Thoughts Along the Journey

One week ago, we were all rejoicing at the glory of Christ's resurrection.  We recalled His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  We mourned as we remembered His cruel death.  We waited in silence, as we called to mind His time in the grave.  On Sunday, though, we were full of joy as we relived the discovery of an empty tomb.  There it is.  One more Easter in the books.  Let's move along and bide our time until Memorial Day.  Check off another holiday! Not so fast! In the Catholic Church, we celebrate a time known as the Octave of Easter.  Eight days of singing the Gloria! and letting forth a resounding Alleluia!  Today, on the eighth day, we celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy .  How glorious it is to call to mind the great mercy of God, who sent His Son for our salvation.  Check off another holy day! Not so fast! This is just the beginning!  We also celebrate not just one day, but a season  of fifty days ...

As most of my readers are aware, I am a person who struggles with anxiety, worry, and panic attacks.  It is something I've battled most of my life.  When faced with a new, or unfamiliar situation, something builds up inside me.  I can't concentrate on anything but that situation, and how I will solve it or end it.  It has been the shadow that follows me whenever change is about to take place. One would think, then, that with the worldwide pandemic situation, I would be a mess.  All the usual things should be plaguing me:  Who else is going to contract coronavirus?  How many more people will die?  What if one of my family members shows symptoms?  What if life has changed forever?  What if this quickly-moving virus has stolen everything we thought we knew? I can honestly say, though, this has not happened to me.  I am naturally concerned.  I do worry some when I feel like people are basically "thumbing their noses" to all the...

As a continuation of my last post from Holy Saturday... Everything seemed dark for the followers of Jesus.  It had all come crashing down so suddenly.  The joyful celebration of Palm Sunday had so quickly turned into the frightening, tear-filled night of Holy Thursday.  The ruthless death of crucifixion had taken Him from them.  Three years of learning, growing, sacrificing...and for what?  The future loomed ahead with so many unanswered questions. Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene came to them with the craziest notion:  she had seen the Lord.  Alive.  He spoke to her.  There were angels as well, telling her not to seek the living among the dead.  What was this nonsense?  Peter and John ran to the tomb.  Someone must have stolen the body of Jesus, and was playing some kind of cruel trick. But stepping into the darkened space, they saw something beyond belief.  There was no longer a body of a dead Man.  Ther...

As we observe this Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday (followed by Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday), Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday), Good Friday (Holy Friday), and Holy Saturday), there is the gamut of emotions.   Palm Sunday began with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.   Crowds took up the shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David”, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming!”, and “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”   Palm branches and garments were strewn across His path.   Such actions were surely in recognition of a king, or maybe…the Messiah?   He was nothing less than a great teacher or prophet, this Nazarene.   Stories of His teachings, His miracles of healing, the multiplying of bread and fish, and even the raising of the dead had circulated throughout the countryside.   The pilgrims were numerous, as they approached the city to celebrate...

Last night, as I lay awake (insomnia is great for introspective moments), this blog came to mind.  It was begun back in 2006, as our family made a faith journey, as well as a literal journey from one state to another.  I needed a sort of "incognito" space to express my thoughts and feelings as we moved from the denomination of our childhoods to a new place.  (As a wise friend put it, we were learning to stop putting God in our boxes.)  From time to time, I also shared some of the struggles of dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. Then, as we settled into a new phase of life, the postings became a bit more of the practical, day-to-day-in-the-life-of-a-home-schooling-mom style.  It was an outlet for me.  I spent most of my hours being "mom" and "teacher".  Sometimes I just needed to be "Joni". Along the way, I met several other bloggers.  I learned so much from their writing styles and techniques.  On a deeper level, though, I learned fr...