Pentecost is here! We celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. These men and women had locked themselves inside since the Ascension of Jesus, but with the prompting of the Holy Spirit they burst out and start preforming miracles in the street. The early church goes from a few hidden followers of Christ, to a group of people spreading the good news around the world. Interestingly, Pentecost marks the end of the Easter Season, and the beginning of “Ordinary time.” This makes me wonder if the “ordinary” life of the people of the church should be walking through the streets working miracles?
Since yesterdays experiment with the throwing sling went so well, I thought I would try my hunting boomerangs with the kids today. These boomerangs are heavy, non-returning sticks designed by Ben over at Throwsticks. I have been using them since 2017 and really enjoy trying to see how far I can throw them. Normally I throw them and let the kids go pick them up. Today I let them try to throw them.
On tonight’s walk we decided to play a little Canyon Ball. While this is a lot of fun for the kids, I decided to bring along something for my to play with too. I dug out on of my old slings. I started using a sling (think David and Goliath) back when I was sixteen. At one time I was actually very accurate with one. That was years ago, and I haven’t used one regularly for years.
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Traditionally, this would have been celebrated last Thursday (40 days after Easter), but in resent times the observants has been moved to the Sunday before Pentecost. The Ascension must have been a frightening time for those first followers of Christ. Just when they thought that they had Jesus back after he rose on Easter, he leaves them again. Now, seeing him rise on a cloud was probably not as traumatic as seeing him crucified on a cross, but none the less today’s reading leave him standing there staring up into the sky. Next week, we will hear that they spent the next ten days locked inside their house.
Today I tried to build a kinetic sculpture for my kids. I remember seeing pictures from South Africa, where kids build wire car push toys called draadkar. I figured it couldn’t be too hard to make something similar. Classic blunder.
I have posted about our Flemish Giants before. Our beautiful rabbits are still growing, and growing in our hearts. They are larger than our cats, and the four of them are becoming friends. Though each species seems to think the other is strange. Our kids are also becoming “experts” who actively advocate for their furry friends.
Tonight, while on our family walk, we discovered some mutant dandelions. We had the perfect combination of the school not mowing the lawn, and the dandelions going to seed. We noticed the stem of one of the dandelions was actually a fusion of two.
I would like to wish all of the Mother’s of the world, past, present and future, a Happy Mother’s Day. I will say a prayer for you tonight.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
I have always been a tea drinker. At some point in my early twenties I decided that if I was going to be a “tea drinker,” then I should probably move past putting a tea bag in mug.
