Sacred Space

The Crucifixion
porcelain by Therese Meisling

This Good Friday reflection will be my last until Easter Monday as I begin my celebration of the Triduum today. And this speaks for itself.

Mary, Mother of God
Luke 2:34-35, 42-50

His mother said...

Who are you, Mary? Did you wonder. too? Mother of the Son of God--no job description, no model no mirror, no precedent.

No wonder, in spite of Simeon's warning, you weren't prepared that day in the temple. Exhausted, foregoing food and rest to find him, fuming perhaps (after all, he was twelve...and you've given him some freedom...and you've made this trip before!) Could this be a mistake? Had you carelessly handled God's precious Gift? Fear and guilt and the feeling you'd been somehow tricked. Did these loose your tongue to echo our own ready responses to inconsiderate children?

Mother of the Son of God, what lessons you had to learn! How patient Jesus was--returning home to be predictable until the time was right.

Was it then, beneath the cross, you learned it all? Jesus--Son, Savior. Mary--beloved, redeemed. We stand with you, Mary, beneath his cross, muddling through, misunderstanding, learning who we are by learning who he is.

Jesus, help us hold these lessons deep with in our hearts.

Donna Streufert

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May God bless us with deep love and appreciation for the gift of his Son
as we walk with Jesus on the path of our Salvation!!
Thanks be to God!

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The Woman Healed

This reflection touched me because is gives hope to all who suffer in any kind of pain or anxiety. It can touch those who feel they have no worth or value.

A Woman Healed From Hemorrhages

Mark 5:25-34

A woman suffering...

You were captive to the bleeding, your life drained away, leaving you weak and ashamed and helpless, your money drained away by liars who left you for dead and considered you worthless. Twice victim.

Dear suffering sister, were you afraid to meet him face to face? Is that shy you crept up behind, shy, yet sure he had more power in the hem of his robe than all the charlatans you'd seen?

And you, Jesus, when you terned to her, calling her daughter, you turned to us as well. You assure us that it's O.K..., wanting to be whole. It's not O.K. to be a victim.

You draw us out and encourage us to tell the whole story, from beginning to end--just how it is--just how it feels--just what we want and need. Suffering in silence earns few points with you.

It takes Spirit-driven courage to lay hold of your promises to forgive and heal and empower. What must we risk as we step out, reach out, even with one trembling finger in faith? Perhaps to show we really care? Perhaps to reconcile? Perhaps to say the truth? Perhaps.

Donna Steufert

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Again, I find in this reflection that we are not called to be passive individuals. If we want help we must ask for it, seek it, listen, be guided to it. Who will know if we do not ask? And then after we are aided in this quest by the Son of Man, we must accept it actively and aggressively with a thankful heart and soul.

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Thanks be to God!

Resurrection Cookies

Monte Cassino, St. Meinrad, IN

This was a gift to us in this Sunday's bulletin. I really want to share it because it is such a beautiful journey for a child through our Lord's Passion and Resurrection.

RESURRECTION COOKIES

1/2 cup pecan halves
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Ziplock bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in Ziplock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested the Roman soldiers beat him. Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19: 28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66

Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and then turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27: 56-66

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tome was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22

On Resurrection Sunday morning, open the oven and five everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are HOLLOW! on the first Resurrection day Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tome open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

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Thanks be to God!1

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I wish you, with all my heart, happiness and joy in the celebration of St. Patrick's Day. I also offer this meditation on the prayer, St. Patrick's Breastplate. God Bless you all!!

St. Patrick's Breastplate

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In gratitude for St. Patrick and all the saints, I say,
"Thanks be to God."

Short break...

As Bible Study will take place tomorrow night and we will travel to St. Louis to visit with family this weekend, I am leaving you with this Gift given me by my dear friend, Juliene.

Traditional Irish Blessing

I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did and will be back again to visit on St. Patrick's Day!! God Bless you all!!!

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And for you all remember, I say,
"Thanks be to God"