A Testament to the Sanctity of Life

Today I attended the funeral of a daughter of two very dear friends. She was in her mid-thirties and had multiple sclerosis, with which she was diagnosed in her early twenties. It took a great deal from her, including the ability to speak.

After a spiritual retreat, made possible by special arrangments through one of our parish ministries, she briefly regained the ability speak for the first time in years. At one point her mother asked her if she was frustrated when people would speak to her and she couldn't respond. Her reply was that "I always respond."

The priest used this story to remind us that we err greatly when we judge situations such as hers by our perception of reality. Her parents didn't seem relieved today. They weren't resolute about a day they knew would eventually come. Rather they grieved the loss of their daughter in a dignified, Christian manner. A daughter whose life was sacred because it was God Himself Who gave it to her. A daughter who always responded to their pure unconditional love with that of her own.

The Lord gives; the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Captive audience

Psalm 50, 10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Fascinated

From the God is Good Department

Luke Ignatius McFadden Davis was born at 4:03 pm on Wednesday, October 29th, weighing in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 20 inches.

It's been a crazy week beyond having a newborn. We were not home for five hours when I had to call 911 for my wife, who it turned out contracted a kidney infection and had to be re-admitted. Oh, but did the Lord provide, most especially with strength for both of us. I could handle the fatigue and sleep deprivation, but watching the anguish of her being away from her children, and Elizabeth always asking for Mommy was brutal. Speaking of Elizabeth, she was and is a little trooper through the whole thing.

Now that everybody's been home for a couple of days, we're slowly but surely settling into a routine. So far, so good. He's also the perfect little blue pill for electile dysfunction (such talent, that guy).

It will be Luke

Luke McFadden. Luke after the evangelist, and McFadden after a family name on my father's side. He'll be here in a little more than a month, which I know for someone is too far away--the height of pregancy during a South Florida summer hasn't been fun. And then there's someone else about to have her world rocked.

Matthew 16:18

Steve Skojec posted the above picture.

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.