Today, October 19th, 2014, would have been my dear Mother, Adeline's 95th birthday, had she still been alive. At Mass this morning, I was thinking about her, wishing she was with me. Then I remembered that she really was with me, in church, celebrating with all the Communion of Saints in heaven, when Jesus comes to us in the mystery of Holy Communion! This was very comforting!
Let me explain our teaching about the "Communion of Saints." These are all the people who lived on this earth, died, and are now in heaven forever, with all the Angels who also enjoy the vision of God. These Saints don't have to be officially declared "Saints" by the church. They are all the known and unknown ordinary people, including some we personally have known to be good people.
On my first visit to Sacramento, California, U.S.A., to visit Mom and Dad in the early 1980's, one day Mom showed me a small box of Christmas ornaments she had made. I, living in Kentucky, had never seen these particular ornaments. Some were embroidered, some were made of beads, all were handmade by Mom. One particular creation caught my eye. It was a bright red Cardinal bird, about five inches long. It was made with needlepoint. It was by far the most beautiful in the box. I wanted it! I was bold enough to ask Mom, "Oh, please, can I have it?" Mom hesitated. She thought and then replied, "Well . . . no." I held it and admired it even more. Then mother quietly decided, "Well . . . OK, you can have it." Oh, joy!
The Cardinal is still my favorite Christmas ornament, because it was such a gift of sacrifice and love! Several of my daughters have asked me for the ornament. I just can't part with it, now, more than ever, because it reminds me of mother! I'll make my children anything they ask for, give them most things of mine, but not the Cardinal!
Dear Lord in Heaven, please help us be generous with all our belongings and with ourselves. We know that all we have and all we are are gifts from You! And please save me a place with my Mom!
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