Today Robert picked the three of us up for Church as usual and right on time. It was raining, and that was certainly welcome, because the crops are all planted now and thirsty. The fields looked dark and happy, and the rain tapped on Robert’s truck windows all the way to St. Mary’s. Mini sat very pleased between us, as if she thought the rain had come mostly to make the ride more interesting.
When we got to Church, everything felt extra quiet because of the rain. The little drops ran down the windows, and the air smelled fresh and clean. I thought maybe the whole farm was drinking while we were at Holy Mass.
Father LeRoy explained today’s Gospel about the chief priests, scribes, and elders asking Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things?” Father said they were not asking because they truly wanted to know. They were trying to trap Him. Jesus saw right through them, because He always sees the heart.
Father said Jesus’ authority did not come from men, or from clever words, or from trying to please everybody. His authority came from Heaven, because He is the Son of God. That made me feel very safe. The rain, the crops, the church, the Gospel, and even my own little soul all belong under His authority.
Father LeRoy also said we must be honest with Jesus. The men in the Gospel said, “We do not know,” but it was not a humble kind of not knowing. It was a hiding kind. They were afraid to answer plainly. Father said when we pray, we should never hide from Jesus, because He already knows everything and loves us anyway.
On the way home, Sister Mary Claire said that a soul grows better when it lets Jesus rule it gently. Robert said the crops need rain from Heaven, and we need grace from Heaven. I liked that very much, because it made the wet fields look almost like a lesson.
Mini looked out at the rain and then back at us, and I wondered if she was glad to be dry in the truck. When we got home, the yard was wet, the air was soft, and all the little planted rows seemed to be resting.
Tonight I want Jesus to have authority over my heart. I do not want to hide things from Him or pretend I do not know when I really do. I want to be simple, honest, and obedient, like good ground receiving the rain.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus, please rule my heart with Your holy love. Send grace into my soul like rain upon the thirsty fields. Help me to be honest with You, obedient to You, and never afraid to let You lead me. Bless Father LeRoy, Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and all of us at Camp Littlemore tonight. Amen.
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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Love,
Kathy
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