The Office of Readings makes no bones about letting us know that it's not Easter anymore. A few days ago we were in heaven with St. John, praising the Lamb who was slain with the heavenly choir, every tear wiped away.
By Monday--plunged down to earth, way down, sitting on the ash heap with poor Job as he scrapes his boils.
This is of the few times I really envy the folks who keep with the pre-Vatican II liturgy, because they are observing an Octave of Pentecost, lingering for a whole 'nother week to reflect on the joy of the Holy Spirit. Letting people down more gently into this vale of tears.
On the other hand, the second readings feature St. Augustine, who has plenty of consoling and encouraging things to say. Today, in fact, is just about the most beautiful passage written by an author known for beautiful passages. The creme de la creme of Augustinian beauty:
Late have I loved you, O beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you; now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.
That passage moves anyone who has had a conversion, a reversion, a deepening of faith, a struggle with any particular sin, or a call to a vocation or path in life that was initially resisted. It's nice to see it in its full context in today's Office of Readings.
Okay...Any Q&A for me?
I have a big announcement coming up next week, by the way.
