My first conscious thought this morning was that the sun was shining and how good it was to see the sun, which has been hidden since before Sandy. I took a long, comfortable breath and was aware of a deep but gentle sadness... and an overwhelming desire to paint something beautiful.
I feel sad but not despairing. Angry but not raging. I think Christians in this country already know that our nation has long been on the slippery slope. This stunning, painful blow is a gift wrapped in the ugliest packaging. A wake up and renewed call to sanctity. Perhaps these are the first steps into an age of martyrdom in America, certainly white martyrdom... maybe someday red. A woman at church spoke yesterday of her native Russia and the American incumbent. "I have lived through Communism. I know it when I see it." We cannot, apparently, change the government, but we can work as Sts. Peter and Paul did until our time is up.
I turned on my computer and found that many others were being led in the same spirit. Being called to redirect their hearts and actions to a higher and more focused purpose. What a gift it is when we can see our areas of weakness and shallowness with clarity so that we might dig deeper and love more.
In the very first post I came across, I read a mama's admission that she has somewhat watered down her writings about the faith for the sake of reader appeal. I understand. I have done that. Then she wrote about how this approach can no longer be. She is called to a substantive witness to the Gospel of Christ. She was called to paint something beautiful, just like I was. It's just another call to conversion and an astonishing gift of mercy.
I kept searching and reading and reading and nodding and nodding at what I read...
America did get what she asked for. Her people were heard loud and clear. It's a time for action. A time for radical love. A time to fulfill our Christian mission and the purpose of our lives. It is disappointing to the utmost to see history doomed to repeat itself in our once great nation. A Cleveland priest calls for repentance on Facebook. A Requiem for a Nation. Beer, bullets, and a bus ticket to Texas.
I started to laugh a little. It's still sunny outside. The most beautiful image in the house is the one of the Crucifixion on the wall. The days coming will not be comfortable for those who cherish life and liberty. But it will bring forth a mighty, mighty Eastertide.
Let's work and pray tirelessly for justice, peace, and freedom of body and soul... and paint something beautiful for God. Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us.
Today's perfectly timed reading:
Philippians 2: 12-18
| 12 | Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; |
| 13 | for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. |
| 14 | Do all things without grumbling or questioning, |
| 15 | that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, |
| 16 | holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. |
| 17 | Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. |
| 18 | Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. |
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