Dear Diary,
This morning, we took our usual walk to St. Mary’s, and it was such a beautiful day. The gravel road was a bit dusty, but the air was crisp and cool, with just a hint of the warmth to come later. Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and I made our way slowly, enjoying the peacefulness of the morning. Mini is finally her old self again, one week after her tooth extraction. She’s back to playing her favorite game—Keep Away with her squeaky ball. That little rascal never tires of it, and every time Sister Mary Claire and I begin our Rosary, she grabs her ball as if it's a Rosary bead. It’s an interruption, to be sure, but what can one do? I suppose it's her way of joining in our prayers.
Mass today was lovely, and Father Leroy’s sermon stood out. He wove the Gospel reading from Matthew 18:15-20 into a story about forgiveness and community. He told us about two old friends in a small town who had a falling out over something minor—something to do with a shared fence that one believed encroached on his property. They stopped talking, each harboring resentment. Father explained how one day, the man who had felt wronged decided to follow the advice in Matthew’s Gospel and go to his friend to talk it out, privately. At first, the conversation was difficult, but as they spoke, they both realized how much they missed their friendship. The small matter of the fence suddenly seemed so trivial. By the end of the conversation, not only was the fence mended, but so was their relationship. They were reconciled, and peace was restored to their hearts. Father reminded us that when we have conflicts, we should always seek to resolve them in the spirit of love and forgiveness, just as Jesus taught.
He also reminded us that tomorrow is a Holy Day of Obligation—The Assumption of Mary. I will write more on that tomorrow, but for now, I’m glad he mentioned it, so we can all be prepared for the special Mass.
After Mass, we walked home with light hearts, and Mini, of course, wanted to play Keep Away with her ball as soon as we stepped through the door. She brought it over, squeaking it as if to say, “Come on, let’s play!” We couldn’t resist, and spent a good while chasing her around, laughing and enjoying her antics.
As the day draws to a close, I find myself feeling grateful for the peace of our little routine, the wisdom of Father Leroy’s sermons, and the joy Mini brings into our lives.
Evening Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings of this day, for the wisdom shared in Your Word, and for the love and companionship of those around me. Please help me to always seek peace and forgiveness in my relationships, just as You taught us. Watch over us tonight, and may Your grace guide us in all we do. Amen.
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