Times of Refreshment

Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will send Jesus your Messiah to you again." (Acts 3:19-20)

I had 2 unexpected gifts of time with our Lord over the weekend. The first one was Friday night. Our parish held a family hour of adoration. We sang songs of prayer and praise and had times of silence. It was so nice.

Then Saturday morning, I was able to get to Mass with other moms. I thought Mass started at 8 am but when I got there, I found out that Mass started at 8:30 am. So I got in more quiet time! I just feel so refreshed now!

I've been reading through our Holy Father's encyclical Deus Caritas Est. There are some wonderful thoughts there. I'd like to share two that have hit me so far as a homeschooling mom.

"Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift. Certainly, as the Lord tells us, one can become a source from which rivers of living water flow (cf. Jn 7:37-38). Yet to become such a source, one must constantly drink anew from the original source, which is Jesus Christ, from whose pierced heart flows the love of God (cf. Jn 19:34)."

"Pope Gregory the Great in his Pastoral Rule. He tells us that the good pastor must be rooted in contemplation. Only in this way will he be able to take upon himself the needs of others and make them his own: “per pietatis viscera in se infirmitatem caeterorum transferat”.[4] Saint Gregory speaks in this context of Saint Paul, who was borne aloft to the most exalted mysteries of God, and hence, having descended once more, he was able to become all things to all men (cf. 2 Cor 12:2-4; 1 Cor 9:22). He also points to the example of Moses, who entered the tabernacle time and again, remaining in dialogue with God, so that when he emerged he could be at the service of his people. “Within [the tent] he is borne aloft through contemplation, while without he is completely engaged in helping those who suffer: intus in contemplationem rapitur, foris infirmantium negotiis urgetur.”[5] "

In order for me to be the woman God has called me to be, I really need to spend more time with Him. By spending the time, I receive His love, peace and joy which in turns refreshes me. When I am refreshed and fill with His love, peace and joy, then I can give my family the same.

Thank you, Lord, for your unexpected gifts of time. May I continue to open my eyes and my heart to your presence.