Wednesday, February 09, 2005
"Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening'"
The jingle of dog tags, and sleep ebbed away, and it was time to get up, and let the pet out the back door. Five-forty and territory marked, all was secure in the backyard. And the line from 1 Samuel 3 came to mind, after a good sleep. And I'm listening, Lord. I'm ready.
And so the annual retreat begins, calm and peaceful except for a little cat-and-child play in the bathroom this morning (and a bit of parental displeasure quickly remedied by eager assistance with trash gathering).
And thank heaven there was no blow-up at 8:15 Mass like last year. And now the pastor's home from the hospital, and our sixth funeral in six days should close out our ministry to the dying for a few days, at least.
And hearts around the world take those first steps toward Jerusalem. Thorny crowns, crosses, and Passion ahead, but today, just a few ashes. A light burden.
