Dear Diary,
Today was +7 degrees, the kind of cold that makes the world look clean and hard, like everything is holding its breath. Robert was able to give Sister Mary Claire and me a ride to Church, and I felt so grateful, because even the walk from the door to the car made my cheeks sting. Mini was especially happy—she’s had a touch of cabin fever, and the moment she realized we were going somewhere, she turned into pure sunshine with show-dog energy, sitting up tall and looking proud of herself, like she belonged to the whole adventure.
At Mass, Father LeRoy explained The Meditation about the laborers in the vineyard—how serving God isn’t something we can “skip” like a chore we don’t feel like doing. He said God is our true Master, and we belong to Him, so our thoughts and words and choices are meant for Him. He compared the vineyard work to the hard work inside our own hearts—pulling out faults and learning virtues, like pruning and trimming vines so they can bear fruit.
On the ride home, Sister and Robert talked more about it, and it helped me understand it in a simpler way. Robert said it isn’t just “doing a lot,” but doing our duty with love and earnestness, because God looks at the fervor we bring, not just how long we’ve been around trying. Sister reminded me that nobody is excused from trying to grow—rich or poor, healthy or sick, young or old—and that even small sacrifices matter if they are offered faithfully.
When we got home, Sister Mary Claire invited Robert to breakfast. She said, very cheerfully, that she had a new jar of Nescafé and whipping cream to put on top. Robert smiled and said yes (and honestly, who wouldn’t?). The kitchen felt warm and friendly, and the coffee looked like a little celebration. Mini sat nearby, still bright-eyed from Church, watching us like she was part of the conversation too.
All day the words kept coming back to me: “Why stand ye here all day idle? Go ye also into my vineyard.” I don’t want Jesus to ever be able to say I wasted a whole day just standing around. So today I tried to do my duties right away, without sighing or delaying. And I chose one thing I really need to work on—being patient—and I asked Jesus to help me practice it all day long.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me not to be idle with my heart. Please make me a true worker in Your vineyard—quiet, faithful, and full of love. Take all I am and all I do, and make it pleasing to You. Amen.
Love, Kathy
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