A House of Prayer

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. Mini was ready before anybody, watching the road like she had been appointed to look for Robert’s truck. Sister Mary Claire said Mini knows the sound of it now, and I think she does too, because her little ears always tell on her.

On the way to Church, the morning felt quiet, and I was glad for it. Sometimes the ride to St. Mary’s feels like a little road of getting ready, where the farm things are left behind for a while and my soul has time to think about Jesus.

Father LeRoy preached about today’s Gospel, where Jesus went into the temple and found buying and selling there instead of prayer. Father said Jesus was not angry in a wrong way. He was full of holy zeal because His Father’s house was being treated like a market instead of a sacred place.

Father LeRoy said the church is God’s house, and our souls are meant to be little houses of prayer too. That made me think hard. A church should not be cluttered with noise and wrong things, and maybe my heart should not be either. If my heart is full of fussing, selfishness, grudges, or careless thoughts, then there is not enough quiet room for Jesus.

He also talked about the fig tree that had leaves but no fruit. Father said the tree looked alive, but it had nothing to give. He said our faith must not be only on the outside. It should have fruit, like prayer, kindness, obedience, forgiveness, and trust in God.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said the Gospel is strong, but very loving too, because Jesus wants to clean out what keeps us from Him. Robert said sometimes a person needs to straighten up the barn, the shed, or the heart, and the heart is probably the hardest one.

I looked at Mini sitting so content, and I thought she never pretends to be anything but what she is. She loves, follows, waits, and trusts. I wish my soul could be that simple.

Tonight I want to ask Jesus to make my heart more like a little chapel. I want Him to clear away what does not belong there, so there will be room for prayer. I also want to forgive quickly, because Jesus said when we stand to pray, we must forgive anyone we have a grievance against.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please make my heart a quiet house of prayer. Take away what does not belong there, and help me bear good fruit for You. Teach me to pray with faith, forgive with love, and trust You without doubting. Bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it.

They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all ­peoples?/ But you have made it a den of thieves.”

The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.

Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’

Take Courage; Jesus Is Calling You

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. Mini was ready before anybody, standing like she had important business at St. Mary’s. Sister Mary Claire smiled at her and said maybe Mini understands more than we think, especially when there is a ride with Robert and a quiet pew waiting.

On the way to Church, I kept thinking about how the road seems so familiar now. The same fields, the same fences, the same turns, and then St. Mary’s waiting there like a safe little place for souls. I was glad we were going to Holy Mass.

Father LeRoy preached about the blind man Bartimaeus, who sat by the roadside begging. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Some people told him to be quiet, but he would not stop. Father LeRoy said that is one of the most beautiful things about him. He knew he needed Jesus, and he was not ashamed to call out.

Father said sometimes a soul can be a little blind too, even if its eyes work. We can fail to see what God wants, or fail to see our own faults, or fail to see how close Jesus really is. But Jesus never walks past a poor soul that calls to Him with faith.

I liked the part where Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” Then the people said, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” Father LeRoy said those words are for us too. Every time we go to prayer, every time we go to Confession, every time we come to Holy Mass, it is like Jesus is calling us closer.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak and sprang up because he did not want anything to hold him back from Jesus. Robert said that was real faith, not just sitting and hoping, but getting up when the Lord called.

I looked down at Mini, sitting so pleased with herself, and I thought how quickly she comes when she hears my voice. Maybe I should come that quickly when Jesus calls me in my heart.

Tonight I want to remember Bartimaeus. He began the morning blind by the roadside, and he ended by following Jesus on the way. That is what I want too—not just to ask for help, but to follow Him after He helps me.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please have pity on me too. Help me to see what is good, what is true, and what You want from me. When You call me, help me to get up quickly and follow You with a faithful heart. Bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight. Amen.

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Love,
Kathy

The Place Nearest to Jesus

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass. Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I were all ready when he came. The morning was quiet and fresh, and Mini acted as if she had important church business of her own.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about Jesus walking ahead of His disciples on the road to Jerusalem. Father said Jesus knew what was waiting for Him there. He knew He would suffer, be mocked, and die, but He kept going because He loved us so much.

Father said James and John wanted places close to Jesus in glory, but they did not understand yet that being close to Jesus also means staying close to Him when things are hard. That made me think. Sometimes I want to be near Jesus, but I do not always like the little crosses He sends.

Then Father LeRoy said something I liked very much. He said Jesus teaches us that the greatest person is not the one who gets the best place, but the one who serves. In Jesus’ kingdom, love is humble. It helps quietly. It does not need to be praised.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that little acts of service count very much with God. Carrying something for someone, being patient, helping without complaining, or giving up our own way can all be little gifts to Jesus.

This afternoon I tried to remember that while doing my chores. I thought maybe being near Jesus can happen right in ordinary places — by the chicken coop, in the kitchen, in the truck, or even beside Mini when she wants attention.

Tonight I keep thinking of Jesus walking ahead. He was not leaving His disciples behind. He was leading them. I want to follow Him too, even when the road is not the easy one.
Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,
please help me to follow You
with a humble and loving heart.

Teach me not to seek the first place,
but the place closest to You.

Help me to serve quietly,
to be patient with little crosses,
and to love without needing praise.

Please bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini,
and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight.

Keep us near Your Sacred Heart
and lead us safely on Your road.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

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A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Mark 10:32-45

At that time, they were in the way going up to Jerusalem: and Jesus went before them, and they were astonished: and following were afraid. And taking again the twelve, he began to tell them the things that should befall him.

Saying: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes, and ancients, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles.

And they shall mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And James and John the sons of Zebedee come to him, saying: Master, we desire that whatsoever we shall ask, thou wouldst do it for us.

But he said to them: What would you that I should do for you?

And they said: Grant to us, that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

And Jesus said to them: You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of; or be baptized with the baptism wherewith I am baptized?

But they said to him: We can. And Jesus saith to them: You shall indeed drink of the chalice that I drink of; and with the baptism wherewith I am baptized you shall be baptized.

But to sit on my right hand, or on my left, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared.

And the ten hearing it, began to be much displeased at James and John.

But Jesus calling them, saith to them: You know that they who seem to rule over the Gentiles, lord it over them: and their princes have power over them.

But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater, shall be your minister.

And whosoever will be first among you, shall be the servant of all.

For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.

The Voice of the Shepherd

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked the three of us up for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s as usual and right on time. Mini was ready before anybody, and she acted as if she had been appointed to make sure none of us missed Church. Sister Mary Claire had my missal and her prayer book tucked safely under her arm, and I had been thinking all morning about the little Morning Offering she translated from the 1776 German prayer book.

I started praying it this morning, and it felt very special to know that Catholics were praying from that little book so long ago, before our farm, before St. Mary’s, and before anybody ever knew there would be a Camp Littlemore. Sister Mary Claire does not have each day finished yet, but she hopes to have them done by the end of the week. I am glad, because I like beginning the day by giving everything to Jesus before the day even has a chance to get tangled.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd’s voice. He explained that Jesus is not only the Shepherd who calls His sheep by name, but also the Gate through which the sheep must enter if they want to be safe. Father said that a sheep knows the voice of the one who loves it, feeds it, and protects it. But a strange voice makes the sheep afraid, because it does not belong to love.

I looked down at Mini under the pew when Father said that. Mini knows our voices exactly. She can be sound asleep, but if Sister Mary Claire says her name softly, one ear comes up. If I call her, she comes trotting as if she has been waiting for me all day. But if a stranger calls her too loudly, she looks back at us first, as if to ask, “Is this all right?” That helped me understand the Gospel a little better.

Father LeRoy said the world has many voices. Some voices want to pull us away from prayer, from Holy Mass, from obedience, from kindness, and from Jesus. But the voice of Jesus does not push or trick us. His voice calls us by name and leads us to green pasture, which Father said means grace, truth, peace, and life in our souls.

On the ride home, Sister Mary Claire said the Morning Offering is one way to begin the day by entering through the right Gate. She said when we offer Jesus our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings, we are saying, “Lord, lead me today. I want to hear Your voice first.”

I thought about that when we got back to Camp Littlemore. The farm was quiet, and even the ordinary things seemed to belong to God—the house, the chickens, the road to St. Mary’s, Robert’s faithful pickup, Sister’s prayer book, and Mini’s little paws pattering along beside us. I want Jesus to be the first voice I listen to in the morning and the last voice I remember at night.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, my Good Shepherd,
thank You for calling me by name.
Help me to know Your voice
and not follow any voice that leads me away from You.
Let my Morning Offering help me give the whole day to You,
and keep Sister Mary Claire safe as she finishes the prayers
from the old German book.
Please guard Robert, Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Mini,
and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight.
Please watch over Indian Creek,
Shaggycoat in his beaver lodge,
the opossums, raccoons, and all the baby critters
hidden safely down there in the dark.
Lead us through Your holy Gate
and give us the life You came to bring.
Amen.

Love,
Kathy

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”

Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mary, Mother of the Church

 

Dear Diary,

Today began with Holy Mass at St. Mary’s for the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I all rode together through the soft May morning. The trees were full of leaves, and everything looked washed and gentle after Pentecost, as if the Holy Ghost had breathed over the farm and left it quiet and holy.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about Our Lady standing by the Cross of Jesus. I always feel very still inside when I hear that reading. Jesus was suffering so much, but He still thought of His Mother and of us. He said to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” Father LeRoy said that at that moment, Jesus gave Mary to the Church as Mother. She was not only the Mother of Jesus, but also the Mother of all who belong to Him.

Father said that the Church was born from the pierced side of Jesus, when Blood and water flowed out. Sister Mary Claire explained afterward that the Blood reminds us of the Holy Eucharist, and the water reminds us of Baptism. That made me think of the little spring beginning from the rock wall in the  cave and flowing into the Indian Creek. Only this was far holier, because it came from the Heart of Jesus.

After we came home, I went out to my little garage getaway in the grove. Mini came with me, of course, trotting ahead as always. The garage still looked like a church from yesterday, with flowers and holy things placed about so carefully. It was still only our old garage, with weathered boards and a country smell, but somehow it felt like St. Mary’s had lent it a bit of its quietness for the day.

I knelt there with Mini close beside me, and my imagination began working before I could stop it. I pictured the old garage not as a garage at all, but as a tiny chapel hidden inside the grove. The Blessed Mother stood near the altar, not far away like someone in a picture, but near enough to be our Mother. Around her were children kneeling quietly, like little members of the Church. I imagined myself  being one of them, and Mini sitting as still as she could, almost like she knew this was a motherly feast and not a running-around feast.

Then I thought about St. John taking Mary into his home. I wondered what it would have felt like to hear Jesus say, “Behold, your mother.” If Jesus said that to me, I think I would want to make the whole house ready for her. I would sweep the floor, put flowers on the table, and try not to leave my books everywhere. But Sister Mary Claire said Mary does not only want a room in our house. She wants a place in our hearts.

So I asked myself if there is room for Mary in my heart. Not just a little corner for when I remember, but a real place, like St. John gave her. I think that is what this feast means for me. Jesus gives us His own Mother, and we are supposed to take her home with love.

Mini leaned against me while I prayed, and I put my arm around her. The garage was very quiet. The flowers outside nodded in the breeze, and the old boards creaked a little, as if even the garage was listening. I thought of Jesus on the Cross, giving everything, even His Mother, and I felt very small and very loved.

Tonight I am going to remember that I am not motherless in the Church. Mary is my Mother because Jesus said so. And if He gave her to us from the Cross, then He must want us to trust her very much.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us Your Mother. to guard over Your Church, please take me into your care and help me love Jesus with a faithful heart. Watch over Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and all of us here. Amen.

Love,
Kathy

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 19:25-34

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his ­mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”

Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.”

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”

There was a vessel filled with common wine.

So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth.

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.”

And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately Blood and water flowed out.

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Feast of Pentecost

 

Dear Diary,

Today began with Holy Mass at St. Mary’s for the Feast of Pentecost. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini came along happily, sitting close as if she knew it was a great feast day. The morning was soft and bright, with May flowers everywhere and the trees in the grove looking fresh and full. I kept thinking that even the blossoms looked like little flames, though gentle ones.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about the disciples being shut inside with the doors locked because they were afraid. Then Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Father LeRoy said that Jesus did not wait until they were brave before He came to them. He came right into their fear and gave them peace. Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Father said the Holy Spirit comes quietly and strongly, and He makes frightened hearts brave.

After Mass, when we came home, I could not stop thinking about the locked room. I walked out to the old garage in the grove, and Mini came along, of course. The garage is not locked like the disciples’ room was, but it is quiet and tucked away, and sometimes it feels like a little room God saved for prayer. The peeling white boards looked old and humble, and the flowers around it made it seem like Heaven had leaned down close to earth.

When I stood in the doorway, my imagination became very busy. I pictured the garage full of children dressed like little apostles, kneeling around Our Lady. Mary was so still and prayerful in the middle, like she knew how to wait for God better than anyone. Above them was the Holy Ghost, like a white dove, and bright golden light came down through the air. Little flames rested above their heads, but they were gentle flames, not scary ones. They were like love made visible.

Mini sat beside me and looked into the garage as if she could see it too. Her ears were perked up, and she was very quiet. I whispered, “Peace be with you,” because that is what Jesus said first. I think He knew peace had to come before courage. Then I thought of how He sent the apostles out after giving them the Holy Spirit. He did not just comfort them so they could stay hidden. He comforted them so they could go.

I wondered if Pentecost can happen in small ways at Camp Littlemore too. Maybe the Holy Spirit helps me tell the truth when I am scared, pray when I am distracted, be kind when I would rather be cross, and love Jesus even when I cannot see Him with my eyes. Maybe He can make a little farm girl brave, just like He made the apostles brave.

This evening, I am going to remember that Jesus can come through locked doors. He can come through worried thoughts, shy feelings, and even places in my heart I keep closed. And when He comes, He still says, “Peace be with you.”

Evening Prayer

Dear Holy Spirit, please come into my heart like You came at Pentecost. Give me peace when I am afraid, courage when I am weak, and love for Jesus in everything I do. Stay with Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and all of us at Camp Littlemore. Amen.

Love,
Kathy

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A reading from
the holy Gospel according to John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Saturday — “You Follow Me

 

Dear Diary,

Today began with Robert picking the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. Another inch of rain had fallen during the night, and Camp Littlemore was soaked through. The yard was soft, the ditches were full, the road to St. Mary’s was muddy and it was still raining. Mini came along happily, though I think she already knew the steep cave path would not be a possibility today.

On the ride to Mass, the fields looked dark and rich from all the rain. Robert drove carefully, and I thought how rain can be both a blessing and a bother. It helps everything grow, but it can also keep a girl and her Corgi from visiting a very beloved cave.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about St. Peter asking Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Father said Peter had just been told to follow Jesus, but then he looked over at John and wondered about someone else’s road. Jesus answered, “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”

Father LeRoy explained that Jesus was not telling Peter to stop caring about John. He was teaching him not to compare his calling with another person’s. Each soul has its own path with Jesus. Some teach, some pray, some serve quietly, and some write down what they have seen, like St. John. Father said we can waste too much time looking sideways, when Jesus is standing before us saying, “You follow Me.”

That made me feel a little corrected inside. Sometimes I wonder why Sister Mary Claire understands holy things faster than I do. But today I thought Jesus is not asking me to be Sister Mary Claire. He is asking me to be Kathy, with my own little heart, my own prayers, my own chores, and Mini beside me.

After Mass, Robert drove us home through the wet countryside. On the way up to the house, Mini trotted ahead of us as if she had been appointed leader of the pack. Sister Mary Claire laughed and said, “Look, Kathy, Mini is giving us a little Gospel lesson.” Mini led the way with her wet little paws and soaked up fur coat while Sister Mary Claire and I followed behind. It made me smile, because we were all following someone, and it reminded me that our true Leader is Jesus.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,
help me not to compare my road with anyone else’s.
Help me hear Your gentle words,
“You follow Me.”
Let me follow You in my prayers,
my chores,
and my little joys.
Keep Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and me close to You tonight.
Amen.

Love,
Kathy

______________________

Gospel Reading

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”

So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.