Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A little of this, and a little of that…

The end of an old year and the beginning of a new one always bring on the reflections no matter who you are or where. Someone or something will be the trigger that causes recall. Some things change, some things must not and some things will be entirely one of a kind. The first is welcome because we all need the sloughing that refreshes that which already exists. That which must not change is our foundation, our anchor, our springboard: our values. The entirely new is sometimes welcome and sometimes not: the as yet un-encountered that will change us and shape us. Because that is what all experience does. What could it be? Not even the stars can tell!

And now for some inconsequential chatter:

Our church dog, once spry and frisky now old and arthritic, awoke at the Consecration and made her way to the altar where she sat in quiet contemplation. Neither priest nor server was disturbed. The incident brought a smile to my lips at that solemn moment, for God is present to all of his creation and this was a reminder (though many would not agree!). The sacristan had a more prosaic explanation: the marble floor was cold, the sanctuary was warmly carpeted. Considering that our resident canine has never missed first Mass and has never disturbed the service except for the one occasion when she barked in the middle of a particularly long and boring sermon, I beg to differ.

The mornings now are nippy and everyone comes to Mass snugly wrapped up. I am warmed by the sudden and quirky grins with which we greet each other; our unaccustomed extra attire invites comment not always complimentary. On the way home I see a policeman, head turbaned with his muffler, striding off duty. I give him a smile and am met with a quizzical glance. Our constabulary has yet to learn that greeting senior citizens is the courteous and kind thing to do. Here’s something that certainly needs to change.

Speaking of change: as we grapple with the new Roman Missal, we have been roused out of apathetic acceptance to enter into dialogue (sometimes acrimonious) about the pros and cons. Upheaval was expected and, when all is done and dusted and shaken out, I do hope that we will have a rendering of the liturgy that is eloquent and enjoyable as all conversations with God should be. I listen to the music of the new Mass on my computer and experience an uplift of the spirit. The composer is Fr. Dan Schutte, an inspired Jesuit and one of my favourites. No argument here – the music is beautiful, glorious and ‘singable’!

The biggest change that I will need to face is the absence of my dearest friend and partner. But he is not wholly absent for I can feel his encouragement – and exasperation! – in all that I do: encouragement because that is the way he was, and exasperation because, thanks to chronic impulsiveness, I tend to jump in where angels dare not tread. But then again, who knows? Maybe we need to blaze the trail and angels will follow. Now there’s a radical thought!

For you, may the year ahead be as good as it can get: may all the changes be comfortable,may new challenges be surmountable,and may you always have enough love, laughter and courage to face each day.

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