Tapestry Tuesday

Surrounded by His glory:

Rain. At first sight, it appears the trees, bare-armed and glistening, are shivering in the gusty breeze. However, the temperature seems rather moderate as it has warmed up significantly throughout the morning. Earlier, however, I spied enormous wet snowflakes mixing in with the rain, despite the weatherman reporting all rain across the metro region.

This Place:

We are certainly not bereft of chores around here. There are closets and entire bedrooms to clean out and the work in our basement continues. I just find that I need a little more 'oomph' to get it all done. I should never look at the huge, whole picture that lies ahead, as it has a way of overwhelming me and it just makes me want to curl up with a good book and sip tea all day. I suffer terribly from the "I will get to it tomorrow" syndrome. Unfortunately, tomorrow never seems to get here.

When the kids were small, I recall joking that when they were all grown and out of the house, I was going to sleep for a very long time. I think that must be part of it.

My Bookcase:

I am reading three books all at once. And you know what that means, it takes me longer to complete any of them. Gee, if I'd only stick to reading one at time!

Here they are - in no particular order -

Consoling the Heart of Jesus, by Father Michael E. Gaitley, MIC

A wonderful Lenten retreat (and treat!). Fr. Gaitley leads the reader/participant through a DIY Ignatian retreat with the goal of drawing us closer to the heart of Jesus by learning how we can console Him in the midst of the many great offenses against His most Sacred Heart. Highly recommend!

The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis

This is the current choice for a monthly book club I oversee. I have decided to set it aside for now and will pick it up a few days or so before we're due to discuss it. I have read it before, love it and can't wait to discuss it with the book club ladies.

The Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace,  by Tamar Adler

I have this on my Kindle because Katie asked me to read it. She wanted to be able to discuss it with someone. I haven't progressed too far, but what I've read is fascinating. I love Ms. Adler's writing style and thus far, I've enjoyed her thoughtful meditations on the frugality of eating and cooking. I am happy to know that it is perfectly fine to boil vegetables! And who knew you could do so many things with eggs? If you are interested in enhancing your take on food and cooking, it is certainly worth the read.

Verbum Dei:

From today's Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 34 - So comforting to know we are not alone in our sorrow.

When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,

and from all their distress he rescues them.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

 

Oremus:

 

This takes my breath away:

  

Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer
by St. Francis of Assisi

OUR FATHER
most holy,
our Creator and Redeemer,
our Savior and our Comforter.

WHO ART IN HEAVEN
in the angels and the saints,
giving them light to know you,
since you, Lord, are light;
setting them afire to love you,
since you, Lord, are love;
dwelling in them
and giving them fullness of joy,
since you, Lord,
are the supreme, eternal good,
and all good comes from you.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME,
may we grow to know you better and better
and so appreciate the extent of your favors,
the scope of your promises,
the sublimity of your majesty,
and the profundity of your judgments.

THY KINGDOM COME,
so that you may reign in us by your grace,
and bring us to your kingdom,
where we shall see you clearly,
love you perfectly and,
happy in your company, enjoy you forever.

THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN,
so that we may love you with all our heart,
by always having you in mind;
with all our soul,
by always longing for you;
with all our mind,
by determining to seek your glory in everything;
and with all our strength,
of body and soul,
by lovingly serving you alone.
May we love our neighbors as ourselves,
and encourage them all to love you,
by bearing our share
in the joys and sorrows of others,
while giving offence to no one.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,
your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
so that we may remember and appreciate
how much He loved us,
and everything He said and did and suffered.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES,
in your immeasurable mercy,
by virtue of the passion of your Son,
and through the intercession of Mary,
and all your saints.

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,
and if we do not forgive perfectly,
Lord, make us forgive perfectly,
so that, for love of you,
we may really forgive our enemies,
and fervently pray to you for them,
returning no one evil for evil,
but trying to serve you in everyone.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
be it hidden or obvious,
sudden or persistent.

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL,
past, present or future.

 



 

Pondering and musings:

 

Exactly one week ago, I was awakened at 7:13 a.m. by a phone call from my brother, Fr. Jim. (No, I am not an early riser.) He informed me that Pope Benedict XVI had announced that he was renouncing the papacy and stepping down as leader of the Catholic Church by the end of the month. For a split second, I thought perhaps it was April 1st and I was NOT going to fall for an April Fool's joke such as this. "What?" "You're kidding, right?" I immediately realized that it was still very much February. My brother assured me of it's validity, but still, after we hung up I wondered if I were dreaming. We all know, of course, that I was not.

 

As the news began to really settle in, I was overcome by sadness. I recalled how overjoyed I was by the news of Cardinal Ratzinger's elevation to the papacy and my admiration and respect for the holy pontiff has only grown over the 8 years of his reign. But I also knew that Pope Benedict prayerfully considered his decision and I trust that he knows that he is doing the right thing for the Church. Like many, I admire his humility and profound love for our Church and Our Lord.

 

Well, the media has had a field day with this announcement. I knew that all sorts of opinions would be shared on television, in newspapers and online. Some of the commentary has been outlandish, some downright comical, and unfortunately some of what I have seen in comboxes has been abject and vile, not to mention the sordid and disgusting tweets to the Holy Father or about the Holy Father that I've read about.

 

Who are these people? I am not naïve enough to think that everyone loves and admires the pope. I understand that some people have issues with the Catholic Church and her hierarchy - even from among the ranks. But why must one resort to filthy insults and castigation?

 

And then I remembered someone else who was mocked and spat upon.

 

"He offered Himself to those who hated and mocked Him. He lent Himself to the convenience of His executioners." - A. G. Sertllanges, from What Jesus Saw from the Cross (another book I've started recently).

 

And I'm sure, like Christ, the Holy Father loves these lost souls profoundly and prayers for them in earnest. And so must we.

 

Great and small; all creatures:

 

Holly striking a pose.

“Apparently that dog of hers joined you in the water.”

"Yes, that’s right, he took his dip with the rest of us. But what’s that got to do with it?”

"Wilbert Cream dived in and saved him.”

"He could have got ashore perfectly well under his own steam. In fact, he was already on his way, doing what looked like an Australian crawl.”

"That wouldn’t occur to a pinhead like Phyllis. To her Wilbert Cream is the man who rescued her dachshund from a watery grave. So she’s going to marry him.”

"But you don’t marry fellows because they rescue dachshunds.”

"You do, if you’ve got a mentality like hers.”
  
― P.G. Wodehouse, How Right You Are, Jeeves    


Family Glimpses:

Me with my dad, Easter 1962.
Dad passed away 29 years ago this month.
I still miss him.