DAWN’S LIGHT

As the devotional light of dawn touched my shoulder, I remembered them.  In silence, amidst a flickering candle, they reminded me of their continued presence.  Agnes, my Irish Catholic clinical supervisor.  The late Owen T., a grandfather figure who mentored me.  Kimberly and Karen, my patient counselors.  The gentle monk at the monastery.  Only through God’s grace, certainly not by coincidence, they were placed before me, the right place – the right time.  Their wisdom and counsel unfolded in my life, like yeast folding into dough.  Each soul, offering unmerited gifts of love and acceptance, maps toward growth and a way forward.  How is it, apart from time and place, such crusty saints, are still mysteriously present, like angels, dwelling among us when we need them?

The text of an ancient story notes:  “The word of the Lord was rare in those days: visions were not widespread” (1 Samuel 3:2).  Despite losing his sight, the wise old Eli is able to perceive that “the Lord was calling the boy” (3:8).  Words and images are not rare in our day, just glance at Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  And despite all the fret and noise they create, we still hunger and long for something sacred.  We yearn for a word to impart meaning, invite hope, or even provide a nugget of joy.  Substantial words which can satisfy the groan of spiritual hungers.  Providential words from people who mysteriously are placed along our paths.   

I can only hope, amidst all my shortcomings, failures, doubts and disappointments, the Christ has and will use me in such a way to be sacramentally influential.   I desire to be a humble soul, of goodness and gentle presence, where my spirit may impart a divine word, to become of constant glow in a person’s life.  When someone lights their candle, I pray to be remembered by them, with such gratitude.