Dear Diary,
St. Patrick’s Day at St. Mary’s was both a celebration and a time for reflection. Father Leroy’s homily this morning was taken from his meditation, the same daily meditation Sister Mary Claire and I follow. He spoke about Jesus allowing Himself to be apprehended and bound—not because He was powerless, but because of His infinite love for us. No rope or chain could hold Him—only His willingness to suffer for our salvation.
Father explained that Jesus’ humiliations—His mistreatment, the cruel words, the rough ropes—were all part of His great sacrifice. His silence in the face of injustice was a lesson to us, showing that love does not seek to overpower but to offer itself freely. “He did not resist, not because He was weak, but because He was love itself,” Father said.
After Mass, the parish gathered in the basement for a St. Patrick’s Day picnic. The warm scent of fresh bread and stew filled the air as people talked and laughed. Robert, Sister Mary Claire, and I found a corner table to discuss the homily. Robert wondered why Jesus didn’t fight back, and Sister Mary Claire explained that true strength is found in sacrifice, not in force. I added that it must have taken more power to stay silent than to prove Himself.
As we spoke, Father Leroy passed by and paused. “Exactly,” he said, setting down his coffee. “He chose to be bound so that we could be free.”
After the picnic, Robert gave us a ride home. Mini wagged her whole body with excitement as we climbed into the truck, and the ride was quiet as we each reflected on the day. When we reached our mailbox, Robert let us out, gave a quick wave, and drove off.
O Jesus, my Savior,
Tonight, I think of Your sacred hands, bound for my sake.
You, the King of Kings, willingly allowed Yourself to be held captive.
Teach me, dear Lord, to accept my own small sufferings,
Not with bitterness, but with love,
As You accepted Yours.
Bind me to You, not with chains, but with the cords of charity,
That nothing—neither trial nor hardship—may ever separate me from You.
Amen.
With love and gratitude,
Kathy
St. Patrick’s Day at St. Mary’s was both a celebration and a time for reflection. Father Leroy’s homily this morning was taken from his meditation, the same daily meditation Sister Mary Claire and I follow. He spoke about Jesus allowing Himself to be apprehended and bound—not because He was powerless, but because of His infinite love for us. No rope or chain could hold Him—only His willingness to suffer for our salvation.
Father explained that Jesus’ humiliations—His mistreatment, the cruel words, the rough ropes—were all part of His great sacrifice. His silence in the face of injustice was a lesson to us, showing that love does not seek to overpower but to offer itself freely. “He did not resist, not because He was weak, but because He was love itself,” Father said.
After Mass, the parish gathered in the basement for a St. Patrick’s Day picnic. The warm scent of fresh bread and stew filled the air as people talked and laughed. Robert, Sister Mary Claire, and I found a corner table to discuss the homily. Robert wondered why Jesus didn’t fight back, and Sister Mary Claire explained that true strength is found in sacrifice, not in force. I added that it must have taken more power to stay silent than to prove Himself.
As we spoke, Father Leroy passed by and paused. “Exactly,” he said, setting down his coffee. “He chose to be bound so that we could be free.”
After the picnic, Robert gave us a ride home. Mini wagged her whole body with excitement as we climbed into the truck, and the ride was quiet as we each reflected on the day. When we reached our mailbox, Robert let us out, gave a quick wave, and drove off.
O Jesus, my Savior,
Tonight, I think of Your sacred hands, bound for my sake.
You, the King of Kings, willingly allowed Yourself to be held captive.
Teach me, dear Lord, to accept my own small sufferings,
Not with bitterness, but with love,
As You accepted Yours.
Bind me to You, not with chains, but with the cords of charity,
That nothing—neither trial nor hardship—may ever separate me from You.
Amen.
With love and gratitude,
Kathy
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