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My father came here 3 weeks ago today and was admitted to hospice here in town the next day. We had lost my mother just a month before this huge changed happened... so not even 2 months ago yet. I sorely miss her, and finding this memory from 2015 reminds me of all the wonderful times I had with them in their home over the last few years!
There was talk of nursing home than, but I had to bring him home and see how he would do first. He just got stronger and better and now almost a year later here in my home he is doing much the same again.
Mom was beside herself with sadness that dad would not return home, but he did and he has done quite well since. This latest bump was due to his failing kidneys, but they seem to have found a new normal with now another tube to care for. We have it down to a science!
Today the Gospel reading is from John 13 where Jesus washes the disciples feet... I am living this out with my father - helping him with washing and drying and lotioning them as that would be too dangerous for him to lean over and try to care for his own feet. It is humbling for him along with other cares that are personal. Yes, it is a service for me to perform, but I see how it is hard on my dad to be helpless and dependent on me to do his day to day cares. The humility goes both ways!
When you consider that Jesus/Son of God/I AM washed the feet of his disciples, even the one that was to betray him and of whom he was totally aware of ... and he asks us to do likewise. We see that this is how we are to embrace our Most Cherished Cross and follow Him - by dying to self and serving without counting the cost! "Wounded, I will never cease to love." The motto of the Community of the Lamb is very difficult but once again we are following the example of Christ our Savior!
Dad and I haven't been able to pray out there due to the colder weather. We do the rosary and chaplet in his room at 3p.
We are finding ways to keep in touch even with the current situation with the world wide epidemic. Even when they come to give dad his shower, they check both of our temps and ask us questions pertaining to the virus. Dad has not left my home and I am seldom away and use masks.
We stayed in a medieval town called, Fanjeaux, next to a church older than when Christopher Columbus came to America. Pat would go to buy an American at night as the town festival was going on the week we were there... An American was a loaf of French bread with hambuger patties, mayo and french fries on the sandwich! The grandkids loved it and took many bites to help grandpa eat it! Along with the American would be beer in these glasses. How special to use them now and recall our amazing time in France just 2 years ago!
Jesus, we are so blessed with sharing Faith/Family/Farm with our growing family! We share our love for You, Jesus, and your Bride, The Church. May we die to self so that you may live in us. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Psalm 89 from mass today...
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Just to clarify things for those who are confused!
When Catholics say we are praying to God and praying to saints we are talking about qualitatively different things as different as a monkey is to a man. The Protestant generally only has one species in mind when he thinks of prayer—prayer to God that necessarily includes adoration. But one need only pick up a dictionary to discover there are in truth different definitions and therefore different usages of the same word in English.
Prayer:
The act or practice of praying.
An earnest request; entreaty; supplication
(a) humble entreaty addressed to God, to a god, etc.: (b) a request made to God, etc.; as, her prayer for his safe return; (c) any set formula for praying, as to God.
Prayer is not, by definition, necessarily equated with the adoration that is due God alone. Prayer can certainly involve an act of adoration when it is directed to God, but the term does not necessarily denote adoration. It can simply mean “an entreaty.”
When Catholics say we are praying to God and praying to saints we are talking about qualitatively different things as different as a monkey is to a man. The Protestant generally only has one species in mind when he thinks of prayer—prayer to God that necessarily includes adoration. But one need only pick up a dictionary to discover there are in truth different definitions and therefore different usages of the same word in English.
Prayer:
The act or practice of praying.
An earnest request; entreaty; supplication
(a) humble entreaty addressed to God, to a god, etc.: (b) a request made to God, etc.; as, her prayer for his safe return; (c) any set formula for praying, as to God.
Prayer is not, by definition, necessarily equated with the adoration that is due God alone. Prayer can certainly involve an act of adoration when it is directed to God, but the term does not necessarily denote adoration. It can simply mean “an entreaty.”
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