Chuckle.
Laugh.
It's 7:56 a.m.
Thursday morning.
Cloudy skies and cool morning temperatures.
Me, making the short walk from the retreat house to St. Joseph Chapel, no more than a few hundred feet.
The Abbey tower straight above, bells clanging to indicate Mass is just a few minutes away.
Seminarians in all black descending on the Chapel.
And there, off by Anselm Hall, a couple brick walkways over, maybe 2,500 feet, there they are, the source of my chuckle.
Fr. Ralph and Fr. Liam, in black Benedictine habits -- heavy, simple, distinguishing clothing -- and they are running -- not sprinting but exerting more than a jog -- late for Mass, afraid they won't have time to vest before the bells cease, and the celebration commences.
They are grinning in the child-like quality of the moment, passing by seminarians, serving as a reminder that even they, well-trained and disciplined monks, aren't always contemplative. Our humanity is shared in their grins and stomping foray to beat the clock.
Something about this sight brings me joy. The humor of it all. Monks in their habits, running like school kids to avoid being tardy. I can't help myself.
I smile.
Chuckle.
Laugh.
No comments:
Post a Comment