One summer Sunday, I went to Mass in the morning in a large parish in Kentucky. Built in the late 19th century, it was Gothic in style, ornate. The music was rich, accompanied by a skilled organist, and the church was full and bustling.
On my way back home late that afternoon, I stopped at the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani—the monastery where Thomas Merton once lived. Right on time for vespers, I sat at the back of the chapel with a few other laity while the monks gathered and began their prayer. The monastery chapel’s walls are soaring, but the space is sparse, the mood reflective.
Two different experiences, a diversity of styles and distinct charisms. It’s a beautiful thing, especially when we can rejoice that in Christ, we are all one.
Continued prayers for the Ukraine and the Sudan. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Ukraine and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in Ukraine and Sudan and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace – we who are working towards it and for all who are in danger from this conflict. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
My faith saves me everyday. Today I had a whirlwind of negativity to deal with. I was able to to get through the day because I strengthen myself and put on the armor of faith right away in the morning. Thank you for the faith and the love of those who share the faith with me. Amen In Jesus Holy Name Amen
Why did Jesus pray to the Father that "they will be one?" in John 17:21ab, "Father, I pray they will be one, just as You are in Me and I am in You. I want them also to be in Us." *** So that the world will believe and know God has sent His Son, Jesus, in John 17:21c, 23b, "Then the world will believe that You (God the Father) have sent Me (God the Son, Jesus)...Then the world will know that You sent Me!" *** How does this oneness with God and each other happen according to this passage in John 17:22-23a, "I (Jesus) have given them the glory (going to the cross) You (God the Father) gave Me (God the Son, Jesus). I did this so they would be one, just as We are one. I will be in them, just as You are in Me. This is so that they may be brought together perfectly as one!" *** This oneness with God and each other will also show the world that God loves Jesus and those He gave to Jesus in John 17:23c, "It will also show the world that You have loved those You gave Me, just as You have loved Me!" ******* This is how much God loves us in John 3:16-18, "God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world. He sent His Son to save the world through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. They have not believed in the Name of God’s one and only Son." *** When I believed in Jesus and received His glory on the cross, Jesus is in me and God is in Jesus :-) *** When you believed in Jesus and received His glory on the cross, Jesus is in you and God is in Jesus. *** When God and Jesus are in you and me, we are one with God and Jesus! The world will know and believe in the Good News :-) The oneness is to show the world the Good News!!!
LFF - Please pray for my dear friend Barbara who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. She will not allow any home health aide to help her husband with her care or consider assisted living.
Anne - prayers for Barbara and her caregiver as I send them light. Bill S - continued prayers for you on your journey and thanks for sharing with Anne.
Anne, please let Barbara’s husband know about Nourish for Caregivers. He can refresh his soul online with other caregivers who are in similar situations and there are leaders who can provide suggestions for how to get help. This coming from a caregiver who has been traveling this journey now for almost 10 years. I will pray right now for both of them.
Jesus prayed to the Father, I pray for those who will believe in me through their (His followers) word “. I wonder if we realize that when we speak to someone a simple word of hope or healing, that we might be planting a seed of faith. In 1Cor.3:6&9, Paul told his listeners, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow…. We are God’s co/workers. “
Thank you Amy! Beautiful reflection and a reminder that yes, we are all one in Christ. with many meaningful ways to worship Him.
Yes it is true sometimes I feel that way and other times it is just me and the Lord God bless you all.
Amy what a wonderful experience. I enjoy your comments every time I read them. Thank you. Living faith family would like to share. Please keep Carl and his mother Maryanne in your prayers. Sweet is the rose Saint Elizabeth of Portugal belongs to a saintly tradition called a “miracle of the roses.” Elizabeth was caught smuggling provisions from the family larder to give to the poor, food hidden under her cloak smuggling provisions from the family larder to give to the poor, food hidden under her cloak to elude disapproving relatives. When confronted by a suspicious husband and ordered to reveal what she was hiding, roses tumbled from her wrap instead of bread many saints including Juan Diego, Dorothy, and Rita of Cascia also had miraculous encounters with roses. Pope John Paul II once pointed out that the thorns of these roses remind us of worldly trials—but their enduring fragrance represents the love of Christ. Ken
Ken, I have heard this story before, but love reflecting on it again. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the opportunity to share these experiences.
Amy what wonderful words to live by and reflect on thank you. May we all live our faith in our distinct ways with Christ by our side to spread the love of him everyday. Sometimes those different aspects will open a door to one and not another because we all learn in different ways.
Good morning LFF...thank you Amy for sharing...how wonderful that must have felt to experience our Lord's presence at two different levels in one day...Praise Him always
Good morning LFF. Thank you Amy for such a richly written passage, providing a wonderful start to my day! ☮️
Thank you for the kind words!
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Amy, you always provide us with such beautiful and relevant reflections. Thank you for sharing your gift with our community and re-engaging on-line with those of us contemplating them. Lifting you and your family in prayer today.