 For just a few days in April, the bluebells open in full bloom, transforming the forest ground into a sea of blue. For the past ten years, several of our grandchildren have joined us to walk, run, and skip through this living masterpiece. For a few hours, we’d explore the woods, pick delicate bouquets, and praise God for such glorious beauty! But not this year. Not even one grandchild joined us and though it’s a minor disappointment, it hurt our hearts.
 “What’s wrong, Mare?” She knew immediately I was down. Though she couldn’t see my face because of the protective mask, she noticed the pace of my steps, my posture, and the slight slant of my head. “Well, I just can’t shake my disappointment with the postponement of our important family event, and tomorrow is the twins’ birthday and we can’t celebrate with them. I know it’s all minor compared to what others are experiencing, but I had hoped.” As we walked, she listened intently and then spoke quietly, “I’m sorry.”
 When engaging our parish grade-school children in a conversation about the resurrection, I solicited a volunteer. Eight-year-old Francis excitedly raised his hand and quickly climbed the steps to the altar area. “So, Francis, if Jesus came walking down the street today, how would you recognize Him?” Without skipping a beat Francis remarked, “By the marks on his hands.” I was astonished.
 How many times have I spoken a word to rouse my children? Get out of bed, finish your homework, eat your supper, pick up your room. Raising six children, I was forever rousing someone. Yet, was it always with a well-trained tongue? That’s the tricky part. That’s the challenge. From the prophet, Isaiah: “The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” In this moment, with this child, how am I to rouse? What words do I use? Like Isaiah, how do I preach?
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ReflectionsThe blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home. Archives
December 2021
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