Dear Diary,
Today is Friday, May 8, and Robert picked the three of us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s—Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. The morning was quiet, and I kept thinking how May is Mary’s month, and how she always leads us closer to Jesus.
Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel where Jesus says, “Love one another as I love you.” Father said this is not a small kind of love, but the love of Our Lord Himself. Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His life for us, and then He still stayed with us in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting in the tabernacle like the dearest Friend a soul could ever have.
Father said it is a wonderful thing that Jesus calls us His friends. He is the King of Heaven, and still He bends down to poor little souls and says, “You are my friends.” That made my heart feel very large and very happy, as if Jesus had made more room inside it for love.
On the way home, Sister Mary Claire explained that friendship with Jesus means we try to love the way He loves. We do not get to keep our hearts closed up tight and only love when it is easy. Jesus chose us first, and He wants us to bear fruit that will last. Sister said every patient word, every kind deed, and every little sacrifice made for love of Jesus can become fruit for Heaven.
Robert said the tabernacle lamp at St. Mary’s is like a quiet reminder that Jesus never stops loving first. Even when the church is empty and no one is kneeling there, He is still present and waiting. I thought that was beautiful, because real friendship does not run away when things are quiet or lonely.
Later today I thought about Mini too, because she is such a faithful little friend. She does not understand the Gospel, but she understands staying close. I want to stay close to Jesus like that, especially when He is waiting in the tabernacle.
Tonight I am asking Jesus to help me love better—not only in big brave ways, but in little farm-girl ways too.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus, my dearest Friend,
thank You for choosing me before I ever chose You.
Help me love others as You love me.
Teach me to be kind, patient, and faithful,
and let my little sacrifices bear fruit for Heaven.
Please bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, and Mini,
and keep us close to Your Sacred Heart.
Good night, dear Jesus.
Stay with us in love.
Love,
Kathy
_________
Today’s Holy Gospel
A reading from
the holy Gospel according to John 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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