Mother Mary's arms are open in welcome to you as you walk from the parking lot to the retreat house. They say, "Come, join us. Stay. Pray. You are welcome here." The setting is Lancaster, Kentucky and the late afternoon sun has slipped behind the clouds. We quickly find our assigned rooms and regroup on the large front porch to walk the grounds. Mary, ever vigilant watches over us as we make our way past the large crucifix on the front lawn. Down the lawn to the Dix River we walk, the chirping of grasshoppers singing in chorus as we hike. The river carries the scent of fish. You can see them eagerly feeding at mosquitoes just above the water. We take in a view of water and trees and limestone all around us. It's beautiful here. Peaceful.
Back up the hill and the past Mary we hike to the back of the property. Michelangelo's Pieta awaits us. We stand in expectant silence. Our retreat leader encourages us to walk the property further, to let go of the world of academia and books and enjoy the nature around us. I think about walking the stations of the cross but decide that is for another time. Instead I head back to my room to gather a new book by Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. I want to sit on the porch, look at the trees and ponder what Eugene has to say about spiritual theology.
As I settle in, it seems all nature erupts into a joyful chorus. First there are the grasshoppers, then the cicadas in loud buzz, added to this is the call of a black bird somewhere in the trees and underneath it all the hum of the air conditioner just behind me. I do not mind... I'm actually glad to be able to listen and hear the sounds of nature all around me. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, rocking slowly. Prayer envelopes me. A day ends and another night approaches. God is good.
Comments