As Karen so eloquently put it, "we interrupt this Lent to bring you glad tidings of great joy!" Father was arrayed this morning in his glorious golden vestment embroidered with deep blue and fleur de lise. We said the Gloria on a Monday! "We are fairly commanded to celebrate!"
Father T. spoke so tenderly today of the Blessed Virgin. How amazing that her Precious Womb was the Sacred Vessel that held God Himself within. It made me think back to yesterday's awesome homily we heard on the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Yesterday Father L. told of how Jesus using the title of "Woman" was a sign of respect, calling her to remember and rise to the dignity of her position as a woman, able to bear life within her. "Woman" was also how Our Lord addressed His sinless, full of grace Mother, both at the Wedding Feast at Cana and from the Cross. I thought of how amazing it is that God chose to come to this Earth via the Womb of a Woman. And that act, in a much smaller way of course, sanctifies the vocation of motherhood for all of us.
When we got home from church Mary Rose asked if she could make some soda bread, a Lent-friendly brown bread that she has been blessing us with. "Oh, no," I replied, "no, no, no! Today we must feast!" And so inspired by the lovely Alice and her Liturgical Teas, we celebrated this wonderful feast today with treats honoring Our Lady. I set the girls to work on Lily Cookies and Lily Cream Cheese Mints.
At 3 o'clock we gathered for the Angelus and tea, and enjoyed these lovely and delicious lily treats. The mints were so nice the girls plan to make them again for Easter. We saved some for dad and for an evening 'second feeding' as the boys put it. But then we made sure to finish off every last crumb as tomorrow it is back to the rigors of Lent and the approach of Holy Week.
But Easter is looming nearer and nearer.
Not to mention nine months from now, it's Christmas!
Hope you all had a blessed feast day!
