Second Sunday of Advent

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert drove us to St. Mary’s, and he had the heater going good and warm in the pickup. He lifted Mini onto Sister’s lap the way he always does, and Mini looked so proud, like she had an important seat in a parade. The roads were frosty and sparkly, and everything felt very Advent-quiet.

At church, Sister whispered that today’s meditation came from the same book Father uses for his homilies, so we already had a little hint of what the Gospel would be about—St. John sending his messengers to Jesus and asking, “Art Thou He that art to come?” It sounded so old and beautiful, like a Christmas card that came to life.

Two things stayed with me:

First, Sister explained that Jesus didn’t just say who He was—He let the messengers see His works. The blind saw, the lame walked, and the poor heard the Gospel. Sister said, “Kathy, people should be able to see our faith, not just hear it.” That made me think about how even small kindnesses can show Jesus to others.

Second, Sister said St. John kept hoping even in prison. He sent messengers because he wanted to stay close to Jesus. Advent is when we get to do the same—send our own “little messengers,” like prayers and good deeds, so our hearts don’t grow fussy or forgetful.

When we got home, the cold felt even sharper, so Mini and I only peeked at the coop and hurried back inside. Sister invited Robert in for a cup of warm milk and honey to thank him for the ride, and he sat with us a few minutes. Mini curled right up at his feet like she always does. We talked a bit more about Father’s homily, and Robert said he wished he had a couple of messengers who could help him when his pickup won’t behave.

My Resolution for Today:

I will try to show my faith by what I do—small helps, small kindnesses—and send these “messengers” to Jesus all day long. And I will keep my heart hopeful, like St. John did, even when things feel difficult.

Love,

Kathy

Her Eyes - A Study

A Mother's Warmth on a Cold Morning

Dear Diary,

Sister Mary Claire and I stayed home again today. The cold still bites straight through your coat, and Robert called to say his pickup wouldn’t start again. He told Sister that he’s going to install a little engine heater, and once that’s in, the “No Start” problem should be fixed for good. That made Sister smile, because she knows how much he worries about getting us to Mass on cold mornings.

So instead of church, Sister and I read our Advent meditation at the kitchen table, with Mini curled under our feet like a warm little fur ball.

I wrote down one main point Sister helped me understand about Our Blessed Mother:

God prepared Mary from the very beginning to be the Mother of Jesus, and she used every single grace He gave her — which is why she became so beautiful to God and to us.

Sister said Mary isn’t just Jesus’ Mother; she is our Mother too. She loves us with a heart that is gentle and strong, the way a perfect mother loves her children. Knowing she watches over us makes me feel safe, even on the frostiest mornings.

We’ll go to Mass tomorrow, once Robert gets that engine heater on and the pickup behaving again.

Resolution: Today I will try to stay close to Mary by being gentle, patient, and kind—just like a child should be with a loving Mother.

Love,

Kathy

The Warm Front

Dear Diary,

This morning felt almost warm to me after all the cold days we’ve had. When Sister Mary Claire and I stepped outside, the air didn’t sting at all. Mini was so happy she trotted ahead and made a neat little line of Corgi tracks in the snow.

Right when we got to the mailbox, Robert pulled up and called out, “Hello, ladies!” like he always does. The pickup was already warm inside, and Mini hopped right into his arms. He placed her on Sister’s lap, and she sat there so proud, like she was in charge.

The world felt very quiet on the way to church. The sky was pale and soft, and everything seemed slowed down, like Advent mornings always are. Sister says this is the season when our hearts get ready for Jesus.

At Mass, the Gospel was about two blind men who followed Jesus even though they couldn’t see Him. They just kept calling out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” Jesus asked if they believed He could help them, and they said, “Yes, Lord.” And He touched their eyes—and suddenly they could see everything.

On the way home, Sister said sometimes our hearts can act a little blind too, like when we forget to trust Jesus. But the blind men kept following Him anyway, and that’s the part that stayed with me.

My Resolution for Today:

To trust Jesus the way those men did, even when I don’t see the answer right away.

Love,

Kathy

A House Built on Rocks

Dear Diary, 

 
Brrr… this morning it was seven degrees below zero when the phone rang. Mini growled her sleepy little growl, and Sister Mary Claire answered it from under her blanket. It was Robert, and he said his pickup simply wouldn’t start in the bitter cold. So no Mass today. I felt disappointed for a moment, but Sister said softly, “Sometimes Our Lord brings the Gospel right to our fireside.”

So we stayed snug here at Camp Littlemore, with the stove sending out that friendly little crackle. Sister made us cocoa first, and then she read the Gospel of the Day from St. Matthew—about the wise man who built his house on rock, and the foolish one who built on sand.

When she finished, she looked at me the way she does when she wants me to think deeper, and she said,

“Kathy, Jesus isn’t just talking about houses. He’s talking about our choices. Every good thing we do—every honest word, every little prayer—lays stones on rock. And every time we know what’s right but don’t do it, that’s sand. Storms come to everyone, but only what’s built on love and goodness will stand.”

I nodded because I understood it more clearly than ever.

My resolution for today:

Lord, help me build everything on You. Even if the day is quiet and simple, let my little choices be strong stones—kind words, patience, and doing what is right even when no one sees.

The weather was far too cold for anything but quick walks for Mini. She dashed out and right back in again, her little bottom wagging like she couldn’t believe how icy the world had turned. We spent most of the day warm and safe inside—Sister reading, me writing, and Mini curled at our feet, her fur coat doing its job.

Even without Mass, it was a peaceful day, and the Gospel still found its way to our hearts.

Love,

Kathy

Gunsmoke

Dear Diary,

Last night Sister Mary Claire and I watched an old Western episode from Gunsmoke. It was a true story and left me feeling a little sad. A man was accused of robbing a stagecoach, and soon everyone in town started snubbing him, even though no one really knew the truth. Later the real robber was caught, but by then the innocent man had been pushed into a gunfight with Marshall Dillon and lost his life. It was too late to make things right and Marshall Dillon now had it on his conscience.  

It made me think about how quickly people can harm someone’s good name, and how once a rumor starts, it can lead to real hurt.

So my resolution for today is: to be careful with my words and to pray for people instead of ever judging them on hearsay.

Mini rested her head on my knee, almost like she understood.

Love, Kathy

Love,

Kathy

Tuesday's Advent Resolution

Dear Diary,

This afternoon I opened my little Daily Meditation book and read the part that begins, “Grant that we may daily prove ourselves more worthy of it…” It said we should fight a good fight each day, even in small things. That made me think of being patient with chores, with Mini, and with myself.

It also said Our Blessed Mother helps us win these little battles, which made me feel peaceful.

The Resolution was to stay patient and faithful in daily trials. So here is my own simple one:

“Today I will try to be patient in every little thing and ask Mary to help me do what’s right.”

Love, Kathy