"Pray, Pray, Pray" by Phil Russell
“Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom Ian pleased, upon whom I have I have put my Spirit.” Isaiah 41:1-7
Piety
“Look graciously, O Lord, upon the sacred mysteries we celebrate here, and may what you have mercifully provided to cancel the judgment we incurred bear for us fruit in eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Prayer over the Offerings)
Study
“The Lord is my Light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27
Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany. To Martha, Lazarus, and Mary. We know the story well. Martha served. Lazarus reclines at Table. And Mary anoints the feet of Jesus. Judas quibbles over the cost. The crowd wants to see Jesus, but they also want to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. The Chief Priests plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, too. (John 11:1-11)
Let the Holy Week begin. Here I am at the point of “Holy Week” another Lent.
In Lent 1998. 3-11-98. My youngest son, Michael, drew a picture for me. He depicted Daniel in the Lion’s Den. There was an exhortation to me, almost prophetic. Inscribed Michael says to me:
“Pray, Pray, Pray
Are you troubled again? Talk to him.
Every day Pray, Pray, Pray.
What did Daniel do when he was in the Lion’s Den?
He prayed, prayed, prayed.”
On September 11, 2001. As I watched the horror of that day unfold. All I could do was pray today’s Psalm 27. Over and over, I prayed it like a mantra. I prayed, overwhelmed. Michael was nearby in elementary school. My older two children were in College, one in Charlottesville and the other in Florida. I couldn’t reach either one. All I could do was “Pray, Pray, Pray” (Psalm 27).
Action
“Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27
Study of the Environment: I will be praying that Psalm again, today. But not at Mass. Today I will be praying Psalm 23 (Shepherd Me O God).
You see, Michael, passed onto Eternal Life, this Lent 2018, at the age of just a month short of 28. Today we will be Celebrating Mass of Christian Burial.
What did I learn, this Lent? What did I do? I came much closer to Jesus.
Remember “Jesus wept.” My tears were and are my Lenten offering.
The Holy Spirit spoke sincerely to me in my own “Lion’s Den.” “Weep and pray.” So, what did I do?
I, Prayed. Prayed. Prayed.
It’s still a Holy Week. I will probably weep the Triduum differently.
But I have my resolve.
“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation. Wait for the Lord with courage, be stouthearted and wait for the Lord.”
I pray those Offering Prayer words: “Jesus...Bear for us fruit in Eternal Life.” Amen. Amen. Amen.
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As Holy Week begins, please join members of the 135th Men's weekend held last October 2017, and our extended Arlington Cursillo Christian Community in supporting M135 Rector ("I AM With You Always") Phil Russell and his family.
Phil and Jeanne Russell, their surviving children Anna and Andrew, their granddaughter Scarlett Rose, and Michael's life-partner Kaitlin Hasert will welcome their extended family, friends and Cursillistas this Monday, March 26th to celebrate the love and the life of their son and brother.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182. The Arlington Cursillo musicians, led by M135 Troubador Evan Godwin, will provide a musical prelude at 9:30am followed by Mass at 10am. Lunch will be served by the OLGC Women’s Group in DeSales Hall, following Mass for those who can attend.
In addition to the worthy causes in the obituary below, Phil requests only your presence, prayers, and joyful singing at mass on Monday as the most fitting tribute to honor Michael's memory and support the family during this difficult time. If you can not attend, Phil would love to hear from you whenever you are able to reach out.
Phil and Jeanne Russell, their surviving children Anna and Andrew, their granddaughter Scarlett Rose, and Michael's life-partner Kaitlin Hasert will welcome their extended family, friends and Cursillistas this Monday, March 26th to celebrate the love and the life of their son and brother.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Roman Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182. The Arlington Cursillo musicians, led by M135 Troubador Evan Godwin, will provide a musical prelude at 9:30am followed by Mass at 10am. Lunch will be served by the OLGC Women’s Group in DeSales Hall, following Mass for those who can attend.
In addition to the worthy causes in the obituary below, Phil requests only your presence, prayers, and joyful singing at mass on Monday as the most fitting tribute to honor Michael's memory and support the family during this difficult time. If you can not attend, Phil would love to hear from you whenever you are able to reach out.
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