Being Blessed and Blessing … Saturday, August 2

The Ascension rock on Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, said to bear the imprint of the right foot of Jesus as he ascended, venerated by Christians as the last point on earth touched by the incarnate Christ.

A Rosary Meditation … The Second Glorious Mystery, the Ascension. “And it came to pass as He blessed them, that He parted from them.” Luke 24:51. Here is a very touching scene. Jesus, leaving His friends, blesses them as He goes away. They are told that He will come again, but for now He’s leaving. But before He parts He blesses them one finale time til then. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if we could live our lives in such a way last have been a sort of finale blessing to those around us before we go? Because you know, in passing we will meet again. Just as Jesus and those present on that day will be reunited (and already have been, for that matter), just so will we be reunited with the people around us now. And we will be with them at the Judgement, and in Heaven or Purgatory or hell. Trusting that we’ll miss out on that last alternative, what sort of reunion will it be? Happy? Sad? Joyous? An occasion for painful memories? The type of reunion we’ll have is settled here and now. It depends on the sort of union we forge now. Giving, being, a blessing to others is the best way to insure now a happy reunion then.

Today …

St. Lydia Purpuraria

St. Lydia Purpuraria. Lydia Purpuraria (1st century) was born at Thyatira (Ak-Hissar), a town in Asia Minor, famous for its dye works, (hence, her name which means purple seller). She became Paul’s first convert at Philippi. She was baptized with her household, and Paul stayed at her home there. We don’t know much but given what we do know about this saint wouldn’t it be nice to meet and talk with her? Sure it would! And if someone reads a couple of short lines about us 2,000 years from now will they say the same about us?

Quote … There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization–these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. – C.S. Lewis. … And … To see the miraculous within the ordinary is the mark of highest wisdom. – Ralph Waldo Emerson.