Thursday, March 26, 2009

I find it ironic that Spring hails the anticipation of new life. Ironic because I have 2 funerals this week. It would have been three, but two of them are on the same day. I lost both of my parents during Lent - spring - so I think there is always that feeling of angst that descends on me at this time of year. The smell of emerging plant life stirs up mixed feelings - and they confuse me. I find myself more emotional during spring time - more easily led to tears. But beyond Good Friday is Easter - and to that hope I cling.

I stopped in at my office at church last night. It looks more like a sewing room than a musician's office. In it are a sewing machine, cutting mat, floss for tying off quilts, a basket of soaps that I brought for the rest of the group, a couple of used Easter candles that will be melted down to make candles and gifts for church people, and buried under all of that are my source books for liturgy. I stopped in last night because Sabina left some materials for a prayer quilt. I am excited to get started on this one. I am currently working on some mini quilts, have picked out another pattern for a baby quilt, and am finishing the binding on a prayer quilt. This is such a luxury. I have never had time to quilt in the spring. I am celebrating MY new life.

I don't think I ever posted the pic of the quilt for our new expected granddaughter:



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Word of the day:
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Gospel
Jn 5:31-47

Jesus said to the Jews:
"If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.
But there is another who testifies on my behalf,
and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept human testimony,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
He was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John's.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me.
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
and you do not have his word remaining in you,
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures,
because you think you have eternal life through them;
even they testify on my behalf.
But you do not want to come to me to have life.

"I do not accept human praise;
moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.
I came in the name of my Father,
but you do not accept me;
yet if another comes in his own name,
you will accept him.
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:
the one who will accuse you is Moses,
in whom you have placed your hope.
For if you had believed Moses,
you would have believed me,
because he wrote about me.
But if you do not believe his writings,
how will you believe my words?"

God bless our troops!

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