Means of Grace
Ecumenical Travels
Play
Play.
People talk about the lack of opportunity to play.
I think there is a lack of definitions.
Photo at St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Italy
Collecting
There are shops that sell things that you always think you need. For instance, there could be a reality where I have giant head in my house.
But it is probably more profitable for me to imagine uses for this head than to collect another thing I actually could fit into my house.
Photo of shop near the Vatican
Our Lady of Accurate Translation
I spoke with an Italian in English. I felt self-centered when she asked me to slow down a little bit. I was thinking I should have been more mindful and done that anyway.
It’s easy to be overseas and “forget where you are” and think everyone speaks English. But then when you get back to work, you may be wishing you could forget where you are and be someplace else.
Snakeskin
I liked the roads in Rome that made it seem like you were being invited some place if you just keep your eyes ahead of you.
Now, I look at the picture and I keep seeing a snakeskin road and something about that seems inviting, too.
Rich Bitterness
So this is Italian hot chocolate. It is actual chocolate. It never had to become a powder through a soul sucking process.
It is rich and real. But bitter. At least to my sensibilities. I looked at the one little sugar packet and wondered if I should be real and express what my tastes wanted.
Why is it that there is not always enough sweetness to appreciate the richness of the bitter?
Rare Colors
Maria Galie studio, Rome, October 18, 2016.
Maria was our iconographer who uses only color in nature.
She showed us color that was rare and must be used sparingly.
Why is it that only the rare is seen as a gift?
Security
Guard for Pope General Audience – Oct 19, 2016
So my co-worker asked about security for the Pope. I showed him this guy:
He laughed and said no matter what you are carrying, if you wearing those shoes, I’m not going to be afraid. I didn’t think about these things at the time. So Security can be many things.
So for a moment, security was color and laughter.
Getting to this Point
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City – October 19
Getting to St Peter’s Square to meet the Pope at the General Audience address:
- Being happy there was an organizer so I could sleepily follow the leader.
- Letting empty spaces have their voice:
- Knowing something will happen here and people will keep explaining what that is:
