CISTERCIAN WOODS - December 7, 2002

December 7, 2002: St. Ambrose

Ten members of a Limerick prayer group have arrived for the weekend and a group of 60 Legion of Mary people are in for Mass and a bit of a party. Busy spot tonight.

St. Ambrose was elected bishop by the people before he was even baptised. Fergus thinks that all bishops should be elected by acclamation.  He has a point but then look at the politicians we elect. Most of our bishops, though not star performers, are essentially men of integrity.

At communion we sang Cead Mile Failte, reminding me of Maura and Rosaleen’s singing of it at her funeral. This time it brought a smile of comfort.

Fergus went away after breakfast. 

***

When the Lord has given you the bread of suffering

And the water of distress,

He who is your teacher will hide no longer,

And you will see your teacher with your own eyes

(Isaiah 30, 20)

***

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.

What is essential is invisible to the eye

(A. St. Exupery, The Little Prince)

***

Console my people, console them.

Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her

That her time of service is ended

And her sin is atoned for.

(Isaiah)

Walked with Carmel for an hour around the country roads and on our way back met Michael McEgan who had just arrived to  join the group from Limerick.

At 11.00 Br. Dominic brought me on a tour of monastery. For such an old building it’s in great shape and the library is just beautiful. It was built 120 years ago - not so old, I suppose, as monasteries go.

The emblem of the monastery is the eagle. The eagle that flies to the highest heaven facing directly into the sun. If I’m to become an eagle then that’s what I must learn to do.

The time is flying by.