Coming of Age

 In a narrow pew in an old wooden church, a little girl knelt, stood, and prayed next to her sister.  Stations of the cross were well underway.  Father Lombard, accompanied by three altar boys: one carrying the processional cross, the other two carrying tall candles, on either side of the priest.  The little procession went from station to station, and read the narrative by Alphonse Ligouri.

Young as I was, I got it.  I followed the story.  My heart was stirred.  Sadness filled my thoughts.  My eyes filled and poured down my cheeks, quietly dripping into my collar.  A lump formed in my throat and it was a struggle to keep my sobs in check.

I didn't understand.  How could people be so cruel?  What had He done?  

Why?  Why?

Fear Not

 When Jesus fell the third time, He got up, albeit arduously.  He continued on, resolutely.  Is this not an example for us, when we fail?  Jesus kept falling for our benefit.  Life is never smooth sailing.  When everything is going our way, we hardly ever think of God.  It's when we're sick, in trouble, hurting, and falling that we call on God.  "Fear not."  Psalm 91: 1-2 You will not be overwhelmed. You will prevail.  Walk with faith through the challenges of the hour.  Yes, you may fall.  Many times! What is important is that you arise and go on.  This too shall pass.    

God can do nothing for us when we are strong. It is only when we fall down and are hurting that Jesus can give us the grace we need.  So don't give up when you're down and out.  Pray.

Paul tells us...My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.  I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.  Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ;for when I am weaak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

Laundry Stations of the Cross

 The grandchild and I will be doing Stations of the Cross during Lent. I put them up in the laundry room.

I plan to read the stations and sing, stopping at all 14 stations.  Why the Laundry Room?  The Laundry room is the one place that they can stay up for 46 days.  
 

What does Baseball and Stations of the Cross Have in Common?

A man in my class asked me why are the Stations of the Cross counterclockwise?

A search in google told me that no one knows. And the location doesn’t have to be counter clockwise.   In fact, one responder said his church had both positions—the downstairs chapel’s stations were clockwise and the upstairs church’s counterclockwise!

Since there is no definitive answer I can give you my theory. The Stations of the Cross are clockwise to the priest.  Think of a baseball field. The bases are

clockwise to the fans in the stands.  But to batter, the bases are counter clockwise.

What do you think?