A blind friend says that since he became blind, he sees things better than ever before. I can understand that. His mind is no longer set on visible distractions, which often tempt us to see, to get, or to do things for selfish reasons. It’s the reason for all advertisements. Without those visual distractions, my friend has become more aware of physical things he might not have perceived were he distracted. He can hear intention in people’s voices, smell and touch in ways he never felt before. And he is aware of God’s spiritual presence as he never had been before. And he is one of the happiest people I know.
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As I drove home from the chapel yesterday, I noticed the small cemetery sign stating: Established in 1826. Next year will be 200 years since that cemetery’s start. The few tombstones I can see from the road are small and not upright, and they sit among a group of large trees. And surrounding those trees on three sides are large houses, or “estates.” I suspect that cemetery is rarely visited but as I pass it I pray for the souls buried there, as I now do when passing any cemetery.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. And may they rest in peace.
Next year, 2026, will be the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding. Fifty years after that founding in 1776, this cemetery which I pass most days was founded. It’s likely that some of the people buried there were alive when our war for independence was fought. They may have had relatives who died in those battles. They were among the early “Go West” settlers. And no one remembers their names.
I think when springtime comes, I will park at a nearby church and walk to that cemetery, and look at those tombstones, and open my eyes to and pray for these forgotten ancestors.
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After the men’s breakfast group meeting early this morning, I walked to a back area of the church basement where a dozen or so men pray the rosary each week. As I walked, I passed an area where there were a few Christmas trees decorated with small white lights. In front of those trees was a small white bench, which could seat a couple of people. It seemed unusual, but then I thought: What a great idea! Not just decorations you pass by and forget, but a spot to sit down, and take some time to reflect. You wouldn’t be reflecting on the beauty of those trees, they were pretty common, but you could reflect on the spiritual meaning of those trees. Christmas, our Savior is born. God is with us. That is much to close your eyes and dwell upon. It’s something not done often enough, I think, but here is a very nice bench to sit down, close your eyes, and do so: Our God is with us.
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The rosary said by the small group of men this morning is a wonderful prayer time. It is serious prayer, said softly, with intention you can perceive as you pray together, most of the men with their eyes closed. There is a smattering of conversation before and after the rosary, but the men don’t walk out of their way to just chit-chat here.
It was after that rosary time, however, that I had another spiritual experience. Walking down the hall alone, a man came up to me and stopped me. “I want to thank you for that book you gave me, My Other Self. It has made a huge difference in my prayer time, and that of my wife who loves it also. Thank you so very, very much.” I don’t recall my response, but I felt a bit struck by his words, because I didn’t know the man or when I gave him the book. I guess it was the week when I brought some for my men’s breakfast group table, but I may have had a couple left over and maybe offered them to that rosary group, and he, not a regular attendee, was there.
I had planned to give that book to men at the breakfast group because some ha said they had little personal relationship with Jesus. I thought that book might help, and one man said it did. That was MY plan for those books. But, as I heard this morning, it seems Jesus had other plans for at least one of those books, and not surprisingly, His plan yielded much better fruit than mine
I didn’t have to see a deep thank you on that man’s face after the rosary this morning. I heard it in his voice, and felt his spirit speaking loudly.
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