Welcome Home Son

Today I went to Easter Mass with my parents. Anyone who knows me knows that I come from a traditional Catholic family, two great Aunts who were nuns, and a cousin who was studying to enter the priesthood before he passed. Being Catholic was all I ever knew...and its something I have been wrestling with over the last few months...but more on that later. What I wanted to share was the priest this morning gave an incredible homily (sermon) about the mystery of Faith, the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. And he ended it with this story, written by a 14 year old boy. It wrecked me as I sat in mass this morning...wanted to share:

A Conversation Between God and Jesus.

God: "Welcome Home Son, I've missed you!"

Jesus: "Thank you Father, I've missed you too."

God: "Was it hard Son?"

Jesus: "As hard as nails"

God: "What was the hardest part son?"

Jesus: "The kiss in the garden Father."

God: "Was it worth it?"

Jesus: "Yes Father, they were all worth it, now we must help them all believe that THEY ARE WORTH it."

The Grace of the Cross

     I have done a pretty poor job of keeping up with this blog. I'd like to say it's because of my desire to not just write or speak just for the sake of writing or speaking. But I think if I am being honest, its because I am lazy, and don't make time for it. 
     I do believe that I still am trying to hold fast to the lesson God has been teaching me for years, to not fill my world with noise. I want to speak only when He wants, and only to give life, and truth. It's a great goal to have, but its a lofty one. I also feel that there have been many who have come before me that have spoken, or written great truths, and their words would be better to share then my own. With that said, here is an excerpt from The Valley of Vision. Another Good Friday post from me I know but thankfully these words are not my own.

 O My Savior,
     I thank thee from the depths of my being for thy wondrous grace and love in bearing my sin in thine own body on the tree. 
     May they cross be to me as the tree that sweetens my bitter Marahs, as the rod that blossoms with life and beauty, as the brazen serpent that calls forth the look of faith.
     By they cross crucify my every sin; Use it to increase my intimacy with thyself; Make it the ground of all my comforts, the liveliness of all my duties, the sum of all thy gospel promises, the comfort of all my afflictions, the vigour of my love, thankfulness, graces, the very essence of my religion; And by it give me that rest without rest, the rest of ceaseless praise.


I pray that not only during the Easter season but during every season that my heart would aline in such a way that my entire being, my trails, my victories, all of my life would be a clear picture of God's faithfulness.