Maria with her two youngest - love to see them as it has been months since we were with them this summer! Most especially Hector, who is now approaching 9 1/2 months and changes every day!
We are planning to go there and get some real hugs, but the weather is making it hard to leave when we want to. Lots of prayers for safety for those out on the icy roads and for us, too!
Walking into the church yesterday for my hour in front of the tabernacle praying for Fr Todd... my heart and soul soared to amazing heights at the sight of Christmas that greeted me! Spending Christmas mass with my dad and brother in the Cities at The Nativity of the Lord church, which was so wonderful, but to see the transformation here in our lovely sanctuary was a delight to me!
Today the feast of the Holy Innocents, who were murdered as Herod was trying to get rid of the King, innocent child Jesus. Herod worried about his throne had all the babies 2 and under killed, but Joseph had taken Jesus to Egypt as he was warned in a dream to take him away.
"Blessed are you, Bethlehem in the land of Judah! You suffered the inhumanity of King Herod in the murder of your babes and thereby have become worthy to offer to the Lord a pure host of infants. In full right do we celebrate the heavenly birthday of these children whom the world caused to be born unto an eternally blessed life rather than that from their mothers' womb, for they attained the grace of everlasting life before the enjoyment of the present. The precious death of any martyr deserves high praise because of his heroic confession; the death of these children is precious in the sight of God because of the beatitude they gained so quickly. For already at the beginning of their lives they pass on. The end of the present life is for them the beginning of glory. These then, whom Herod's cruelty tore as sucklings from their mothers' bosom, are justly hailed as "infant martyr flowers"; they were the Church's first blossoms, matured by the frost of persecution during the cold winter of unbelief." ~ St. Augustine
Feast of the Holy Innocents!
Let us all Pray to End Abortion!
The rosary is the key! Yes!!! Mary will protect all LIFE!
The first reading today is continuing with I John from yesterday!
Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, "We have fellowship with him,"
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, "We are without sin,"
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. I John 1:5-2:2
When pondering the horror of the accepted culture of death/darkness this is such a powerful reading and fills us with the strength to persevere against all the attacks that come to us as we stand in the LIGHT and for the Truth!This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, "We have fellowship with him,"
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, "We are without sin,"
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. I John 1:5-2:2
Jesus, we love you and long to be with you forever in heaven with all the Holy Innocents that are praying for our world of sin and darkness! End the horror of abortion! Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barb
POPE FRANCIS ON THE POWER OF BABY JESUS: "The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is the power of love. It is the power which created the heavens and the earth, which gives life to all creation. It is the power which gives new birth, pardons faults, reconciles enemies, and transforms evil into good. It is the power of God."
PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS from VATICAN RADIO FB PAGE.
My nest years were my happy place with the babies in my arms and on my lap! May we be childlike in our prayers and love for Jesus and Mary and the Saints!
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