conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

feasting, friendship and a ship of fools

Devotion is the real spiritual sweetness which takes away all bitterness from mortifications, and prevents consolations from disagreeing with the soul; it cures the poor of sadness,and the rich of presumption; it keeps the oppressed from feeling desolate, and the prosperous from insolence; it averts sadness from the lonely, and dissipation from social life; it is as warmth in winter and as refreshing dew in summer; it knows how to abound and how to suffer want, how to profit alike by honor and by contempt; it accepts gladness and sadness with an even mind, and fills men's hearts with a wondrous sweetness.

... Francois de Sales (1567-1622)

One of the interesting things that happens on this blog is people visit...sometimes often or even daily...whom I do not know. All I know for certain is the number of hits I get a day. From there I may discover the identity of a few individuals, but the science is hinky at best. Every so often someone will link to the blog, someone I don't know, who has not introduced themselves yet. And that's great. No need to do so. But it is an intimidating and surprising honor to know that people find something worthwhile here in these musings.

So, I was mentioned in this forum recently. If you are popping in from Ship of Fools, welcome. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And thank you. Come back around, now. Anytime.

Last night I had dinner with a couple of good friends. One is in from out of town. The other is someone I don't see often enough as far as i am concerned. We stopped at Buffalo Joe's for burgers and assorted fatty joys and then brought them home to Chateau Ouilmette. The food was overwhelming and I could not finish the burger. Showing my age...and my current medical challenge, I assume. The company was wonderful. I miss you guys.

Our conversation spanned the history of our relationships...almost twenty years now. We catch up quickly. That is good. And we (sometimes successfully) assume much. There is a lot of trust between us. I am grateful for the friendship and for simply being known. So, when is the next intervention?

Finally, but not lastly, today is the feast day of St Andrew. Jorge points to a good homily on St. Andrew...The Unappreciated. In a humerous way the preacher reminds us that there is grace in anonymity. And noteriety is not why we are called to in following Christ. Faith is not a popularity contest. It may often feel that way as evengelists grasp at camera time, activists publish books, and bloggers look for link after link.

For none of us lives to ourself, and none of us dies to
ourself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we
die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord's.
-- Romans 14:7-8

I think that what it boils down to is the desire to be known. And we are known. We are known by God and known more intimately than we can bear. For me that intimacy reveals itself when I meet with old friends over a meal. There is something grace-filled in shared memories and the willingness and hospitality of stepping back into an old relationship as if not a day had passed since we were together. As a glimpse of God's knowing, this may be preferable to camera time or hits on a blog. I'll admit freely that I enjoy the hits and am honored by them. I love the long comment threads. Being known...somehow I still struggle like Gilgamesh to be remembered. But in the end, true intimacy is a gift from God and cannot be claimed, garnered, horded, or anticipated. It is a grace.

Peace and all good things to you today. We're expecting snow. I guess I should go out and get some salt.

Posted by tripp at November 30, 2006 05:51 AM