01.23.2023 | Winter Storm Watch Monday

It's a Winter Storm Watch Monday here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  Who knows for sure what will actually happen.  It's a bit of a mystery when it comes to weather around here.  You never know the severity of the storm but are always hopeful for protection.  Not unlike the tree bark.  The bark of a tree is fascinating to me.  Protection from weather and storms and yet quite beautiful in its own way.

I've been thinking about the idea of mystery.  There are so many things that I just don't understand and may never fully comprehend.  I don't understand the why of suffering and death.  I've witnessed too much death and had my share of suffering.  Yet, I still don't understand why?  What exactly is the significance of suffering and death?  I think of this as Eastertide approaches in a few short months.  How do we understand the suffering and death of Jesus? I know the need for faith and hope.  I recognize the love.  I don't understand the why?  Couldn't there be another way?  My Jesuit friends remind me this is a mystery.  So many mysteries in faith.  I believe, help my unbelief. 

We begin this third week of Ordinary Time.  Another week filled with weather mysteries.  A week of things unknown but hopeful.  Hope, faith and as much love as we can scrape together.  It's what we do.  We live our simple, ordinary lives with hope in things unknown.  Amen!