Oh To Be Four Again!

* Reposted from 2009 (Holy Moley! Five years ago!)  Gabe is a big ole 9-year-old now, and though he's matured to be a little more sober and sedate, he's still the joy he was as a 4-year-old. Look at him, though. These pictures do make me smile!  And the contemplation at the end is one I'm still working on.  Praying for joy and trust!  What more can we ask for here on this earth?

*

To have no regrets about the past, no worries about what might lie ahead.
To live 100% in the moment.

To laugh and play,
to learn and teach,
to love and be loved,
to spread joy by your mere existence.
To understand and enjoy perfect trust and contentment.

Is this what the saints did? How do we get back to that? How can we actually become "as little children" again? Is there a way to keep our children "as little children" through their growing up years?

Just thought I'd throw the questions out there. These are the things I'm contemplating tonight. What do you think?

Trinity Sunday

When I was a wee kindergartener (over forty years ago!) our family belonged to Holy Trinity parish in Norfolk, Virginia.  It was an old established parish, one of the oldest in the city.  A walk to the beach and a short drive to the Navy base where my Dad was stationed, the air smelled of the sea and flower gardens and history. Stone walls and high hedges cloistered an old convent on the block-long grounds, a magnificent magnolia tree shaded the two-story K-8 school building -- and looking down on everything and everyone carved in bas relief high upon the facade of the church was an enormous crucified Christ.

 In my kindergartener's perspective the stone-carved crucifix was as-big-as-God-must-really-be. It hung over the main doors of the church, dominating the architecture of the entire block.  From my classroom on the first floor across the street, I had to crane my neck clear heavenward to see up into His face.  He looked down and I looked up, and, though the eyes on the crucifix were hard stone, the reality of Him somewhere-up-there was as real as the guardian angel sitting on my shoulder.  And the real  Face I saw was kind and gentle and soft to touch.

 Later on, when I was an eighth grader looking out the second-story windows, Christ's arms were eye-level, outstretched, and welcoming. I couldn't quite catch His eye any more because He looked downward.  But I knew He was thinking of me; He often startled me into remembering Him when my mind and eyes wandered out the window during class time.   Caught again!  I could imagine in my mind's eye the twinkle in His eye as he nudged my attention back to my work with a tilt of His head. And I'd glance over at the flowers on the magnolia tree peeking into the side windows, take a drought of the heady fragrance coming in the open windows and tell Him, "Alright, alright..."  and turn back to square roots -- knowing He was still watching -- and I really had no choice. 

No getting around it.  There was the Son, together with the Father, the Holy Ghost -- the Holy Trinity, the patrons of our school --  all around us like the scent of the magnolias, like the big old tree itself, planted and taking root under us and in us, shading us, looking over us like the giant crucified Christ. It didn't matter where I was, I couldn't hide from Him.   The Holy Trinity, the real Being of God, present in my little baby soul at Baptism, had taken a deep breath and filled my lungs within the walls of my kindergarten classroom at Holy Trinity school.  A half century of dear teaching Sisters fanned the very air with that breath of God, and it swirled through the hallways and out the doors to the rose gardens behind the convent walls, curling through the walls of the convent and the rectory, out even to the seesaws on the playground and back to its beginning, under the giant crucifix, through the doors of the church, and into the door of the tabernacle...

  Where I still find Him today, under the much smaller crucifix at our little parish church.  Like the magnolia, the Blessed Trinity waits there, as always, to fill the corners of my soul and my life and all I have to do is take a deep breath and fill my lungs.

OFFERING TO THE HOLY TRINITY

MOST Holy and Adorable Trinity, One God in Three Persons, I praise Thee
and give Thee thanks for all the favors Thou has bestowed upon me. Thy
goodness has preserved me until now, I offer Thee my whole being and
in particular, all my thoughts, words, and deeds, together with all the trials I may
undergo this day. Give them Thy blessing. May Thy divine Love animate them
and may they serve Thy greater glory.

I make this morning offering in union with the Divine intentions of Jesus Christ
Who offers himself daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and in union with
Mary, His Virgin Mother and our Mother, who was always the faithful handmaid
of the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Amen.




A Blessed Feast of the Holy Trinity to Everyone!

*Repost from 2011

On The Day We Remember the Flight into Egypt

Caracci 1663

We take for granted, I think, that the Holy Family traveled places.  They went to Jerusalem all the time, traveled to Bethlehem, fled to Egypt, came back....  But, what we might not think about is how they did all this traveling. For us, it's just a matter of hopping in a car, or  a plane or on a train maybe to take a trip, but it was not so easy for folks at the time of Christ.  Pretty much everywhere they went they walked.  If someone had a little money, a donkey might be used to carry belongings on a trip, but seldom was it used to ride the whole journey.  And,since they were very poor, Mary, Jesus, and Joseph would likely not have had a donkey most of the time and would have had to carry the necessities for a journey on their backs!

Wm Hole 1500s

There is an amazing man named Arthur Blessit who became fascinated with the actual day-to-day realities of the travels of Jesus and Mary, so much so that he made it his life's goal to travel in their footsteps -- and beyond.  He's traveled the world carrying an eight foot cross on his back.  On his website, he calculates the mileage walked by both Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.  Following is the information he tallied on the travels Our Lady made on foot in her lifetime -- conservatively based on the information we have solely in the Bible:

Mary the Mother of Jesus

Ansaldo 1620s

* Mary was probably carried to Jerusalem till she reached 3 years of age. Mary would have walked from Nazareth to Jerusalem and back ‘at least’ once a year from the age of 3 till the Jesus when she may have been about the age of 20. The one way mileage was about 120 (193) each way and thus it would be about 240 miles round trip (386 km). Mary Walking: 240 miles (386 km) per year from Nazareth to Jerusalem round trip x 17 years = 4,080 miles (6,565 km)!

(This would mean walking roughly the distance from DesMoines, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska  and back -- once a year) 

*After she conceived by the Holy Spirit of God she ‘walked’ traveled from Nazareth to south of Jerusalem where Elizabeth her cousin was pregnant with John the Baptist (130 miles, 209 km). She then ‘walked’ traveled back to Nazareth (130 miles, 209 km). Then with Joseph she ‘walked’ traveled back south of Jerusalem to Bethlehem (130 miles, 209 km). During all this walking travel of 390 miles (627 km) Mary ‘was’ with Child!

(This is roughly the distance between Washington D.C. and New York City.  Imagine walking that roundtrip pregnant!)

* Mary, Joseph and Jesus must have lived in Bethlehem for about two years. Jesus was taken at least twice to the Temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph for Circumcision and then again for Him to be ‘presented to the Lord’. (Luke 2:21-24) Let us count these two visits to Jerusalem for a total of 25 miles Mary walked.

(This is roughly the distance across the entire city of Denver)



Philip Otto Runge 1805
To learn about the legend of the Sycamore tree under which the Holy Family rested in Matariya, Egypt, go here.


* With Herod the King seeking to kill Jesus an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and he was told to flee to Egypt and they lived there till the death of Herod. Then he was told again by an angel to return to Israel and they came to live in Nazareth. (Matthew 2:13-23) The normal mileage from Bethlehem down to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, through Gaza across the Sinai Desert and into Egypt to the Pyramids along the Nile would be about 350 miles (563 km). Mary traveled with the infant baby Jesus at about the age of two for 350 miles (563 km) through the desert.

(This would be roughly the equivalent of a walk from Boston to Philadelphia -- and back the long way)

Dore. Click and print for a lovely coloring page!



* Mary, Joseph and child Jesus at about the age of 4 or 5 walked (traveled) from Egypt across the desert past Gaza and Joppa along the Mediterranean Sea to Nazareth. Mary walked about 400 miles (643 km) from Egypt to Nazareth with Jesus and Joseph.

(It's about 400 miles from Chicago, Illinois to Minneapolis, Minnesota)

* Living in Nazareth Mary would have gone at least once a year to the Temple in Jerusalem and back. This would surely have been at Passover or at least one of the Temple festivals. Jesus begins His public ministry at about the age of 30. Let us say they came back to Nazareth when Jesus was 5. For 25 years, Mary would have made round trips to and from Jerusalem once a year. Mary walked 240 miles (386 km) round trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem for 25 years, this = 25 x 240 = 6,000 miles (9655 km)!

(240 miles is about the distance from Baltimore, Maryland to Norfolk, Virginia)

* During the public ministry we find Mary in Cana with Jesus. (John 2:1-11) Mary was with Jesus in His ministry (Matt.12: 46-47; Mark 3:31; Luke 8:19)She was present as Jesus was crucified. (John 19:25-27) The disciple John was asked by Jesus to take care of Mary. (John 19: 27) Mary stayed to live with the early believers in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:14) We do not know the full extent of her travels with Jesus during this three year period but she surely went to the Passover three times, traveled to Cana round trip (12 miles, 19 km) and Capernaum round trip from Nazareth (60 miles, 96 km). The three Passovers including a one way from Nazareth to Jerusalem = 240 x 2 = 720 + 120 (one way to Jerusalem) + 72 = 912 miles (1,467 km). Mary walked at least 912 miles (1,467 km) during the 3-year public ministry of Jesus.

Total miles walked by Mary the Mother of Jesus!

Albrecht Durer.  Click and Print
for another great coloring page!

•4,080 Nazareth to Jerusalem and return. (Age 3 till 20)

•390 While with Child.

•25 From Bethlehem to Jerusalem twice.

•350 Bethlehem to Egypt

•400 Egypt to Nazareth.

•6,000 From Jesus age 5 till 30.

•912 During the public ministry of Jesus.

•Total: 12,187 Miles (19,612 km) Mary the Mother of Jesus Walked by the time she was about 50 years of age!

The distance around the world at the equator is 24,901.55 miles (40,074 km).

This means the Mary the Mother of Jesus Walked almost ‘HALF’ the distance around the world!

 The Flight into Egypt, as well as the Riposo -- or rest -- of the Holy Family, has been a favorite subject of artists since the beginning of Christian art.  There have been countless depictions! Many paintings are highly stylized and not very realistic, but this is a tendency we can easily forgive as they were graceful studies of a weary and gritty journey -- but a journey lit  with the beauty of the Divine Presence -- the Child Jesus safe in the haven of His Mother and St. Joseph's obedient care.

 Here are a few more paintings we've enjoyed looking up this morning:

Can't find the painter of this beautiful depiction.  Love the rich color and the pyramids in the distance.  Where is their baggage, though?

George Hitchcock - 1892  This is a lovely pastoral view of the Flight - but we wonder if it really would have looked like this in the desert between Bethlehem and Egypt.  And why is St. Joseph lagging so far behind?

George Hitchcock - 1895 A very different take on the same subject by Hitchcock, who seems to have moved onto Impressionism.  This one feels lonely and cold to us, compared to the other.  And again, St. Joseph lags way behind.

Luc Olivier Merson 1879.  This painting captures the desert starkness, we think, and is very beautiful in its simplicity, but we have a hard time imagining Our Blessed Mother crawling up to sleep in the arms of the little sphynx.. 

What do you think? Do you have a favorite?
*Repost from 2011 (Incidentally, one of the best research projects I ever got to do!  Putting facts and mileage to the history made it more than just a story for me...)

Candlemas Day!

Today celebrates Our Blessed Mother's obedience to the ancient Jewish law requiring mothers to come to the temple forty days after the birth of a child for a ritual purification and the customary presentation of the infant to the temple leaders. As you might imagine, Mary, perfect in body and soul didn't actually require any purification, but she teaches us humility, obedience, and respect for tradition by submitting to this mosaic law.

The parallel custom in the Catholic church today is the Churching ceremony, which is not required of mothers as Mary's purification was in her day, but is a wonderful blessing for mothers to receive after the birth of children. Isn't it wonderful the care that the Church has always taken of us wives and mothers? One of the chief prayers of the marriage blessing is meant especially for our benefit as wives and future mothers, and we can receive the benefit of the mother's blessing from our priest during our pregnancies (Ask him!), as well as the special ritual of thanksgiving and petition at the Churching ceremony, after our children are born. God knows our job is not an easy one, and provides for us with many prayers and helps!

This day also commemorates the fourth Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of the Infant Jesus at the Temple, and is the day upon which one of the chief blessings of the Church takes place. We have the blessing of the palms on Palm Sunday, the blessing of the ashes on Ash Wednesday, the holy water is blessed on Holy Saturday, and the blessing of candles, today, on Candlemas Day (aka: the Feast of the Purification).

It was on this day that Mary and Joseph met both the holy widow, Anna and the prophet, Simeon at the temple. Simeon prophesied the coming sorrows of the Blessed Mother, saying, "Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."

This quote is familiar to most of us, but, upon first seeing the Infant Savior, he also spoke the following words, which prompted the Church's choice of this day for the blessing of candles:

"Now dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, In peace, according to Thyword: For mine own eyes hath seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared inthe sight of all the peoples, A light to reveal Thee to the nations And theglory of Thy people Israel."

So, we remember today at the blessing of candles that Christ is this light that Simeon is talking about.

It's on this day that we bring to the church our beeswax candles (at least 51%) to be blessed for home use. Every home should have blessed candles. They can be used at the home altar or for Advent candles, for instance, but are usually reserved for the most special occasions, due to the expense of the beesewax variety. They are generally used in the home for Extreme Unction, at dusk on all Saint's Day (according to this custom) and in the case of severe storms or other trouble or danger.

Other interesting tidbits about Candlemas Day:

* In Mexico, the person who got the hidden ring in the traditional Three Kings Cake on the Epiphany is responsible for throwing a party on this day. Tamales and hot chocolate are the traditional fare! (So that means my husband should be throwing us a part tonight, since he got the coveted ring. &:o) Are you reading this, dear?)

*But in many European countries, crepes are the order of the day, either sweet or savory. Catholic Cuisine has a great crepe recipe for today, as well as some wonderful ideas for cakes shaped like candles to celebrate the feast.

*Aussie Annie has some wonderful craft ideas for today, all involving candles, and Kimberly, at Catholic Family Vignettes has posted a wealth of ideas and links today!

*We've always got to have at least one coloring page, so here is one with St. Simeon and the Holy Family.

*Tomorrow, on the Feast of St. Blaise, two of the blessed candles from today will be used by priests to bless throats in parishes around the world.

*It's Groundhog Day in the saecular world today, while Catholic tradition places the custom of determining (guessing!) the weather of the last three winter months on the Ember Days of Winter.  You can backtrack at the National Weather Center Archives to locate what the weather was in your area on the Ember Days and see if it holds true for you where you live.

* The German Catholic custom, from which Punxatawny Phil derives is best described by this little poem:

If Candlemas is mild and pure,

Winter will be long for sure.

When it storms and snows on Candlemas Day,

Spring is not far away;

If it's bright and clear,

Spring is not yet near.

* The symbol for this day, other than candles, is snowdrops, the earliest of the flowering bulbs. According to my favorite source, Fisheaters, snowdrops "are known as "Candlemas Bells" because, being the usual earliest blooming flower of all, they often bloom before Candlemas (some varieties bloom all winter long in some places). Legend says that they sprang up by the hand of an angel, who then pointed them out as a sign of hope to Eve, who was weeping in repentance and in despair over the cold and death that entered into the world after she and her husband sinned. Because our Hope is Christ, the Light of the World as Simeon says in his canticle today, it is providential that the snowdrop should bloom by this Feast! If possible, gather some Candlemas Bells to bring inside (folk belief is that bringing them indoors before this date is bad luck, and bringing them indoors today "purifies" one's house.) These flowers, along with carnations, are also the "birth flower" for those born in January."

* This is the last day of Christmas ~ officially! If you haven't taken your tree and house decorations down by now, you can't defend yourself if you're called a slacker. For a little homemaking inspiration, here is an old poem that ties together our liturgical year with home decorating, gardening and an appreciation for the rightful passing of the seasons:

CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE

by Robert Herrick

DOWN with the rosemary and bays,

Down with the misletoe ;

Instead of holly, now up-raise

The greener box (for show).

The holly hitherto did sway ;

Let box now domineer

Until the dancing Easter day,

Or Easter's eve appear.

Then youthful box which now hath grace

Your houses to renew ;
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew.
When yew is out, then birch comes in,

And many flowers beside ;

Both of a fresh and fragrant kin

To honour Whitsuntide.

Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents,
With cooler oaken boughs,

Come in for comely ornaments
To re-adorn the house.

Thus times do shift ; each thing his turn does hold ;

New things succeed, as former things grow old.

Happy Candlemas Day, Friends!

BTW: This is another re-post, this time from 2009.  

Candlemas Day Tomorrow!

(Luke II. 22-32.) At that time, After the days of Mary's purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law: he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation: which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Though most of us have long since put behind us all thought of candy canes and tinsel, tomorrow's feast actually marks the official end of the Christmas season. The precious days of Jesus' infancy hidden in the peace and security of Mary's confinement are coming to an end, with tomorrow marking His "introduction" to the world.  In the days when the Holy Family walked the earth, it was the custom for new mothers to go to the Temple to be declared officially "pure" forty days after the birth of a child (Lev. XII), and if that child was a firstborn son, it was Jewish law that the parents offer him officially to God at that time in order to show gratitude for the angel's sparing of the first-born of the Jews at the the time of Moses. (Exodus XII. 12)  Then, to redeem the child back from the Temple (Exodus XIII, 13), the parents offered a gift to be sacrificed in exchange, usually a lamb -- but if the family was poor, as Jesus' family was, a pair of turtle doves were sufficient.

 I love to imagine the Holy Family walking down a cobblestone road on the way to the Temple, the Infant Jesus bundled up and held close to the heart of His Mother, the turtle doves carried by good St. Joseph in a cage he made himself.  I wonder if anyone around them felt a spiritual nudge when the Infant Saviour passed by them? I wonder if I would have known it was the Holy Family passing by if I'd been there?

What a thought, though  -- that Jesus' parents, out of obedience to tradition, offered Him to the Jewish Temple, but then "bought Him back" with doves -- the symbol of peace.  In obedience and humility, Mary and Joseph fulfilled their  responsibility to the Mosaic Law that day, but the joy of the occasion was tempered when, upon meeting the prophet Simeon, Our Blessed Mother was reminded of the sorrows to come -- that her heart would be pierced with a sword.   Beauty and promise and sorrow that day were wrapped up together like the mysteries of the rosary, with the glory-to-come a glimmer in the eye of that bundled up Baby Boy.

Traditional Prayer for the Feast of the Presentation

Heavenly Father! look down from Thy throne of mercy upon the face of Thy Anointed in whom Thou art well pleased. Behold, He is this day offered to Thee in the temple for the sins of His brethren. Let this offering please Thee, and move Thee to have compassion on us sinners. In consideration of His humility and obedience, forgive us our pride and disobedience, and grant us, that purified by His blood, we may one day, having like Simeon departed this life in peace, behold Thee as the eternal Light which shall never be extinguished in the temple of Thy glory, be presented to Thee by Mary, our beloved Mother, and love and praise Thee forever. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are many ways to celebrate this Feast. If you're lucky (or I should say blessed!), you will be able to attend the candle blessing ceremonies at your parish and have some candles blessed to bring home, as it's become the custom on this day to bless the candles used throughout the year in the Church's ceremonies.  If you're unable to start the day in this way, though, you can start the day with a pious commemoration, lighting candles on your family altar, or before an image of the Holy Family and say the prayer printed above or simply read from the prayers of the Mass for the day. 

Then plan other fun things to imprint memories of the day for the children!

Many cultures have perfectly wonderful celebrations to make this day special.  I mentioned many in this post a couple years ago, and linked to some more that included the history of the blessing of candles on this day -- as well as the customary crepe or pancake dinners -- in this post.  Catholic Cuisine is always a wonderful resource, with a list of links for many different recipes and feastday dinners, as well as a lovely idea for a Candlemas Tea!   Lacy at  Catholic Icing also has some wonderful ideas for celebrating the day in crafts and goodies.

And then there are always coloring pages! The following prints, in the public domain, may be used to color: just click and copy to your computer, then print.

As the Feast of the Presentation officially ends the Christmas Season, we list it on our mental calendars as "last call" for removing all our Christmas decorations.  Usually, by the second week after the Big Day, we've started taking down the peripheral garlands and wreaths; then, through the next month, we take down a little more and a little more until we reach "center" which is our big Nativity scene.  Nobody ever wants to tackle this chore.  It's a big to do, let me tell you! But by this time, we've also developed an emotional attachment to our pretty stable, with its trees and rocks and waterfalls, the little animals, the sheep, the Holy Family... It's a letdown for us all, removing it from its place of honor.  Nevertheless, by the first of February, we know we have to tackle it.  And it usually turns out that we're more ready than we think we are for the change.

Before

This photo taken before Baby Jesus made His appearance...

It only took two or three hours today to get the whole landscape and the fragile figurines taken down and packed carefully away, then a little while longer to sweep and mop and vacuum up all the debris left behind. We're a little sad to see it go; the family room seems a little empty now!  But, there's also a sense of satisfaction in having it all finished -- and the lack of clutter, the feeling of "airiness," and cleanness feels kinda good!  It feels like we've taken the first step to a good spring cleaning.  It's a sort of "purification" that we've begun. All right, and good, and in the proper season.  A hint of things to come.

During

During

After

I looked it up, by the way: as of today, February 1st, we have 31 days until Ash Wednesday, and 77 days until Easter...

The Feast of All Souls

We have a very special opportunity every first of November. I always tell the children about how this is the time of year we can be heroes to the Souls in Purgatory! And, lucky us, our friends in Purgatory will, in turn, pray for us. There's no greater service we can do for a fellow human being. And we can benefit, too!  We're all so much in need, it's important to make the most of our opportunities.

Here are the specs---

To receive a plenary indulgence for the souls in Purgatory: While visiting a cemetery during the Octave of the Feast of the Holy Souls, after a pious Confession and Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the Church, and offer prayers (silently or out loud) for the dearly departed. A traditional prayer for this occasion is the beautiful de Profundis. Some pray six Our Fathers, six Hail Marys and six Glory Be s. There is not a set of prescribed prayers for the dead that is necessary, so it's really up to you. You may gain this plenary indulgence once each day during this octave!

And you may send some souls to Heaven!


There are a lot of Catholic customs of the day, as well!  You can go here for a bunch of them.

Since we're moving throughout the month of November, we're hoping we'll remember to offer up all the pains in the neck of moving for the benefit of the Holy Souls.  And we're begging them to intercede for us in making this a safe and smooth move!

Prayers for the Holy Souls at Sunset Mesa Cemetery

Praying the rosary for all the faithful departed.

We love the headstones with the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts!

I would love to be buried in a cemetery with this view!  Not for myself, but for the comfort of the folks that I hope will be coming to pray for my soul!

A Mother's Meditations on the Seven Sorrows

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady are an interesting meditation, especially considering how very different Our Blessed Mother's sorrow must have been from sorrow as we generally understand it. All of the experiences of Mary's life were colored by her complete, unquestioning surrender to the Will of God. She was not affected by any of the vices of thought or deed that we are prone to due to original sin, but her knowlege and understanding were far keener. The sorrow she felt was unselfish and true. I can't help but think that her sorrow must be largely for us and, especially for those who do not save their souls...

I don't consider myself an authority in any way on the Bible, or the life of Our Blessed Mother, or theology, or much, in fact, except maybe diaper changing and laundry. What follows are just some of my random thoughts and impressions on the Seven Sorrows, and what lessons I found in thinking about them today.

The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother:

1) The Prophesy of Simeon, in which he foretold to Our Blessed Mother that her child was "set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce..."

As a mother, this immediately brings to mind for me the terror and worry I would have for the future if someone said those same words to me. I'd be a nervous wreck! But, we know for a certainty that Jesus' Mother didn't worry. At most she "wondered at those things which were spoken concerning Him." If we place our complete trust in God as she did, we can have no worry for our future. Of course we'll need to ask her help in this. It doesn't come as naturally to us with our fallen human natures. But, that is why God has been so good to us to give us the help of all our Heavenly family, and especially His Mother, Our Mother, who has such a tender love for us.
Learn not to worry!

2) The Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt

Oh, wow, this is a hard one. Imagine your husband wakes you up in the morning and says, "Pack up, dear. We're going to Egypt." You have a new baby, and your bank account is not just low, it's nonexistent. You don't know a soul in Egypt, and you will have to walk or ride a donkey across a desert to get there. But, you go. Mary went. I doubt she even asked any questions of St. Joseph, but started packing their meager belongings immediately. This not only teaches us abandonment, once again, to the Will of God, but obedience to our husbands!

In the God-given roles of husband and wife, the Bible makes it very clear what is expected of each of us. We are a team, yes, because our skills and roles were designed to complement one another. My job, as a wife and mother is to tend to the details of the family and to love and honor my husband; my husband's job is take care of the big decisions and to cherish his wife and family. Do we consult one another on these things? Of course we do, or it'd be a miserable existence for both of us. But the final word on where my husband takes a job, for instance, belongs to my husband, while what we have for dinner and how the children are dressed rests mainly in my hands. This is an arrangement I am blessed to be able to comply with, as I have a Godly husband. For this I need to be grateful. And to be content to obey.

The Mother of God is our best example for fulfilling and obeying the demands of our stations in life.

3) The Losing of the Child Jesus in the Temple

This sorrow (which accompanies the the 4th Joyful Mystery) has always given me comfort in a way. Picture the scenario: You're traveling with a large group of family members and friends, on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a very large and unfamiliar city. On the way home, you're sure you'd seen your twelve year old son in the group at departure, so aren't worried when you don't spot him again throughout the day. You assume he's with friends in the company. But, at the end of the day you can't find him. You go all the way back to Jerusalem to look for him. You're frantic. How could you have left him behind? Finally, you go back to the Temple, and there He is, surrounded by a group of church scholars, deep in conversation.

Didn't He know that you had to be concerned for Him? How could He not have known that you were looking for Him?? When you ask Him, His answer is strange and somewhat vague: Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know I had to be about my Father's business?

Alllrighty then! How do you answer that one? I think that Our Blessed Mother and holy St. Joseph knew better than to be terribly miffed; this was no ordinary boy they were raising. But, there is the comfort for me... If Our Lady and St. Joseph had trouble with their adolescent, who am I to be surprised when my teenagers give me pains? And who better for me to call upon in my distress over them?

Our Blessed Mother is our best counselor on child rearing!

4. The Blessed Mother meets her Son on the Way to Mount Calvary

This scene, as it plays in my mind, is heartbreaking. How can we, as mothers, even imagine the horror? Our dearest child is suffering unimaginably, and we are unable to do anything to help! We can only watch. Or is that all that His Mother did? Sometimes we are faced with situations in our lives over which we truly have no control. Our loved ones suffer, we suffer, and though we may not be able to change the earthly situation, we can affect the landscape of our own souls by prayer. When Our Blessed Mother followed Our Lord up the hill to Calvary, I believe she filled all the sorrow of that time with some of the Earth's most fervent prayer. Prayer, I bet, mostly that God's Will be done. We can affect change through prayer. Prayers left in Our Lady's hands will always be perfectly handled and distributed.

When all else fails, pray!

5) The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross

When I meditate on Our Lord's three hours on the cross, I am always glad that His Mother was not alone there. How her mother's heart must have been breaking. And, though the mystics tell us she was constantly surrounded by angels, how comforting it must have been, in a human way, to have the arm of St. John around her shoulders in that awful time. How good it must have been that the other women were there at the foot of the cross, mourning with her. I know she was aware of their sorrow, and that they had ultimate concern for her at that time as well. The company of our friends in the Faith should never be taken for granted. Though we have the ever-ready help of the heavenly court, it's important to remember that oftentimes, God answers our prayers through concrete comfort and help.

God often gives His help through His friends here on earth!

6) The Body of Our Lord is Taken Down from the Cross and Laid in the Arms of His Mother

How bittersweet these moments must have been. Our Lady's heart must have been drowning in sorrow; she must have already begun simply to miss Jesus' earthly presence near her. But, she knew, too, that His suffering was over and that He was now with His Heavenly Father, His mission on Earth was completed. It is always so touching and deeply meaningful to me to see how God gives Christ to us through His Mother. She bore Him, through the Holy Ghost, and brought Him into the world. After His sacrifice on Calvary, the Body of Christ was laid in her arms. I like to think that His Mother must be present, too, in a way, at every Holy Communion.

Who can better help us prepare for the Sacrament of His Body and Blood than His Holy Mother?

7) The Burial of Jesus

In another example of Christian charity and practical solicitude, it appears the friends of Mary took chief responsibility for the preparation of Our Lord's body for death. Perhaps Our Lady looked on as they gathered together spices and someone located fine linen in which to wrap His precious body. I imagine she was grateful, but not surprised, when Joseph of Arimethea eagerly contributed his own new tomb. Everything had to be taken care of quickly, because the Sabbath was fast approaching, but everything was done as carefully and perfectly as possible. Do we prepare ourselves with as much care when we approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist? Do I take the time and trouble to fast appropriately? Do I really try my hardest to understand the great privilege of this sacrament? How can I complain to myself that it's too difficult to focus on my prayers when I'm hungry and the children are acting up and I'm in a bad mood... relative to the scene on that Friday?

We should carefully prepare ourselves body, mind and soul both to receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and to meet Him someday at the end of our lives.

* Reposted from September, 2007 -- one of the first I ever posted on this blog!

Words Mean Things

From the Mom Files: vintage July, 2008.  A look back, at a topic that's always fresh in our parenting journey.  Check out little two-year-old William! Goodness, how time has flown!  But, this post is still so much of what I still think about when raising our children. And -- now -- in watching our little grandbaby grow and learn, too.


Our two-year-old was rudely stopped mid-cavort across the dining room floor the other day because he'd stepped on a dreaded goat head. No matter how hard we try to keep the floors swept here, no matter how hard we try to enforce the "shoes-off-at-the-door" policy, we just can't keep the dang things out of the house. And, oh, man, do they hurt to step on!

So, our little guy, having unfortunately stumbled onto one, let out a Yowl, of course, followed by this pieced together junior tirade of frustration: "Goathead foot hurt! Again! Again! Again!" (Which is the translation of what really sounded more like: "Goheed foot hoot! 'Geen! 'Geen! 'Geen!")

I couldn't help but smile as I scooped him up to pluck out the sticker and kiss his dirty little foot. What tickled me, though, was not an inappropriately wicked sense of humor (Really!), but the fact that William had understood and used the concept of "again" so perfectly. Isn't it amazing?

I love it! I love watching the world come together for the children, and I love listening to them learn to communicate about it. The good and the not-so-good. And even dumb old goatheads. Little ones learn language so easily, with so much serendipity, really, it's nothing short of miraculous. Just two and a half short years ago, this little boy could not hold his head up by himself. And now he understands and can communicate abstract concepts! It's amazing!

And, scary, too, in a way. Little ones listen to us more closely than we realize sometimes. Not just the simple meanings of words impress themselves on those little ears, but nouances and subtleties that we adults take for granted ~ until we hear them out of the mouths of our babes.

"Tomorrow is always a long time," my four year old has told me, understanding the full meaning of that concept more clearly, I think, than we adults do in our hurry. How easily I say to him, "I don't have time now; let's do it tomorrow. Or later." He knows I'm missing the boat I think. Gabey understands that tomorrow really is a long way off. How important it is to make now as important to me as it is to my little four-year-old ~ and as important as it is to Our Heavenly Father, who judges me on every single now.

Have you noticed how differences between Like, Love, and Hate become part of the children's lexicons very early on, in their hearts and on their tongues? William "yikes" cookies, but he "yuvs" Mommy and Daddy, and, incidentally, anybody who gives him a cookie... If we pay attention, we can't help but hear the constant learning process going on, and it can be sobering to realize how we parents communicate our values in our daily actions and communication.

In saying the rosary, the little ones learn early that Mary and Jesus are people we love very much. Why on earth would we spend so much time saying their names over and over again if we didn't? If we speak words of Faith ~ our prayers, the names of the saints, references to the Mass ~ with a smile on our lips, the smallest child understands that these are beloved things. If we say, "We get to go to Jesus' House this morning!" instead of "Hurry up! We have to go to church!" children get the meaning very clearly.

Likewise, in family life, the long term relationship amongst siblings can be determined early by how Mama and Daddy speak of brothers and sisters to one another. If we repeat over and over again, starting in infancy, "Your brother/sister loves you so much. Isn't God good to have given you to each other?" we set up an expectation and responsibility in each child that can only lead to good. Along the same lines, if we praise a child's good behaviour by saying, "Look what a wonderful example that was for your little brother/sister?" or "Look at the baby! I bet she learned to say 'please' by listening to you, didn't she?" we begin a habit of good associations that can help bridge the years of petty squabbles every family's bound to have.

Of course, conversely, if we slip into the habit of comparisons, or criticisms, they learn to be negative and jealous. Children learn charity, or the lack of it, with the same eyes and ears.

I was drawn up short one day, when one of our children said she didn't ever want to go to Mexico because there were so many illegal aliens there. I have to admit, that at first I laughed about that. It really was a pretty funny line... But then I felt terrible that through our conversation, we had unwittingly given her the impression that she was not supposed to like Mexico ~ that Mommy and Daddy had a grudge against Mexico, and that whatever illegal aliens might be, they were something to dislike. And while I have grave misgiving about some of the immigration policies in our country, I truly mean no grudge against the Mexican people. Some of my favorite people are Mexican and I admire the special love Mexico has traditionally held for the Faith. Nevertheless, I had inadvertently started my daughter down a path to bigotry against these people. My unguarded tongue and lack of complete explanation had misguided her.

It's easy to make the same mistake when discussing individuals. Gossip is such a natural and easy trap to get caught in, almost everyone is guilty of it sometimes. We often don't even realize we're doing it. Like most extended families, ours struggles with fallen-away family members, and some who have a difficult time fighting off the temptations of the world. And we do talk about it, oftentimes without the care we should. The children need to understand that following the examples of these loved ones is worse than riding a unicycle on the edge of a cliff. But, there's also a fine line between passing on a warning and passing along scandal.

One of the best ways we've found to try and prevent crossing that line is to talk about bad examples with the children, not in front of them. It's always best to avoid letting them overhear us talking about other souls in trouble; we must be conscious to carefully and briefly explain a bad situation and make a lesson of it. And, then, most importantly, we have to spend more time remembering these people in our family prayers, than we do in talking about them. We teach our children this guideline for talking about others: If it truly does not help you or the people involved to discuss a problem, dont' discuss it. And satisfying curiosity doesn't help anyone.

If you're a chatterbox like I am, this can be a serious challenge! But, the children hear everything. More than we think they do! More than we might like them to! And it all gets filed away in those little brains. We can't be vigilant enough! So many words, so many images bombard our children's senses, and with so many bad influences in the world, it's so very important to make sure that those receptors can filter out the junk and find what is good and true. Our examples, our every word, have to resonate in their hearts, from their earliest memories, with love and consistency. We have to consciously fill every moment, every single now, with words and actions that lift them ~ and us! ~ heavenward.

To some this may sound like obsession or fanaticism. (And I've heard it described that way...) But can something be bad ~ or overkill ~ when it's about love? We can't love God too much. We can't love our children too much with Him in the formula ~ when we love them through and for and because of Our Heavenly Father and His Goodness.

Is there a more important lesson for our children to learn than this? Do we consciously teach it to them? Or can they pick it up instinctively? They could stumble across it, I guess, but why take that chance? It's our job to teach our children about Divine Love through our love ~ in all our actions and in all our words. We have to start telling them in the cradle. And then we have to keep on telling them.

Again and again and again.

PS: Don't worry. I didn't stop to take that first pic up there of poor little Yuyum crying after he hurt his wee tootsie. I may giggle sometimes, but I would never stop to stop a picture... &:o) It was actually taken later on when he was play-whining. Just thought enquiring minds might want to know... &:o)

An April Meditation

A Half Dozen -

"Catchings Up"

(Early April, 2013)

First, Easter Celebrations Pictures...

1) We had the big Holy Thursday Mass at our parish with procession last week, of course.  Michelle went to Denver to spend Easter with my parents and siblings (and a slew of her friends), so it was only Theresa, Cathy, and Anna adding Davis voices to the choir (and they sounded lovely!).  As you see below, Anna did double duty, though, also participating in the procession...

  bringing up the rear behind William -- who, being the shortest by far, led the rest of the processors...

 right behind Gabriel -- who was serving as torch bearer -- on his very first outing as an altar boy!

Here he is, on the right, next to the altar rail.  

We were so proud of Gabriel; he did a great job!  Perfect, in fact.
But, still, after all these years, and four altar server sons besides Gabe --
who all started out as torch bearers -- it still amazes me that they trust these
 little guys to walk around carrying fire...
Their Guardian Angels are very much on guard, no doubt!

2) But, really the biggest news in the life of Gabriel this spring, is that he was finally
able to become and altar boy because he received his First Holy Communion
on Palm Sunday.  

Unfortunately, due to a ridiculous comedy of errors, this is the only picture -- taken with my phone after Mass.  Gabe didn't care, of course, whether I got pictures or not.  He was properly disposed! But, this Momma was a a twitter of a mess because neither of my cameras worked for the occasion.  ARGH!  I'm over it now, yes.  And the lingering impression of the Big Day is sweet.  I'm ashamed I was upset at the time! Gabe is such a good little guy; he was focused totally on what was important.  He's already working toward Confirmation now -- has his saint picked out and everything.  :0) There's no stopping this little  Catholic; he's already a soldier of Christ!

3) Fast forward to Easter:

Here they are -- the kiddos, after Midnight Easter Mass, which ended somewhere around 2:30 a.m. (Ugh.  Yaaaawwwwnnnnn...) See how chipper they all look, though?  Dan and I did not look so chipper.  (You'll notice we're not in the picture....)

But, the reason the children are looking so bright-eyed at 2:30 a.m.?  You can see it at left. The Easter Candy Bar.  We set all the goodies out Easter eve and everybody enjoyed from 2:30 a.m. Easter, until this morning when I bagged up what was left to freeze or store.  We'll take a little out once a week or so until it's gone.  Maybe.  It's not like any of us needs this stuff.  We started on a sugar rush in the wee hours of the morning Sunday that may last us until the 4th of July.

4)  After being complete sugar-sotted pigs and slugs (sligs? pugs?) for a couple of days, we decided we needed to clean up our act on Easter Tuesday, and had a Pride and Prejudice marathon (the long A&E version), with a tea party at the intermission.  Here, as promised earlier, are a couple photo clicks I slipped in between scones and English Breakfast tea...

Good job on the pinkies, Anna!

Cathy, scone baker par excellence! Also served: tomato
basil and chicken salad sandwiches, deviled eggs, blueberry scones with
lime curd and mock Devon cream, and coconut vanilla cheesecake.
It was all yummy!

All the tea party goers (minus the photographer and the little boys who were banished
to the back room with their own goodies for a "man party," wherein they wrestled
on the school room couch, watched Abbot and Costello, and got scone  crumbs
all over the floor.) L-R: Anna, Theresa, the Child Jesus, Cathy, and June.

And in other news...

5) This guy is coming home:

We are glad to get the Dominic-themes of the
house soundtrack back again, regardless. :0)

Because he's had a relapse of ill health, Dominic will be driving back to Colorado from Omaha this weekend. He's been unable to kick the Epstein Barr virus that's been plaguing him, and he's missed more of his classes than he's been able to make at the seminary, so we all agreed that it would be best in the long run for him to head home for another extended rest cure. We're determined to kick this thing once and for all through the rest of this spring and summer, and are looking at this "cure time" as just a slight setback.  Dominic says he has every intention of re-entering the Religious life again as soon as he gets a completely clean bill of health.  It's a difficult cross for him, this delay of all his hopes and plans, but he (and all of us) feel the hand of God in all of this.  Please keep Dominic in your prayers -- body, mind, and spirit?  We're so happy to have him home -- but then, we'll be so happy for him to leave and get on with his real goals!

6) And this guy is leaving home:

Apparently, Paul did such a good job in his training mission in Jordan the last time around, that the Marine Corps had to have him out there again.  Darn him for being so good at what he does!  He's taking his men back to the desert this Monday night, leaving Nicole and Gavin (who's two now -- and all of it!) back at Camp Pendleton.  This excursion is supposed to only take a month or so. We're all hoping that's true.  Since he returned from Afghanistan last summer, he's had to leave his family every six weeks or so for a month or more out on assignment or training exercises.  It'd be awfully nice for the Paul Davis family to have a decent length of time to enjoy one another, for heaven's sake!  Anyway...  Prayers, please please -- for his safety in that always-tense part of the world??  And that God will be good and get him home soon -- and for more than a month or two this time around?