... for Lent to be so glorious?
It's sunny. The temperature is in the mid-seventies. The lemon and orange trees are laden with glowing ripe fruits. The bells of stately St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church are pealing out O Sacred Head Now Wounded. The purple-red magnolia in the front yard is exploding with blossoms, perfuming the air with the natural incense of creation's glory, a fragrant offering unto the Lord which we are invited (and enticed) to share.
I just had lunch with my dear wife in our cozy kitchen, taking lessons in relaxation from our four expert feline instructors who were taking turns basking in the sunshine beaming through the open window. While our son played, we sipped sweet pungent espresso from simple white demi-tasses with saucers. We read aloud passages from a beloved book. When lunch was concluded, I ambled back to Salem in the sunshine, inhaling the intoxicating aromas, beholding the vernal imagery, and indulging in the euphony of church bells which chanted the ancient hymn with haunting melancholy and perfect pitch. I am now preparing for Latin class with my eighth graders - who continue to astound me with their abilities.
Even in the penitential seasons, our merciful Lord gives us imperfect and brief glimpses into the Paradise that is promised to be restored among us again.
Monday, February 25, 2008
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4 comments:
No sin indeed, especially when the old daily Masses are full of joy, restrained joy, perhaps LSB would call it "penitential joy," whatever that might be.
Plus we get to celebrate a new reincarnation of "The Bride of Christ" it seems!
Waaa! I want to be there!
Brian,
There is no joy in this world greater than penitence, for it brings with it the joy of heaven and the angels (just having taught on Luke 15 today at school...)
Indeed Fr. Weedon. "Repentent joy" sounds wierd. Somehow, I'm not quite sure that's what the hymnal means, though I'm probably wrong. Maybe that's a phrase meant for an article in a new Bride of Christ (Fr. Vieker should write it, then someone could write a rebuttal perhaps).
My dear brother, up in the northlands we are experiencing a frozen white penitence like you wouldn't believe. It has been a long time since I have seen this much snow, and yet, this climate fits just as nicely as yours. There is nothing like being all snug and warm inside with a nice cup of hot chocolate while the pure whiteness overwhelms everything. Truly our Father chooses wonderful ways to make His glory known. All we can do in that glory is turn with penitent hearts and give thanks for His mercies which are new every morning.
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