Sunday, November 15, 2015

Be prepared! makes so much sense now... Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

 Attending 8a mass on these sunny fall mornings - the sunlight comes streaming in on us from the South windows.  John and Rose after mass - we had the joy of a large family mass with Paul and 5 kids along with John.  So often I would smile and giggle as Pat would interact with his grandchildren throughout mass.  No, he would not neglect Jesus in his Word and Sacrament, but hold them keeping them quiet and turn their attention to the altar.  My heart swells with LOVE for my champion of LIFE and raising LIGHTS!  http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
 Rose kept talking about the rainbow on the wall that the sun coming through the stain glass windows reflecting on the wall...  "Hi, teacher."  said Rose to her per-school teacher who was distributing Eucharist. 
 Rose showing grandpa and Luke her rainbow on the wall. 

Reading the readings for mass last night at bedtime, this morning with Pat and at mass and then again with his mother... 4 times and their be prepared for we know not when the world will come to an end for us and we will be called before the Lord for an accounting of our life.  In the light of Paris a few days ago... it really brings us to our knees and makes us take accounting of where we are on our journey and what we have allowed to come between us and Jesus.  Lord, I want to be ready always!
 Rose, Luke and "the rainbow" on the altar after mass.
 My eyes were drawn to the alar of Our Mother/Lady of Perpetual Hope, which has graced our church of The Holy Redeemer for the 37 years of my marriage to Patrick Verly!  This beautiful floral arrangement seemed to not cover her but add to her beauty and how needed is she this day of world wide terror?  Huge!
"The original wooden icon, suspended on the altar, measures 17" × 21" inches and is written on hard nut wood with a gold leaf background.[2] The image depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary wearing a dress of dark red, representing the Passion of Jesus, with a blue mantle, representing her perpetual virginity, and cloaked veil, which represents her pure modesty. The icon shows Mary looking towards the faithful, while pointing at her son, Jesus Christ who is frightened by the instruments of crucifixion and is depicted with a fallen sandal. On the left side is Saint Michael, carrying the lance and sponge of the crucifixion of Jesus. On the right is Saint Gabriel carrying a 3-bar cross used by Popes at the time and nails. The Virgin Mary has a star on her forehead, signifying her role as Star of the Sea while the cross on the side has been claimed as referring to the school which produced the icon. The Byzantine depictions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in art have three stars, one star each on the shoulder and one on the forehead. This type of icon is called Hodegetria, where Mary is pointing to her Son, known as a Theotokos of the Passion.[3]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Perpetual_Help
 Our Mother of Perpetual Help please hold us close to your Immaculate Heart as we face the many terrors of this world which surround us. 
 Finding beauty, comfort, strength, and all that we need to go forth into LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT sharing The Truth!  Our Church gives us so much more than we need to face all that we need to deal with inside and outside of us!
 Beautiful arrangement, sun streaming in, and the icon offering us the Help that we can find in Our Mother Mary the Mother of God and given to us at the foot of the Cross- Jesus gave her to the disciple that he loves - us, and we to her!  We then take her into our home!  John 19:25  What does Mary do in our homes?  She spreads her warmth and love and caring and motherly looking out for us - taking our concerns and intentions to Jesus!  She teaches us in the school of humility!
 I love the light in this picture of Rose and RaTerra!
 So special!

Jesus, we long to come to you totally and ready to join you in heaven forever.  This is our heartfelt prayer always.  May we die to self so that you may live in us!  But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.  Daniel 12:3  I know that I am far from wise and that I have so far to go... I am humble and weak and need you my Jesus!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah
Feeding the heifers in dress clothes after mass.  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Mary is there with me always!


Newsboys - We Believe


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