The Feet We’re Already Washing

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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My word for the week is “they wag their heads.”

It’s the new norm that we didn’t go to Mass last weekend. However, when I reflected on the liturgical readings from Palm Sunday, the phrase “they wag their heads” stood out to me from Psalm 22. At first, I recalled others who criticize or misunderstand me from time to time. Yet, in prayer, the Lord showed me a much different reality. 

During my private morning prayer with the Liturgy of the Hours, 3-year-old Serra asked me to come sit close to her. She played with little toys in her crib while I reflected on the readings. Then, I closed my eyes tightly and felt deeply that the Lord was asking me not to wag my head at Him this week. 

I realized that I’m tempted to say things like, “Why are you leading us this way, Lord?,” or, “This is so crazy,” or, “I’m probably not doing enough.” Those thoughts are from a place of doubt, rather than of trust in Christ. Yet, Christ wants me to stay with him. To stay with His leadership, His plan, His pacing; to trust Him in it all, and to trust His presence within myself.

In that very moment of enlightenment, Serra’s little voice called out, “Mom! Mom! Open your eyes!” I looked up to see her radiant smile.

“I’m closing my eyes because I’m praying, Ser.” I explained.

“No, keep your eyes open!” She implored.

I smiled and asked, “Would you like me to look at you, instead?” She nodded with a grin and then returned to playing with her toys.

Christ is calling me to respond to Him in a way that is both clear and humbling. “Stay home,” for certain. But instead of scrutinizing the manner in which we stay home, I’m being called to rejoice in the simplicity of family life. Thankfully, David has been echoing the same sentiments. Also this week, I read a beautiful encouragement for young mothers by Halley Netsch, co-founder of Everyday Mamas. She explained, “We can focus on sanctification and prayer through the daily sacrifices we’re already making—and the little feet we’re already washing, daily.”

Whose feet are you washing this week? Maybe you’re literally washing the feet of children or of medical patients, or maybe you’re serving others by paying attention to them even from isolation. Perhaps the questions for all of us become: where do we see Christ right now in the life set before us? And can we accept as beautiful the most simple answers?

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Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Kim Moline
Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
Kelly Wesaw
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive exclusive rewards, signup at amandavernon.com/patron.

Claiming God's Promises

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

--- 

My Word for the Week is “prophesy.” 

Last week, we couldn’t go to Mass again because of the quarantine. We had “home church” with our kids, instead. We sang songs, read the Mass readings, exchanged a sign of peace, and prayed to receive “spiritual communion.” Our kids behaved badly, for the most part. We ended up sending one of the kids into a timeout for a good portion of the “service.” Nonetheless, the prayer time was fruitful, and I felt a lot more peaceful the next day. 

The word that stood out to me from the Mass readings was “prophesy.” It must have been in the first reading: our son really wanted to proclaim it straight from his own Bible, so I can’t even find the same translation now. It seemed throughout the week that the Lord wasn’t revealing much personal meaning to me from that word.

But then I noticed two things that helped draw out the good news. First, I saw Mercedes’ shadow on our back-yard wall. She was swinging from a tree branch, a picture of idyllic childhood. I realized maybe the Lord was calling me to be like Mercedes: more carefree, and without the need to understand His word on an intellectual level.

Secondly, the Lord helped me remember that all week I’ve been repeating the phrase, “God provides.” And He has! The past week was filled with inspiration, joy, peace, happiness, sufficient school work for the kids, all the food that we need, and even toilet paper. I realized that Mercedes is able to be so carefree in part because we as her parents continue to speak promises of faith--to prophesy!

What promises of faith do you desire today? The Catechism paragraph 104 says, "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them." If you need the reassurance of God’s Fatherly provision, like I do!, I’ll encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to claim these words: 

“My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:19

“If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” -Matthew 7:12

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” -Ephesians 8-10

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Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Kim Moline
Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
Kelly Wesaw
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive exclusive rewards, signup at amandavernon.com/patron.