"Mary's mother's suffering is like a stairway up to the Cross"/Candlemas- the Feast of the Presentation in the temple

Bill's sister, Amy, and her son, Maddox... She is fighting pancreatic cancer.

Many prayers for Amy today as she had a virtual meeting with the doctors at Mayo this morning to discuss what can be done for her.  No word yet, but many prayers lifted up for her on this feast of Candlemas/The Presentation of Jesus in the temple at 40 days old by Mary and Joseph.  He is proclaimed the Savoir of the world by Simeon and Anna as he arrives there!

Praying while the kids ran around the circle a few days ago.  Today there was silence throughout the house as I prayed and prayed with my parents books left to me each day of this journey!

A prayer space to help me keep Amy in my heart, mind and soul this past week leading up to this very important meeting with the doctors at Mayo this morning.  

As I prayed knowing that the meeting was in the process, I was led to 3 unique decades of the rosary from 3 different days.  I was led to the Wedding at Cana from the Luminous Mysteries #2, where Mary intercedes for Jesus to begin his ministry - "Do whatever he tells you." From there I was drawn to the Crucifixion where Mary and John stand at the foot of the Cross sharing in the suffering of Jesus as He is the spotless Lamb slain for us.  Jesus gives Mary to us as our Mother and we to her as her children, and we bring her into our home where she brings Peace, LOVE, and Joy and the fruits of the Spirit!  

Of course than I was led to the Joyful mysteries and #4 - the Presentation in the Temple which is the Feast of Today!  Mary is told that Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
-and you yourself a sword will pierce-
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”  Luke 2

Knowing how much Amy suffers there is a union with Our Lady and Jesus there and she is being cared for and loved by them and her prayers are heard!

Puppy and baby Birdie are a picture of sweet softness on the afghan that Ruth is working on these days of plaid/checked.

With Amy on my heart - these words from Servant of God Adrienne von Speyr for today's feast were powerful!

The Mother's suffering is like a stairway up to the Cross, which before seemed inaccessible.  In her it becomes evident that there really exists the Christian possibility of participation in the divine redemptive suffering...  Countless people are first put on the Son's path through the Mother's example.  And this path over Mary will be no detour for them but rather the simple approach. planned and prepared by God himself... Again and again a worn out slackened faith in God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - a half-asleep readiness, will suddenly be struck and filled, like a sail by a sharp wind, by the thought of the Mother's readiness for surrender.  She could do it!  She in fact did it!  And she was human like me!  Thus, through her wounds are the hearts of Christians revealed.

Prayer from mass today before the Offering of the Eucharist!  

"May the offering made with exultation by your Church be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, for you willed that your Only Begotten Son be offered to your for the life of the world as the Lamb without blemish.  Who lives and reigns forever and ever."

The word is that they will treat Amy, and she can stay in Pennsylvania for the treatment.  Thank you, Lord, with Mary carrying our needs to you with a mother's love!  Bless-bless, Barbara