I will be late for evening prayer! But I will post this item quickly, then meditate on these words from Jesus to God.
More odds and ends from these days:
At Maryknoll, a welcome back to Michael, one of the students from the United States who studied here in February and March. He has returned to volunteer with the Maryknoll community. We are glad to have him here again. Also, a presentation this morning with Señora Kitty on the culture of the llanos of Bolivia, which comprise more than 60 percent of the terrain of the country to the north and east toward Brazil, and almost half of the population. Many sights and sounds and flavors to enkindle our hearts and enchant our souls. And I forgot the sports report in yesterday’s post: Grace and I bested Brother Scott and Joshua in our Scrabble rematch, with a great assist from Profesora Karla. Tomorrow: a trip to the archaeological museum in the city center.
At Nuestra Casa: a postponement of our next art project, working with watercolors using the primary colors in wet and dry media, until we get watercolor paper of good quality. I spent some time helping one of the younger girls with her mathematics homework until she lay her head to rest on the table, signaling that she wanted a siesta, at least from this activity.
There is a Franciscan friar staying at Convento San Francisco while he leads a retreat for several contemplative orders of women religious, including the Capuchin Poor Clares who live in Cochabamba within blocks of the friars. He is Padre Carmelo, namesake of the diabolical dog who is our most unlikely, ahem, mascot. Carmelo the canine was named by Padre Kasper for Carmelo the human, because the pup, who I guess is something like a variety of the Highland Terrier, reminded him of his brother’s long flowing mane. I asked Padre Carmelo if he was both flattered by the comparison and enamored with his namesake. No comment on either count.
Off now to the church for evening prayer and Eucharist. Yesterday we began a novena, or nine-day vigil, in honor of the great Franciscan preacher and teacher of the faith, Saint Anthony of Padua. Following communion, the people recite a prayer seeking the patronage of their heavenly Franciscan intercessor, who has become synonymous with miracle-making. I would caution you not to think of the suspension of the laws of nature and physics when you contemplate miracles; rather, I would invite you to think of a superabundance of grace operating upon and within nature to bring about powerful displays of the Creator’s healing and sustaining power. The words we pray in honor of this powerful friend of God refer to mysteries we can readily perceive, like the overcoming of death by life; the banishment of error by truth; the fleeing of misery; the healing (not necessarily cure) of the leprous and the sick; the freeing of prisoners; the subsiding of danger; the succor of the elderly; and relief for the poor. If these fruits of faith, hope, and love in action are miracles, then let us all depend on such acts, and let us call on the prophets and friends of God for help to make them so.
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