Morning Song to Mary

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and we went to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. Mini came along and stayed close, quiet and happy.

Father LeRoy read how Jesus told His disciples that He still had more to teach them, but they could not bear it yet. Then Jesus promised the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth, who would guide them into all truth.

Father LeRoy said Jesus never gives a soul more than it can carry. He teaches gently, little by little. The Holy Ghost does not bring a different truth from Jesus. He takes the truth Jesus already gave and helps the Church understand it more deeply. He also helps our own hearts receive it, little by little, until what seemed hard or hidden becomes clearer in God’s light.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said it is like morning light coming over the fields. The fields are already there, but the light helps us see them.

After chores, I gathered the eggs and got the best ones ready for Caleb and the Breakfast Club. Omelette had a warm brown egg in her nest, and Mini waited by my feet while I finished.

I do not understand everything yet, but I can stay close to Jesus and let the Holy Ghost teach me one little light at a time.

Evening Prayer

Dear Holy Ghost, Spirit of truth, please guide my heart gently. Teach me what Jesus wants me to know. Help me stay close to Him and not be afraid when I do not understand everything yet.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 16:12–15

Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Spring Fields and the Holy Ghost

The Apostles Creed

 

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini came with us to St. Mary’s. She settled in nicely for the ride, while Sister Mary Claire and I looked out at the fields.

The countryside had that busy spring feeling, because the farmers are planting soybeans. Some had tractors moving slowly over the dark earth, making straight rows across the fields. But my favorite sight was our Amish neighbor, who still does everything the old way. We saw him out in his field with his two horses, Bess and Barney, planting beans just as steady and quiet as could be. Bess and Barney leaned into their work, and the planter followed behind, putting the seed down into the ground where nobody could see it yet.

Sister Mary Claire said there is something very prayerful about planting. A farmer places the seed in the earth and then must trust God for the rain, the warmth, and the hidden growing.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel from Saint John. Jesus told His disciples that He was going to the One who sent Him. Their hearts were filled with grief because they could not bear the thought of Him leaving. But Jesus said something wonderful and hard to understand at first. He said it was better for them that He go, because then He would send the Advocate, the Holy Ghost.

Father LeRoy explained that Jesus was not leaving His friends in a lonely way. He was going to the Father, and from there He would send the Holy Ghost to live and work in their souls. Father said the disciples could see Jesus with their eyes before, but after the Holy Ghost came, Jesus would be near them in a deeper way.

He said the Holy Ghost is like the hidden life in the seed. The farmer cannot see the soybean sprouting the moment it is planted, but something begins in secret. Grace can be like that too. The Holy Ghost works quietly in the heart, showing us what is wrong, helping us love what is right, and giving us courage to belong to Jesus.

On the ride home, Robert said our Amish neighbor and his horses made the Gospel seem plainer somehow. He said Bess and Barney were working slowly, but surely, and their master trusted the old way and trusted God too. Sister Mary Claire said the Apostles had to learn that kind of trust. They had to trust Jesus even when they could no longer see Him walking beside them.

I thought about that for a long time. Sometimes I think I would like to see Jesus with my own eyes, the way the Apostles did. But Sister said the Holy Ghost helps us know Jesus in our souls, and that is very near indeed.

Mini leaned against me on the ride home, peaceful as could be. I looked out at the soybean fields and thought about the seed under the soil. I wondered what the Holy Ghost wants to plant in my heart today. Maybe more faith. Maybe less fear. Maybe a better love for Jesus when I do not understand everything.

Tonight the fields are dark and quiet, but under the soil something may already be beginning. I hope my soul can be like that too.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,
thank You for sending the Holy Ghost.
Please do not let my heart be full of fear
when I cannot see what You are doing.
Make my soul soft and ready,
like the spring fields.
Plant faith, hope, and love in me,
and help them grow quietly for You.

Bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini,
our Amish neighbor,
his good horses Bess and Barney,
and all the farmers planting their soybeans.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

The Quiet Courage of the Holy Ghost.

Dear Diary,

Robert picked us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s. Mini came too, and she settled under the pew with her good church manners, her warm little self resting quietly against my shoe.

The Gospel today was from Saint John, where Jesus tells His disciples that the Advocate will come. Father LeRoy explained that the Advocate is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth. He said Jesus knew His friends would face hard things, so He promised they would not be left alone. The Holy Ghost would help them remember Jesus, love Him, and speak for Him when the time came.

Father LeRoy said that testifying to Jesus does not always mean standing before a crowd. Sometimes it means being faithful in ordinary places, like at home, at school, in the farmyard, or even when no one is watching. It means telling the truth, choosing what is right, and not being ashamed of Our Lord.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said the Holy Ghost gives a quiet courage to the soul. Robert said that a person can look small on the outside and still be strong inside when God is helping. I liked that very much. It made me think that maybe Jesus does not ask me to be big and grand, but only to be faithful where He has placed me.

After we got home, Mini followed me to the chicken yard, and I checked on Omelette, my brown hen. She was settled in her nest, looking very serious about her business. I gathered the eggs and thought that even small duties can be done for Jesus. Maybe that is one way a little farm girl can testify too.

Tonight the house is quiet, and I am glad Jesus told His disciples ahead of time not to fall away. It makes me feel like He tells us too, so we will remember Him when things are hard and keep our hearts close to Him.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please send the Holy Ghost into my heart. Help me be truthful, faithful, and brave in little ways. Please bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and little Omelette in her nest. Keep me close to You tonight and help me remember You tomorrow. Amen.

Love,
Kathy
Gospel Reading


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A reading from
the holy Gospel according to John
15:26–16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

I Will Not Leave You Orphans

Dear Diary,

Today was one of the prettiest spring days we have had yet at Camp Littlemore Farm. The sky was bright blue over the fields, and now the rows of corn can finally be seen coming up out of the rich black Iowa dirt. From far away the little green rows almost looked stitched across the fields like careful lines on a quilt.

Robert picked the three of us up as usual and right on time for morning Mass at St. Mary’s. Mini came too, of course, and she sat close beside me in the truck with her little ears flapping softly in the breeze from the open window. Sister Mary Claire brought along a small basket with fresh muffins wrapped in a towel for Robert and Father LeRoy.

During his homily, Father LeRoy explained today’s Gospel reading. He said Jesus knew His disciples would someday feel frightened and lonely when they could no longer see Him walking beside them. But Jesus promised He would never truly leave them alone. Father said when Our Lord spoke about sending the Advocate, He meant the Holy Spirit, who stays close to us even when we cannot see Him.

Father LeRoy said the world often wants proof it can touch and hold, but God quietly works inside the soul instead. He told us that whenever we choose kindness, obey God, pray honestly, or turn away from sin, the Holy Spirit is already helping us. “You are never abandoned by God,” he said softly from the pulpit. “Not even for one moment.”

On the drive home, the discussion continued while Robert drove slowly past the bright green fields. Sister Mary Claire said she liked the part where Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphans.” She said those words should make every lonely person feel comforted. Robert nodded and said there are times in life when people feel forgotten, but God never truly leaves His children behind.

Mini rested her chin on my arm almost the whole way home while the warm spring air drifted through the open cab window.

This afternoon I walked out near the fields awhile and listened to the meadowlarks singing from the fence posts. The corn rows looked stronger already in the sunshine. It felt peaceful standing there in Mary’s beautiful month of May with the breeze moving through the grass.

Tonight the farmhouse is quiet except for the frogs down near the Creek and the ticking kitchen clock.

Evening Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for promising never to leave us alone. Please send Your Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and help us stay close to You. Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and little Mini tonight. And thank You for the green fields, the spring sunshine, and our dear Blessed Mother during this lovely month of May. Amen.

_____________

Today’s Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Caleb’s Homemade Goodness at the Breakfast Club - May 9

Dear Diary,

Today Robert gave all three of us a ride to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass — Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. Mini sat very neatly and quiet, as if she knew we were going to see Our Lord.

Father LeRoy read the Holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus tells His disciples that the world may hate them because it hated Him first. That sounded sad at first, and a little frightening too. But Father LeRoy explained that Jesus was not trying to scare His friends. He was telling them the truth ahead of time, so their hearts would not be surprised or broken when following Him became hard.

Father said that belonging to Jesus means we cannot belong to the world in the same way. We may still live in the world, do our chores, eat our breakfast, laugh with our friends, and walk down the same roads, but our hearts must belong to Our Lord first. Father said the world does not always understand a soul that wants to love Jesus, pray, forgive, be pure, and choose Heaven over praise.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that Jesus chose His friends “out of the world,” not because He wanted them lonely, but because He wanted them close to Himself. Robert said a person can take courage from that. If Jesus was misunderstood, then a Christian should not be too surprised when he is misunderstood too.

After Mass, we stopped at the Breakfast Club in Littlemore, and I had a waffle. It was warm and golden, with butter melting into the little squares. Mini watched it very carefully, though she behaved like a lady. Then Caleb came out with a cheese plate for us, on the house. He has been making cheese, and the Breakfast Club even installed a cooler where they are selling his cheese, butter, and gourmet cookies. Sister Mary Claire said it was a fine thing when honest work becomes a blessing to other people.

I thought about how even a happy thing like a waffle and a little plate of cheese tastes better when the heart is peaceful with Jesus. The world may not always understand a soul that belongs to Him, but Jesus understands, and that is enough.

Tonight I am thinking that I do not want to be afraid of belonging to Our Lord. I want to be chosen by Him, even if it means I must be different from the world. If Jesus walks first, then I can walk after Him.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for choosing me out of the world and keeping me close to Your Heart. Please help me not to be afraid when it is hard to follow You. Make me brave, kind, and faithful, and let my heart belong to You more than to anything else. Amen.

Love,
Kathy

 

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Today’s Holy Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Friend Who Chose Us

 

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

 

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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.

Remaining in His Love

 

Dear Diary,

Today is Thursday, May 7.

Robert picked the three of us up as usual and right on time, and we went to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. Mini came too and sat so quietly, with her bright eyes watching everything, as if she knew Our Lord had something sweet to tell us today.

Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” Father said that Jesus was not speaking in a faraway way, but like someone opening His Sacred Heart and asking us to stay there. He said that to remain in Jesus’ love means not running off after our own will, but keeping His commandments because we love Him.

Father LeRoy explained that the commandments of Jesus are not cold rules. They are given by love, to keep us near the One who loves us most. Sister Mary Claire said later that maybe every soul needs a little fence around its heart—not a hard, cold fence, but a loving one. The commandments of Jesus help guard His love in us, just as the little fence around the old Council Oak guards something precious and remembered.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that Jesus’ joy is complete because He is always in the Father’s love. She said Our Lord wants us to share in that same love, like children brought right into the warmth of a happy home. Robert said it made him think of how a fire stays bright if the wood remains close together, but dies down when a stick rolls away by itself.

After chores, I went to look at my little oak tree again. I can hardly believe it sprouted from an acorn I picked up last fall near the Council Oak monument in Sioux City. Sister Mary Claire and I have named it Sioux City Sue, which makes me smile every time I say it. It is still so small and tender that we both think a little chicken wire fence around it would suit it well, almost like a tiny country version of the fence around the great old Council Oak.

Mini sniffed around Sioux City Sue very carefully, and I told her she must not step on it, because maybe someday it will be a strong oak with birds in it. It made me think of the Gospel. A little tree must remain in good soil and be guarded while it grows, and I must remain in Jesus’ love and let Him guard my heart. If I stay close to Him, maybe something small in me can grow strong too.

Tonight I feel thankful for Our Lord’s words. He does not only command us. He loves us first, and then teaches us how to remain with Him.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please help me remain in Your love.
Put a little fence of grace around my heart,
so I may keep out the things that hurt Your love in me.
Help me obey You with joy.
Bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, and dear Mini.
And please bless little Sioux City Sue,
that she may grow strong,
just as I hope my soul will grow strong in You.

Amen.

 

_____________

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

The Gospel of the Lord.