Hebrews, Chapter
12, Verse 21
Indeed, so fearful was the
spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
Moses was the heir apparent
to the throne of Egypt in his youth. As a member of the Egyptian court he would
have seen many fearful spectacles
yet imagine what it must have been like to have been a witness of God descending
on Mount Sinai to give the law. He was terrified and trembling. Again now
imagine if Moses was somehow resurrected and was able to walk into an ordinary
catholic church that has a very modest Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Do you think
his reaction would be any different than the first time he encountered the
living God?
Be Still and Know that I am God[1]
On the evening of October 1995, John Paul II was
scheduled to greet the seminarians at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. It
had been a very full day that began with a Mass at Oriole Park in Camden Yards,
a parade through downtown streets, a visit to the Basilica of the Assumption,
the first cathedral in the country, lunch at a local soup kitchen run by
Catholic Charities; a prayer service at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in
North Baltimore; and finally a quick stop at Saint Mary’s Seminary. The
schedule was tight so the plan was simply to greet the seminarians while they
stood outside on the steps. But the Pope made his way through their ranks and
into the building. His plan was to first make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
When his wishes were made known, security flew into action. They swept the building
paying close attention to the chapel where the Pope would be praying. For this
purpose highly trained dogs were used to detect any person who might be
present. The dogs are trained to locate survivors in collapsed buildings after
earthquakes and other disasters. These highly intelligent and eager dogs
quickly went through the halls, offices and classrooms and were then sent to
the chapel. They went up and down the aisle, past the pews and finally into the
side chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. Upon reaching the
tabernacle, the dogs sniffed, whined, pointed, and refused to leave, their
attention riveted on the tabernacle, until called by their handlers. They were
convinced that they discovered someone there. We Catholics know they were right
— they found a real, living Person in the tabernacle!
Full Sturgeon Moon
According to the almanac
today we are having a Full Sturgeon Moon; plan to spend some time fishing or
visit an aquarium with your children or grandchildren.
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