The Lord Is With You: Week One

   Ross looked out the window before heading for church.  "Oh, great, it snowed last night," he announced without any enthusiasm. 

  "It snowed last night?!  Whoah!" screamed his son.  "Can  I play outside when we get home, Mom?"

  "Sure honey.  Ross would you mind shoveling the front walk so my shoes don't get all snowy?" asked Peggy with a smile.

  Without answering, Ross put his coat and gloves on and headed towards the garage.  He spotted the shovel way in the back where it has sat unused since last winter.  As he reached to pull out the shovel, he accidentally knocked over a box and a baseball bat fell out, almost hitting him in the face. "Well that was a close call. I can see this is going to be yet another great day," he said sarcastically as he headed towards the snow covered walk.  As he shoveled he allowed his depressed mood more room.  "What a shitty year.  I wonder what other fun surprises God has in store for me.  Losing my Dad this year, yeah that was a good one. Being laid off for months and then having my hours cut, yep that was great.  Oh yeah, now I get to stare at the neighbor's house across the street all decked out for Christmas.  I'll be lucky if I can even afford Christmas this year."

  Ross' mood followed him into church.  He followed his wife into the usual pew and waited for Mass to start.  He stood as expected as Father Tom processed down the main aisle.  Father Tom began, "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Lord be with you."

  The congregation replied, "And with your spirit."

  Father Tom looked right at Ross and said, "Hey, Ross, do you really believe the Lord is with you?"  Ross felt his face get very warm.  Did Father Tom really just call him out like that? Is this some new way we celebrate Mass now? Ross turned to look at Peggy for help.  Peggy just looked straight ahead as if nothing unusual happened. "Ross, did you hear me?" 

  Reluctantly, Ross turned his head back towards Father Tom.  Father Tom remained perfectly still.  In fact as he looked around, everyone was perfectly still. "Ross, relax.  You're ok.  It's just me." Ross could hardly believe what he saw next.  Jesus just suddenly appeared next to Father Tom.  "Breathe Ross.  You're fine.  Why are you so surprised to see me here?  Didn't you come today to spend time with me?"

  Ross could feel his heart racing and he broke out in a cold sweat.  "Oh my gosh, I'm having a heart attack.  Did I already-"

  "Ross I told you, you are fine.  I thought we needed to spend a little one-on-one time together.  So you and I have stepped out of time for a little bit."

  "What?"  Ross was shaking his head back and forth while trying to understand.

  "Ross, I know this has been a very difficult year for you.  I heard your thoughts this morning. I know how much you have been hurting. I want to help you. Do you believe that?  Do you believe that I am with you?"

  Ross didn't know what to say.  Jesus motioned for him to come sit next to Him on the steps of the altar.  "Ross, I know exactly how hard this year has been for you.  I have been with you every day.  I held you in my arms while you sobbed over your dad's illness and death.  I want you to know your dad is so happy in Paradise.  Your separation isn't permanent.  It's just for now."

  "I miss him.  The pain cuts right through me," Ross admitted.  "I don't mean to be rude, but I don't feel like you are with me.  I feel very alone.  I feel like I'm being punished."

  "Ross, this is not a punishment.  It is a part of your cross and I know it has been difficult for you. I have never left your side.  Today is the first week of Advent and I want us to become closer.  I want you to  celebrate Mass with all your heart.  I want you to know that I am truly present.  I hear you and I love you. I want you to live your life with this as your mantra: "The Lord is with you."  Look for me throughout the day.  I will not disappoint you.  Can you do that for me?"

  Ross nodded yes and then felt the hands of time upon him. A moment later he heard Father Tom say, "Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries..."  

  Ross was trying to comprehend what just happened. "Prepare myself....yes... I need to change.  I need to change because the Lord is with me.  As Mass continued Ross listened very closely.  The prayers seemed much more meaningful.  Had the Mass always been this beautiful?

(to be continued...)

-Susan

  

Here Comes The Wind Up

   I thought I might share a few of the thoughts that I had while praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary this weekend.  As I was meditating on the Third Mystery-The Birth of Jesus, I tried to envision Mary and Joseph having to place baby Jesus in a make-shift crib, a trough which was used to feed the animals.  This had to be so disappointing.  I imagined that St. Joseph, being a skilled carpenter, had probably poured so much love into building a very special crib for the new born Messiah. The crib was probably all set and ready to go. Then out of nowhere, a decree from Rome forces  Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem for a census.  This definitely was not expected and probably upset all their plans.  Sometimes life can really throw a good curve ball. Mary and Joseph, however,  faithfully placed their trust in God and travelled towards Bethlehem.

  This year most of us are struggling with our own curve ball--the coronavirus.  This Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas season may be quite different than what we had planned.  Isolated from family and friends and missing our favorite holiday traditions will be difficult.  Like the Holy Family, some of us are struggling with poverty.  Some of us have lost loved ones.  Some of us had to personally battle the disease.  All our lives have been upset in one way or another.  We must, however, faithfully place our trust in God as we prepare for Christ's birth.  The road we travel to Bethlehem may be unfamiliar and difficult this year, but His Light will still continue to guide us.  Now more than ever, we need to embrace Christ this Christmas. 

This year is different, so really put some thought into making this a special Advent.  Stay focused and let the Holy Spirit coach you through this season.  You got this...batter up!

-Susan

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-Susan and Theresa

What's The Answer?

 

All Souls Day-Purgatory Challenge

 

  I know Covid-19 has messed up a lot of our plans this year, but it can't touch this ministry.  Praying for the holy souls in Purgatory is a very important ministry.  We can never underestimate how important our prayers are for those undergoing the purification process.  A prayer, a small sacrifice, having a Mass said, or an act of love will be like a tall glass of water for someone who is thirsting for God.  Please join me in this Purgatory Challenge--let's empty Purgatory!  
Pray for a deceased love one or pray for someone who has no one to pray for them. Through the mercy of God, our prayers and sacrifices can become more and do more than we could ever imagine. 

-Susan

All Saints Day

 

  I have a beautiful statue of St Anthony in the corner of my backyard. St Anthony is one of my favorite saints.  This summer I have enjoyed sharing St Anthony with my two year old granddaughter .  We hold hands as we walk up the garden path and then we say, “Hi, Jesus!  Hi, St. Anthony !”  My granddaughter is fascinated with the statue. She always smiles and touches baby Jesus.  I was pleasantly surprised one day when she put both arms around Jesus and whispered, “I love you!”  It was such a sweet moment and I wanted to cry with joy.  When she started walking away I asked her, “ What is St Anthony doing?”  In her very cute two year old voice she said, “He’s holding baby Jesus.”

 I think she summed up in one sentence why St. Anthony is a saint. He always kept his gaze on Jesus and held him close to his heart.  Sure he was an incredible preacher and a wonder worker, but it was his great love for Jesus that made him a saint.   I think that is the common thread all the saints share.  Their love for Jesus was obvious to everyone around them.

  As we celebrate All Saints Day today be sure to thank those men and women  who inspired your faith by their life stories.   Learn as much as you can from them and imitate their virtues.  Live your life in such a way that  everyone (even a child ) will look at you and  say, “They’re holding baby Jesus!”

-Susan