The Rain and the Vineyard

Monday's Morning Offering

Dear Diary,

Today there was no Church because heavy rain and storms kept rolling over Camp Littlemore. I missed Holy Mass, and I know Sister Mary Claire did too. The rain is always welcome on a farm, because the fields and garden need it, but the storms can stay away please.

Most of the day was spent inside, with the windows blurry from rain. Mini stayed close when the thunder came. Since we could not hear Father LeRoy explain the Gospel at Church, Sister Mary Claire read it to me. It was about the man who planted a vineyard and sent servants to collect its fruit, but the wicked tenants treated them cruelly. Last of all, he sent his beloved son, and they rejected him too.

Sister Mary Claire said the vineyard made her think of all the good things God gives us, and how He expects fruit from our souls. I thought about that when I went out to care for the chickens. My boots sank into the soft ground, and the hens were tucked inside, clucking safely. I gave them feed, checked their water, and made sure their nests were dry.

The saddest part of the Gospel was how the tenants rejected the beloved son. Sister Mary Claire said that was Our Lord Jesus. But the beautiful part was, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” That means Jesus is still the strong stone everything holy is built upon.

Tonight the rain is still tapping on the roof, but the worst thunder has gone farther away. I am thankful for the rain, but more thankful that Jesus is our cornerstone.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me give You the fruit of my heart. Please bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, Mini, Omelette, all the chickens, Shaggycoat, and all the creek critters tonight. Thank You for the rain, but please keep the storms away. Stay close to us through the night.

Love,
Kathy

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

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage:

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes”?

They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Sunday Morning Mass

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert picked the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. It was Sunday morning Mass, so everything felt a little more hushed and special, even before we got there. Sister Mary Claire looked so peaceful, and Mini seemed to know it was Sunday too, because she sat very properly, as if she had her own little Sunday manners tucked inside her corgi heart.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about how much God loved the world. He said we should never hurry past those words, because they are like the whole story of salvation folded into one sentence. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, not to frighten us away, but to save us and bring us home to Heaven.

Father LeRoy said some people think of God first as someone waiting to condemn them, but Jesus tells us that the Father sent Him because of love. That made me think of the tabernacle, quiet and holy, where Jesus still stays near us. He did not come only once and then leave us all alone. He still remains with us, hidden and patient, because His love has no end.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that belief in Jesus is not just saying words, but trusting Him, loving Him, and trying to live close to Him each day. Robert said that when a person really believes Jesus came to save him, it changes the way he sees everything, even hard things. I thought about that while Mini leaned against me, warm and happy, as if she agreed in her own little way.

This afternoon I kept thinking about the words, “God so loved the world.” That means He loved the whole world, but it also means He loved our little farm, St. Mary’s, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, Mini, and even me. It is almost too big to understand, but it makes my heart feel safe.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for coming into the world to save us and not to condemn us. Help me believe in You with my whole heart and stay close to You every day. Please bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight. Keep our hearts full of Your love, and bring us safely one day to eternal life with You.




Amen.




Gospel Reading




A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 3:16-18




God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.




The Gospel of the Lord.

The Authority of Jesus

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. It was raining, and that was certainly welcome, because the crops are all planted now and thirsty. The fields looked dark and happy, and the rain tapped on Robert’s truck windows all the way to St. Mary’s. Mini sat very pleased between us, as if she thought the rain had come mostly to make the ride more interesting.

When we got to Church, everything felt extra quiet because of the rain. The little drops ran down the windows, and the air smelled fresh and clean. I thought maybe the whole farm was drinking while we were at Holy Mass.

Father LeRoy explained today’s Gospel about the chief priests, scribes, and elders asking Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?” Father said they were not asking because they truly wanted to know. They were trying to trap Him. Jesus saw right through them, because He always sees the heart.

Father said Jesus’ authority did not come from men, or from clever words, or from trying to please everybody. His authority came from Heaven, because He is the Son of God. That made me feel very safe. The rain, the crops, the church, the Gospel, and even my own little soul all belong under His authority.

Father LeRoy also said we must be honest with Jesus. The men in the Gospel said, “We do not know,” but it was not a humble kind of not knowing. It was a hiding kind. They were afraid to answer plainly. Father said when we pray, we should never hide from Jesus, because He already knows everything and loves us anyway.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that a soul grows better when it lets Jesus rule it gently. Robert said the crops need rain from Heaven, and we need grace from Heaven. I liked that very much, because it made the wet fields look almost like a lesson.

Mini looked out at the rain and then back at us, and I wondered if she was glad to be dry in the truck. When we got home, the yard was wet, the air was soft, and all the little planted rows seemed to be resting.

Tonight I want Jesus to have authority over my heart. I do not want to hide things from Him or pretend I do not know when I really do. I want to be simple, honest, and obedient, like good ground receiving the rain.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, please rule my heart with Your holy love. Send grace into my soul like rain upon the thirsty fields. Help me to be honest with You, obedient to You, and never afraid to let You lead me. 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 11:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Love,
Kathy

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.

_____________________________________________________________________

 
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

_________________________

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

__________________________

 
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.