Open eyes are not confirmatory of life. Frequently, the eyes of corpses have to be actively closed by a person attending the body, for obvious aesthetic reasons. In modern society, death has become sanitised and distanced from the experiences of many ordinary people. I don't think this abandonment of reality is a good thing.
Forgive me for saying so, but even that Cardinal Marx's face is an occasion of sin-it fills me with a strong temptation to punch it!
Interesting. I have been considering the odd fact that many of the traditional 'wing' of the Church have quite saintly faces (e.g. Bishop Schneider, Cardinals Muller and Burke) whereas the opposite seems to be true just as frequently (especially Cardinal Coccopalmerio!). Perhaps it's true that, after the age of 40, we have the faces that we deserve (which, in my own case, is quite a worrying thought).
I have seen people in the past who hated the Pope the Church come around and be true devotees. Usually after a loved one has passed. It gives me hope for my family
I hope they do Agnes rose. My experience has not been good in that regard and we are going through it now with my MIL who is failing. Heap on the love and kindness and let God handle it is my take on it.
Remember that parable of the workers who worked all day grumbling because those workers who were hired at the end of the day received the same wages.
I think we would all be ecstatic to see them receive the same wages. I keep hoping that we will visit and see a change in her. I am praying for her but it is God's mercy and grace that will win the day.
That is all we can do. I have to trust in God and pray. I have one not baptised grandchild and my kids are away from the Church. They know my faith and never question it. I put in my nudges of go to Church, turn to God in everything and i do push the rosary but its in Gods hands only. Not mine. But i did read about a St Padre Pio Miracle the other day of a Woman who placed a small picture of Padre Pio in her husband's pillowcase. He soon went to confession and back to Church. My prayers for your needs on this beautiful St. Joseph's day
Likewise, Agnes Rose. Miracles of Divine Grace happen more frequently than we know and I know they are not on my time!
St.Pio goes everywhere with me. I keep his prayer card, that contains a little relic, in my wallet; brings me comfort to see it. Sadly, my daughters were not married in the church, so my dream of church weddings never materialized. Thankfully though, my grandchildren were all baptized. I am holding out hope that my son will step up to the plate and have the church wedding, but I do have my doubts.
