http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052718.cfm
I smiled as I watched my daughter and her husband dancing cheek to cheek, enjoying a rare “private” moment. Suddenly their son, Freddy, practically flew from his table to jump into their arms. Their twin daughters, Gemma and Ellie, quickly followed suit and were soon pulling on their parents’ sleeves, begging to be included into this circle of love. Laura and Zach automatically caught the girls into their arms. The original dance of two became a sweeping embrace of five, with smiles, laughter, joy, and giggles on the faces of all. http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052018-mass-during-day.cfm
When the kids were little, we had not one meal without spilled milk. My husband Mike often chuckled, “Well, it’s not dinner until spilled milk!” I recall one evening when the kids were roughing around, and a full glass of milk and dinner plate flew across the room and crashed onto the floor. Shards of glass and pieces of ceramic lay all around and I had just about had it. I was furious (and they knew it) but asked the Holy Spirit for a little composure. Soon the older kids apologized and helped clean while the little ones remained quiet. Peace returned to the table. http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050618.cfm
I always prayed that each of our children would have at least one good friend. “Please Lord, bring him one friend who will help him to belong, to keep his values, and to follow you.” Each person desires, at a deeply spiritual and psychological level, to have at least one other person declare, “I call you friend.” |
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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