Exhaling

“Andrew Rublev painted this icon not only to share the fruits of his own meditation on the mystery of the Holy Trinity but also to offer his fellow monks a way to keep their hearts centered in God while living in the midst of political unrest. The more we look at this holy image with the eyes of faith, the more we come to realize that it is painted not as a lovely decoration for a convent church, nor as a helpful explanation of a difficult doctrine, but as a holy place to enter and stay within. As we place ourselves in front of the icon in prayer, we come to experience a gentle invitation to participate in the intimate conversation that is taking place among the three divine angels and to join them around the table. The movement from the Father toward the Son and the movement of both Son and Spirit toward the Father become a movement in which the one who prays is lifted up and held secure. . . .

“Through the contemplation of this icon we come to see with our inner eyes that all engagements in this world can bear fruit only when they take place within this divine circle. The words of the psalm, “The sparrow has found its home at last. . . . Happy are those who live in your house” (Ps 84: 3,4) are given new depth and new breadth; they become words revealing the possibility of being in thee world without being of it. We can be involved in struggles for justice and in actions for peace. We can be part of the ambiguities of family and community life. We can study, teach, write and hold a regular job. We can do all of this without ever having to leave the house of love. . . . Rublev’s icon gives us a glimpse of the house of perfect love”

-Henri Nouwen

Be inspired to take up this beaded weapon.

(I tried to post this yesterday, but … uncooperative computer!)

In the silence of our night

You whisper syllables of light…

Lord, make us Easter people. Transform us by Your Light, Your Light which rises out of our very darkness.

To avoid repeating myself, I’ll refer you here .

The Voice of the Word is silent.

The Light of the World burns in darkness.

All is found in emptiness.

Poured out utterly for Love, we at last possess All.

My father passed  away very suddenly over the weekend, and it has been a whirlwind of activity and tears and out-of-town relatives.

It began with a police officer in our driveway to tell us there had been a “medical emergency” (he declined to give me a status, but my gut read his grave manner), a frantic drive to the hospital (while praying over and over, “I don’t know what I’m walking into, but I know that nothing happens today that You haven’t planned. I trust in You.”), taking my mother in to see the body, and then the many phone calls to let everyone know, the children gathering to grieve. As so many at the hospital said to us, “This way is easy for the deceased, but most difficult for those who are left behind.” Es verdad.

It has been difficult for all of us, especially his 21 grandchildren, who will miss “Papa.”

We buried my dad yesterday and are just now finding our equilibrium; it will be some days before we resume our routine here. In the interim, we are eternally grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers that so many have already sent our way, and for all that we do not know about.

May God repay you as only He can.