Years ago, a friend told me that when a loved one passes away, they remain with us; they stay close by to us and they may even visit us in some way, shape or form.  I smiled and wondered whether this is something shared with me out of hope or out of grief.  Certainly, I have always believed that our dearly departed loved ones indeed remain very much alive, that is, in memory and in our hearts.  Still, because love is so much stronger than hate and love is what keeps memories fresh and forever, there is a part of me that believes that said "visits" may well be true.

 

A few weeks ago on a sunny and pleasant Wednesday, late in the afternoon and after I had returned home from St. Nicholas, I was out pulling weeds from the front yard gardens at home.  In "Martha's Garden" -- named for my Mom -- and right next to the front porch is a beautiful, clematis plant.  Its blooms are a bright and deep purple, that is, aside from one solitary bloom that is always a peculiar, pinkish color.  I call that one, special bloom my 'Mom's flower.'

 

There I was, on my knees pulling out weeds that were trying to hide from me, deeply concealed in the plants and flowers when, out of the sky, came this absolutely beautiful and majestic monarch butterfly.  It was quite large and stunning in color and grace.  And it landed on my right shoulder!  I slowly stood up, looked at it and wondered:  is this one of those visits I was told about?  Is this a "wives' tale" (by the way, why no "husbands' tales?") coming to fruition?  I didn't care.  For those 10 or so seconds the butterfly clung to my shoulder, I breathed in those sacred and cherished memories of my Mom and Dad, how much I miss them but more importantly, the enduring and eternal love we have for one another.  The butterfly eventually lifted off, fluttered into the air and was gone, out of sight but still very much on my mind and in my heart.

 

The next day I called my eldest sister and told her about what had happened.  She was silent for some time.  Finally, she spoke up and told me that on Wednesday, that very same day, while in her kitchen which overlooks her backyard gardens, a large monarch butterfly came to her screen door, landed and stayed there for some time.  She also told me that our youngest sister had a butterfly visit on Wednesday as well.  Coincidence?  Fate?  Could it be as simple as this is the migration season for butterflies?  Or maybe a visit from a divinely special place very much believed in and yet still such a mystery?  You make the call...

 

My friends, what I find valuable in all of this is if we choose to, we can believe.  If belief in such events bring us to a better place in life, why not?  After all, there are many things about our Christian tradition that truly cannot be proven but are believed and embraced.   Miraculous stories and divine occurrences have been written and preached about since Jesus' time here on earth when He saw fit to live as one of us.  We embrace these stories and hold them close.  We believe in them; we celebrate them; and we rejoice in them.  Why can't we believe, celebrate and rejoice in an event like my recent butterfly encounter?  I can and I do.  If that puts me on the fringes then so be it.  That brief encounter with that beautiful and graceful butterfly brought me a happiness that is so rare.  I shall cling to the possibility that a special visit had indeed occurred, that I was granted something so special and unique and that will keep me happy and in a special place for some time to come.   

 

It's all about faith, my sisters and brothers.  Jesus comes to us in the Holy Eucharist which we share at the altar.  We encounter Jesus in one another.  We celebrate at our Liturgy Jesus' presence as we celebrate Jesus found in the company of one another here at St. Nicholas.  Jesus is here.  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.  And while we're at it, keep open the possibility that God graces us with unique blessings that are not to be fully understand and are beyond explanation, yet, are simply meant to be embraced and cherished.    

 

Many Episcopalians and other Christians are finding that a practice called "Centering Prayer" helps them move toward a closer and more meaningful relationship with God. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer and meditation that is grounded in ancient Christian tradition. The practice prepares us to experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.

As it has in years past, the workshop will offer in-depth introductory sessions on Centering Prayer, opportunities for silent contemplation, and a range of other thought-provoking topics for attendees to choose from.   This year's agenda includes sessions on Thomas Merton, Cosmology and Teilhard de Chardin, ways of listening and speaking to the Divine within, the thoughts of Thomas Keating on Archetypes, and more.

All are welcome.

Contact: Jack Lloyd (240-216-4646 or jack.lloyd@earthlink.net)

Complete information is available at http://centeringprayerchicago.org/events/annual-fall-one-day-workshop/, or contact Phil Jackson, jaxon900@aol.com, (847) 778-1022.

 

(***written prayer requests)  

Fresh fruits, veggies, home-made jams, breads and other wonderful things await.  Come and join in the "country fun" at our Village Farmer's Market.