You know why should we feel surprised that Jesus shows compassion for us in our little falls when we try to show compassion to Him in His Passion. But I admit I am surprised. Our compassion is only one side of the equation. But we live by Faith, often in Great Darkness and so may be excused for not realising. Jesus is far, far closer to us and than we are to Him.
Sometimes I think that dogs are a little like people. The ones that are the most trouble end up being the most interesting and therefore the most loveable. I think Jesus thinks the same way about us poor sinners.
Dogs are all s different, even when of the same breed. My brother had a bitch called Sasha, a Rottweiller. who had been owned by a farmer who had mistreated her. She lived with Rebel another Rott and had a couple of litters with him. Later my brother had another Rott called Bruno. It seemed clear to me that Sasha and Bruno loved each other...there is no other way of putting it. Sasha and Rebel did not.
Yes there is a shrine in Japan to that Akita in the Japanese Province of Akita which hundreds of thousands visit each year. This of course is the place where Our Lady of Akita appeared:
You know, Padraig, during Lent we often meditate on how we can imitate Simon of Cyrene who helped carry Jesus' Cross. It seems strange, but somehow fitting, that Jesus would show us a similar compassion, one that He himself inspires. Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Often times I think I find it easier to believe in trying to give love than to accept that I am loveable. But if God loves us , He must do so for some reason. Personally I think I sometimes struggle to understand what that reason is. But loving ourselves is just as important as loving others. We can never fully do the one without the other. A local comedian said about our family one time, 'The only soft thing about the Caughey's is their teeth'. Which is true. Sigmund said about the Irish one time that we are the only race that could not be psychoanalysed. We tend to keep things in , Particularly the men. We can be a hard bitten bunch.
1 John 4:19 19 We love because he first loved us. I noticed something looking at Jesus. His shoulders. He had wounds on them both form carrying the Cross, on the left and the right. But on the left shoulder it was far, far deeper. He must have shifted it from side to side to bear the weight. Padre Pio said the wounds on the shoulder were the worst pain of all. I also noticed how deep red was the blood from the thorns and how thickly they fell. The thorns must have went in very,very deep. Suffering teaches compassion. Jesus is deeply compassionate. He shares our grief. He bore our pains/
Funny how some dogs have it in for squirrels. We had a wire haired dachshund who went crazy for squirrels. I know how you feel, our hearts were broken when our Kyle died, he was a rescue dog and very loyal.
Well I sort of take it on faith that He loves me but He has never directly said it to me. That is for privileged souls I bet.
Not many, if any, around here, but Pit Bulls are (or have been) rather popular. I really dislike that breed. While I do like both dogs and cats generally, I prefer cats ... because a) they don't bark and b) they can entertain themselves.
Yes. I was somewhat taken aback when they decided on this breed because they have four young children. A Rottweiler would not have been my choice, but I am a worrier so there's that. So far she has been good around the kids and very protective, but I find her strength intimidating. I have already announced that I will not be doing any dog sitting because I know Cookie would be walking me.
Thanks Padraig. Thanks for sharing—makes us so much more conscious of our meditations. Tomorrow we are going to visit 3=hours away a niece of my husband with ALS and she is failing. I asked her to accept the Sacrament of the sick and she agreed hoping for a miracle. I do not know if she will go to confession but the very holy priest said to pray for the grace of Repentance and so we are. Please keep Lisa - a nurse in your prayers and thank you to all.She is pretty well bedridden and my sister in law is with her 24/7- awake with her every 2 hours. If you all include her in your prayers it would be so appreciated.
