I was wondering what I was going to say after I had posted The Last Lecture. It almost felt like the end of blogging for me as I had nothing else to say. Then a friend sent us the most wonderful email and I just have to share it. See? There's still a lot in me...What was I thinking?!Quick story as how this post came to be. I had breakfast with my friend, Tricia, yesterday, and she was sharing her experience this semester following a hospice nurse and how this video was part of her death and dying class. Ron wanted to order a book so we stopped at Borders on the way to Neil's birthday party. When I walked through the door, Randy's book was IN MY FACE. You all know how I feel about miracles. This was no accident, and before we got to the other side of Evansville I was completely engrossed in his book.
This is an incredible story by an incredible man. The book is much like this video. But both (yes, I read the book before I watched this)gave me, again, model of great humility in the way of dying. My friend, Margaret, did much the same. She continued to "live" in the light of her dying.
May God give me the strength to carry myself in life as they LIVED their life in dying. Please read the book too. Thank you, Tricia!!! This is remarkable!!! You may not want to or have the time to listen to the entire lecture, but please give it a try! It's worth every minute!!
Photo by RobinJesus Is a PeacemakerJesus, the Blessed Child of the Father, is a peacemaker. His peace doesn't mean only absence of war. It is not simply harmony or equilibrium. His peace is the fullness of well-being, gratuitously given by God. Jesus says, "Peace I leave to you, my peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you" (John 14:27)
Peace is Shalom--well-being of mind, heart, and body, individually and communally. It can exist in the midst of a war-torn world, even in the midst of unresolved problems and increasing human conflicts. Jesus made that peace by giving his life for his brothers and sisters. This is no easy peace, but it is everlasting and it comes from God. Are we willing to give our lives in the service of peace?
Please, Father, allow this wayward child to find my way through your word to the Word, without taking so many side trips that I lose my way. Keep me focused and attentive to your wishes, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
The Upper PondI will make rivers well up on barren heights,
and fountains in the midst of valleys;
turn the wilderness into a lake,
and dry ground into waterspring.
Isaiah 41:18
(The Jerusalem Bible)
PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR EMPLOYMENT
Dear St. Joseph, you were given the responsibility of providing the necessities of life for Jesus and Mary. Look down with fatherly compassion upon our brothers and sisters in their anxiety over their present struggle to support their families due to job loss. Please help them find gainful employment very soon, so that this heavy burden of concern will be lifted from their hearts and that they soon will be able to provide for those whom God has entrusted to their care. Help us to guard against bitterness and discouragement, so that we may emerge from this trial spiritually enriched and with even greater blessings from God. Amen.
I was reading through Pope John Paul II, His Essential Wisdom, Edited by Carol Kelly-Gangi and found this quote:I am not severe--I am sweet by nature--but I defend the rigidity principle. God is stronger than human weakness and deviations. God will always have the last word.
