Yesterday was a big day with much going on, but reading these words from St Paul of the Cross really stuck with me after witnessing the beauty of my world in the pasture the night before. Unable to share it yesterday... I yearned to today, and there is much more in the readings that are calling out to me. I know that I should pick and choose, but somedays it is kind of a hodge podge of this and that, because it is all so wonderful!
With the Cross heavily on my shoulders or what is probably more appropriate as I barely drag it along...the words of St Paul to the Romans today remind me that Jesus is there with me... "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8
We are called to follow after him, but he does surround us with his love and feed us food for the journey and give us help when we bring Mary into our home after he gave her to us at the foot of the Cross, and then all the Saints... we have so much help!!!! How can we give up?
The Gospel today is so encouraging and beautiful, too, in Luke 13 Jesus heals the woman who has been bent over and crippled by a evil spirit for 18 years! With chronic issues that come with aging and realizing that I am barely struggling along the narrow path and not really carrying my weight... facing another knee surgery, which fills me with dread and anxiety, yet knowing that in the long run... usually 6 months later... that I could almost be like new. Jesus, I need you! How I would love to have instant healing, but this woman suffered for 18 years and then.... you reached out and touched her! Facing 6 months of gradual recovery and lots of pain at first and lots of hard work learning how to bend again. So many lessons we are asked to learn and look to you...
"Woman, you are set free of your infirmity."
He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God." Yes!!!!
Meet the kids from 4 years ago... they now have Joy, too!
I spent some months slowly reading a book about the life of Servant of God Dorothy Day, so when I see her quotes I am especially interested and touched knowing her heart for the poor with all her strength back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.... she died in 1980. Today she writes about "compassion" in response to Jesus healing the woman suffering for 18 years on the Sabbath!
"It is so hard to reconcile oneself to such suffering, such long enduring suffering of body and soul, that the only thing one can do is to stand by and save the dying ones who have given up hope of reaching out for beauty, joy, ease and pleasure in this life... To see these things in light of faith, God's mercy, God's justice! His devouring love!... Compassion - it is a word meaning to suffer with. If we carry a little of the burden, it will be lightened..." May I do better LORD!
Jesus, I am weakly and poorly and lamely following after you... Help me to do better. To love and serve you in all those around me. To be compassionate as you teach us today in the Gospel! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Precious feet on a stocking cap... Yes! LIFE is a gift and so many prayers that abortion may be abolished and all life will be cherished from conception to natural death! Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
St Pio, pray for us.
Missed her yesterday!
Blessed Chiara Luce Badano was born in 1971 in the town of Sassello, Italy. Chiara was your average girl who liked to sing, play tennis, and be with friends. Growing up, she knew it was important to do God’s will, even when she didn’t want to, especially when it came to doing the chores.
At the age of 17, while playing tennis, Chiara experienced a sharp pain in her shoulder. Shortly after, she ...was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, and was given a grim prognosis. Although difficult, she accepted that her illness was the will of God and offered her suffering up to Jesus. This diagnosis is where her story of true heroic virtue began. Chiara had a great sense of redemptive suffering, often saying: “If this is what you want, Jesus, so do I.” Regardless of how much pain she was in, she still showed much love and radiated joy to all those she encountered.
On October 7, 1990 she passed away in the presence of her friends and family at home. Even until her last breath, Chiara remained joyful and happy. Her last words were: “Goodbye. Be happy because I’m happy.” Chiara Luce Badano was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on September 25, 2010 and became the first member of Generation X to be beatified. Her feast day is celebrated on October 29th. Bl. Chiara Badano, pray for us!
At the age of 17, while playing tennis, Chiara experienced a sharp pain in her shoulder. Shortly after, she ...was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, and was given a grim prognosis. Although difficult, she accepted that her illness was the will of God and offered her suffering up to Jesus. This diagnosis is where her story of true heroic virtue began. Chiara had a great sense of redemptive suffering, often saying: “If this is what you want, Jesus, so do I.” Regardless of how much pain she was in, she still showed much love and radiated joy to all those she encountered.
On October 7, 1990 she passed away in the presence of her friends and family at home. Even until her last breath, Chiara remained joyful and happy. Her last words were: “Goodbye. Be happy because I’m happy.” Chiara Luce Badano was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on September 25, 2010 and became the first member of Generation X to be beatified. Her feast day is celebrated on October 29th. Bl. Chiara Badano, pray for us!
Halloween 3 years ago... be still my heart!!!
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