Obedience Rewarded
While picking up a few things at the grocery, I overheard a mother tell her two children that if they behaved and helped Mommy get her shopping done, they could each get a piece of candy when they checked out. If either one of them misbehaved, then there would be no candy for either of them.
I casually observed them as they wound their way around the store and the younger child began to act up in the middle of the aisle and was blocking another shopper from getting through. The older child rushed up to the younger child and said "You have to be good like Mommy said or we won't get any candy. Come on, let's be good!" With that, the younger child's tears vanished and his demeanor did a complete 180 degree turn towards that of a happy-go-lucky child. Inspired by the good example of his older brother, he was motivated by the hope that he would be rewarded that piece of candy when their work was done.
So it has been with God and His people all throughout history. Abraham did as he was told, even at the potential sacrifice of his own son. Moses did as he was asked even though he knew he would not benefit from entering the promised land himself (but his people would). Our Blessed Mother said "Yes" to God's calling as did her spouse St. Joseph. They were followed by their earthly son Jesus when he accepted God the Father's plan and took his place on the cross to vanquish sin for us all. All were rewarded for their obedience to God's Perfect Will.
This rich tradition continues today here in Rome City as many of God's people, of differing faiths, are obediently answering His call and making their way to Rome City to receive His blessings in the manner they most need. Each of the situations that have been described on this site are unique but similar in that they have all been "told" to go to Rome City. When they put aside their own determinations and obeyed, they have all been rewarded with what they needed and God was willing to so generously supply.
We are all His children and He has thrown the doors wide open for all to respond. Please be obedient to His invitation when it becomes your turn. You will be rewarded. That's God's Way!
Larry
posted by OLTIV @ 9:20 PM
14 Comments
14 Comments:
Very thoughtful comment by Larry.
Thank you for your insight and commitment to Our Lady's request.
This reminds me of a song we sang in Catholic school called "I Cannot Come" about the people who made all kinds of excuses as to why they couldn't attend the Lord's banquet because they were busy with other things and so he gave everything to the lowly who answered his invitation.
The call from within will come when we all open up our hearts to the knowingness that the Holy Spirit has given gifts of this sort to all of us. Today being Pentecost is a strong reminder of this and of what Larry is saying.
Answer your call! Rome City is here still waiting for all to, as they are now saying, "Pound the Hill." Make your pilgrimage and let all know who Our Lady of America is and how important Her presence has been and can be to this entire world!
The bishops will only hear what they cannot close off by the thunder of the thousands of feet going up to the Hill.
Time Has Run Out. For those of you who live so far away, if you could cross the oceans to get to Medjugoje and Lourdes and Fatima put the 4.00 a gallon gas into that car and come to Holy Family Hill. The bishops need to know we are not going to let this go without a battle. Our Lady of America, protect all of your Pilgrims!
God Speed!
Unidentified, but a true believer!!
This was a very good commentary. I think we should all try to see this place for what it is as I am sure Larry has been able to discern having been there all these years and seing things unfold first-hand. What a ride he must be having. I hope people are remembering him and his family in their special intentions.
I agree with the last comment in that we need to be making the effort to visit this place. The invitation has been made. Are we going to refuse to go to the banquet?
I remember that song from gradeschool too. It may have been on one of those "singing nun" records, but the chorus went:
"I cannot come, I cannot come to the banquet. Don't bother me now. I have married a wife. I have bought me a cow. I have fields and commitments that cost a pretty sum. Prayhold me excuse, I cannot come."
It's funny how things stay with you as time goes by. I am 56 years old and I can remeber that song just like yesterday. Thanks for the memory, now I need to apply my wrinkle cream ;>)
Let us learn from these words of Jesus:
Today is the great solemn Feast of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and they became changed men. They were empowered to begin the work I gave them to do, which is to begin My worldwide Church. Only after receiving the Holy Spirit could they begin such a great undertaking. All the Apostles, who received the power of the Holy Spirit, are in heaven for they are all saints.
"Today the Father and I are sending the Holy Spirit once more upon the peoples of the world. He is coming with great power upon all of you to change you. He comes with all His gifts to renew you and to turn your hearts back to Me. He is strengthening your faith and warming your hearts so that you be My people filled with love. The Holy Spirit is like fire enkindling the hearts of all of you.
"Come now, My friends, and open your hearts totally to the Spirit that He may fill you with all His gifts. Be renewed in the very depth of your being and strive for holiness every day. Avoid sin with the power of the Holy Spirit and be active members of My Church. The New Pentecost has begun and may all be caught in it. Rejoice that you have seen this day. I bless you all.”
I took my family to Rome City today to visit my father's grave and to walk the grounds at Sylvan for a little while. Just gorgeous!
The water is flowing so freely and the atmosphere is just so peaceful. I know my father is looking over this place and was smiling at us while the kids played on the lawn and tried to gig some frogs with a stick.
While we visited Holy Family hill, my oldest son asked if we could pray together. This was a shock to my system because the last time he asked us for anything it was to let him get a tattoo on his shoulder. It's good to see he is coming back around. I feel it was the entire temperament of the surroundings that were speaking to him.
I can see Sylvan Springs playing host to thousands of people each day who would come to feel exactly what it is that inspired my son to ask us to pray together as a family.
My only regret is that I didn't suggest it first. This old dog learned something from the younger pup today.
Thanks to all the wonderful comments that have added so much in response to Larry's post!
Today being Pentecost, IS the new beginning, once again, for us All in our lives with Christ. Let it also be the new beginning for all of us in this community of this website to not give up but to continue to move forward.
We have no idea what Our Lady and Our Lord have in store for us. We again have been reminded we now have the gifts, so let us all do as so many are now saying; pray, believe, and "Pound the Hill" at Sylvan Springs! I love that Battle Cry!
We are coming Our Lady of America to honor You as You ask us to Adore and Love Your Son with complete Faith, Devotion and Purity!!
That's a great way of describing what is going on in Rome City. I really felt it there today. It was like everyone was welcome to come and visit in God's little oasis.
I was trying to send information to the media concerning this site but when I paste the link into the e-mail, it does not work. It says the server cannot be located.
Is there any way to get put this site in an e-mail and send the hyperlink?
I just tell people to go to www.oltiv.org and it always makes the link and goes through. I use Outlook Express. Maybe it's a setting in your email program?
Just a short reminder to ask all to say a prayer for the troops today for intercession from Our Lady Of America and St. Padre Pio of Pietreicina, (1887-1968).
During World War II, the troops stationed in Italy or around that area, would come to see Padre Pio to hear their confessions and ask for his blessings! (Rumor has it, Padre Pio,may someday be known as the Patron Saints of Service Men.)
God Bless Our Troops and keep them safe!! God Bless all of those who have fought in the past to give us the freedom we so enjoy and to keep us safe in this One Country Under One God!!
I agree with Jim from Fort Wayne in that this place inspires the entire family to unite like no other place I've ever been.
We took our little girls there this weekend and they expressed the same sort of family-togetherness. They wanted to hold hands while walking and be extra close to their father and I. I was joking about how it was such a Norman Rockwell moment for us. I'll always remember it.
I can only imagine how magnificent it would be to attend an outdoor Mass on that hill. Is this where the rosary is held? I recall seeing a sign for candlelit rosaries in years past? Do they do that anymore or did Daylight Savings Time make it too late for people to attend? I know it doesn't even get dark now until 9pm.
We will be back. Thank you for having such a beautiful place for people like us to visit and feel so welcome. It is really a special place like no other.
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could .
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho .'
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!
Mr. red marble man.............
Amen and I say Amen. There has been a whole lot of words here, but very little action..I mean scatterin.
Post a Comment
<< Home