GospelLk
12:49-53Jesus said to his disciples:“I have come to set the earth on fire,and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I
must be baptized,and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you
think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but
rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against
two and two against three;a father will be divided against his son and a son
against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her
mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against
her mother-in-law.”We were visiting the Catholic Church in my husband's home town so I don't
remember the name of the Priest, but he gave an inspiring Homily.
...Sometimes following Christ means hardship.Doing what you know to be right when all others laugh and ridicule and
gossip about you and your beliefs. Living your beliefs so that others see
Jesus through you and your life.Jesus, I trust in You.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Luke 12: 49-53
Here is the Gospel from today:
In Laws and Family Harmony
I write this through tears. We just arrived back from a weekend at my husband's parents' house. We drove over three hours north to be able to attend my husband's 25th class reunion.
Everytime we visit my children's grandparents I always feel happy that our children are going to spend time with their only grandparents. My parents passed away in 1998 and 2002. But everytime we are with them, I am hurt by their comments and actions.
I am so wounded this time. I have asked my husband not to visit again for awhile. We really don't see them too often, but I don't want to visit them for a long time.
Let's see...these were just a tiny portion of their many hurtful comments:
"Hey, do you need help paying for a vasectomy?"
"Why don't you teach in a real school?" (public, I'm assuming. I didn't ask for a qualification)
"Did you know that the Catholic High School here in town fired a teacher becase she had a baby and wasn't married? Does that sound Christian?"
"Did you know that the same school kicked out a high school girl who became pregnant while in high school?"
There were more. You get the idea. I get to tired just writing about it all.
They show "love" to our kids, but constantly talk about their other grandson, who is an only child from their youngest and very special. (He is also the same religion as they.) He can do things that no other child has ever done before. Our children have noticed and mention things to Jerry and I. I am so tired of making excuses for their grandparent's behavior.
And above all, while we live over 3 hours away and only see them maybe 2 times a year, the grandparents--while we are visiting--invite their 'special' grandson over to show us his talents. He is three. Between our little Meri Claire and our Sophie. Oh, and they have 9 other grandchildren as well.
This little boy is adorable and you couldn't help but love him on the spot, but it breaks my heart that their favoritism is so evident. I think they have always resented that Jerry became a Catholic. They will criticize every chance they can and voice their opinions too. (They all remain silent during meal prayers...they will not even recite a child's meal prayer with us) We do not want the children to sense anymore disharmony so we shut our mouths. We have done this for over 19 years.
I don't like what all of this does to my wonderful husband. He is such a Blessing in my life. The only solution that I can see right now is to stay away from them.
As a side note, we left their house this morning and Jerry told them that we were heading to Church. I cried on the way to Church and prayed that I learn through this what I need to carry on as a wife and mother. Did you listen to the Gospel today? Wow. Beautiful words from God. Also, there was a family sitting behind us and after Church the mom approached me and told me what a beautiful family we had and that they were very well behaved. I am always amazed that complete strangers can see how beautiful our family is but their grandparents cannot.
I am praying for my in laws. They do need prayers. I want God's will to be done in this situation. Prayers for a resolution to this long, long issue would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Everytime we visit my children's grandparents I always feel happy that our children are going to spend time with their only grandparents. My parents passed away in 1998 and 2002. But everytime we are with them, I am hurt by their comments and actions.
I am so wounded this time. I have asked my husband not to visit again for awhile. We really don't see them too often, but I don't want to visit them for a long time.
Let's see...these were just a tiny portion of their many hurtful comments:
"Hey, do you need help paying for a vasectomy?"
"Why don't you teach in a real school?" (public, I'm assuming. I didn't ask for a qualification)
"Did you know that the Catholic High School here in town fired a teacher becase she had a baby and wasn't married? Does that sound Christian?"
"Did you know that the same school kicked out a high school girl who became pregnant while in high school?"
There were more. You get the idea. I get to tired just writing about it all.
They show "love" to our kids, but constantly talk about their other grandson, who is an only child from their youngest and very special. (He is also the same religion as they.) He can do things that no other child has ever done before. Our children have noticed and mention things to Jerry and I. I am so tired of making excuses for their grandparent's behavior.
And above all, while we live over 3 hours away and only see them maybe 2 times a year, the grandparents--while we are visiting--invite their 'special' grandson over to show us his talents. He is three. Between our little Meri Claire and our Sophie. Oh, and they have 9 other grandchildren as well.
This little boy is adorable and you couldn't help but love him on the spot, but it breaks my heart that their favoritism is so evident. I think they have always resented that Jerry became a Catholic. They will criticize every chance they can and voice their opinions too. (They all remain silent during meal prayers...they will not even recite a child's meal prayer with us) We do not want the children to sense anymore disharmony so we shut our mouths. We have done this for over 19 years.
I don't like what all of this does to my wonderful husband. He is such a Blessing in my life. The only solution that I can see right now is to stay away from them.
As a side note, we left their house this morning and Jerry told them that we were heading to Church. I cried on the way to Church and prayed that I learn through this what I need to carry on as a wife and mother. Did you listen to the Gospel today? Wow. Beautiful words from God. Also, there was a family sitting behind us and after Church the mom approached me and told me what a beautiful family we had and that they were very well behaved. I am always amazed that complete strangers can see how beautiful our family is but their grandparents cannot.
I am praying for my in laws. They do need prayers. I want God's will to be done in this situation. Prayers for a resolution to this long, long issue would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ok. I was reading over previous posts and came upon this prayer that I wrote on July 28th:
Thank you for guiding me and teaching me that You are in control. My anxieties and fears vanish when I steadfastly go forward toward You. Take me and lead me to where You want me to go.
That is my prayer for today as well.
Mary
Thank you for guiding me and teaching me that You are in control. My anxieties and fears vanish when I steadfastly go forward toward You. Take me and lead me to where You want me to go.
That is my prayer for today as well.
Mary
Oh my, the Holy Spirit moves in mysterious ways!
Oh boy. You know, before I continue my post you need to know that everyday I ask the Lord to place me where He wants me to be. I ask Him to use me so that others see Him through me. Jesus, I trust in You!
Well...
I received a phone call from a dear friend of mine who is a Principal. She is a Religious Sister and I have the utmost trust in her and her decisions. She started the phone call with, "Mary, the Holy Spirit is directing me to call you..."
She asked me to teach a third grade class starting in less than two weeks. Now I also have to tell you that I am NOT good with change, neither am I good with surprises. When I am teaching, I have my room completely finished by now and plans for lessons already in place.
...I had decided to stay home again this year.
...I had decided to home school my three youngest.
...I have already purchased their curriculums!!!!
Yikes!!!
I immediately began to pray for guidance. I kept thinking about "Jesus, I trust in You."
Well...I anticipate this blog to become very interesting. I now need to re-enroll my children in their Catholic Schools. I will be signing my contract within a day or two and then I need to get into that classroom and transform it into an awesome environment for learning.
I think I am learning to 'walk the walk'. If I say that Christ is the center of my life...If I ask Him daily to place me where He needs me...If I really mean what I say when I say, "Jesus, I trust in You...well, I better start learning to listen. I am His servant. His alone. I have great peace with that being said.
Oh, I have also been contacted by the Elizabeth Ministry based in Kaukana, WI to be a reference point for questions in my area. I so welcome this adventure! I will write more on this later.
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Well...
I received a phone call from a dear friend of mine who is a Principal. She is a Religious Sister and I have the utmost trust in her and her decisions. She started the phone call with, "Mary, the Holy Spirit is directing me to call you..."
She asked me to teach a third grade class starting in less than two weeks. Now I also have to tell you that I am NOT good with change, neither am I good with surprises. When I am teaching, I have my room completely finished by now and plans for lessons already in place.
...I had decided to stay home again this year.
...I had decided to home school my three youngest.
...I have already purchased their curriculums!!!!
Yikes!!!
I immediately began to pray for guidance. I kept thinking about "Jesus, I trust in You."
Well...I anticipate this blog to become very interesting. I now need to re-enroll my children in their Catholic Schools. I will be signing my contract within a day or two and then I need to get into that classroom and transform it into an awesome environment for learning.
I think I am learning to 'walk the walk'. If I say that Christ is the center of my life...If I ask Him daily to place me where He needs me...If I really mean what I say when I say, "Jesus, I trust in You...well, I better start learning to listen. I am His servant. His alone. I have great peace with that being said.
Oh, I have also been contacted by the Elizabeth Ministry based in Kaukana, WI to be a reference point for questions in my area. I so welcome this adventure! I will write more on this later.
Mary
Jesus, I trust in You!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Home Schooling
We spent the morning and early afternoon driving to a home schooling curriculum fair. I have to say that I was dreading it and I thought that it would be a huge headache for me...I was wrong! I have the books ordered and I will begin tomorrow to organize the supplies that we have and begin planning. I am looking forward to it.
I need to make an appointment with Fr. Jim and talk with him about our 7 year old. She will be making her first Confession this year and receiving her First Holy Communion. I would prefer to teach her on my own without her attending Religious Ed. I am not sure if that will be accepted. The older children all were attending Catholic School when they received these Sacraments and this time we were hoping to bypass all of the 'hoopla' and 'parading' with 30 other children when she receives. As my husband and I age, we see things differently than we did 10 to 15 years ago. I know, I know...that's life. Beautiful, isn't it?
I'm learning about Novenas. I bought a little blue book at our Catholic Book store and it has a number of beautiful Novenas in it. I learn more and more about the Faith every day. I have also discovered a beautiful prayer asking for the intercession of St. Gertrude for the souls in purgatory. I will see if I can paste a copy in the next post.
Jesus, I trust in You!
I need to make an appointment with Fr. Jim and talk with him about our 7 year old. She will be making her first Confession this year and receiving her First Holy Communion. I would prefer to teach her on my own without her attending Religious Ed. I am not sure if that will be accepted. The older children all were attending Catholic School when they received these Sacraments and this time we were hoping to bypass all of the 'hoopla' and 'parading' with 30 other children when she receives. As my husband and I age, we see things differently than we did 10 to 15 years ago. I know, I know...that's life. Beautiful, isn't it?
I'm learning about Novenas. I bought a little blue book at our Catholic Book store and it has a number of beautiful Novenas in it. I learn more and more about the Faith every day. I have also discovered a beautiful prayer asking for the intercession of St. Gertrude for the souls in purgatory. I will see if I can paste a copy in the next post.
Jesus, I trust in You!
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