Affirmation in the Eucharist.

After I went to confession today, I was kneeling and praying before the Tabernacle. I was asking God to affirm my faith in Him and in The Church. I had what could be described as a vision, but was more like a dream that you have when you are slightly beginning to fall asleep. It was a vision of The Host in the Tabernacle, and the Holy Spirit, which looked like smoke, was falling apon it. Then, God spoke in my heart, He said "affirmation is in the Eucharist." I realized that the affirmation that I seeked was in Him, and in the love that He has for us. And in the most blessed sacrament.
The Mass that followed felt very much affirming. Father H. gave a wonderful homily that was like a defibrillation to my failing faith. I was alar serving and was the first person, other that Father H. himself to receive the Eucharist. Once I receieve Him, I felt a very strong feeling of peace, a feeling of belonging.

I took great comfort in the Gospel reading for this 5th Sunday in Easter.

"Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me."

 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. "

And in John 14:8-12 I felt like I was Philip, who is my confirmation saint, and Jesus was giving me some very good advice:

8	Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied."
9	Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?
10	Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11	Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
12	"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.

 I had been seeking to see God, and He was there all along, I just hadn't realized it. Jesus had given me a little bit of constructive criticism. It was truly a memorable day.

Hand made wooden carvings, from The Holy Land!!

A couple weeks ago we had two guys who came from Michigan to sell some wooden, religious carvings at my parish. These carvings were hand carved by Christians in the Holy Land, then sent here to be sold to help and support them. The two guys, Kale and Essau, are immigrants from Jerusalem who volunteer their time to help their brethren. They are really nice guys.

                        Essau                  Kale