Class

Class was great today, there was a moment that when we were talking about giving thanks for what is in our life. I had an opportunity to speak about thanking God for everything, not just the the big things but for the very smallest things. I had said how I begin my day by thanking God for my life, and from there everything that goes on is in thankfulness. I don't wait until the end of the day to thank him. It is constant, and when something unique happens I thank him more so for it.

But from this it was about scripture and how we are to live. And when I was telling this it was as if I was guided to speak, because once it was said, I felt as if something closed. It was the point that it is what God seeks of us, to be thankful always. To live our day in thankfulness. To recall exactly what I said is not easy, but it's eloquence and meaning were there.

This was the first time I ever spoke and when finished had the sense it was completed. I don't know how else to say it, or relay that feeling that a window just closed, but all I know is that after I sat quietly, without having had to say much after that.

Mass was wonderful, and always profound. The joy and love that envelopes a heart when in the presence of our Lord. It is always a joy to be a part of a Mass that gives to God. Mass should always be reverent, because He is always present. What a gift that is to be part of such a banquet. And to think many think it boring, little do they know how truly alive the Mass is when we are truly united.

Our class this month was earlier than usual, next week we have a special Holy Hour from 4-5p.m. at the Monastery for the ongoing 800th anniversary. Since today was my once a month class, I missed Paul's opening of chat for La Salette Journey. I hope it went well. If anyone has questions, he most definitely can answer them.

I had questions myself today about Church documents, because we need to read parts of some to coincide with our lessons and I had a difficult time finding some and how to find the page when it is on the Internet. So today, I was given the answer. I need to use a different program to enable page count, I'm laughing because that caused me a bit of distress so to speak, because one article said page 14, and when I did a print preview it gave me only seven pages. My dilemma was solved then at class.

I am also looking forward to Vespers after work where I can be part of community with others of the lay people as well as with the Nuns of the Monastery. So if I time it with overtime and dropping off the one I give a ride home too, then I can go straight to Vespers without going home first. It will make for a long day, but a worthwhile one. Now I can fine tune a croaking singing voice. Well until later, I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Vespers

Doing the Liturgy of Hours on your own is one thing, but singing it along with others is quite another. I actually felt lost at Vespers, if it wasn't for James helping me. He is also a student in my Novice class. Which brought to mind the lesson we are preparing for. I brought it to work with me to go through at my breaks and reread during lunch. It was then that I struck with something coincidental.

I didn't even think about it at all even when it was discussed. Because I tend to put my mind on God rather than documents. But we are learning in our Novice class about these things. One thing I was thinking about was the fact that I hardly mention what I am learning. If at all. I was, to put it mildly one minded. I didn't put my learning in with my journal as I should have. I was only putting my experience of God's love instead.

So much for using the intellectual side of me. I thank the conversation in the comments for bringing this basically to light. Now I can share what I have learned. Personnally I think God's love is the greatest to have, while other learning helps us to expound on other matters. Law, governance, community, rules, while the Commandments have always been a guide to living.

Wonderful

There is hope! Someone at work who has been away from the Church is thinking of coming back. When it was mentioned today I was filled with happiness that they are seeking to come back. This person is willing to go to Church with me too. WoW! I am thrilled! The talk about sacraments, faith and growing up brought back some memories for this person.

I went to a wake after work for a person who was part of the Lay Dominicans. It was nice that someone called from the Order to let me know. It's always a sad time when someone passes from this life.

I discovered there is something I can do after work, and that is go to Vespers at the Monastery Chapel. It may not be daily Mass but at least it will be in community.

And for me I guess I feel too much, and need to learn more of the Magisterium. It's time to put on the thinking cap once again and put my mind to work and do more reading along with my lessons for the novice class. To read about the intellectual side of things has put me in a frame of mind that maybe I have been too much in the heart and not enough of the cold logic. And I thought my mind and heart were in tune with each other. Isn't that what we are suppose to be with God, one in heart, mind, body and soul.

When we are at peace and in tune with God, there is no volatile nature. Our emotions are his emotions, our thoughts are his thoughts, our sorrow is his sorrow. There is nothing that we do that he doesn't already know. I can thank the comments that have come to light to bring this reflection.

I do know my heart and my feelings, I know what I am capable of and what I am not. I know when I sin and when I don't. I know when I am wrong and I will admit it. But when God made me this way, then it is part of his plan that I am the way I am. Along the way he steers me in the direction in the way of what to read what to write and so forth. After all it is his will I follow. So when the whisper says stretch out your arm in the Chapel, and I do, then I have done His Will. And I can say that yes this wonderful time I did exactly that and what a beautiful, beautiful heartfelt joy came flooding in.

This is how he shows me and teaches me his wonderful love. I may be just a little nothing in the eyes of the world, but in God's I am everything to him. Just like the millions of others out there are the same to him too. It's just truly wonderful. Someday I hope many will feel this love too.