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

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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

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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.

Kathy’s Quiet Hour

Dear Diary, 

This morning Robert picked us up as usual and right on time for Holy Mass at St. Mary’s — Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. It was a quiet ride, and I was glad to begin the day with Jesus.

Father LeRoy read the Gospel where Jesus speaks after washing His disciples’ feet. He said Jesus was teaching us to be humble and to serve others, because even Our Lord knelt down like a servant. Father said it is not enough to understand Jesus’ words. We must try to do them.

On the way home, Robert and Sister Mary Claire talked about how Jesus sends people in His name. Sister said Father LeRoy is one example, because he brings us the Mass, the Gospel, and the sacraments. She said a good teacher or a kind Christian friend can be sent by Jesus too, when they help us know Him better. That made me want to be quicker to listen and kinder in little things.

Mini stayed close all evening, and I thought how nice it is to love faithfully in small ways.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, make me humble and helpful. Help me to receive You in those You send, and to follow Your words with my whole heart. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Today’s Gospel Reading

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Jesus Came as Light

Dear Diary,

Today Robert picked us up for Church, and Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I were glad to go to St. Mary’s together. Mini stayed close, and everything felt quiet and peaceful, like Littlemore was listening.

Father LeRoy read the Holy Gospel from Saint John. Jesus said, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” Father explained that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. That made my heart feel very safe.

On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that when Jesus speaks, He is giving us the words of the Father. His words are not ordinary words. They are words that lead to eternal life.

I thought about how a lamp helps a person walk through a dark room without being afraid. Jesus is much more than a lamp. He is the true Light. I want to believe Him, listen to Him, and follow His light every day.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, Light of the world, shine in my heart today and always. Help me listen to Thy words, obey them with love, and never choose darkness when Thou art calling me into Thy light. Please bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Today’s Gospel Reading

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.

And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.

And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Kathy’s Diary Gospel Page

The Gospel for Tuesday, April 28, 2026 is John 10:22–30.

Dear Diary,

This morning started at 38 degrees, and it felt like winter had come back for one last look at Littlemore before going away for good. The grass looked cold, and Mini hurried along as if she thought spring had forgotten its manners.

At Holy Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel where Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” In his homily, Father said that belonging to Jesus means learning to know His voice, not only when everything is easy, but even when the air is cold and the world feels uncertain. Jesus does not speak like a stranger. He speaks like the Good Shepherd, and He holds His sheep so safely that no one can snatch them from His hand.

I thought about that after we came home. Mini knows our voices so well, and she can tell when I am calling her with love. Father LeRoy said our souls must become that way with Jesus. We have to listen for Him in prayer, at Mass, in the Gospel, and in the quiet little moments of the day.

Tonight I am glad Jesus did not say His sheep must be clever or brave all by themselves. He said they hear His voice and follow Him, and He gives them eternal life. That makes me feel safe, like being held in hands that never get tired.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus, Good Shepherd of my soul, help me know Thy voice and follow Thee every day. Hold Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Father LeRoy, Mini, and me close in Thy hands, and never let us wander far from Thee. Amen.

Love,

Kathy

Today’s Reading — John 10:22–30

At that time the feast of the dedication was kept in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. The Jews therefore came round about Him, and said to Him: How long dost Thou hold our souls in suspense? If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them: I speak to you, and you believe not: the works that I do in the name of My Father, they give testimony of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.

My sheep hear My voice: and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them life everlasting; and they shall not perish for ever, and no man shall pluck them out of My hand. That which My Father hath given Me is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of My Father. I and the Father are one.