Reading the readings last night before bed...as I was getting dressed for mass this morning I recalled that The Gospel this morning was Jesus speaking about the Kingdom of God, and the Pearl of great price that we sell all to possess.
I put on my wonderful pearl necklace gifted to me by John a few years back, and he pointed out to me that they were "real" and that they were a sign of his appreciation to me for my being at his side in the battle he fought against brain cancer. So when the Gospel had been read and Father launched into his homily... I poked John and pointed to my necklace and we both smiled. Father also reminded us that Jesus comes to us in two ways in the mass - the Word in which he challenges us and teaches us the Truth to live by, and the Eucharist with which he feeds us and sustains us to go forward down the narrow path. All of this is sharing The Kingdom here and striving to reach The Kingdom forever with Jesus, Mary and all the Saints and Angels!
When you can see the Truth so clearly with the aide of the Holy Spirit... it is hard not to be totally baffled by what is done in this messed up world! How can life of precious children be so callously treated - left to die when born alive from an abortion or killed! How can that be accepted or promoted or allowed? How is it wise to kill children and protect wildlife and dogs and cats over and above? I am stunned to see the sad eyed cats and dogs and the voice pleading to save the animals when I know that babies are being murdered. Is that wise or right in any stretch of the imagination?
I cannot get enough of this new porch, and today was a glorious day out there with a wonderful cool breeze. The wonderful reflection on Ruth's tongue and groove ceiling.
With a joking voice and a smile on his face, John said; "This is such a horrible tradition, isn't it?" Pat was sharing with a cousin that he ran into while we were picking out our rolls in Walmart...how this started when his father died in 1996. "We would go over to see my mother after mass and share breakfast with her. Now she is gone so we have started sharing breakfast after mass with Ruth and Paul and their family on the farm." I predict we will be out here until the snow flies.
The Church is so beloved to me! It is there to help us get to heaven forever with Jesus and Mary if only we will accept and believe all that we are given to follow! No picking and choosing for me! I look to all those youth that are in love with The church and answering "yes" to calls to the priesthood or religious life, or to a Catholic marriage in which they are open to life and raising lights and sharing The Faith with great JOY! I am asked to desert the ship of The Church and not go down with it. But from my perspective there is new and powerful LIFE flowing into The Church and it is being built up stronger and filled with more Wisdom and Truth than ever! If you too are getting negative input about our wonderful glorious Church.. this might help you see where it is coming from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2016/03/ten-traits-of-catholic-fundamentalism.html
How is leaving our Church now any different than the Protestants that have done so in the past? The Church is where my heart is, and always will be! We are asked to make it better and fill it with our LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT as we say "yes" to our path laid out before us.
Jesus, how we long to love and serve you without counting the cost. We see the Truth in your Church starting with St Peter and all the popes up to this day. Yes, there have been checkered past, but we continue on always trusting and following all, without hesitation. May we go forth always praising you and giving you all the honor and glory forever and ever. Amen and Hallelujah
No comments:
Post a Comment