Time spent at what we called "the farm" in my early Catholic days... was peaceful and away from the busyness of life in the big city.... we did have electricty but no TV.... It usually involved a fair amount of work with the getting the abandoned house livable in modest terms.. but really it was quite charming after we put in windows, repaired plaster, sanded floors and painted. No running water wasn't even that bad with a chemical toilet that my dad would dutifully care for as a sevice to all of us kids... The picturesque pump outside was used for a cold hair wash, or brought inside to be warmed on the stove. My dad even rigged up a shower by the barn that would be filled and then the water warmed by the sun would be a "refreshing" shower later in the day.
After some gardening project would be done we would have time to sit under the pine trees and read or sketch or work on my caligraphy... I think that my mom suggested Fr Thomas A'Kempis to me, and I devoured his Of Imitation of Chirst. She probably even suggested Thomas Merton too... I read his books and just came across a poem that I had used a very fancy caligraphy to record in a special book I put special things in back then. I would like to share the poem mentioned in the title of this post.... The Blessed Virgin Mary as Compared to a Window... When I read it now it takes me back to the days of wonder I had at the beautiful deep feelings these men along with many women that I did and continue to read and digest! The amazing thing is that it has never stopped or slowed down even in the last 40 years since I first said that I wanted to join the Catholic Church... As a matter of fact it has picked up crazy with my girls and their journies to Rome and looking at Religious life! Now John's cancer journey has only added another dimension yet! Thank you Lord!
The Blessed Virgin as Compared to a Window
Because my will is simple as a window
And knows no pride of original earth
It is my life to die, like glass to light
Slain in the strong rays of the Bridegroom sun.
Because my love is simple as a window
And knows no shame of original dust
I longed all night,(when I was visible)
for dawn my death:
When I would marry day,my Holy Spirit:
and die by transubstantiation into light.
For light, my lover, steals my life in secret.
I vanish into day. and leave no shadow
But the geometry of my cross,
Whose frame and structure is the strength
By which I die, but only to the earth,
And am uplifted to the sky my life.
When I become the substance of my lover,
(Being obedient, sinless glass)
I love all things that need my lover's life,
And give to give my newborn Morning to your quiet rooms,...
And you shall see the sun, my Son, my Substance,
Come to convince the world of the day's end, and of the night,
Smile to the lovers of the day in smiles of blood:
For through my love, He'll be their Brother,
My light- the Lamb of the Apocalypse.
Jesus there are so many ways that you show us the love you have for us...thank you for all the beauty that surrounds us. Help us to recognize you in all the different places in our lives. Jesus we trust in You! Barb
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