December 27, 1955
Dear Diary,
The walk home from church today was peaceful and refreshing. The temperature had warmed to 39 degrees, making it pleasant enough for Mini to enjoy trotting ahead of us on the gravel road, her little bottom wagging with joy. She occasionally stopped to sniff at tufts of grass or piles of leaves, her energy always making me smile. Sister Mary Claire and I walked side by side, her hand resting on my shoulder as we talked about Father LeRoy’s homily.
During Mass, Father spoke about St. John the Evangelist, whose feast we celebrated today. He called St. John the beloved disciple because of his pure and faithful love for Jesus. Father said, “It was St. John’s purity of heart that allowed him to see God so clearly, even in the midst of the greatest sorrows. That purity of heart made him worthy of Jesus’ trust, to the point where Jesus entrusted His own Blessed Mother to John at the foot of the Cross.”
As we walked, Sister explained the homily more fully. “Kathy,” she said, “St. John loved Jesus with his whole heart. He wasn’t distracted by selfishness or the things of the world, which is why he could rest his head on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper and hear His very heartbeat. His heart was open to all that Jesus wanted to give him, and that’s why he could see God’s love so clearly, even in difficult moments.” She smiled at me and added, “When we strive to have a clean heart, free of selfish thoughts or distractions, we too can see God more clearly and love Him more fully, just like St. John.”
The gray sky overhead felt soft and calming as we made our way home. Mini seemed content, and I felt a new determination to try and keep my heart open and pure, just as Sister encouraged me. The comforting scent of chicken and rice soup greeted us as we walked through the door, and Mini ran straight to her bed for a quick rest. Sister served the soup with her homemade white bread, and the meal filled the house with warmth and love.
Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
• 2 large chicken breasts (with skin, for added flavor)
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 6 cups water (more or less, depending on your preference)
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Sister always keeps it simple. She places the chicken, rice, water, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper all into one big pot and simmers it together until the chicken falls apart and everything is tender. She says the skin on the chicken adds all the flavor, and she’s right—the soup is so rich and tasty.
It’s the perfect meal for a day like this, warm and hearty, filling the house with a cozy feeling of home.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, living in Mary, thank You for the example of St. John, who teaches us how to love with a pure and faithful heart. Help me to strive for that same purity of heart so that I can grow closer to You each day. Thank You for Father LeRoy’s words, for Sister Mary Claire’s loving guidance, and for the peaceful walk home with Mini. May Your Blessed Mother guide me always and teach me to love You with the simplicity and devotion of St. John. Amen.
Spiritual Bouquet: “He that loveth cleanness of heart for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.” (Proverbs 22:11)
Until tomorrow, dear diary,
Kathy
The walk home from church today was peaceful and refreshing. The temperature had warmed to 39 degrees, making it pleasant enough for Mini to enjoy trotting ahead of us on the gravel road, her little bottom wagging with joy. She occasionally stopped to sniff at tufts of grass or piles of leaves, her energy always making me smile. Sister Mary Claire and I walked side by side, her hand resting on my shoulder as we talked about Father LeRoy’s homily.
During Mass, Father spoke about St. John the Evangelist, whose feast we celebrated today. He called St. John the beloved disciple because of his pure and faithful love for Jesus. Father said, “It was St. John’s purity of heart that allowed him to see God so clearly, even in the midst of the greatest sorrows. That purity of heart made him worthy of Jesus’ trust, to the point where Jesus entrusted His own Blessed Mother to John at the foot of the Cross.”
As we walked, Sister explained the homily more fully. “Kathy,” she said, “St. John loved Jesus with his whole heart. He wasn’t distracted by selfishness or the things of the world, which is why he could rest his head on Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper and hear His very heartbeat. His heart was open to all that Jesus wanted to give him, and that’s why he could see God’s love so clearly, even in difficult moments.” She smiled at me and added, “When we strive to have a clean heart, free of selfish thoughts or distractions, we too can see God more clearly and love Him more fully, just like St. John.”
The gray sky overhead felt soft and calming as we made our way home. Mini seemed content, and I felt a new determination to try and keep my heart open and pure, just as Sister encouraged me. The comforting scent of chicken and rice soup greeted us as we walked through the door, and Mini ran straight to her bed for a quick rest. Sister served the soup with her homemade white bread, and the meal filled the house with warmth and love.
Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
• 2 large chicken breasts (with skin, for added flavor)
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 6 cups water (more or less, depending on your preference)
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Sister always keeps it simple. She places the chicken, rice, water, carrots, celery, salt, and pepper all into one big pot and simmers it together until the chicken falls apart and everything is tender. She says the skin on the chicken adds all the flavor, and she’s right—the soup is so rich and tasty.
It’s the perfect meal for a day like this, warm and hearty, filling the house with a cozy feeling of home.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, living in Mary, thank You for the example of St. John, who teaches us how to love with a pure and faithful heart. Help me to strive for that same purity of heart so that I can grow closer to You each day. Thank You for Father LeRoy’s words, for Sister Mary Claire’s loving guidance, and for the peaceful walk home with Mini. May Your Blessed Mother guide me always and teach me to love You with the simplicity and devotion of St. John. Amen.
Spiritual Bouquet: “He that loveth cleanness of heart for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.” (Proverbs 22:11)
Until tomorrow, dear diary,
Kathy
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