The Prophet Ezekiel, The Color Purple, and the Extended Vision of God

Preaching Notes for Sept. 27th, 08
Paul Byrd, OP

(Please read: Ezekiel 18-25-28)

*
I) "Mr. _____ start up from his seat, look at Shug, plop back down again. He look over at me. I thought you was finally happy, he say. What wrong now?
"You a lowdown dog is what’s wrong, I say. It’s time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And you dead body just the welcome mat I need." (Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, 206-207)
And so begins one of my all-time favorite scenes in all of fiction. In this scene, Celie finally confronts her despicable husband and tells him that she’s leaving him.

*
To give you a sense of just how despicable Albert is, I’ll give you two examples. First, Celie has a sister, Nettie, who has gone to Africa to be a missionary. While she’s away, she faithfully writes to Celie. Albert knows these letters would be a source of joy and consolation to his wife, Celie, so he makes sure that she never gets him. He even convinces her that her sister has forgotten all about her. The second example is worse. He brings another woman (Shug) into the house to be his mistress, right under the nose of his wife. In short, Albert does everything he can to break Celie’s spirit—and he almost succeeds. But as the scene I read from reveals, Celie is able to find her voice. And she uses that voice to condemn Albert, and curse him. She says that unless he makes amends for what he’s done, everything he wanted to happen to her is going to fall on him. Sure enough, Albert’s little kingdom begins to crumble, while Celie goes off to start a new life.

*
I suspect that if Alice Walker had ended her novel here, her readers would not have minded. After all, the wicked are punished, and the good are reward. But that’s not what Alice Walker does. She has, what I like to call, and Extended Vision. This extended vision allows us to watch as Albert finally repents, and is, eventually, forgiven for what he’s done.

*
This extended vision has a strange effect on the readers, because it allows us to see that the joy we felt as Albert was finally getting what he deserved is nothing compared to the joy we feel when we see him redeemed. This is why I think The Color Purple can help us to understand tonight’s reading from Ezekiel.

*
II) First of all, we have to ask ourselves who is the speaker of this challenge to God’s fairness? It was only by reading the Gospel that is paired with this reading from Ezekiel (Matthew 21:28-32) that I came to have an idea of who might have the nerve to challenge God’s fairness.
This voice is the voice of the Pharisee looking down his nose at the prostitutes and tax collectors Jesus says are getting into heaven before him.
*And it’s the voice of the older brother of the prodigal son, unhappy that his father has forgiven his little brother.
*And it’s the voice of the disgruntled vineyard worker, upset that everyone’s being paid the same wage for different amounts of work.

*
—These people are all unhappy, to the point of saying things are not fair, because they’ve created nice little categories for the people in their lives. Categories like "the righteous" and "the wicked"; "the clean" and "the unclean"; "the saved" and "the damned". These categories have blinded them to the extent that they cannot be happy with what they’re given, unless they see to it that others get less.

*
III) But like Alice Walker, God has an extended vision. The reading from Ezekiel makes it clear that no one is on sure ground. The good can still trip up and fall, and the wicked can repent and be saved. But God makes his vision all the clearer at the end of the chapter where he says, "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone...so turn, and live." I think this is so, because God knows that the joy that comes with the conversion of the sinner, far out ways the joy of seeing him die in his sins.

*
IV) As servants of God, we are called to have this same Extended Vision—one that isn’t satisfied with the punishment of the wicked, but one that seeks their salvation as much as our own. This requires that we rid ourselves of the categories that we place ourselves and other people in: Categories like "the holy" and "the secular"; "liberal" and "conservative", "Catholic" and "everyone else". Because it would be a pity for us, as religious, to end up like the Pharisees, the older brother, and the vineyard worker—so jealous of God’s love, that we refuse to share it with others.

*
Let us, then, embrace this Extended Vision of God by living as Christ commanded:
loving our enemies,
doing good for those who hate us,
giving to all who ask,
going the extra mile,
turning the other cheek,
seeking the lost,
In short, crucifying everything within us that prevents us from seeing other people as God sees them,
—that is, as people worth dying for.

Paul Newman, May he rest in peace

I just read that Paul Newman died at age 83. Newman was one of those actors that if I saw his name in the cast list, I could bet I was going to enjoy the film--if not for the story itself, then for his acting. He was a guy who just epitomized "coolness". My favorite movie of his was Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which he played opposite the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor. Both were at the top of their art in that movie (not to mention Tennessee Williams, himself, as the playwright). Well, I give thanks to God for Paul Newman's gift. May he rest in peace.
P~

Bishop Edward Dominic Fenwick, OP

Today is the anniversary of the death of Bishop Edward Dominic Fenwick, OP, who died in 1832. Bishop Fenwick was the man who formally brought the Dominican Order of Preachers to the United States, and he was the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Cincinnati (the area that I, myself, am from). Fenwick High School in Oak Park (North of Chicago) is named for him. Bishop Fenwick was a model of perseverance, obedience, and priestly holiness. He, like many of the missionary priests to the U.S. frontier, would ride for miles to celebrate mass for the settlers in Kentucky and Ohio, often sleeping outside in the wild. He orchestrated the building of the American Dominican Province (St. Joseph Province) and the cathedral, seminary, and newspaper of the Diocese of Cincinnati. Under his leadership, young women became active Dominican Sisters, founding schools for the frontier communities (like St. Catherine's in Kentucky). It's too bad that his memory hasn't been promoted, and his cause was never opened. He's one of those quiet saints that goes unnoticed by a world that craves signs and wonders.
* * *
As for me, I've been brainstorming on what I shall preach tomorrow night. I'm preaching on Ezekiel 18:25-28. I will probably post my preaching notes tomorrow, so I'll save that for later.
For now, here's the final conclusion to the sermon God is giving Israel through Ezekiel. This line is one of my favorites in all of scripture:
"I take no pleasure in the death of anyone---declares the Lord God---so repent and live!" (Ezekiel 18:32).
Until later,
Br. Paul, OP~

Jane Austen on the Importance of Nature

In Mansfield Park, Jane Austen gives her heroine a particular appreciation for the beauties of nature. As in all things, Fanny Price views nature through her religious lens. Here's what she has to say while looking out at the evening sky:

"Here's harmony!...Here's repose!

Here's what may leave all painting

and all music behind,

and what poetry only can attempt to describe.

Here's what may tranquillize every care,

and lift the heart to rapture!

When I look out on such a night as this,

I feel as if there could be neither wickedness

nor sorrow in the world;

and there certainly would be less of both

if the sublimity of Nature

were more attended to,

and people were carried more out of themselves

by contemplating such a scene."

(Mansfield Park, Vl I, end of Ch. 11)

I have to (and willingly do) agree with Jane Austen on this point. One of the benefits of living in a 16 storied building is that I can go up to the roof-top observation area and look out over the city. At night, I can gaze up at two of the planets currently visible in the night sky, and watch the sun set grow darker and richer. It's so peaceful up there, and silent, and easy to pray.

* * *

Well, I best be off to school.

Peace,

Br. Paul, OP~

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

St. Padre Pio died on this date (Sept. 22nd) in 1968--just 40 years ago. I would say he's probably one of the most popular saints of modern times. A fellow friar told us a story related to St. Pio at dinner tonight. He said that he had been given a relic of St. Pio, that is, a piece of St. Pio's habit. One day, a friend of his was telling him a story about her father who was dying, and how worried she was, because the man was estranged from God. My brother, the friar, gave the relic of St. Pio to the young lady, and told her how to use it for prayer. The young lady followed his instructions, and sure enough, a strange, but pleasant odor filled the room. This was taken as a sign that St. Pio would intercede on the man's behalf. When the young lady told my brother friar what had happened, he didn't have the heart to request the relic back. No problem, though, because someone soon offered him another just like it!
* * *
I, myself, have a few relics. I have a fragment of bone from St. Martin de Porres, along with a healing balm associated with Martin. I also have a few relics of Servant of God, Rose Hawthorne, OP (habit relics), and Bl. Jeanne Jugan (foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor).
* * *
To learn more about the investigation into St. Pio's stigmata, I recommend this short article: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13863.
* * *
BTW: St. Pio's feast day is tomorrow. I hope it's a blessed one for you all.
Peace,
P~

Holy Boethius!

Well, my weekend has flown by much too quickly. Luckily, I think I'm prepared for my presentation on St. Severinus (aka Boethius), to be given tomorrow morning. It's thanks to Boethius's translations of the Greek philosophers that so many of the scholastic fathers like St. Thomas Aquinas, had something to study at the university.
***
The main thing that I want to focus on is Boethius's most popular work The Consolation of Philosophy. Boethius, you see, had been unjustly accused of treason and imprisoned. While he was in jail, he started to feel the weightt of the situation, and wonder: "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Or, as the Bible would put it: "Why do the just suffer while the wicked prosper?" Luckily, he wrote down the insights that he had, and produced the Consolation. In it, Lady Philosophy comes to console the character fittingly named Boethius. The character Boethius needs help seeing the situation in the light of Lady Philosophy's wisdom.
* * *
In order to help Boethius, Lady Philosophy has to remind the philosopher of certain things:
*God is goodness and governs all creation through that goodness.
*Goodness is the source of happiness.
*All humans desire to be happy, and so all actions are geared toward a perceived good.
*The source of lasting happiness, God, is the ultimate good that human action ought to be oriented toward.
*The problem for humans is that there are some goods that are actual goods, and some that are just apparent goods. For example: Sufficiency (having enough to support oneself without worry) is an actual good, whereas having Riches is only an apparent good---this is because with Riches often comes an obsession to get more, or to spend your time protecting what you have.
*Wheel of Fortune: The idea of the Wheel of Fortune was an old one, by Boethius's day, but Boethius has Lady Philosophy teach it to remind the suffering philosopher that when it appears that the wicked are prospering as the good are suffering, the goods the wicked seem to have are fleeting. This point is perfectly in line with what the Holy Spirit teaches us in Psalm 37. There she says, "Do not fret because of the wicked;/do not envy those who do evil: for they wither quickly like grass/and fade like the green of the fields"; "The just man's few possessions/are better than the wicked man's wealth;/for the power of the wicked shall be broken/and the Lord will support the just"; "I have seen the wicked triumphant,/towering like a cedar of Lebanon./I passed by again; he was gone./I searched; he was nowhere to be found."
*Lady Philosophy tells him: "For the wise man, the encounter with what men call ill-fortune will be a challenge to make fresh progress in knowledge and wisdom."
*The perceived goods that the wicked possess are not lasting, because they are not rooted in a relationship with God. Therefore, the wise person ought not envy such goods. At the same time, if a wise person has a solid relationship with God, he or she ought to understand that no matter what comes, that good cannot be taken from him or her, and that should being consoling.
*In this way, the truest kind of suffering can only happen to the wicked. True suffering comes from being wicked, because in settling for inferior goods, the wicked cut themselves off from the truest source of happiness (God). And since true power is recognized in obtaining that to which one works, the wicked are powerless.
*"Why do bad things happen to good people?" is the wrong question to ask, because it's rooted in an erroneous way of looking at the world, and is based on the presumption that being good entitles a person to a charmed life. The truly wise person is equipped to meet the hardships of life, because his or her source of happiness isn't tied to the Wheel of Fortune, but is independent of circumstance, unchanging, and eternal.
* * *
This is, of course, the teaching of Lady Philosophy, which represents the highest understanding. Common experience can deliver heavy blows to people, which, in the moment, seem to make Lady Philosophy's answers seem too simple. In fact, the Gospel is all about trying to get people to see things in the truest light, to be free from the attachments to ease and comfort that make the difficulties related to human life seem so great and powerful. Even death to a Christian ought not look the same as to someone without faith--whether it's our own death, or someone else's--because (as St. Paul would say) our present sorrows don't compare to what God has prepared for us in the life to come. Now is the time to learn the lesson, to see things differently, to let go of everything but our desire to achieve the ultimate goal of obtaining the lasting source of happiness--namely, union with God.
* * *
Boethius was eventually executed. His example led the Holy Catholic Church to canonize him in 1883. His memorial is observed on October 23rd.
St. Severinus Boethius, pray for us!
* * *
Peace,
Br. Paul, OP~

Busy, Busy, Busy

Sorry I haven't written this week. I've been so caught up in doing school work that I haven't had time to stop and think. It's too late to write much now, so I will try to write about the things I've been learning and praying about soon.
P~

Fall Cleaning

All the brothers, with the exception of two of our priests who were out preaching for Food for the Poor, were busy today with Fall Cleaning.

Twice a year, the friars scrub down all the areas that are for public use, including the recreation room (includes the kitchen and living room-like area), the TV room, the library, the business office, the closets and storage areas, etc. It's a big job, so were lucky to have had 25 workers on hand to help out.

As you can see from the pictures, there was a lot of garbage discovered in all that storage space, and lots of cabinets to empty and clean. I probably had one of the lighter jobs. As one of the student finance officers, I was helping Br. Patrick in the business office. My main job was to clean and organize the cabinet that holds all the common medicines and school supplies. The only cleaning product that I used besides a swiffer wipe was Windex for the office windows. Believe it or not, cleaning day is actually fun--it's one of the only days of the year when friars all stay in the house, and put their minds to the same task.

* * *

Tomorrow's the Feast of the Holy Cross. We give thanks to God the Father for Jesus, who was willing to suffer for our sakes. Of course, as Br. Patrick said in his preaching tonight, the mysterious wisdom of God calls us to see within our sufferings the road to our own healing. Just as the Israelites had to look upon the image of the serpent to have their serpent bites healed, so we too have to look at the things that cause us pain, and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us as to how that pain might transform and heal us. This is not a simple matter, of course. For some, those how don't feel supported and loved, the pain of life can seem too great. We call can use a friend or mentor to help us see things from a new perspective.

* * *

Well, I must be off. Tonight a friend has invited the brothers to an apartment blessing.

Until later,

Br. Paul, op~

Rocket Science

Reece Daniel Thompson

I just finished watching a great movie called Rocket Science, starring Reece Daniel Thompson (pictured above). Reece's character, Hal, has a terrible stuttering problem and yet falls in love with a young lady who convinces him that he should join the debate team---, as you can guess, this is the foundation for the basic conflict of the movie. The deeper conflicts involve Hal's relationships with others (particularly the young lady). There's a great scene at the end of the movie between Hal and his dad. Hal, like a typical teenager, is asking about what the point of everything is, when his dad says that for most people, there comes a time when they stop being caught up in the questions of life, and are just grateful for what they have. I think that there is a positive and negative side to this, but taken in the positive, it's a great statement--though, that human questioning is one of the things that makes humans interesting, and often leads us back to God. In short, I highly recommend this movie.

***

In other news, today was an excellent day. I don't have class on Fridays, so I worked in the business office after breakfast, then went to the gym, and then had lunch. After lunch I went to Aquinas Institute to study. I have a unique study technique. Basically, I go to an empty class room and pretend that I'm teaching a text that I find difficult. Today, for example, I was pretending to teach Plato's Timaeus. The Timaeus isn't completely difficult, not like Aristotle's Posterior Analytics, but it's helpful for me to read it aloud, and scribble across the chalkboard. It seems to get my mind focused on the text. The Timaeus, by the way, is about the creation of the universe and the human person. There are some pretty wild ideas, but some that Christians can relate to, as well.

***

This evening, the Dominicans and the Jesuits proved once again that bygones can be bygones, and had common recreation and dinner together. I actually sat on the Jesuit side of the dinning room, and by chance, was at a table with two Jesuit coadjutor brothers (lay brothers, like me).

***

Well, I would write more, but it's late and tomorrow is Fall Cleaning at the priory. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures of all the cleaning fun.

Peace,

Br. Paul, OP~

Our Prayers are with all who are suffering the effects of the weather.

My Favorite Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your holy gifts.

Let my weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day that I may fulfill the duties of my state in life conscientiously, that I may do what is right and just.

Let my charity be such as to offend no one and hurt no one's feelings; so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.

Assist me in all the trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen my weakness, help me in all needs and embarrassment, protect me in temptations and console me in all afflictions.

Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour your light into my heart, my soul, and my mind. Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace.
Amen.

* * *
For a free copy of this prayer, contact the Apostles of the Holy Spirit: http://www.aoths.org/

A Great Thought

Yesterday, whilst I was in Ignatian Spirituality class, the Jesuit professor of the class said something very helpful that I thought I would share. We were discussing St. Ignatius's autobiography, and came to the part that talked about his desire to become a Carthusian monk. Of course, this may seem an odd thing to find out, considering Jesuits are very much oriented toward apostolic work. They will claim, as do Dominicans, that apostolic work (like preaching and teaching) does not require the person to give up the contemplative life, but requires only that they carry the silence required for contemplation with them wherever they go. St. Catherine, for example, was semi-cloistered in her family's house, but then learned how to internalize the silence of the cloister as she worked in the world. Anyway, the point that Fr. Paul made was: "God sometimes puts desires into our hearts that are never fulfilled, but which affect the quality of the life that we live." Arguably, it was Ignatius's desire to be a contemplative that allowed his apostolic zeal to be rooted in a contemplation free from a set form or schedule. What about us?
* * *
It's a good question for me to ask myself (and, through extension, yourselves) what might be the desires that God has given to me, but which aren't to be fulfilled as ends, but are means to a greater end? Of course, as St. Ignatius points out, this kind of discernment ought to have internal and external confirmation (which is where one's pastor or spiritual director comes in handy). As I continue to discern my vocation to the Dominican cooperator brotherhood, this insight offered by Fr. Paul, SJ may prove invaluable in clearly out some questions.
* * *
That's all for now.
Until later,
Br. Paul, OP~

Advent Music, Already?

It's just now starting to get to be cool here in St. Louis, MO. The winds tonight are actually cold. Perhaps that's why I've started to sing Advent carols like "People Look East" and "Sleepers Wake", or maybe it's just because I love these songs. I find, if I practice playing and singing songs that I love, I'll actually make it down to the piano in the chapel. Next week, I'm cantor one, which means I'll be leading the vocal sections during morning prayer, mass, and evening prayer. I know that if I don't practice singing this week, my voice will be rough next week. I could tell the difference tonight at evening prayer, because my voice was in much better pitch than usual. There's nothing worse that being at prayer with a voice that won't come out!
* * *
How much singing do we do? Actually, a lot. The psalms are usually sung during morning and evening prayer (during office of readings and night prayer, the psalms are recited). There's always a hymn some place, and sung responses. This doesn't mean that you have to be a good singer to be a good friar---just come to prayer, and you'll find that out. The benefit of praying the psalms (on a four week cycle) is that you get to know them by heart. There are several that I can sing from memory now--especially the canticles taken from the New Testament. This allows one to enter more easily into the prayer aspect of the psalms.
* * *
Besides playing and singing, I've been reading for my classes, and trying to brainstorm of topics for my papers. I'm sure to do another paper on Bl. Julian of Norwich. I'm thinking I'll look at Julian's writings on sin for my Theology of the Human Person Class. I may write about homosexuality for my Contemporary Moral Issues Class. This would not be so much a paper on gay marriage, so much as it would be on the options of faithful Christian living open for gay Catholics, and the implications of the Church's teachings on homosexuality on the spiritual lives of gay Catholics. But, I'm not sure about this yet.
* * *
Well, I better get to bed. 5:30 comes early!
* * *
Br. Paul, OP~

Let Yourself be Conquered by Love

A Reading from Bl. Julian of Norwich's Showings:

"What could make me love my fellow Christians more than to see in God that he loves all who shall be saved as though they were one soul? For just as there is an animal will in our lower nature which can have no good impulses, there is a godly will in our higher nature which, no less than the persons of the Holy Trinity, can will no evil, but only good. And this is what our Lord showed in the completeness of love in which he holds us: yes, that he loves us as much now while we are here as he will do when we are there in his blessed presence."
***

"God also showed me that sin is not shameful to man, but his glory; for in this revelation my understanding was lifted up into heaven; and then there came truly into my mind David, Peter and Paul, Thomas of India, and the Magdalene--how they are famous in the church on earth with their sins as their glory. And it is no shame to them that they have sinned, any more than it is in the bliss of heaven, for there the badge of their sin is changed into glory. In this way our Lord God showed them to me as an example of all others who shall come there."

* * *

"Sin is the sharpest scourge that any chosen soul can be struck with; it is a scourge which lashes men and women so hard, and batters them and destroys them so completely in their own eyes, that they think they only deserve to sink down into hell. But when the touch of the Holy Ghost brings contrition, it turns the bitterness into hope of God's mercy; and then their wounds begin to heal and the soul begins to revive into the life of Holy Church. The Holy Ghost leads a man on to confession, and he earnestly shows his sins, nakedly and truly, with great sorrow and great shame that he has so befouled the fair image of God. Then, in accordance with the basic teaching which the Church has received from the Holy Ghost, his confessor imposes a penance on him for each sin. By this medicine, every sinful soul needs to be healed, especially of sins that are in themselves mortal. Although a man has the scars of healed wounds, when he appears before God they do not deface but ennoble him. And as on the one hand sin is punished here with sorrow and suffering, on the other is shall be rewarded in heaven by the generous love of our Lord God almighty, who does not want the toils and troubles of any who come there to be wasted. The reward we are going to receive there will not be a small one, but great, splendid, and glorious. And so all shame will be turned into glory and into greater joy. And I am sure, by what I feel myself, that the more every well-natured soul sees this in the kind and generous love of God, the more loath he is to sin."

--Taken from the 17th chapter of the Short Text of A Revelation of Divine Love

New and Old Exhibits at St. Louis University Museum of Art

Today, I went with my friend Jen C. to SLU's Museum of Art. They have two new exhibits, including works from artists like Diebenkorn, Hockney, and Dine. They also had a political exhibit, which had campaign posters and memorabilia going back to George Washington. Above, I pose with John McCain and Barack Obama--if only they were the real thing! Below, check out that 1960s television! It's wild looking.

The picture to the left is "White Porcelain by David Hockney. Then, there's "Seated Woman Drinking from a Cup" by Richard Diebenkern, and "Henry at the Table" by Hockney.

Here's a scary doll!

The rest of the pictures are of the permanent collection. To the right is Noel Rockmore's "Seated Couple". Below is "Le Petit Taureau de St. Paul de Vence" by Theo Tobiasse. Jen really liked the bull one.

To the left is probably my favorite from today. It's "Le Porte de Voyage S'est Refermee." It's by Frederic Benrath.

Even the building is worth photographing. The steps are great. But where's Scarlett O'Hara when you need her?

To the right is "Christ Embracing the Cross" by Philip Hitchcock. Jen didn't particularly like this one, but I appreciate it. It's probably the best piece of art in the whole museum. I recieved an email from the artist, and can say that I was equally impressed by his kindness.

To the left is the reliquary of St. Victoricus. That's right, the museum has a saint in it!

These religious artifacts are on the third floor, which houses Jesuit history items. To the left is a replica of an altar, displaying an impressive gold and red vestment.

Actually, there's a lot of gold, or gold looking items, on display. Check out the two display cases full on monstrances.

Of course there are plenty of statues, too. To the right is St. Stanislaus, SJ. Below is St. Alphonsus Rodriquez, SJ--a Jesuit lay brother.

Below of the reconstructed rooms of depicting Jesuit life during the early American missions

The top floor is devoted to Asian artifacts, mainly things carved from stones. The think the first ship is made of jade, and the second ivory.

Hope you enjoyed.

Learn More about Br. Richard, OP

On August 10th, 2008, Brother Richard Horwell, OP (pictured at the right, with me) professed simple vows to the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). I asked Br. Richard if he could write me a short reflection about his vocation discernment, so that my readers could hear another cooperator brother's story. I just added his reflection to the cooperator brother website, so please click the link to read more about Br. Richard. By the way, Br. Richard lives in St. Louis in the same priory as I do, and it's a real joy to have another cooperator brother in the house. Please pray for brother vocations, and for our perseverance. The link is: http://cooperatorbrother.googlepages.com/home

***

In other news,

We in St. Louis are enjoying a deluge of rain, currently, which is mercifully making things cooler. I, for one, am ready for the chilly wind of Autumn. I love jacket weather.

Your brother,
Paul, OP~

Happy September/Labor Day

So . . . I've been avoiding the computer lately. I think the new moon really brought out the introvert in me, causing me to halt all unnecessary communication. Hopefully, now that the moon is growing again, I can come back out to talk.

Today was interesting and busy. It was Labor Day, of course, but it was also the birthday of my Dominican classmate (someone who was a novice the same year as you) Br. Nicholas. To celebrate, he suggested that we go check out the Botanical Garden's Japanese festival. We weren't the only ones. Hundreds of people filled the gardens and the parking spaces. Above is the best picture taken during our visit. The bridge leads to a "sacred" island, which visitors are not permitted to step onto. The curved design of the bridge is beautiful to see, but difficult to climb.

While we were at the Gardens, we caught a few rounds of the Sumo wrestlers. At one point, they allowed a little boy to come up and challenge one of the wrestlers. He did better than I would have! Sumo's all about intimidation.

The unfortunate thing was that it was so hot and humid this afternoon. Everybody was sweating, and looking for the shade of trees to cool down. I was dressed for a restaurant, not a walk, with a black polo shirt on and pants. Imagine if I had been wearing the habit.

Later in the day, the friars of St. Dominic's priory went for a cook out at St. Louis Bertrand Priory, Waterman Place. The house at Waterman Place is beautiful, including an excellent back yard.

Below is a picture of Br. John Paul (left) with Br. Nicholas (right), the birthday boy. To the left of Br. John Paul is Br. Patrick, the three of us, along with Br. Thomas, and Br. Joshua, played croquet. I won, but nobody recognizes my victory (because I had a few tricks to help myself along). The funnest part of the game was pretending to be English with Brs. John Paul and Thomas, telling stories as if we were well-to-do gentlemen of the Victorian Age.

All together, the gathering was loads of fun, as usual. Fr. Vinny's German potato salad was delicious, but so was the angel's food cake smothered in apple sauce, with blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

We're all glad to hear that Hurricane Gustav is not hitting New Orleans as badly as it could have. The Southern province has several priories in Louisiana, so the brothers here kept the city and it's people in prayer. Hopefully, everything will turn out all right.

Until later,

Br. Paul, OP~