I missed mass this weekend while traveling. This was a tough weekend as we had planned to spend time with my significant other's son, daughter in law and 3 grandchildren in Virginia. Sadly, the daughter-in-laws grandmother passed on Wednesday. We altered our plans to be able to visit my daughter in Columbus, drive to spend a shortened time in Virginia with them, travel back halfway to Pittsburgh and help them with the grandchildren (7,3 and 6 months), and visit my son who attend college in Pittsburgh. Whew - tired from reading all that? I am exhausted!
Just because I missed Sunday mass and we did all that visiting and traveling didn't mean that I didn't have a lesson to learn!
This morning, before the funeral mass, we had the 2 older children. They are not accustomed to church as I don't think they attend regularly (I am not being judgemental here!). They were wondering around in this beautiful church before anyone got there. The three year old E was mesmerized by the church. While gazing at the body of our Lord on the cross, she says "That really has to hurt, I will have to give him a band aid!". I need to say too it was not only her words but the look in her eyes!
Wow! How compassionate and heart warming! In her world, she recognized the pain the our Lord suffered on OUR behalf!
Pray for our country and those suffering the devastating effects of Sandy!
Norma
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Worrying Mom
I have to admit that at mass this past weekend I was not very attentive during the liturgy of the word. The homily was good but I found myself again with a wondering mind. I am sure that many of us have been there from time to time. So this evening I reviewed the readings again. I did get a message and I will try to explain what hit me between the eyes!
There was something that my parents tried to drive home with me years ago. That was, it doesn't matter how old I was but my parents would be concerned (and my mom would be worried) about my well being. I have been learning this for quite sometime now with my 25 year old daughter and 23 year old son. I don't lay awake with worry. But I have been known to fret quite a bit over their well being, whether their cars are working right, whether they are getting enough sleep and so on!
When reviewing the readings I heard- Norma- all you can do it pray for the mercy and grace for timely help. Hebrews 4:14-16 clearly tells us that He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He has been tested in many ways and yet is without sin. So when I fret over my children, I need to keep praying for them with the confidence that we will receive mercy and grace in His time.
Psalm 33:22 sums it up better than all my words: "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you".
I wish you blessings this week!
Norma
There was something that my parents tried to drive home with me years ago. That was, it doesn't matter how old I was but my parents would be concerned (and my mom would be worried) about my well being. I have been learning this for quite sometime now with my 25 year old daughter and 23 year old son. I don't lay awake with worry. But I have been known to fret quite a bit over their well being, whether their cars are working right, whether they are getting enough sleep and so on!
When reviewing the readings I heard- Norma- all you can do it pray for the mercy and grace for timely help. Hebrews 4:14-16 clearly tells us that He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He has been tested in many ways and yet is without sin. So when I fret over my children, I need to keep praying for them with the confidence that we will receive mercy and grace in His time.
Psalm 33:22 sums it up better than all my words: "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you".
I wish you blessings this week!
Norma
Thursday, October 18, 2012
long time pondering....
This past weekend I opted to go to church at St. Rose. Not my home parish but I really enjoy Fr. Dave Ross's sermons. To my surprise, Fr. Howe gave mass Saturday night. His opening words to the sermon have been rattling in my brain:
"If you were offered a $1,000,000 to skip mass next weekend, what would you do?"
Fr. Howe was giving us a modern day option Christ offered the man who wanted to join Him in his journey from Mark 10:17-30. Reading it in the gospel sometimes seems surreal and it had to be easier for them. But when Fr. Howe updated it for our time... wow!
I tell you I have thought this over and over. I love the Lord. I want to be a good Christian and follower. But I didn't have an immediate answer to turn down the million. The guilt for my indecision is indescribable. It still is.
What woud your answer be?
"If you were offered a $1,000,000 to skip mass next weekend, what would you do?"
Fr. Howe was giving us a modern day option Christ offered the man who wanted to join Him in his journey from Mark 10:17-30. Reading it in the gospel sometimes seems surreal and it had to be easier for them. But when Fr. Howe updated it for our time... wow!
I tell you I have thought this over and over. I love the Lord. I want to be a good Christian and follower. But I didn't have an immediate answer to turn down the million. The guilt for my indecision is indescribable. It still is.
What woud your answer be?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Prayer for my children
I have two children a daughter who is 25 and a son who is 23. A number of years ago, while at a Magnificat Breakfast, a woman who I just met told me her prayer for her children. Her prayer was that her children would be surrounded by Christian friends.
The readings this morning reminded me of that prayer. The first reading was from Genesis about the creation of Woman and this is why a man leaves his parents and "clings" to his wife. The other two also center around commitment in relationships.
My thoughts and prayers went to my children and my prayers for them to be happy. There is nothing that I wouldn't pray for them more than to find spouses and friends who are committed to their relationships.
Of course I want them to be successful in their endeavors. Without someone to share them with the successes can be hollow.
So this is my prayer for my children:
Heavenly Father, Keep my children safe. Guard their hearts. Keep them in the company of others who have a heart for good and righteousness. Let them lead by example showing care and concern, love and hope, faith and trust in all those placed in their path. AMEN.
The readings this morning reminded me of that prayer. The first reading was from Genesis about the creation of Woman and this is why a man leaves his parents and "clings" to his wife. The other two also center around commitment in relationships.
My thoughts and prayers went to my children and my prayers for them to be happy. There is nothing that I wouldn't pray for them more than to find spouses and friends who are committed to their relationships.
Of course I want them to be successful in their endeavors. Without someone to share them with the successes can be hollow.
So this is my prayer for my children:
Heavenly Father, Keep my children safe. Guard their hearts. Keep them in the company of others who have a heart for good and righteousness. Let them lead by example showing care and concern, love and hope, faith and trust in all those placed in their path. AMEN.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Taking the positive road
This past weekend the Sunday readings were hard for me to connect with until I took a positive sping on James 5:1-6. It seems to be a harsh commentary on the materialistic parts of our lives.
I know many of us have been in the spot where we wish we had more and better. I have felt that way so many times. At times when I tell others where I live, I get the "Oh you live in the richey rich area". I always counter immediately with comments like,"And no I don't live in the 'mansion' district". Sometimes I have to admit that I sure wish I did.
Then enter my son and his girl friend from their visit this weekend. I had minutes of conversation with each individually with each of them. My son commented on how being at home was a time of relaxation in between visits. His girl friend shared how she felt more at home at our house than other places. What wonderful comments that warmed my heart!
In the positive essence, that was what James was telling me this weekend. A home is far above riches and material things that will soon fade and disappear. It is a loving place, a place where you can breathe and sink into comfort.
I know many of us have been in the spot where we wish we had more and better. I have felt that way so many times. At times when I tell others where I live, I get the "Oh you live in the richey rich area". I always counter immediately with comments like,"And no I don't live in the 'mansion' district". Sometimes I have to admit that I sure wish I did.
Then enter my son and his girl friend from their visit this weekend. I had minutes of conversation with each individually with each of them. My son commented on how being at home was a time of relaxation in between visits. His girl friend shared how she felt more at home at our house than other places. What wonderful comments that warmed my heart!
In the positive essence, that was what James was telling me this weekend. A home is far above riches and material things that will soon fade and disappear. It is a loving place, a place where you can breathe and sink into comfort.
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