With You Always

Click for The Sunday Sermon by Bishop Robert Barron

Dear Diary,

Today was a beautiful May day at Camp Littlemore. The corn is coming up green in the fields, and my new Ford tractor still feels almost too wonderful to be mine. I like sitting up high on it and seeing the bridge, the creek, the fences, and the road that leads back home.

Robert picked us up as usual and right on time. Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I rode with him to St. Mary’s. Mini sat close and looked very pleased, as if the new Ford tractor belonged partly to her too.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about the eleven disciples going to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. Father LeRoy said that part is very comforting, because Jesus still came close to them. He did not send them away because their hearts were not perfect yet.

Father said Jesus told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” That means there is no place where Jesus is not King. He is King in Heaven, King on earth, King over the Church, King over our little St. Mary’s, and King even over the quiet fields of Camp Littlemore.

Then Father LeRoy explained that Jesus gave His disciples a great mission. He told them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that He commanded. Father said the Church has been carrying that mission ever since, from country to country, church to church, family to family, and heart to heart.

But the part that stayed with me most was when Jesus said, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Father LeRoy said those words are like a lamp for every Christian soul. Jesus did not say, “I was with you.” He said, “I am with you.” He is with us when we are brave, and He is with us when we are afraid. He is with us when we understand, and He is still with us when we are a little confused, like the disciples who worshiped but still had some doubt.

I thought about that later when I drove my Ford tractor slowly across the little bridge. Mini rode in the wagon behind me with her orange squeak ball. The wagon bumped softly over the boards, and Mini sat there very grandly, like she was guarding all of Camp Littlemore.

On the back of the wagon, I imagined a brand new white tin sign that said, “With You Always.” That is the name for today, because it is what Jesus promised.

I looked back once to make sure Mini was all right, and then I thought how Jesus looks after us even better than that. He sees the whole road. He sees the bridge, the creek, the farm, the church, and every place I cannot see yet. I only have to keep going where He asks me to go, and trust that He is near.

Tonight, in the patchwork quilt tent in the bedroom, Sister Mary Claire and I said our prayers in our pajamas. The little lamp made everything soft and golden, and Mini curled close by, looking sleepy and safe. I thanked Jesus for staying with us always. I thanked Him for St. Mary’s, for Father LeRoy’s words, for Robert’s kindness, for Sister’s care, for Mini’s happy face, and for my new Ford tractor.

I want to remember that Jesus is with me always, even to the end.
Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for promising to be with us always. Stay close to me when I am brave and when I am afraid. Help me follow You, trust You, and remember that You are King of Heaven and earth. Bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, Father LeRoy, and everyone at St. Mary’s.

Amen.

Love,

The Little Ford

Dear Diary,

Today after Mass, Robert had the nicest surprise for me.

He gave me the little Ford tractor.

He said he never, ever used it, and it just sat in the shed looking lonesome.

Then he smiled and said it might as well be my tractor, since I could use it for little jaunts around Camp Littlemore and someday down toward the cave.

Sister Mary Claire looked pleased, but careful.

Robert said he would teach me slowly, and that I must never go faster than a sensible farm girl ought to go.

That made Sister Mary Claire smile.

Father LeRoy’s homily stayed in my heart all day.

In the Gospel, Jesus said,
“Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

Father LeRoy said that when we pray in the name of Jesus, we are not just sending wishes up into the sky.

We are going to the Father through His beloved Son.

And Jesus told the disciples something so beautiful — that the Father Himself loves them because they love Jesus and believe He came from God.

I thought about that when I looked at my little Ford.

I have not driven it over the old bridge yet.

Robert said we will practice first in the lane and near the field.

Someday, when Sister Mary Claire says it is safe, I may take it slowly toward the cave path, with Mini riding safely behind me.

I keep imagining the wooden bridge, Indian Creek sparkling below, the corn just coming up small and green, and the cave waiting quietly beyond the trees.

I think I will ask Jesus to help me be careful, grateful, and brave.

Maybe prayer is a little like learning to drive the tractor.

I must not rush.

I must listen.

I must trust the one who is teaching me.

And Jesus is the best Teacher of all, because He brings my heart straight to the Father.

Tonight the little Ford is waiting by the shed, and I am waiting too.

I feel like the corn after rain — small, green, and happy to be growing.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for this happy day and for Robert’s kindness.

Teach me to ask the Father in Your holy Name with a trusting heart.

Help me learn slowly, listen carefully, and never be careless with the gifts You give me.

Bless Sister Mary Claire, who keeps me safe.

Bless Robert, who is so good to us.

Bless Mini, who will surely think the tractor belongs partly to her too.

Stay close to me tonight, dear Jesus, and make my joy complete in You.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

The Little Corn Rows and His Promise

Dear Diary,

Today is Friday, and the little corn is popping up in the fields now. It looks like tiny green stitches sewn across the dark Iowa dirt. Some rows are still shy, but some are plain as can be, and I kept watching them from Robert’s pickup while we rode to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass.

Robert picked us up as usual and right on time. Sister Mary Claire had her prayer book with her, and Mini sat close beside me with her bright Corgi ears up, as if she were listening for church bells before we even got there. The morning smelled like spring fields, damp earth, and new growing things.

At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about Jesus meeting the eleven disciples on the mountain. He said something that stayed in my heart all day. He said the disciples worshiped Jesus, but some still doubted. That made me feel better somehow, because even the friends of Jesus had weak moments. Father said Jesus did not turn away from them because they were not perfect. Instead, He came closer and gave them a great mission.

Father LeRoy explained that when Jesus said, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” He was telling them that He was truly King over everything. Then He sent them out to teach all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Father said this is why the Church keeps going from year to year, country to country, and little church to little church, even all the way to our St. Mary’s in Littlemore.

But my favorite part was the very last line.

Jesus said, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Father LeRoy said those words are like a lantern that never goes out. Jesus did go up to Heaven, but He did not leave us lonely. He is with His Church. He is with us in prayer. He is with us in the Blessed Sacrament. He is with us when we are brave, and He is with us when we feel small and unsure.

On the ride home, Sister Mary Claire said the little corn rows made her think of the Gospel. The farmer plants the seed, but God gives the life. Father LeRoy plants Jesus’ words in our hearts at Mass, and then we must let them grow. Robert said the corn has to push up through the dirt before anyone can see it, and maybe faith is like that too. Sometimes it is growing quietly before we even notice.

I looked out the window at the fields and thought maybe every tiny corn blade was saying, “Jesus is with us always.”

Tonight we made our patchwork quilt prayer tent again in the bedroom. Sister Mary Claire helped tuck the quilts just right, and the lantern made everything soft and golden. I read the evening prayer from my sheet of paper, and Mini lay there with no collar, looking pleased to be included. I imagined Jesus and Mother Mary very near, not in a pretend way, but in the quiet real way that comes when a heart is praying.

It felt like our little prayer tent was a mountain, and Jesus was saying the same thing to us that He said to the disciples:

“I am with you always.”

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,
thank You for staying with us always.
Help my faith grow like the little corn in the fields.
Help me remember that You are near
when I am happy,
when I am afraid,
and even when I do not understand everything.

Dear Mother Mary,
keep me close to Jesus tonight.
Bless Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy,
and my dear Mini sleeping beside us.

Please make our little prayer tent
a quiet place where my heart remembers Heaven.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

___________

 

Gospel Reading

A reading from
the holy Gospel according to Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

“I Am With You Always”

Dear Diary,

This morning Robert picked us up as usual and right on time, and we went to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. It was a soft May morning, and everything along the road looked fresh and green. Mini came with us and settled down quietly, as if she knew it was a very holy day.

Father LeRoy read the Gospel about Jesus meeting His disciples on the mountain after He rose from the dead. He said the disciples worshiped Him, but some still doubted. Father LeRoy told us that this should comfort us, because Jesus did not send away the weak and trembling ones. He came near to them.

Then Father LeRoy explained that when Jesus said, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” He was showing that He is King over everything. Then He sent His apostles to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Father LeRoy said this is how the Church keeps carrying Jesus’ truth through the whole world. The apostles were not going out by their own strength. Jesus gave them their mission, and then He gave them the sweetest promise of all: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

I liked that part best. It made my heart feel very safe. Jesus did not only say, “Go.” He also said, “I am with you.”

After Mass, Robert drove to the Breakfast Club so I could deliver the eggs. The four cousins were all very busy, and the place smelled like coffee, toast, and warm breakfast. Sister Mary Claire bought breakfast for us, which made it feel like a little treat after Church.

Caleb was cheerful even though he was hurrying about. Before we left, he gave us a pie-shaped slice of brie cheese to take home, and even gave a tiny nibble for Mini. Mini received it very politely, but her eyes said she hoped Caleb would become a cheese saint someday.

When we got home, I thought about the Gospel again while finishing chores. The apostles had a great work to do, and I only had eggs, hens, Mini, and my little duties. But maybe Jesus is with people in great missions and also in small chores. Maybe He is with me when I carry the egg basket, when I try to be good, and when I write in my diary at night.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for promising to be with us always. Please stay close to Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Caleb, Hayden, Sasha, Max, and all the people at the Breakfast Club. Help me do my little duties with love, and help me remember that You are near, even when I cannot see You.

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 28:16–20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Morning Song to Mary

Dear Diary,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evening Prayer

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

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

------------------

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

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

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Spring Fields and the Holy Ghost

The Apostles Creed

 

Dear Diary,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evening Prayer

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

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

Amen.

Love,
Kathy

The Quiet Courage of the Holy Ghost.

Dear Diary,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evening Prayer

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

Love,
Kathy
Gospel Reading


________________



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

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

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

The Gospel of the Lord.