Take a Deep Dive into Kathy's Diary
March 23
Dear Diary,
Mass this morning filled my heart with something I can only describe as a sacred hush. Father LeRoy preached about Jesus casting out a devil from a man who couldn’t speak. He said the devil had seized hold of his tongue, and Jesus set it free. Then Father reminded us that the devil still tries to control what we say—and don’t say. We must be brave enough to speak when it's right and humble enough to stay silent when it is holy.
As I listened, I thought of a holy card I once saw tucked inside John Hathaway’s prayer book down in the cave. It showed the Christ Child standing victorious over a serpent, bathed in heavenly light, surrounded by angels. Even as a child, Jesus triumphs over evil. That image came into my mind just as Father LeRoy said, “Let your words be used for truth, and let your silence be filled with God.” I could see it all again in my heart—the cross-staff in the Child Jesus’ hand, and the serpent crushed. I knew I’d go down to the cave this afternoon and find that holy card again.
After Mass, Robert offered us a ride. All four of us—Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me—squeezed into the cab of his old pickup. It smelled of peppermint and fresh hay. Sister Mary Claire had Mini on her lap, and I sat right next to Robert, who drove steady on the gravel. We laughed and bumped shoulders, then got quiet again talking about the homily.
This afternoon, I picked up sticks scattered around the yard. I saved six of the nicest ones for Shaggy Coat and added a carrot, then headed down to the creek. He was there waiting, just like always. When he saw me, he slapped his tail on the water and waddled closer. I knelt and told him how much I love him. He listened the way beavers do—with his whole self, turning his head just a little, the way Mini does when she's trying to understand something important.
Afterward, I stepped into the cool hush of the cave and made my way back to John Hathaway’s room. There, just as I remembered, tucked into his prayer book, was that very holy card—the one of Jesus as a child, defeating the serpent, rays of light pouring from Him, with angels surrounding in awe. I sat still for a long time, just looking at it, whispering a few prayers, letting the silence wrap around me like a blanket.
Here is the prayer I wrote while I sat near the grotto, with the candle flickering gently:
Kathy’s Prayer on Silence
Dear Jesus,
Let my heart be still like this cave. Let my thoughts be clear like a stream. When the world gets noisy and full of unkind voices, help me find Your peace in the quiet. Teach me to speak only when it helps someone, and to be silent when that silence holds love. Let my words be few but full of truth. And when I am quiet, may I be listening for You. Amen.
Evening Prayer
O dearest Lord,
Thank You for this day—for the wisdom of Father LeRoy, the warmth of Mini at my feet, the laughter in Robert’s truck, and the listening heart of Shaggy Coat. Thank You for that holy card and the holy silence of the cave. Help me use my voice with care, and my silence with grace. Guard my tongue and make it Yours. Let me sleep in Your peace tonight, knowing You are near. Amen.
Always Yours,
Kathy
Dear Diary,
Mass this morning filled my heart with something I can only describe as a sacred hush. Father LeRoy preached about Jesus casting out a devil from a man who couldn’t speak. He said the devil had seized hold of his tongue, and Jesus set it free. Then Father reminded us that the devil still tries to control what we say—and don’t say. We must be brave enough to speak when it's right and humble enough to stay silent when it is holy.
As I listened, I thought of a holy card I once saw tucked inside John Hathaway’s prayer book down in the cave. It showed the Christ Child standing victorious over a serpent, bathed in heavenly light, surrounded by angels. Even as a child, Jesus triumphs over evil. That image came into my mind just as Father LeRoy said, “Let your words be used for truth, and let your silence be filled with God.” I could see it all again in my heart—the cross-staff in the Child Jesus’ hand, and the serpent crushed. I knew I’d go down to the cave this afternoon and find that holy card again.
After Mass, Robert offered us a ride. All four of us—Robert, Sister Mary Claire, Mini, and me—squeezed into the cab of his old pickup. It smelled of peppermint and fresh hay. Sister Mary Claire had Mini on her lap, and I sat right next to Robert, who drove steady on the gravel. We laughed and bumped shoulders, then got quiet again talking about the homily.
This afternoon, I picked up sticks scattered around the yard. I saved six of the nicest ones for Shaggy Coat and added a carrot, then headed down to the creek. He was there waiting, just like always. When he saw me, he slapped his tail on the water and waddled closer. I knelt and told him how much I love him. He listened the way beavers do—with his whole self, turning his head just a little, the way Mini does when she's trying to understand something important.
Afterward, I stepped into the cool hush of the cave and made my way back to John Hathaway’s room. There, just as I remembered, tucked into his prayer book, was that very holy card—the one of Jesus as a child, defeating the serpent, rays of light pouring from Him, with angels surrounding in awe. I sat still for a long time, just looking at it, whispering a few prayers, letting the silence wrap around me like a blanket.
Here is the prayer I wrote while I sat near the grotto, with the candle flickering gently:
Kathy’s Prayer on Silence
Dear Jesus,
Let my heart be still like this cave. Let my thoughts be clear like a stream. When the world gets noisy and full of unkind voices, help me find Your peace in the quiet. Teach me to speak only when it helps someone, and to be silent when that silence holds love. Let my words be few but full of truth. And when I am quiet, may I be listening for You. Amen.
Evening Prayer
O dearest Lord,
Thank You for this day—for the wisdom of Father LeRoy, the warmth of Mini at my feet, the laughter in Robert’s truck, and the listening heart of Shaggy Coat. Thank You for that holy card and the holy silence of the cave. Help me use my voice with care, and my silence with grace. Guard my tongue and make it Yours. Let me sleep in Your peace tonight, knowing You are near. Amen.
Always Yours,
Kathy
No comments:
Post a Comment