divine mercy
Sunday was Divine Mercy Sunday. I didn't remember that until I entered the church that morning. I was feeling rushed .... to many things to do and I was worried over the phone call I had received to tell me that Grandpa F, my only remaining grandparent, had been rushed to the hospital in the wee hours on the day after his 88th birthday. As A child Grandpa F was my favorite, and in my heart, I have been harboring a secret dream to be able to introduce him to my first grandchild. I was not really in a focused, church going frame of mind so I guess, it was Divine Mercy.

Prayer was what I needed. I prayed for Grandpa, I prayed for all those I love and I prayed for myself.

The Divine Mercy
I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.
Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moaning.
Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my nieghbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.
Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.
Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me (...).
O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself , for you can do all things. (163)

PS. The Doctors have determined that Grandpa did not have a heart attack . They are keeping him for more tests so please keep him in your prayers

A Good Friday

Last year after Easter, I decided that I would clean up the choir loft, which is used for overflow seating before this years service. The place seems to be a breeding ground for unused Christmas wreaths and carpet. Last year all of us who got stuck in the loft, had to struggle over this stuff to find a place to sit. Of course being me (is there a patron saint for procrastination?) I waited till yesterday. Loyal LaReina offered to help me with the job. After begging some teenage boys to carry extra chairs up for us we began the process of moving the accumulation of stuff that is up there and trying to create some order. We made great progress moving all but the huge organ that while unused has for some reason been placed just slightly off center up there. I have persuaded my hubby to help me with that today. When we were done grunting, groaning and giggling we took a break to enjoy the view from our now comfortable perch. We soon found our selves coming up with ideas for next year, how to drape the cross and statues, how to strip the alter on Holy Thursday etc... I think we both felt surprised to hear ourselves thinking aloud that maybe it is time to step up and help the elderly women who's job it's always been. It is easy to giggle over their imagined response to certain things, to sigh over their seeming obsession with the proper way to do things. Harder to step up and offer to help, to realize that we are being called to become those ladies. This realization brought us both to silence. After a few moments, I felt it...We both did...... A presence. For me it was the culmination for what this week is about. That desire to be of service to others. It is what we are called to do everytime we receive Jesus at communion. As Father said "When we take him in, we take in all that he stands for.... We ask how can I be Christ for you" We are called to see past race, religion and status. We are called love the least of our brothers more than ourselves, We exist to share their burdens and to serve. The feeling only seemed to last a few minutes (till LaReina's alarm went off to let us know that an hour had passed) What an unexpected blessing
High up in the near empty church , I was rewarded with the real gift of His presence