Today’s scriptural readings coalesced into a nice reflection touching upon Divine infusion; making possible, allowing, the Holy Spirit to enter our lives.  I determined to post the daily readings, abridged, permitting God’s word to speak for itself, amidst images whispering.  During mass, I experienced an intense awareness during the readings.  They are now faded, evanescent in magnitude.  No explanation aside from a comment regarding events after mass.  I feel I have insulted a nice couple conducting a post-mass Bible study.  Enjoying treats and coffee, I do not attend the Bible study.  What struck me was a woman, a member of a pleasant husband and wife team I draw closer to, became agitated with her husband’s nudging to go to the Bible study.  The more time I spend with her the more I like her instincts.  Things visibly fluster her.  A nice woman, she tries not to react, trying to cover up and pretend everything is fine.  However, I notice and the more I do the more I trust her. She does not want to go into a group setting and listen to another couple speak as authorities on the Church, prepared and ready to dazzle everyone with their scriptural knowledge and righteousness.  Being a nice person, she has attended the Bible study, yet afterwards I speculate things just did not settle properly within her.  Her husband is a remarkably approachable and sociable man.  We talk sports, especially the Cavs to a great depth.  The Cavs are another matter that fluster her.  Her input into the conversation being, ‘Is tonight the last game?’  I laughed and responded, ‘you are suppose to enjoy the happening, not just looking forward to the ending.’  She tought about my words, before a smile broke out upon her face.  Her husband attends the Bible study as there is no way he would insult anyone, going above and beyond to ensure he does not insult anyone.  He is truly a pleasure to encounter the more depth we establish between us.  His wife and I, amongst others, discussed her various trips to Spain and Italy.  I am allowing a trip to Madrid during Holy Week to alight into the realm of possibilities.  The woman became excited speaking about a favorite trip to Assisi.  She had me laughing as she went into great lengths, expressing her frustration by the fact Italians charged a fee to use their restrooms.  She told how she felt victorious when one time she was able to use a restroom without having to pay.  Things agitate her.  She is a sweet woman, a person of depth.  Regarding the Bible study I concur with her.  I have no desire to intellectualize upon God’s word almost immediately after mass.  Mass carries me through the afternoon, and once I have socialized, solitary Adoration is my means of edification.  I am polite, cordial, truly enjoying fellowship, yet the instructing, directing, and imposing upon other’s spiritual life is not necessary.  Being single, no immediate family near, I am blessed by the quality Catholic companionship being revealed; discovering depth and respect being cemented through weeks of interaction.  Once again, the prevalent message screams: God’s word is most efficacious contemplatively within silence, prayer, mass, and adoration.  Before the centered daily readings, St Paul crushes with insight:

“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.’ [Isaiah 64:4] — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:6-11)

Thus says the Lord GOD:
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
that I, the LORD,
bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.

–Ezekiel 17:22-24

Cedar of Lebanon

Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
–2 Corintheans

…a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and through it all the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.

A wheat field, fresh crop of wheat.