There are times one is called to carry a cross-meant to teach one something in the journey of holiness.It was such a time for me yesterday and I failed to carry the cross throwing it down and falling myself.The two girls two and three yesterday were being the toddles they are and were jumping up and down shaking everything.Finally not being able to ride out the exuberance of these two little ones I went out to the hallway of my apartment and yelled down to the apartment below me. The words (not exact) were about lacking the respect of my being under this noise, I was going to complain to the management and while saying all this I was screaming.I then slammed my door shut to hear the girl downstairs come out and ask me what was wrong.I responded with my same complaint in a less scream voice but perturbed none-the-less.After I said what I had to say she holding an infant with the two overactive girls poking their heads out the door, which she kept telling them to go inside the apartment, tells me they are doing better.She goes on to tell me she disciplines the girls and tells them to stop but they keep going on.My ego kick in and I said you make this sound like this is my fault and I started to cry stating I have a heart condition, which was not effected by the jumping it was the noise getting on my nerves.Then she started crying saying she was not feeling well and her husband is at work.I began to feel sorry for her and disliking myself for complaining.I apologized to her; she said I did not need to apologize.She then apologizes stating she and her husband were only to have the two children the third was a surprise.In her tears, she asks me what should she do? It was then I fully understood she was under a great deal of stress with the three children.She is frustrated and alone with the three and nursing the baby.I felt so bad I had not been patient and ride out the runny/jumpy girls.I had failed to carry the cross and failed in learning a lesson in patience.
I offered my mass for the family downstairs this morning.I had forgotten the times of frustration, stress, and the feeling of being alone when my kids were little and with my grandson who I raised from infancy.Like childbirth when it is over a lot is forgotten.
The family is leaving here at the end of the month and my regret is I had the opportunity to be a service to this young mother and did not.Failure can eat you up or can be a valued lesson for the next time.I hope I do not repeat this again.Even in this cloistered life, I can still serve my neighbor in some simple way. Thank you, Lord for the chastisement it serves me well in my journey to holiness.
May the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bless all who read this.
Advent is a time of the year we can easily let pass by us without much thought. We allow the holiday season to take over our lives leaving little or no room for the real reason we celebrate, which is the birth of Jesus Christ.
Everything that bombards us starts way to early is about what gifts to buy, what food to cook, and what decorations will look good making Christmas perfect. We buy into the “Martha Stewart Christmas.” I am guilty of this forgetting that including the celebration of Jesus birthday it is a time of family. In the past of have given my all to having the so call perfect dinner, decorations and a program of the eventful day that should have sent everyone screaming and running from my home. I have since tried yearly to be less worldly about Christmas and move in the spiritual of the season starting with Advent.
I already have a testimony to share about this Christmas. My grandson Ayezeyah the apple of his Grams eye can be profoundly wise beyond his eight years. I deciding the Christmas dinner this year would be served buffet style ask the boy what he would like to eat for Christmas. His reply was Tacos and I wrinkling my nose just could not envision Tacos on the menu of the “Christmas” meal. I told the boy no Tacos and the boy looking dejected went back to what he was doing. I on the other hand pondered my answer and it was within a few moments I realized that the importance of the meal was the gathering of family, friends and the wishes of a little boy. Therefore, I told Ayezeyah I had a change of heart and Tacos would be on the Christmas menu. The boy’s face shined up like a Christmas tree and with a huge smile on his face said, “Now that’s the Grams I know.” It was then I understood forever in my heart to let Martha be Martha and I would forever be the Grams he knows.
Advent begins December 2, 2007 let us prepare for the season in contemplation of the true reason for the celebration of Christmas the birth of Jesus. I would like to suggest a book that allows for a few minutes of reading time and gives us something to ponder as we go through our days leading up to Christmas and through the completion of the season the Epiphany. The name of the book is BEHOLD, HE COMES Meditations on the Incarnation by Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
I also suggest if your family hasn’t got one, an Advent Wreath. One can be purchased for very little money or easily made. We must try to remember when bombarded with how everything should be on Christmas morning that which matters to our Lord is the heart of His children. I end with this last suggestion remember to bake Jesus a birthday cake.
I being taken back by the news that a priest that know of was in a spiritual crises it reminded me how unaware we are of the importance of praying for the vocation of a priest. We fall in the misnomer that our prayers are best served elsewhere but reality is the priest and his vocation is under constant attack. The scandals surrounding the priesthood are all to familiar. Satan is no fool knowing that the priest is the instrument used to bring the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ on the alter at every mass. It is the words of Christ that is said by a priest in His stead that changes wine and the communion wafer into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ.
It is by Christ words said by the priest that gives us absolution in confession. It is by the hands of the priest, in conjunction with the words of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that the sacraments of the faith is dispensed to us all.
This is an awesome responsibility given to a “human” being wounded by the “fall” in the Garden of Eden. The call to the priesthood does not make for an instant saint. Like us all the priest is in a constant battle to follow the will and teachings of Christ. Mark 8:34 in the words of Christ states… “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. The words are for all and no one is exempt from the cross therefore, the cross is there for all including our priests. We pray for our family/friends and our priests whom are apart of our spiritual family are in need of prayers. In all likelihood more so because of the awesomeness of the vocation and power thereof.
We live in a culture of pressing matters that often time allow us little time to pray. We balk at taking another moment to say yet another prayer for anything. However, as we kick and complain let this harsh reality sink into our hearts the priesthood mandated by God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is expected to be protected by our prayers. At times prayers are not enough we may be called to suffer for the preciousness of the priesthood and for all whom are called and serve.
Let us all say three Hail Mary’s for priests everyday and know that Our Mother will match our every prayer word for word to the heart of her Son. For those of us whom are sick and or suffering offer some part of those crosses for our priests. Lastly for those of us with more time on our hands than we know what to do with offer a daily rosary.
Although the Church sets aside a day of prayer for the Holy Poor Souls in Purgatory it is well to remember to pray for these Souls daily. As we remember them and help to cut short their stay in Purgatory we who pray for them are in their prayers. This is a reminder that they have the ear of God on our behalf. They rely on our prayers for they can no longer pray on their behalf. There is a prayer that I have prayed daily for the Holy Souls since 2003. I pray anyone who visits the website and sees this Blog will also commit to the prayer daily for the Holy Souls.
The more we work for Poor Souls on earth the more others will pray for us, and more merciful will Christ be with us when we’re in Purgatory.
Our Lady asked that we pray very much for the poor souls; that we pray:
Five I believe in God…
One Hail Holy Queen…
One Our Father…
One Hail Mary…
One Glory be to the Father…
One Requiem (Eternal rest grant unto them Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them and may they rest in peace. Amen!)
Our lady said that if we pray the prayers “we’ll deliver so many souls, so many souls!”“The Holy Wounds are treasure of treasures for the Souls in Purgatory.”
“Jesus, Mary, I love You, Save Souls.”
Taken from the book The Pieta, Divine Mercy Publication, P.O. Box 152 Hollywood, Florida 33022. Copyright 1994
This is a special day for me in thanksgiving to the Saints, Blessed and those on the journey to being declared Saints of the church for praying with me. There are many intentions that they pray for daily. I would like to honor them by name it is my way of expressing my love and thankfulness for their prayers and closeness to me.
