Today was the third week that +Jane and I have celebrated Eucharist outdoors, in the back garden of the motherhouse. For two weeks Br. Larry+ was with us ( a great treat). Today we were alone. That is not quite true. Four pugs frolicked the whole time, weaving their way as a playful pack between the ferns and the flowers—rolling over again and again on the moist grass. For three weeks the sun has kindly shone upon us.
I am filled with gratefulness. Early this morning (like, 3:00 am) we drove Cadi and James to the airport. We have had a wonderful four days, not doing much at all. Conversing, walking, eating, drinking, a little exercise and eating and drinking again.
Eucharist is simple thanksgiving. It is the often reminder that life is good. ¡La vida es buena! Eucharist is close to mindfulness, awareness—an “in-tuneness” with creation, with the divine in all that is.
My social and political commitments make me what some people call a progressive. Progressive types tend toward guilt. It is often guilt for the many good things we enjoy while many in the world do not. Most of my progressive friends face a frequent inner conflict. We work on our conflicted Existenz through some kind of activism or social concern or worthy project—trying to put something back for all we have taken out. That is not a bad thing to do.
Yet, Eucharist recalls us to gratefulness. Simple, profound thanksgiving for life, for Goodness, for all.
+Ab. Andy