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.

 

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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.

Remaining on the Vine

 

Dear Diary,

Today is Wednesday, May 6, 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. This is the sixth day of Mary’s beautiful month of May, and I kept thinking how every spring flower seems to be trying to say a little Hail Mary.

Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.” In his homily, Father explained that a branch cannot stay alive by itself. It must remain joined to the vine, or it will dry up and bear no fruit. He said our souls are like that too. We must stay close to Jesus through prayer, Holy Mass, Confession, Holy Communion, and by keeping His words in our hearts.

Father LeRoy also said that when Our Lord “prunes” a soul, it does not mean He is being unkind. It means He is cutting away what keeps us from loving Him better. Sometimes a sacrifice, a disappointment, or a little correction can feel hard, but Jesus uses it to make our souls stronger and more fruitful.

On the way home, Robert and Sister Mary Claire explained it further. Robert said even on a farm, every living thing needs to be connected to its source of life. Sister said that Jesus is not only near us like a kind friend walking beside us. He wants us to remain in Him, like a branch joined to the vine. That made me think how close He wants to be to every soul.

Later in the morning, I followed Indian Creek downstream toward the cave. Mini came along happily, sniffing the damp grass and stopping now and then as if she had very important work to do. When we reached Our Lady’s Grotto, everything was quiet except the creek and the birds. Shaggycoat was there too, near the water, looking very wise and busy like beavers do.

I sat near the grotto with Mini close beside me and thought about the Gospel again. The vines and branches made more sense there, where everything growing seemed to belong to something bigger — roots, water, sunlight, and God’s care. I asked Our Lady to help me stay close to Jesus and not wander away like a little branch trying to live by itself.

Tonight I feel very thankful for St. Mary’s, for Father LeRoy’s homily, for Sister Mary Claire and Robert helping me understand, and for the quiet of Indian Creek. I want my soul to bear fruit for Jesus, even if it is only little fruit, like patience, kindness, obedience, and love.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Please keep me close to You, like a little branch on the vine. I do not want to try to be good all by myself, because Father LeRoy said that without You we can do nothing.

Please cut away anything in me that is selfish or cross or lazy, even if it is hard for me at first. Help me bear good fruit for You tomorrow — maybe by being patient, kind, obedient, and loving.

Bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, and Mini. Bless Our Lady’s Grotto by Indian Creek, and help me remember to stay close to You always.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

_____________

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Peace Jesus Gives

 

Dear Diary,

Today is Tuesday, May 5th, and the fifth day of Mary’s beautiful month of May.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Mini sat quietly beside us, and I thought she looked very peaceful too, with her little body settled close as if she knew she was in God’s house.

Father LeRoy explained that Jesus was speaking to His disciples before He suffered, and He did not promise them the kind of peace the world gives. The world’s peace can disappear when trouble comes, but Jesus gives a peace that can stay deep inside the soul, even when things are hard.

Father said that when Jesus told His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid, He was teaching them to trust Him. Jesus was going to the Father, and even though the disciples did not understand it yet, He wanted them to believe when the time came.

After Mass, Sister Mary Claire said that Our Lord’s peace is not loud or showy. It is quiet, like a little lamp burning in a room at night. Robert said that kind of peace must come from knowing Jesus has power over everything, even when the world seems frightening. Mini leaned against my shoe while they talked, and I felt that even a little dog can make the world seem less scary when she stays close.

Tonight, I am thinking about how Jesus loved the Father so much that He obeyed Him perfectly. Father LeRoy said that is where true peace begins — loving God and doing what He asks. I want that peace in my heart too, not just when the day is easy, but when I am worried or afraid.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please give me Your peace tonight. Do not let my heart be troubled or afraid. Help me love the Father as You love Him, and help me do what He asks with a willing heart. Blessed Mother Mary, keep me close to your Son during this beautiful month of May. Amen.

Love,
Kathy

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading
John 14:27-31a

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

A Dwelling Place for Jesus

Dear Diary,

Today is Monday, May 4, the fourth day of Mary’s beautiful Month of May. 

Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and the four of us went to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass—Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. Mini stayed close beside us and seemed to know it was a holy morning.

Father LeRoy read the Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus says, “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” Father explained that loving Jesus is not only saying we love Him, but listening to Him and obeying Him. Father said that when a soul keeps Jesus’ word, God comes to dwell there, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost help make that little heart a home for Heaven.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that love and obedience belong together. She said Our Lady shows us this better than anyone, because her whole life was one quiet yes to God. Robert said it was a good thing to remember, especially during Mary’s Month of May.

Tonight I am thinking about how Mary always kept God’s word in her heart. She did not make a show of her love. She gave God her quiet yes, again and again. I hope I can learn from her and make my own little heart more ready for Jesus.

Evening Prayer: Dear Jesus, please make my heart Your dwelling place. Holy Ghost, help me remember Your words. Dear Blessed Mother, in this Month of May, teach me to love your Son with a faithful heart. Amen.

Love,
Kathy

______________________

Today’s Holy Gospel Reading

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

In My Father’s House

Dear Diary, 

Today is Sunday, and it is the third day of Mary’s month of May. I like thinking of that when I wake up, because May feels like a whole month of flowers placed before Our Blessed Mother.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel from Saint John, where Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Father explained that Our Lord was comforting His apostles because He loved them and knew they would be afraid. Jesus did not tell them that the road would always be easy, but He told them something better. He said He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house.

Father LeRoy said Heaven is not strange to those who love Jesus. It is home. And Jesus does not only point to the way, like a sign on the road. He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Father said that means if we stay close to Jesus, we are already on the right road, even when we do not understand everything.

After Mass, Sister Mary Claire talked about it some more. She said Thomas asked how they could know the way, and that was a very human question. Sometimes I feel that way too. But Jesus answered so plainly that even I can understand it. We do not have to make up our own way to Heaven. We follow Him.

In the afternoon, Mini and I walk down to Indian Creek with carrots from the root cellar for Shaggycoat. Those Iowa carrots must taste extra good after being tucked away all winter, because Shaggycoat loves them so much. He comes out near the water and holds one in his paws, chewing away as if it is the finest feast in Plymouth County.

Mini watches him very carefully, but she is polite and does not bother him. The creek is quiet, and the little water sounds make me think again of Jesus saying there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house. I think maybe He knows every safe place, from Heaven itself down to a beaver’s creek bank, and every little soul that wants to get home.

Tonight I am glad Jesus tells us not to be troubled. I am glad Our Blessed Mother walks with us in May, and every day, helping us keep close to Him. If Jesus is the Way, and Mary takes our hand, then I think even a little farm girl can make it home.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please quiet my heart tonight.
Help me not to be troubled or afraid.
Keep me close to You, for You are the Way,
the Truth, and the Life.


Dear Blessed Mother Mary,
on this third day of your month of May,
take my hand and lead me to your Son.
Bless Sister Mary Claire, Father LeRoy, Robert, Mini, and Shaggycoat by Indian Creek.
Amen.


Love,
Kathy

_______________________________

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”

Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also knoFather. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing hisyou, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
works.

“Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else,w my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to
The Gospel of the Lord.

Seeing The Father Through Jesus

Dear Diary,

This morning began at 31 degrees, and it felt like winter still had one cold hand holding on to Littlemore. I looked at the trees and hoped the new leaves had not frozen in the night and set their beauty back, especially now that May has begun and belongs so sweetly to Our Blessed Mother.

Robert picked us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s. Mini came along with us and sat very nicely, though I think she was glad when the church began to feel a little warmer. Sister Mary Claire brought homemade chocolate cookies for Father LeRoy and Robert, which made the morning seem less cold right away.

Father LeRoy read the holy Gospel from Saint John, where Philip asks Jesus, “Master, show us the Father.” Father explained that Jesus was teaching something very deep and wonderful. When we look at Jesus, we see the goodness, mercy, and love of the Father. Jesus is not just a messenger talking about God from far away. He is God the Son, and He shows us the Father’s heart.

Father said that sometimes people think God is distant, but Jesus came close to us. He spoke, healed, forgave, blessed children, comforted sinners, and gave Himself for us. Sister Mary Claire said on the way home that every word of Jesus is like a window into Heaven. Robert said the part about asking in Jesus’ name made him think we should pray with more trust and less fretting.

I thought about this being the second day of Mary’s Month. Our Lady knew Jesus better than anyone, and she always leads us to Him. If I want to know the Father, I must stay close to Jesus; and if I want to stay close to Jesus, I can ask Mary to help me.

Tonight I am praying that the leaves will be all right, that May will grow warm and green, and that my heart will grow too.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, show me the Father by keeping me close to Your Sacred Heart. Dear Mary, on this second day of your month, help me trust your Son more and ask in His name with a loving heart. Amen.

Love,
Kathy

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Today’s Gospel Reading
John 14:7–14

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

A Place Prepared

Dear Diary,

Robert picked the three of us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s. Mini came along very properly, and I was glad, because the Gospel today was one that made my heart feel safe and quiet.

Father LeRoy read from Saint John, where Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Father explained that Our Lord spoke those words because He knew His disciples were afraid and confused. Jesus was going away, but not because He was forgetting them. He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house.

Father said heaven is not like being lost in a strange place. It is a home prepared by Jesus Himself. That made me think of Sister Mary Claire setting a place at the table, making sure everything is ready before I sit down. Only Jesus prepares a place with a love much greater than that.

On the way home, Robert said he liked that Jesus did not just point to the road, but said, “I am the way.” Sister Mary Claire said that means we do not have to figure out heaven all by ourselves. We follow Jesus by believing Him, loving Him, obeying Him, and staying close to Him in prayer and the Blessed Sacrament.

I thought about Thomas asking how they could know the way. I am glad he asked, because sometimes I feel that way too. But Jesus gave the answer for all of us: He is the way, the truth, and the life. Tonight, that feels like enough.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, when my heart is troubled, help me remember Your words. Keep me close to You, because You are the way to the Father’s house. Prepare my heart for heaven, and help me walk with You every day. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

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Today’s Gospel Reading

John 14:1–6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”

Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.