This is Life!: Revolutions Around the Cruciform Axis

The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost: The Healy Family Worships Together Once Again

Some wonderful developments worthy of thanksgiving. Though the week began rather dismally with a tooth that went bad followed by a root canal on Monday, it ended with Anna (with no prompting by me, mind you) saying that we should all go to worship together today.

Of course, that hinges on Sofie having a good night. If Mommy and Daddy are up every hour or hour and a half, or if Sofie doesn't sleep well, getting to the Liturgy can be a nightmare. But Sofie did great--and her parents got some good rest--so we dressed her in her frilly pink dress (courtesy of Grandma Micki--Clifton's mom), pink tights, and white satin shoes with satin bows for tiestrings. How much more little girl can you get, huh? She was precious.

This time Sofie stayed awake through almost all of the service (though she napped during Holy Communion). She got hungry and fussy as it came time for the Gospel. I wasn't sure of the protocol, so I encouraged Anna to stay till the Gospel had been sung, but Sofie wasn't having that, so as Father sung the last verse or two, Anna slipped out to nurse.

Thankfully, she came back just as Father was processing with the Gifts and, as is our parish custom, blessing all the children with the Chalice. Sofie, duly blessed, and Momma rejoined me in the pew and we continued worshipping.

It was neat to see Sofie so attentive during the Liturgy. I held her during the Trisagion, and since my sinuses made my throat a little raw, I was singing in the basement. The rumble of my voice in my chest, against which I was holding her, combined with the strange surroundings, held her quiet attention. I also held her while reciting the Creed, and couldn't help but thinking, there we were as a family (and a congregation), preaching the Gospel to my daughter.

Because Anna left right at the end of the Gospel, she missed some parts of the sermon, though she heard a lot of it over the speakers in the nursery. After the service, she told me that she'd heard enough of it that she wanted to hear the rest, and asked that I get a copy of the sermon (which I requested).

She also allowed me to "con" her into staying for Sunday School (a first today!), and again heard a lot that sparked her interest. And yes, I'll be getting the copy of that, too!

I have offered my petitions to God about our home and the ancient Faith. I have also asked the intercession of our Blessed Lady, and my patrons, Benedict of Nursia and Seraphim of Platina. Praise God for today!