The sun also rises . . .                                     12/31/2007

Dear Heavenly Father,  

     Let your sun shine on me this morning. The same light shining revealed His glowing white garments during His Transfiguration on the mountain. That same burning sign of your love fell upon your Son’s face as he cast his eyes to you from the cross. How many times has the sun risen upon us since then? About 700,000 days or so?
     Even today, the same sun that warmed the earth’s first day has already flown over India, Africa and Europe.  It was witness to a humble nun helping a poor child. It has shined on the pope as he pondered his task as Peter’s successor, and how to best fulfill your last commandments to him: "Feed my sheep, Shepherd my lambs." Later that day, it shined upon a man killing another man. Like the flash of a bulb it captured a man kissing his wife at an African wedding. And like a shooting star it was gone from their sight, racing to greet me in California. My fellow Americans and I are eager for another day. Awaiting another laugh, or story shared under the sun, we awake each in our own way. And for those who dread another day ---- to whom the sun is but a nuisance shining through the cracks in their blinds ---- the sun also rises . . .

Dear Eternal Son,

     I am sorry Jesus for I have sinned against you. If it were not for your mercy I would have no hope at all. I have tasted the sweet air that flows from the high mountainous paths that lead to your City. But lured by the fruits in the valley I traveled down to where the multitudes move together like cattle, none of them positioned to lead another. Where they are heading, they know not. Cursed am I for I have known the high road, but chose the low. How sad it is that we originally were lured to sin by the promise of knowledge of good and evil, when evil is better left unknown and good only flows from you, oh God? Since then we have fallen deeper into sin. Like Peter did before your Passion, we say we don’t know you when the world comes asking. It must have been a dark night for him after you were crucified. But Peter was the first Apostle to discover after you rose that you will always give us another day to rise with you and share in your glory when we repent. Even for me, who has forsaken you so many times, the sun also rises. . .

Dear Holy Spirit,

     Somewhere between our mind, body and spirit lies our will. And between the interactions with God, self, and our fellow neighbors lays our freedom. Grace flows between the mountain of justice and the swamps of evil, catching us in its current when we fall from one or climb to the other. And it is there, where freedom and grace meet, that you, oh holy breath of God, do your best gardening. Lead me back to the Garden of Eden that I may chose life eternal.
     You speak in languages only the heart can understand. You speak even to those who know you not, for the law of God is written on their hearts, and that law is summarized by your love.
    Your words never come back empty, but mine often do. But my words please you if they prompt action.
    You have shown me your sense of humor in what some might call coincidences, but a friend of mine calls “God incidences”. You have shown us Mary, your bride and companion, who is “Full of Grace”. Over time, through your will, she has appeared in all her created glory, your perfect work of art, and claimed her queenship over heaven and earth. Thank you for her witness to us as Mother of Christians and of Christ, our LORD.
     You are the Spirit of Truth and your work in the Church always amazes me. Now for all these things let me show you faith and gratitude with repentance of heart and penance in action. May my good works begin to provide fertile ground for your gardens as the swamps of evil drain away. Help me make up for my evil deeds and with hands raised in faith, stop the vile deluge that the world has called upon these lands. As Mary did more than 700,000 sunrises ago, I put myself at your service and say… "May it be done to me according to you Word!"

                                                Your adopted son,      Patrick