My Dad is a retired country veterinarian from northwest Iowa. I have many fond memories of traveling with him while on call across the countryside. The most memorable experiences were watching him “pull a calf,” which means helping the mother cow deliver her baby calf. As the words suggest, the procedure involved a lot of physical work and careful attention to the cow and calf. It wasn’t an easy job since the height of calving season is March — when Iowa farms are cold, wet, and muddy. After the birth, my Dad would often have to clear the afterbirth from the calf and help him or her start breathing. He would even tickle the nose with a piece of straw to cause the calf to sneeze and awaken the senses.
When I read the Gospel reading for today, I was reminded about those times traveling with my Dad to pull a calf. The reading calls for us to become aware of our senses and surroundings — to live.
“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.” (John 5:26)
Wednesday, March 09, 2016
Isaiah 49:8-15
Psalm 145:8-19
John 5:19-29
