Sunday, July 20, 2014

Dear God,

The sight of people walking toward the church warms my heart.  These are not perfect people; yet, they have a sense of the divine.  They want to be with you in the very heart of the community of faith you created so long ago.  I love when greeters open the door and warmly welcome pilgrims to the house of the Lord.  I love St. Malachy Church who leaves the lights dim and the sanctuary quiet where sinners and saints alike bow to the altar, step into the pew, kneel at the prayer rail, and then pray silently.  I love when the lights come up and the music begins.  Worship is paradise to the faithful!

The service opened with a nun who shared a bit about her Franciscan ministry.  She lives in Oldenburg at the very monastery where my favorite Carmelite sisters reside.  I couldn't wait to visit with her at the end of the service to ask about them.  I told her to give them my love and to tell them Sister Andrea of the Dancing God sent her best, a name they gave me years ago when I stayed with them a few days while I wrote a devotional. I love the name because I do liturgical, spiritual dance and particularly during high, holy moments I see you and I dancing among the planets, the stars, and the skies.

As I was kneeling in prayer following communion someone joined me at my kneeling bench and I looked over to see a friend whom I had not seen for a long time.  We hugged at the bench and then after the service I visited with him and his mother.

Once I got back on the road toward home, I hummed one of the hymns and I smiled real big because I knew I had seen you this morning.

Blessed God,
take my praise
and my love.
You are God,
a marvelous God,
whose intention
is to bless
every child.
Thank you,
thank you,
thank you.

Love always, Andrea