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
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
_______________________________
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.
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