The World Reconciled

This summer has been the most beautiful summer I can remember in a very long time. Yes, we have had our share of 90+ degree days; yet the sun seems to be always shining. As we gravitate towards the end of August, the sunny days have tempered. They are slowly becoming shorter, and the heat is diminished. Yet, the sun lingers on and we are hard-pressed to find rain. In fact, some of our trees have begun to turn, and ferns are withering when they should be green, still.





I love the quiet. In the midst of busy days, frustrating events, and seemingly impossible problems, I love the quiet. It helps to center my world, and what is important. What needs to be important. Not my trials, not my tribulations, not my sufferings. As St. Bernard asked our Lord which of his wounds was his greatest suffering. Our Lord answered. . . .

Lately, I have been enjoying a program on EWTN called "Parable". Each week, retreatants gather at the Most Blessed Sacrament Friary in Newark, NJ to discuss the parables of Jesus. Please catch it if you can; the insights are wonderful.

At the end of each segment, St. Birgitta of Sweden tells us:

"The Virgin Mother says: 'You must have five inward things and five outward things.

First, outward things. . . a mouth clean of all detraction, ears closed to idle talk, modest eyes, hands busy with good works, and withdrawal from the world's way of life.

Inwardly, you must have five things. . . namely, a fervent love for God, a wise longing for Him, the distribution of your temporal goods with a just and right intention and in a rational way, humble flight from the world, and a long-suffering and patient expectation of his promises.' "

Whenever and wherever I walk this summer, the air is warm and soft. I will be loathe to give this up come Autumn, but the seasons have their time.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us (845) . . . "The Church is "the world reconciled". She is that bark which "in the full sail of the Lord's cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world."

Whether the air be soft and warm, or bitingly cold, I will welcome it. And I will be quiet.