Boxes

I went to an "Evening of Rest" at a Baptist Church this evening.  (I was invited by a member.)  There were many homeschoolers there, and I really felt a "sisterhood" on that front.

When I first arrived, a meal was served, and I had very huge potato (that's the only size they had :-)) and some green been salad and a fruit cup -- not really a "small" meal.  The woman sitting next to me said, "oh, I see you're not eating much."  I said, "well, I'm not eating meat today."

Though the ladies at the table were polite, I sensed that it was noticed.

Then there were people who shared their testimonies, and one of them said that as her father lay dying from ALS (Lou Gerhig's disease) they were all listening to Scripture on a cassette tape -- a devotional that her parents had kept their whole lives.  They would listen to Scripture in order, but in no set time limit -- so in that sense there was a "randomness" to it.

The morning before her father died, Psalm 116 came on.  She said, "does anyone here know Psalm 116"  I piped up and said, "Precious in the sight of the Lord. . ."  She finished, "is the death of his Saints."  That was exactly what she needed at that time.  It was very moving.

I noticed after that, though, the ladies at the table opened up and took a little more interest in me -- like "oh, she's one of us."  

I admit I find that appealing to the part of me that doesn't like being put in a box.   But, putting pride aside, Bishop Chaput once said that the Scriptures are so powerful that they can change lives even without the benefit of the context of the Sacraments.  

That was just a little gift from God!  I felt like St. Josph Cupertino, who knew only one Scripture thoroughly (he wasn't very bright) and when it came to be tested on Scripture, that was the one he was asked about -- and he aced the test!

I should say a quick little prayer for Penn  that he may read the Psalms he was given.  Psalm 116 is quoted at the beginning of the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ.

 ¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the LORD 
       is the death of his saints.

 ¹⁶ O LORD, truly I am your servant; 
       I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
       you have freed me from my chains.