ann kiemel

hans urs von balthasar:

"i say to you, blessed is he who

exposes himself to an existence never

brought under mastery.

who does not transcend, but rather

abandons himself to God's ever-transcending

grace. blessed are not the enlightened whose

every question has been answered and are de-

lighted with their own sublime insight.

blessed, rather, are the harassed who must

daily stand before enigmas and cannot

solve them. woe to the rich. although nothing

is impossible with God, it is difficult for the

Spirit to move their fat hearts.

the poor are willing and easy to direct.

they do not take their eyes off their

Master's hand to see if He may throw

them a morsel from His plate. so careful

do the poor follow His promptings.

God's grace is unpretentious, but

the poor are satisfied with little gifts."

i've been spending

much time among the poor

since will died. i love this

quote from someone i don't know:

we have walked together

in the shadow of a

rainbow.

it's been hard,

and i can tell you

only a few have stood by

my children and me.

BUT HOW BLESSED ARE THOSE FEW!!!

those who have helped us

have taught me things i never

could have learned any other way.

i kiss every check. and my children

have learned to love giving because

we know the thrill of receiving.

wave your flags.

paint the sky red.

dance in the street.

grab a hand and squeeze it.

smile in every face God 's beautifully

created.

Jesus makes a way.

did you hear me?

HE MAKES A WAY.

give, and you will receive.

God promises.

if you are afraid today.

cannot see any way through.

keep your eyes on the Master's hand.

and sing! yes, SING!''

music is bursting through every

fresh, new flower. listen. and

join the choir. and feel the warmth

of my hand in yours. you have written

love all over the walls of my life. oh,

how i love you all!

" Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

he who seeks finds;

and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread,

will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish

will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven

give good gifts to those who ask Him!

So in everything, do to others

what you would have them do to you,

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

~Matthew 7:7-12 (NIV)

"Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and your would will delight in the richest of fare."

~Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)