Craft for today's Gospel - :Behold, the Lamb of God"

Gospel Jn 1:29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

Last week read  Matthew's version of this Gospel and we did a bunch of Dove crafting and discussed why would Jesus need baptism if he is without sin and the significance of water.  Today, we focused on the Lamb.


Behold the Lamb of God-“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29b. They are spoken every time we attend Mass when the priest holds up the Sacred Host.

We went back to the old testament and the lamb's blood over the doors during Passover, what's the significance?   ...And lambs we know....

You don't need many supplies, just yarn, cardboard, scissor and a black marker or crayon.  

Make the body of your lamb. Be sure to color both sides of the head. 

Oh and cut out two legs and color.  Wrap your lamb and simply tuck in the legs. 

Fred got very creative! Sunglasses for his lamb!

They had so much fun a couple of them wanted to bring yarn home and make a flock.  Yes!

Getting gardens ready, mint and today's reading

Dude brought in the big guns to help me with my smaller kitchen gardens. I was so grateful for his help. 

 I found our old garden arches for our grapes to grow up and support. 

I am going to work on this peach "stick" that the dog gnawed at when a pup.  There are new growth shoots at the bottom so I am hopeful. 

Before we moved to the homestead we took down and brought our old wooden fence with us.  The winds picked up so we just laid them out for today. 

Our mint is always the first thing in our garden to show off how well it does here. I love the stuff. 

We celebrated the beginning of spring with a water of lemon and mint. I will have many of these this week. 

Next I got the Quinoa out to make tabbouleh for Meatless Monday. Quinoa is a grain full of protein. 

It is delicious and uses great herbs that easy to grow... parsley, basil and of course, mint! Looking at the picture, I think I need to add a little goat cheese.

I later got ready mailed a few squares for a yarnbomb project in Virginia. I wish I had more but I was only able to get four finished. 

Today's reading John 15: 1-8

Today's reading, like so many, are relatable on the homestead. 

Gospel  

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

It is so hard to prune when a plant appears to be doing so well and full of life but if we don't it won't grow full and beautiful the next year.  It is often hard to let go of our way of thinking and the material world  to the way of God but once we do the results are beautiful. 

We ended the day with a walk.  The dog is behaving more (well, except for when a butterfly flew in front of us and he took off after it).  It was windy and overcast but we had company with a hawk who followed us. 

We hope you had time to rest today. You deserve it. 

peace 

Sunday funday - gardens, walk, crafts and sewing

We work so hard during the week.  It is always hurry-up here and gotta-go here and work, work, work. 

Today we made no appointment and had no plans. It is definitely time to breathe and enjoy the day given to us as a gift.

We had a wonderful day this morning. On spur of the moment we went to an early morning movie and used a card someone gave us. The early movies are $5 a piece - YAY.  We saw Murder on the Orient Express.  The scenery is amazing.  I love a good murder mystery. 

Then home to the gardens to make a few salads. Isn't our winter garden nice? I want it to be much more, though.  Beets, 3 or more kinds of lettuces, radishes, spinach, parsley, cilantro, carrots, and more.

I am excited to plant these greens to see how they taste. 

After the garden we took a walk. The weather was beautiful today.  It was in the 50's. 

Norman is doing very well with his training. Something changed this week and he has matured.

A few of the animals joined us but then gave up quickly. 

After a few sniffs we worked our way back home. 

Dude finished up a few more marshmallow guns. These use mini marshmallows and you can't help but laugh when you play with them. 

Three o'clock came quickly.  I took a nap. I am one of those people that can fall asleep hard and in 15 minutes be back up again.  I made an afternoon cup of coffee (I have been back drinking tea again...love the stuff) and got to sewing. I finished the apron dress I started yesterday.   Dude settled in with a western movie before the football game begins. 

Advent will begin soon with all the wonderful stories of Noah and the Ark.   So I got out my Noah quilt book and began to trace. I can't wait to show you which one I am making.  I also have a son whose name is Noah. He, too, has an amazing story of survival. 

Ending the evening with today's reading:

GOSPEL
Matthew 25:1–13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Time to read.  I need to finish this book. I am enjoying  it but it's due back to the library. 

peace