Today, before work, quality time spent with the St Clare gathering centered upon families. The maturity cleanses and invigorates, refreshing in regards to fellowship. Several of the couples spoke of decades of matrimony. Families, children, grandchildren, in-laws, communities of faith. The husband and wife organizing the event spoke of forty plus years of marriage. I find the environment soothing. A God of order delights in order; structure, community, strength, support, commitment, loyalty, love, imperfection, trials, all within soundness, built upon stability, growth, and nurturing, bringing the best out in one another. We were seated in small groups. Within our group was a couple, grandparents of twelve, sharing their life. Their twelfth grandchild was born afflicted with Down’s syndrome. One of their sons has recently moved into their home with two of his children, girls of five and seven. Life presents its challenges, yet they endure as a couple, pillars of faith for their children and grandchildren. It is not talk. It is living. This was an exceptional crowd. Towards the end of the gathering, after lunch, the air went out of my enthusiasm. It was not negative, rather a grounding in neutrality. It was presented to me that the group is Charismatic in practice. The subject of speaking in tongues offered as a gift to pursue. It dawned on me that the passion of the group was talking in tongues. I have just never acquired any interest in the Charismatic movement.  I relate matters to Mary and her preoccupation with visions. The supernatural, the extreme, the out of the ordinary, contains no attraction for me.  I recall a priest remarking that St John of the Cross expressed concern that Saint Teresa of Avila placed too much importance upon her extra-ordinary experiences. There is nothing there, a lack of interest present within my prayer disposition. I am positive if God wanted me to pursue such an avenue, I would possess at least curiosity. I have a great interest in learning about God. I recognize it as a blessing. There is honestly nothing there in regards to the Charismatic movement. I relate it to denominational debate and apologetics. I have no interest, not even a passing fancy. Again, I point to the wisdom of the ‘Arise’ principles and guidelines, a mature approach to faith gatherings. During my recent breakfast with Jim Nagle, he asked me a question. Let’s examine it. What if God bluntly approached you, declaring you made it, you were bound for heaven. He would offer a deal, a choice how to live your life. Either choice would be blessed. First choice: you would be established as a religious authority, a writer of books, a sought after speaker, a public leader of the Catholic Church, effecting the lives of many. Or the second choice: you would remain hidden, living your difficult trying life, receiving no attention for your advanced faith, no promises whatsoever except that your humility and choice would open the doors of purgatory. It is an interesting examination of conscience. The more profound choice is obvious, yet the lives of many declare a different mindset. Anyway typed this during lunch at work. I am out of time. Final note. I am so enamored with this group, as people, that if they pursue me I will respond.