The Morning Jesus Was Taken Away

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert picked us up for Mass and we all sat together in the front pew—Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and me. Mini behaved very nicely in church and tucked herself down quietly beside us like she understood we were listening to something important.

Father LeRoy spoke in his homily about the meditation for today, which told about the morning when the council of the Jews delivered Jesus to the Roman governor. Father explained that after the terrible night when Jesus was mocked and mistreated, the priests did not rest long. Even before daylight they gathered again because they were determined to see Jesus condemned.

Father said it is surprising how much energy people can spend when they are doing something wrong. Those men lost sleep and hurried through the early morning just to carry out their hatred toward Jesus. Then Father looked out at us and said sometimes we can be the opposite—we grow tired or slow when it comes to doing something good, even something small that God asks of us.

That made me sit up a little straighter in the pew.

Then Father spoke about something even more beautiful. He said that Jesus Himself was waiting for the morning too. But not for the same reason as His enemies. Jesus knew everything that was about to happen, and He willingly accepted it because He wanted to save us.

Father said Jesus greeted the coming dawn like someone welcoming the most important day of His life—the day He would give His life so the whole world could live.

When Father said that, I tried to imagine Jesus sitting quietly through the long night, praying for the very people who were planning His death. It made my heart feel very soft and sad at the same time.

Sister Mary Claire whispered after Mass that Jesus loved us so much that He longed for the day of His sacrifice, because it meant our salvation. Robert said it makes a person want to try a little harder to do small sacrifices during Lent.

I think I understand that a little now. If Jesus was willing to give everything for us, maybe I can give Him small things too—like being patient, helping with chores right away, or saying a prayer when it is easier not to.

When we came home Mini ran through the yard like she had saved up all her energy during Mass. But I kept thinking about Jesus waiting for that dawn long ago, ready to give His whole life because He loved us.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving us so much that You were willing to suffer and give Your life for us. Help me not to be lazy in doing good. Teach me to make small sacrifices with love so I can show You how grateful I am.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

An Afternoon With at My Little Grotto

Dear Diary,

This afternoon warmed up to 49 degrees, which felt almost like spring after so many cold days. After lunch I tucked my Lourdes book under my arm and Mini stood by the door with her ears straight out in airplane mode, ready to go. We walked down to the cave by Indian Creek, which I like to think of as my little grotto, like the grotto in Lourdes.

Inside it was quiet and peaceful. I lit a few small sticks in the stove Robert installed last fall, and Mini curled up beside me while I read.

The chapter was called “The Story Spreads Through Lourdes.” At first only a few children knew about Bernadette seeing the beautiful Lady, but soon the whole town was talking. Some people believed her right away because she was such a simple and honest girl. Others wondered if it could really be true. But the story kept spreading anyway.

It reminded me of the still water behind Shaggycoat’s dam on Indian Creek. When a little stone drops in, the ripples spread farther and farther across the quiet water. That is how the story of the Lady spread through Lourdes—touching more and more people.

Soon the stove burned down to glowing embers and the light at the cave entrance turned soft and golden. It felt like a very good way to spend the afternoon of the Third Sunday of Lent.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Please help me to have a simple and trusting heart like Bernadette when I think about Our Lady and the beautiful things of Heaven.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Peter's Tears

Dear Diary,

The snow was almost gone from the fields, and for a few days it had felt like spring was trying to come. But today the wind came roaring across the prairie and seemed to whip up new weather all by itself. Little flurries of snow skittered across the ground, and the cold made it feel like the middle of winter again. It was 30 degrees, but with the strong wind it felt more like 15, so it was surely a day to stay close to home.

Since Sunday would be Church day, today was quiet and plain. We did only the chicken chores and nothing extra. I bundled up and hurried out with Sister Mary Claire while Mini came along beside us, low to the ground and quick about it, as if she knew very well this was no day for fooling around. The hens were glad to see us, and I gathered the eggs as fast as I could before we all hurried back in out of the cold.

Once we were warm again, Sister Mary Claire read the meditation about Peter’s repentance. It told how Peter had denied Our Lord three times, and then the cock crowed, just as Jesus had said it would. When Peter remembered, and when the truth of what he had done came over him, he went out and wept bitterly. Sister explained it so gently. She said Peter truly did love Jesus, but he had been weak and frightened. His tears were not just tears of shame, but tears of love too, because he knew what it meant to have failed Someone so good.

That stayed with me all day. I suppose it is easy to think I would have been brave if I had been there, but Sister said that we all have little chances to be like Peter when we are afraid, or when we fail to stand close to Jesus as we should. Still, she said the beautiful thing is that Peter did not stay away. He was sorry, and his sorrow brought him back. Sister said repentance is not the end of love at all, but often where love begins to grow stronger and truer.

Mini slept by the stove most of the afternoon with her chin on her paws while the wind kept rattling at the house. It felt good to be safe indoors, and yet the meditation made everything feel solemn. I kept thinking how kind Our Lord must be, to look on Peter after such a denial and still draw him back with love. It makes me think that no matter how poor and weak I am, Jesus still wants me to come back to Him with a sorry heart and not be afraid.

Tomorrow we will go to Church, and I think I will remember Peter when I kneel down in the pew. I will remember that tears of true sorrow are precious to Jesus, and that He can make even a weak heart faithful again.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

when I am weak or frightened, please do not let me wander far from You.
Give me a sorry heart like Peter’s, and help me always come back quickly to Your love.
Make me faithful in little things, and keep Sister, Mini, and me close to You tonight.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

When Peter Forgot His Courage

March 6, 1956

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert picked us up as usual and right on time at the mailbox on his way to St. Mary’s. Sister Mary Claire and I climbed into the pickup and Mini came along with us, settling down happily as we started down the gravel road toward town. The sky looked pale and quiet, and it felt like one of those mornings when everyone is thinking quietly before the day really begins.

Sister had today’s meditation from The Circling Year with her, and she began reading it aloud as we rode. The meditation was about Peter denying Jesus on the night of His Passion. I have always liked Peter because he was brave and strong and loved Jesus very much. But the meditation reminded us that when the moment came and people started asking Peter if he knew Jesus, he became afraid.

The first time someone asked him, he said he did not know Jesus. Then again someone recognized him, and again Peter denied it. Finally a third time he said he did not know the Lord at all. The meditation explained that Peter was frightened of what might happen to him. Even though he loved Jesus, fear made him forget his courage.

Sister said this shows how weak even the best people can be when they are afraid. Peter had promised Jesus he would never leave Him, but when the danger came he forgot his promise.

At Mass Father LeRoy spoke about this during his homily. He said Peter’s denial is sad, but it is also comforting in a way, because it reminds us that even the saints had moments of weakness. Father said Peter loved Jesus deeply, but he trusted too much in his own strength. When fear came, he discovered that he could fall just like anyone else.

Father also told us the most important part of the story is what happened next. When Peter heard the rooster crow, he remembered Jesus’ words and realized what he had done. The Gospel says Peter went away and wept bitterly. Father said those tears were not just sadness—they were the beginning of Peter’s repentance and his return to Jesus.

As Father spoke, I imagined Peter standing in the cold night outside the courtyard, hearing the rooster crow and suddenly remembering everything Jesus had told him. It must have hurt his heart terribly to know he had denied his dear Master.

On the ride home Sister said the meditation is meant to make us think about our own courage. Sometimes we may not deny Jesus with words like Peter did, but we can forget Him in smaller ways—when we are embarrassed to speak about our faith or when we do not stand up for what is right.

Robert said the important thing is to remember what Peter did after his fall. He did not run away forever. He turned back to Jesus with a sorry heart.

That made me feel hopeful. If Peter could become a great saint after such a moment, then Jesus must be very patient and merciful with all of us.

Tonight the farm is quiet, and Mini is already asleep beside the bed. I keep thinking about Peter and his tears, and how Jesus must have forgiven him.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Please give me courage so that I never turn away from You when I am afraid.

And if I ever forget You like Peter did,

please help me remember You again and come back with a sorry heart.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Spring Feels Close

Dear Diary,

This morning it was 40 degrees, which almost felt balmy after so many cold days. When Sister Mary Claire and I walked down to the mailbox, the air didn’t bite our cheeks quite so hard, and the snow along the ditch looked softer, like it might start melting soon. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and Mini came along with us, hopping right into the pickup as if she knew it was a church morning.

The ride to St. Mary’s felt especially nice because the sun was coming up pale and gold over the fields. Sister Mary Claire had been reading the meditation from The Circling Year earlier, so we were already thinking about it before Mass even began.

Father LeRoy spoke about it in his homily. He said the meditation showed how our Lord, during His Passion, allowed Himself to be treated so humbly and quietly, even though He is the King of Heaven. Father said Jesus did not fight back or complain when He was mocked or pushed around, but instead accepted everything out of love for us.

Father told us that sometimes we want things our way right away, or we get upset when something small goes wrong, but Jesus shows us another way. He said that when we bear little troubles patiently and offer them to God, we are walking just a tiny bit in the same path that Jesus walked during His suffering.

While Father was speaking, something happened that almost made Sister Mary Claire laugh. Mini was under the pew and had fallen asleep. All of a sudden she let out a little snore — not very loud, but just enough that Sister Mary Claire noticed. She looked down quickly, and then Father LeRoy glanced over for just a second. I tried very hard to keep a straight face, but it was difficult because Mini looked so peaceful curled up there like a little loaf of bread.

After Mass Robert brought us home. The morning sun was brighter by then, and the farm fields looked wide and quiet the way they do in early March. It really did feel like spring might be thinking about coming.

Tonight the house is warm and still. Mini is sleeping again, though this time she is not snoring quite so much.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the warmer morning and for bringing us safely to Mass.

Help me to remember how quietly and patiently You suffered for us.
Teach me to bear little troubles with love, just as You did.
Please bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and dear little Mini.

And keep our hearts always close to You.

Love,

Kathy 

Source:  The Circling Year

The Gentle Face of Jesus

Dear Diary, 

This morning it was 34 degrees, and Robert picked us up as usual and right on time for early Mass. Sister Mary Claire kept Mini tucked close for the ride, and we all watched the fields slide by, gray with cold, as we headed toward St. Mary’s.

On the way to church we spoke about today’s meditation from The Circling Year. It was about the moment when Our Lord stood before the high priest and one of the servants struck Him across the face. I tried to imagine it — Jesus standing there with His hands bound, His eyes lowered, and everyone around Him shouting and accusing Him. The servant struck Him even though Jesus had done nothing wrong. Yet Our Lord did not become angry or shout back. Instead He answered calmly and gently, saying, “Why strikest thou Me?”

During his homily Father LeRoy explained that this shows us the wonderful meekness of Jesus. He told us that if anyone had the right to defend Himself, it was Our Lord, the King of Heaven. But Jesus chose patience instead. Father said sometimes we complain when we are corrected or when someone says something unkind to us, yet Jesus endured insults and suffering without anger. He said the meditation teaches us how strong real gentleness can be.

Father also spoke about the part where false witnesses accused Jesus. Our Lord kept silent through many of the accusations. Father LeRoy said this silence should make us think about how quickly we try to defend ourselves. Sometimes, he said, the holiest thing is to stay quiet and trust God, and to let our hearts stay with Jesus instead of trying to win every little argument.

On the ride home Robert said Lent is a time to keep our eyes on Jesus, especially when He was treated unfairly and still loved people anyway. Sister Mary Claire nodded and held her Rosary quietly, and Mini rested her chin on the seat between us as if she was listening carefully to every word.

Tonight the house is quiet, and I am thinking about the Sacred Face of Jesus that was struck for love of us.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

When You were struck, You did not strike back.
When You were accused, You did not shout.
You were gentle and steady, even when it hurt.
Please make my heart more like Yours.

Help me to be quiet inside when I want to fuss, and to stay close to You when things are hard.

Bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and dear little Mini, and keep our home safe through the night.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Sources: The Circling Year

Butter Churn Blessings

Dear Diary,

This morning felt soft and early, like the world was still rubbing its eyes. Robert picked us up as usual and right on time at the mailbox, and we all squeezed in together—Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me—ready for early Mass. Mini sat properly between us like she always does, part of our little trio.

At Mass, Father LeRoy brought today’s meditation from The Circling Year right into his homily. He explained how Our Lord calls us not just to believe in Him quietly, but to follow Him bravely—especially when it costs us something. He said that Lent is like walking behind Jesus on a narrow road. Sometimes we want to step off to the side where it’s easier, but love keeps us close behind Him. Father’s voice grew gentle when he reminded us that even small sacrifices, offered with love, are beautiful to God. I thought about that very hard.

After Mass, Robert surprised us by turning toward town instead of home. We ended up at the Breakfast Club in Littlemore! All four cousins were there—Hayden, Caleb, Sasha, and Max—busy as could be. The place smelled like coffee and warm syrup.

Caleb himself served the waffles, tall and golden on our plates. And then he said something that made my eyes widen. He churned the butter himself! He even imported the churn all the way from England. Imagine that—an English butter churn in Littlemore! He brought out a pat of butter shaped neatly from his own butter form, and when it melted over the hot waffles it tasted fresh and rich and almost sweet. Wow. It was such a treat.

When we were leaving, Caleb handed us a whole stick of his butter to take home. We thanked him kindly, but next time we will not accept it without paying. Good butter and good work deserve it. Still, what a generous heart.

The ride home was peaceful. The sun was climbing higher, and the roads looked brighter than they had in the early morning. Mini rested her chin on Sister’s lap, perfectly content. I kept thinking about Father LeRoy’s words—that love follows close behind Jesus, even on narrow roads. Maybe today that narrow road is simply being grateful and trying to do better tomorrow.

Tonight, the butter is in our icebox, and my heart feels warm.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Help me to follow close behind You, even when the road feels narrow or hard.
Bless Father LeRoy, and bless Robert for always bringing us safely to Church.
Bless the four cousins and especially Caleb for his kindness and his butter churn from England.

Teach me to give generously and to receive gratefully.
And may everything I do tomorrow be done for love of You.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy