Nancy shared that they helped stain the Monastery this morning in KC! I am sure that Hallel put the call out for some helpers and got their family over to work beside Aunt Little Sister Hallel.
I woke up today thinking with a warm fuzzy feeling about Hallel now living in KC for the year! I thought about her being able to enjoy home cooking... in that she can have some of our canning that we share with 6 families including our Community of the Lamb! I thought of her enjoying our tomato soup and applesauce and salsa, as well as our beef/hamburger we shared with them as we share with all the girls! With Hallel stationed in Europe for the last 9 years, she didn't get to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I had thoughts that I should take them one of our whole chickens and other pork and beef out of the freezer as well as more canned goods. It just makes a mom's heart good to share of our plenty and know that Hallel would enjoy and appreciate the foods that she grew up eating!
Starting the day filled with gratitude for my daughter to be only 7 hours away rather than across an ocean and some of what that will mean for us.... like Nancy and family going over to help and have some time sharing with her! I was then thrilled at this inspiring article, which includes interviews with Dominican nuns, of which Hallel is!
https://aleteia.org/2017/10/03/young-nuns-have-some-advice-for-their-millennial-peers/
It is all very good, but what really spoke powerfully to me was this amazing quote from Pope Benedict XVI:
“Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? … No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. […] dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.”
Continuing from the article... you should read the whole thing as it is great!
And, as one sister concluded — in advice that is meant for millennials but is worthwhile for all of us, “Go before the Lord in silence, with empty hands and a thirsty heart. Take some time each week—each day if possible—to be still in His presence, especially His presence in the Eucharist. Bring Him your pain and your poverty, your doubts and fears, your desires and your joy. Listen to Him. Then follow where He leads, confident that true happiness is found, now and for eternity, in friendship with Jesus Christ.”
So absolutely TRUE!!!
Another Benedict quote mirroring much of what St Paul wrote the to Romans today..."righteousness is the observance of the right path shown by God." How I want to stay on the narrow path to Jesus forever in heaven! There are many distractions and temptations and challenges with each day... May I cling to the Truth!
Lord, thank you for all the ways that you give us JOY in each new day. May we love and serve without counting the cost. Trusting in the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say and the ways to be your hands and feet. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Happy Feast Day to my wonderful Saint John Paul II!!! I love him like a father, and he is my total hero of Family and LIFE!
Wow!!
Your patron, dad!
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