A Season...

+JMJ+

 

 

This evening when I have too much on my mind..  looking around I see/hear too much illness, death, sadness.. family and friends who are hurting... it feels crazy to me too, since yesterday was Divine Mercy Sunday.  The beatification of JPII, declaring him as holy, (which we all knew anyway), and I was in the happiest mood.. I have a friend who was in Rome yesterday for it too, lucky gal! :)  Then.. in mass, praying that God in His mercy make that mass REAL for me.. not just something I 'did'.. then just hours later we all find out about Bin Laden.  Wow.  The bogey man is dead... except it isn't bringing back all the people who died on 9/11.   Well, this song popped into my head.  "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds.  Taken from scripture, of course.  I am thinking of dear family and friends who are going through sufferings and hardships. I love you guys so much, and please know I am praying for you all. Yes, we all have problems.  We all have things we worry about, struggle with, and I know in my heart it's a sin of pride to worry so we must offer it all up to Jesus. May I also say that there are people who have touched me.. my life.. family, friends, and even a few I never had the pleasure of meeting, and I am the poorer for not having met them, but am blessed by knowing about them, and how they loved and lived.  At any rate, with this song playing in my head.. and even if none of this makes sense to anyone.. these are my musings (for whatever its' worth, which is probably nothing), for this Monday evening. 

To everything there is a season ..and a time for every purpose under Heaven.

In His will.  In His time.  Lord, have mercy on us.

A time to be born, a time to die

Even when death seems to come unfairly, too soon, too cruelly.  

A time to plant, a time to reap  

When I was a child I heard this and thought they meant as in gardens.  But yes, we reap what we sow in everything... even when it's difficult... Jesus, strengthen us...

A time to kill,  

God help me to 'kill' any seeds of doubt in You, and put all my trust in You my Lord!

a time to heal  ...

even when it's not exactly the kind of healing that we in our sinful, frail, human nature are seeking.  

A time to laugh, a time to weep

Suffering compels us to compassion. We mourn death, and give compassion to those who are dealing with death.  Praying for the souls of the living and the dead.  But when you are the one dealing with the death of someone... faith is all I have to hold onto.  Knowing that God is in control.  And that He is merciful, and uses suffering for His glory...

A time to build up, a time to break down

In friendships, there are times we have to prune away dead branches to allow new branches//new fruit to grow.  Pruning isn't always easy, but the Holy Spirit guides us.  His Holy Will be done!

A time to dance, a time to mourn

We all mourn.  At some time in our lives, we all do.  Not just for lives lost, but dreams, hopes, and times. But I believe we are also called to look back too with fondness.  Memories.  And look forward with hope.

A time to cast away stones

Hmm I think this is more of that "branch pruning".  If a millstone is around your neck spiritually, and dragging you down, and keeping you from lifting your face up to God, than fling it away.  Pray it off if you have to.  Seek help if you need to.  But rid yourself of it.  That stone can be anything.. every millstone is different.

A time to gather stones together

Sometimes I think we have to gather up everything, EVERYTHING... and offer it all up to Him.  Why not?  It's all His anyway!!

To everything there is a season.  And a time for every purpose under Heaven.  A time of war, a time of peace.  A time of love, a time of hate.

We are under attack.  This is spiritual warfare, and so many don't (or won't) see it.  What can we say about a world where a woman is allowed by law to murder her own baby in her womb? The devil is alive and well in the world. We are 'in' the world, but not 'of' it.  And attacked from all sides.  Brother against brother.  Jesus have Mercy on us!

A time you may embrace

Embrace fellow Christians.. stand strong together.  Like with Moses, Aaron and Hur, we have to stand together and help hold each others arms up.  Lord, have mercy!

A time to refrain from embracing

I refuse to embrace the devil and his lies.. so I pray, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.  Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.  May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..

A time to gain, a time to lose

I detest all my sins.  Lord, have mercy on me, and hear my poor prayers.

A time to rend, a time to sew

Whenever we suffer without love it is wasted pain.  Yesterday on Divine Mercy Sunday, I looked up at that picture of Jesus with His arms stretched out... and after having prayed for this mass to be "real" for me, I was suddenly overwhelmed by His Mercy... and all I wanted to do was to lie prostrate in front of Him and never leave... God have mercy! 

A time to love, a time to hate

Violence and hate are always defeat

A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope.  To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.  Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! 

 "A mother is the most important person on earth. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any Cathedral -- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body." -- Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty