God Bless Our Troops

Friday, April 30, 20101

The last day of April already. The school year is drawing to a close, but I'm not really a part of that any more - except vicariously through Clayton. I made two electric grubbies. I need to set the cords and grunge the deer grubby and then I'll be done with those. I have some tarts to pour and some soap oils to measure. I also have to get some cleaning done. Too many Facebook games, so little time.

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Word of the day:
Friday of the Fourth week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St. Pius V, Pope (1504-1572)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 14:1-6.


Jesus said to his disciples: «Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where (I) am going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Well, the internet connection has slowed to a crawl again today so we'll see if I can even get this thing to post. It is so frustrating because I know they're doing what they can, but sheesh, I am about to go back to dial-up.

I had rehearsal with the cantors last night. I love those ladies!! Came home and found a batch of Apple Jack soap that needed to be packaged. I cut up the the other two batches that I made. Tonight I will be pouring candles. Thank goodness the wax came yesterday.

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Word of the day:
Thursday of the Fourth week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Dortor of the Church (1347-1380) - Memorial (Feast in Europe), St Hugh of Cluny, Abbot (1024-1109)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 13:16-20.

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them: «Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, 'The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.' From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I am slowly digging my way out of the backlog that always happens after a craft show. I finished the soap that we're donating to Girls on the Run. I only have to package up the last 2 batches. I have a ton of candles and tarts to pour and when I inventoried our stuff after the Syrup Festival, I noticed we were low on a lot of our soap.
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Wednesday of the Fourth week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 12:44-50.


Jesus cried out and said, «Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me."

Monday, April 26, 2010

First of all, Happy Birthday to my baby sister Nancy who is 48 today!

We had a terrific craft show this past weekend. The Syrup Festival craft show funds the supplies for our fall craft shows so it's a biggie for us. We have a lot of loyal customers whom we really appreciate. I have completed the inventory of my stuff. We sold all but 4 boxes of fudge, which I think is great considering we were within spitting distance of Nolie's Fudge. Nolie's fudge looks awesome. If I didn't have a sugar problem I would have loved to try some. Our fudge is just basic flavors and we bring it because we have some really loyal customers who knew me when I worked at the school.  I used to bring fudge in for the kids and now they seek us out. But Nolie's fudge comes in all kinds of wonderful flavors. I saw a girl eating a piece of the peanut butter cheesecake flavor and it looked yummy!! Take a look at their website Nolie's Homemade Fudge and you'll see what I mean. 

The list of things I have to do today is humongous so I had better get started.
I have 2 batches of soap to make to finish up our donation to Girls on the Run. I have much cleaning to do. Madison is here today. I have a Vigil service tonight so I need to do song sheets and worship aides. I have my usual bills, laundry, and zone work to do. And I have a couple of Christmas stockings that need to be made. There's other stuff on the list, but that's if I have time.


Gotta go!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

It's been a long, long week. We just finished the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival craft show. We did well and are very grateful! We are still trying to get a handle on what to take. We have tons of stuff and we just can't take it all. This year we sold a lot of soap and candles, but not much in the way of room sprays. I think we're going to just have to take certain things to certain shows. It's always a learning process.

Word of the day:
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Mark, Evangelist
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 10:27-30
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Jesus said: «My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

Friday, April 23, 2010

Oh, lots to do today. We have a three day craft show to man this weekend - the Shepherd Maple Syrup festival begins today!! Vehicles are loaded. I have Mass with the school kids this morning and then I'm headed up to the Shepherd Middle School for the day.

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Word of the day:
Friday of the Third week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St. George, Martyr (280-303)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6:52-59.


The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, «How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?» Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Our wireless connection has been very unstable for the last couple of days. I am getting very frustrated because it always seems to cut out when I am right in the middle of something. I'm trying to be patient, but . . .

We're pretty well ready for the show this weekend since we didn't sell as much as we'd hoped last week. I made a batch of soap yesterday and I'll make 2 more today, but they need to cure a few weeks. My "to do" list suffered the last couple of days. I need to shift some things from the beginning of the week to the end because I just never have enough time on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Back later.


Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Third week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St. Anselm, Archbishop an Doctor of the Church (1033-1109)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6:35-40.


Jesus said to the crowds, «I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen (me), you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it (on) the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him (on) the last day."

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Didn't get much accomplished today. I did make a batch of apple jack soap. I have to make 2 more batches of the Raspberry Jasmine Spice, but I ran out of the fragrance oil. More will be here tomorrow.

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Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Third week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St. Marcellinus, Bishop (4th century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6:30-35.


The crowd said to Jesus: «What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Our show on Saturday wasn't one of our better ones in terms of money, but I enjoyed talking to some of the other vendors. We learn something new at each and every show we do so I never consider it a waste. The promoters did their job superbly so I can only think that maybe we were too close to others doing the same things we do. We have such a variety that it's kind of hard to isolate us.

I've had a productive morning so far. Got my workout in first thing. I have a load of laundry done, one in the washing machine, Madison has had her bottle and diaper change, I've made a batch of wildlife soap for this coming weekend. Other chores I have for today include:
pay bills
make a batch of CP soap (I am running low on Apple Jack)
Christmas stockings
Begin measuring the first hard oil for multiple CP soap batches
Make cookies

I think that's good for now.


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Word of the day:
Monday of the Third week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St. Elphege, Archbishop and Martyr (954-1012)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6:22-29.


[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Word of the day:
Third Sunday of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St. Apollonius, Martyr (+ c. 186)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 21:1-19.


Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."

Thursday, Aril 15, 2010

First of all, Happy 5th Anniversary to Nina and Jamie!!!

Gosh, I was a crank this morning. I woke up not feeling very well at all. Things are much better now. We had to go up to the tax office again to sign our e-file papers. Then we stopped at Sam's Club to pick up water for Nina and Jamie. Came home and carved and set a Grubby Wildlife Electric candle. Finished logging the inventory for this weekend's craft show. I need to get the table covers in order and clean out the garage so we can bring up our stuff to load tomorrow. Clay and Claire are coming around 4 so we'll probably go for a walk. Before then I need to get some cleaning and vacuuming done and a stocking made. I'm a little nervous about the limited space we'll have for this show, but we should be okay.

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Word of the day:
Thursday of the Second week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Jozef Damian De Veuster, Priest (1840-1889)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:31-36.


The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

34 years ago today, on a Tuesday, my dad died. Doesn't seem possible that so many years have passed so quickly.

I got most of yesterday's list accomplished. Here is today's agenda:

Make soap
Make a batch of jar candles
Get music folders ready for the weekend
Do some more music planning so I can get the lists to the cantors.
Zone work - today will be the laundry room/office paper clutter
Decluttering - also the laundry room/office paper clutter

I have 3 more batches of soap to make for the Girls on the Run gift baskets. It was a lot of work, but it will be so worth it. We like to contribute to community projects and this one is a worthwhile one!!

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Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Second week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Hermenegild, Martyr (+ 586)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:7-15.


Jesus said to Nicodemus: «'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can this happen?" Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Monday, April 12, 2010

Lots to do today. I have organized my day and plan to get much accomplished.
I have the bills paid, the laundry started, and I am getting ready to mix lye water for soap. I am pumped!!!
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Word of the day:
Monday of the Second week of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Julius I, Pope (+ 352)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:1-8.


There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Well, I've been hit with some kind of bug again. I thought it was sinuses, but others have colds, so I'm not sure. This came up suddenly. I noticed a scratch throat on Friday and today I'm barking like a sick dog.

Clay and Claire are here today. They came downstairs with me while I worked on a batch of candles. I made a batch of Hazelnut coffee candles yesterday and today was Lemongrass. Tomorrow I'll make a batch of Raspberry Jasmine spice and then my part of the inventory should be good to go.

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Word of the day:
Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday
Today the Church celebrates : St. Stanislas, Bishop and Martyr (1030-1079)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20:19-31.


On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, «Peace be with you.» When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

I hadn't realized how close our first show was. It's one week from today. I have everything inventoried and ready to go except the fudge, but I still feel unsettled. I was thinking we still had a couple of weeks to go. Melisa and Nicola won't be there for the first part of it because Melisa has a Mom-to-Mom show. I'm nervous because we have never done a spring show for Keepsake Collections. We shall see what we shall see. It can't be any worse than some of the other spring shows we've done. In fact, I expect it to be much better. It's hard to gauge. We do well at the Maple Syrup Festival, but our best shows are around Christmas. With the instablility of the economy it's hard to tell how we'll do.

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Easter Saturday
Saturday of Easter Week
Today the Church celebrates : St Magdalena of Canossa, Virgin and Foundress (1774-1835)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 16:9-15.


When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. (But) later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Friday, April 9, 2010

It has been a very frustrating couple of days as far as the internet goes. Seems that water got into the repeater on the tower and we were down and then patchy for a couple of days. Hopefully the problem is fixed.

I never posted pictures from Easter so I shall rectify that situation now.
Here is Kelli's baptism















Fr. Fred, Kelli, and Sam















Sam's Confirmation















Here are pics of the finished bathroom. I wish I could get a pic of the whole thing.






























I went up to Mt. Pleasant today to drop some things at Good Will.  I am cleaning out my craft room in preparation for a makeover - mostly stripping the wallpaper and painting it.  On a whim I decided to stop at Kohl's to get some summer tops.  Then I remembered that my nephew Cale gave me a Kohl's gift card for Christmas.  I bought 3 tops and a pair of pants.  I signed up for a card and supplied my email address.  My total out of pocket cost was $19.00.  After that I headed to Sam's club to pick up some water for Nina, a couple of things for Melisa, and a couple of things for us.  Now I'm getting ready to go down to the dungeon -ooops-basement, to continue working on the inventory for our two spring shows.  When I went down there earlier today, I noticed a sink and a granite countertop!!!!  It will be totally great to have a sink down there instead of having to run up and down the stairs every time I need to wash my hands.  It all depends on if they can find a good deal on a cabinet.  The one that housed the old sink is unusable.


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Word of the day:
Friday in the Octave of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : St Waldetrudis (+ c. 688)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 21:1-14.


Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Finally a breather before the next round of insanity begins. Yesterday was a Madison day and she was joined later by her buddies Clayton and Claire. She loves having them here. It is comical because they like to watch "Go, Diego, Go." And at the beginning Claire always breaks into a dance. Madison bounces up and down along with her. It is so funny.

Yesterday was a fairly productive day. I made two more batches of Raspberry Jasmine Spice soap to put in the Girls on the Run gift bags; only 4 more to go.

I also worked on some things for the April shows that we have coming up.
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Word of the day:
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Today the Church celebrates : Bl. Notker, Benedictine monk (c. 840-912)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20:11-18.


Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought it was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and what he told her.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday
Today the Church celebrates : St. Isidore of Seville, Archbishop (+ 636)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 20:1-9.


On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Friday, April 2, 2010 - Good Friday

Did a lot of cleaning this morning. Now I'm headed out for Good Friday Services and then we stay to decorate the church - a big job. Then it's home to put together some appreciation gifts, put bible tabs in a couple of gifts, and finish up the laundry that I started on Monday.

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Word of the day:
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Today the Church celebrates : St. Francis of Paula, Hermit (1416-1508)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 18:1-40.19:1-42.


When he had said this, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered him, "Jesus the Nazorean." He said to them, "I AM." Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, "I AM," they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus the Nazorean." Jesus answered, "I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill what he had said, "I have not lost any of those you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?" So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest, went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, "You are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm. The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said." When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?" Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?" Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed. Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, "What charge do you bring (against) this man?" They answered and said to him, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." At this, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law." The Jews answered him, "We do not have the right to execute anyone," in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" They cried out again, "Not this one but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, "Behold, the man!" When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him." The Jews answered, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, "Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?" Jesus answered (him), "You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin." Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, "If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge's bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, "Behold, your king!" They cried out, "Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews." Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that he said, 'I am the King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, "Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be," in order that the passage of scripture might be fulfilled (that says): "They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots." This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst." There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: "Not a bone of it will be broken." And again another passage says: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.