My title says it all.
Today was, by far, the quietest family Mass we have had in a long time.
Our son is finally choosing our pew in a spot in the chapel where we (the adults) feel more comfortable – toward the back of the chapel. Sitting amongst us today were other families with little ones. And, the chapel wasn’t quiet.
But, my pew was quiet.
Our son knows, in order to play with friends, he has to participate in Mass. Participation simply means standing when told, occasionally responding to “Lord, hear our prayer,” when we realize he isn’t responding on his own, and getting blessed during Communion. I am a firm believer that the blessings both children receive are also slight exorcisms… I mainly believe that for the placebo effect – because it allows me to face the week ahead with them. They aren’t exceptionally difficult children by any stretch. But, they are children. Which, at times, means they act slightly possessed.
After Communion, our son almost had an epic meltdown. When asked what was wrong, he whined he didn’t see the other four year old, in a much larger family, sitting in front of us. I reasoned with him – reminding him that they aren’t allowed to leave him, and they wouldn’t leave him home alone, any more than we would leave our four year old. Although, there are some days it is a tempting offer…
Thankfully, the dad brought their four year old back to the pew in short order, and everything was again copacetic.
Our son also learned today if he stacked his two children’s bibles on top of each other (okay – one is his, the other is his sister’s), and then adds a missal, he can create a booster seat for himself. I was impressed at his ingenuity.
Lil’ Miss was herself during Mass. She tried to see how far she could stuff a baby wipe in her mouth (think the dangerous “Chubby Bunny” game, except with baby wipes). She tried to do the same with my veil, after ripping it off my head. And, she waved and said “hi” to the two year old sitting behind us – at a pretty quiet part of the Mass. So, all in all, it was a typical Sunday. During the homily, she “took notes” the same way her mom was doing.
So, this week was a relatively low-key, quiet Sunday.
I’m linking up with Rosie over at her My Sunday Best series, which allows bloggers to encourage other women to wear their Sunday best to Mass. We are going to receive Our Lord, and therefore, empower each other to wear a little nicer outfit than we usually do during the middle of the week. It doesn’t have to be a skirt or dress, and doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to remind the wearer that we are receiving Christ – which is a pretty special event in the week! It should be our highlight…
Today’s Mass – the kind in which a mother is able to really pay attention and reflect, makes me wonder if this is the calm before the storm?
Either way, I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I desperately needed today’s Mass. My soul needed the homily. I explore some of (my many) Mass Takeaways over on my Instagram post today.
I want to close with perhaps the strongest message I have heard in a homily in a long time perhaps forever. Something to chew on as we enter this week…
During our homily, our chaplain stated,
The most important decision you make in your life is how you respond to God’s word.
As I mulled over that passage the rest of Mass, I realized – he’s correct. Even the decision to marry comes from how we are responding to God’s word. The decision to create a family depends on how we respond to God’s word. The way we treat and act toward others is reliant on how we respond to God’s word.
So, I encourage all of us to take a moment to consider how we are responding to God’s word as we enter this week.
And, have a beautiful week, dear reader!
I love your post and always enjoy them. When little one’s are acting up in Mass, (as I am past that point in my life now, thank You God) and someone complains my response always is, “We are a Church who supports life.”
I know this will not make you happy, but I love to see how the parent/parents struggle through it. Kind of makes my day with the thought, “Been there done that.” 🙂 Always remember, “Where you are now I once was.” “Where I am now you will one day be.” Have a great rest of the Sunday. God Bless, SR
Awww! Thank you so much for your kind words!
I was recently introduced to the statement, “the days are long, but the years are short.” It really resonated with both my husband and myself. And, is a motivator when there are shenanigans.
Thank you for giving me another way to view those struggles that frequently come with Mass and little ones… I love hearing parishioners who are tolerant of, and embrace (even if they chuckle at the antics) the littles of our Faith.
Blessings to you, and have a beautiful week! 🤗🤗
I always chuckle. In fact it kind of makes my day. I always like to see who is going to come out the winner! 🙂
(Comparative) tranquility! It does happen: occasionally. Two of our kids are more than a bit like me, so serene Mass didn’t always happen. Sounds like a good day.
Haha! It definitely was a good day! A blessing that I really needed. His timing is always perfect… even if I don’t realize it all the time. 🙂
Anni – that is the coolest of cool skirt!!! Glad your children gave you peace (vs. pieces) today. It’s always a blessing to see children @ Mass (even if they’re unruly) – life is a gift! 💜🤗💜
Thank you! It is one of my favorite skirts – Hawaii had them all over the place, but the Mainland doesn’t. Had I known I’d have trouble finding more, I would have stocked up! 😉
And, thank you for the kind words – I love knowing little ones are accepted and embraced, even when they are being themselves!
Thank you for sharing your Mass takeaway. I really enjoy the peek into what other messages of truth and hope are being shared around the country. Now I need to do some reflecting on how I’m choosing to listen to God’s word… 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! It is always nice to hear the similarities and where things differed. A couple weeks ago, as I read others’ takeaways, I was sitting there wondering if there was a stockpile of themes out there somewhere, and that day’s readings only had one theme? 😂 I figure that’s what they all learn in Seminary!
Haha. They act possessed. Isn’t that the truth!
I’m glad someone picked up on that!! 😂
Love the pattern of your top! And I totally think of blessings as mini-ecorcisms, too 😂 I always hope that baptism will make my babies sleep better! Never works, though 😉
Hahaha!! I am so glad I am not the only one who sees blessings as such… and, love how you go optimistically to Baptism prayerfully hoping it helps them sleep through the night! You’ll have to let me know if it ever does… 🙂
This top was a true treasure of a find!
Thanks for sharing! I love that quote by your chaplain…it’s also a reminder that we should actually be reading God’s Word – not just during Mass! I really need to work on that…
Me, too!! I’m starting small, though… a couple mornings a week – if I get up before the kids!