Written by Father Michael
Recently I wrote about the fall colors and change of seasons but that was from my chair. Reminiscent of Macon in Ann Tyler 1985 novel, The Accidental Tourist, who preferred in sit in his easy chair and view the world. Finally the vivid sensual scenes of Autumn I can actually write about from my experience after a few days in Michigan and a Sunday ride along the lakeshore in Chicago.
The crisp autumn skies were backdrops for the spectrum of leaves in hues of persimmon, pumpkin, peach, papaya, burnt orange, apple, raspberry, lemon and lime. Watching squirrels and deer feasting on the abundance of acorns and nuts whetted my appetite for a feast. Pork Wellington topped my menu with the smells of the crust baking, and the fresh herbs, basil, cilantros, and chives on the kitchen island in cups alerted us to the banquet that would follow. Walks on the beach refreshed us with cool water splashing us, wet sand oozing through our toes, cool breezes pushing us along. Sam, the brown Lab, nuzzling us and enjoying our every touch. We sat on the deck and watched the sunset listening to the waves unceasingly but softly call at the shore. It was a Salvador Dali sky first with a bright distinct ball of fire that melted like his clock in the sky and spread its butter orange light over the horizon and the slowly blackening water, then in a blink of the eye, total darkness. We sat in front of a fire and told stories. All our senses were awakened to the grandeur around us in the company of family and of God.
Sunday brought a return of summer as the Outdoor Adventurers drove into Chicago with our bikes safely dangling from our cars to South Lakeshore Drive. Sixty-second Street Beach was our destination. The carless bike trail stretches north 13 miles from La Rabida Children Hospital to Edgewater Beach (the grand old resort). We rode half of it circling Northerly Island and the Museum Campus and returning to Hyde Park to Valois “See Your Food” Cafeteria to eat incrusted in murals of the scenes we just rode in.
Dune restoration and growing migratory bird habitats now dot the urban landscape. White sails bobbed on the cyan blue water as sailors maneuvered playfully for one last day.
It is strange that all this beauty, activity, enjoyment is out there always for us to savor, but like last week’s “Journey” it is lost in ethereal space. We assigned God to that heavenly, out of reach, out of mind space. Andrew Greeley wrote a blessing in his book The Irish that reminds us that we must use all our senses to see and experience God and make God a real presence in our daily life.
May you see God In the ice cream cloud…
May you hear God In the fall of the raindrops…
May you touch God In the friendly hand…
May you smell God In the rosemary bush…
May you taste God In dark chocolate…
The presence of God is everywhere. He gives us untold presents but we want more like children on Christmas. We forget that real prayer is being in the presence of God. Prayer is an acclamation of faith that we need God in our lives always and that God is there always. Prayer is the hope, the faith that we may be in God’s presence for eternity. Luke 18: When the Son of God comes will he find faith on earth?
May God who lures everywhere in Love, bless you, the Father Son and Holy Spirit.