Today began with Robert picking the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. Another inch of rain had fallen during the night, and Camp Littlemore was soaked through. The yard was soft, the ditches were full, the road to St. Mary’s was muddy and it was still raining. Mini came along happily, though I think she already knew the steep cave path would not be a possibility today.
On the ride to Mass, the fields looked dark and rich from all the rain. Robert drove carefully, and I thought how rain can be both a blessing and a bother. It helps everything grow, but it can also keep a girl and her Corgi from visiting a very beloved cave.
At Mass, Father LeRoy read the Gospel about St. Peter asking Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Father said Peter had just been told to follow Jesus, but then he looked over at John and wondered about someone else’s road. Jesus answered, “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”
Father LeRoy explained that Jesus was not telling Peter to stop caring about John. He was teaching him not to compare his calling with another person’s. Each soul has its own path with Jesus. Some teach, some pray, some serve quietly, and some write down what they have seen, like St. John. Father said we can waste too much time looking sideways, when Jesus is standing before us saying, “You follow Me.”
That made me feel a little corrected inside. Sometimes I wonder why Sister Mary Claire understands holy things faster than I do. But today I thought Jesus is not asking me to be Sister Mary Claire. He is asking me to be Kathy, with my own little heart, my own prayers, my own chores, and Mini beside me.
After Mass, Robert drove us home through the wet countryside. On the way up to the house, Mini trotted ahead of us as if she had been appointed leader of the pack. Sister Mary Claire laughed and said, “Look, Kathy, Mini is giving us a little Gospel lesson.” Mini led the way with her wet little paws and soaked up fur coat while Sister Mary Claire and I followed behind. It made me smile, because we were all following someone, and it reminded me that our true Leader is Jesus.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus,
help me not to compare my road with anyone else’s.
Help me hear Your gentle words,
“You follow Me.”
Let me follow You in my prayers,
my chores,
and my little joys.
Keep Sister Mary Claire, Robert, Mini, and me close to You tonight.
Amen.
Love,
Kathy
______________________
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
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