Fears and Tears

The Lord gave me a great gift this week; it is peace. A peace overtook me, and I felt a calm and stillness in my body and soul. It is a peace that I still can feel. What a wonderful thing to experience this second week of Advent.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

I felt a great joy for our local Archdiocese, as eighteen men were ordained to the order of the Permanent Diaconate this past weekend. This beautiful day fell near the eighth anniversary of my husband’s yes to the Lord and his ordination as a Deacon. As a Deacon’s wife, I also had to give my yes to the Church, which I freely and joyfully did.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit could be felt by all in attendance, and I was carried away by the beautiful music, the scripture readings and the promises proclaimed by the eighteen men. All this in the beautiful backdrop of the Cathedral, which naturally calls one’s gaze to Heaven.

There is a section prepared for the Deacon wives at the Cathedral. As I sat with my sisters in Christ, my gaze turned toward the ceiling to gaze upon the painting of the angel representing the virtue of Fortitude. The catechism says that Fortitude ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. CCC 1837.

The journey of the Diaconate is not easy, and it requires much sacrifice along with great faith. It is a journey of self-discovery, prayer, persistence, and perseverance. This special vocation is a yes to God in love and service. God, in His goodness, pours out His grace for the call.

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; or your guardian to sleep. Behold, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. The Lord will guard you from all evil; he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your coming and going both now and forever. Psalm 121

These eighteen men are a great example to me, along with their wives to trust in God and follow Him. My faith has increased by their example and I am grateful to God for their vocation.

Thank you, my God and my Lord, for the gift of peace, because I know that Jesus is near, that Jesus is here. I pray for a most blessed Advent, as I draw closer to the Lord, who is the Prince of Peace. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Amen.

Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem, may we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man. Pope Francis