-
Tones of Heaven
Mrs. Orr and I stumbled on this piece of music recently. We both sat and listened while watching each others’ faces. It’s an aching piece of chest-music, with a melody that makes me want to close my eyes and write a loved one, repent of a sin, stroke a dog’s ears, gaze at an old photograph, hold my wife close. The composer is Michael Hoppe, and he seems to be a very interesting man. This evening while acquainting myself with his work, I found Mr. Hoppe’s gorgeous Ave Maria. I’ve included it here for you. If I may presume to offer a suggestion for your evening prayers, look up the…
-
Kindness From a Distance
“My life itself, and the best heart of it, thanks you for this great care.” William Shakespeare — Henry VIII, Act I, Scene 2 I received a thing of beauty. A reader, whose name I will not disclose here, wrote me an email that I have read and reread several times. The care with which the letter was composed is palpable; the sweet spirit of the sender is unmistakable. Just when things are quiet and bruised, the light peeks over the heat-withered pastures and becomes again that source of beauty to which I have looked since my first day. This letter is light to me. ~ S.K. Orr Dear…
-
Comfort On This Day
It comforts me to realize that Christ did not warn the “little ones” like me — the ones whose understanding is weak or immature or lacking — He did not warn the little ones to be sure to know and parse every fleeting thought or obscure dictate of every leader of His church, lest we be condemned and damned. No, He warned those in authority about the dire consequences of causing one of His little ones to stumble or sin. My Father loves me; my Lord achieved redemption and forgiveness for me; my Blessed Mother and the host of triumphant Saints prays for me; the Holy Ghost guides and strengthens…
- Books, Church Life, Daily Life, Holy Days, Jinx, Lectio Divina, Music, Photographs, Prayers, Quotations, Reflections
Palm Sunday
We were flogged again with storms yesterday and last night. While out doing our weekly shopping yesterday afternoon, we huddled in the car while the sky turned inky and the lightning threw its crooked line daggers down, down near us. When we returned home, we learned that an area not far from where we had been was pelted with enough hail that it needed shoveling. The photos from the local weather station looked as if three inches of snow had fallen, and the damage to the siding on many homes looked as if a machine gunner had strafed the neighborhoods. I hoped all those eager young people who bought vegetable…
- Church Life, Daily Life, Holy Days, I Never Thought I'd Be In This Situation, Jinx, Lectio Divina, Prayers, Quotations, Reflections
Friday In Passion Week
Since yesterday marked the Feast of the Assumption, I had hoped to write a post to commemorate the day. But we had thunderstorms pushing through the area, and I thought it best to keep my laptop turned off and everything unplugged. We’ve had a few less-than-pleasant experiences in the past with lightning and decided to lay low and take no chances. I did not know until recently that the Church used to teach that the date of The Annunciation, March 25th, was the date God began His work of creating the heavens and the earth. I do so enjoy learning these sorts of tidbits; it’s like discovering a yellowing photo…
-
“To You Today”
Almost every morning before I leave for work, Mrs. Orr will say something along the lines of “I hope someone is really kind to you today.” It’s one of those things that I know she sincerely means, and I take it in that vein, but I rarely think about it once my day begins. This is probably because on most days, no one is “really kind” to me. This morning on the way to work, I prayed the Rosary and then did some thinking about my life, about the spectacular mess that I’ve made of it in so many way, of the numberless crevasses of regret that I see when…
- Books, Church Life, Daily Life, Holy Days, Lectio Divina, Photographs, Prayers, Quotations, Reflections
The Third Sunday in Lent
My Old Farmer’s Almanac tells me that today marks the beginning of the hummingbirds’ migration north. The little wonders will arrive here and we will have their feeders ready for them, and our hearts will be glad to see them, and we will enjoy their company morning and evening as they swoop past and talk to us with their whirrs and squeaks. Speaking of birds, I have neglected to mention that we have a lovely little screech owl living in our barn. She was perched on the limb of the maple out back the other night when I was outside with Jinx, and she flew closer to the house and…
-
Long Walk Home
The day started with the usual routine: Jinx awakened me by sticking his nose into my ear and snorfeling and snarfeling around like a Texas javelina, we made coffee, fed the dogs, got showered and dressed. Off to work, and everything was calm until a few miles from my office. That’s when the car started vibrating, pitching and yawing. Oh, man, I thought. Flat tire. But I happened to glance down at the dashboard and saw the Check Engine light flashing on and off like a strobe light at Studio54 in 1978. I’m no mechanic, but I know enough to realize that when that particular light is blinking, it’s bad…
-
Grace In Darkness
Today’s Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours was soothing to me as I sat before the crucifix and prayed the ancient prayers. A selection from Psalm 92: Though the wicked spring up like grass and all who do evil thrive: they are doomed to be eternally destroyed. But you, Lord, are eternally on high. See how your enemies perish; all doers of evil are scattered. It is indeed good to be reminded that there is nothing new under the sun, and that evil days have always plagued our race. The wicked are numerous. Those who do evil do thrive. But…I hope in the promises that God sees the…
-
We Command You To Have a Merry Christmas
Over at The Thinking Housewife, Laura Wood has posted a lively and encouraging message about this year’s Christmas celebrations. Read and heed. ~ S.K. Orr