship, and for all good influences which support us in the hour of trial and temptation.  You send us the joys that brighten our days; from your hand also comes the sorrows that cast their shadows over them.  In all our experiences we recognize your guidance and praise your wisdom. 
The Union Prayerbook
Danielle Rose - A Mother's song  the Crucifixion
Mary had to give her Son to death, too, knowing that he was God!
If we are the Body - Casting Crowns

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