The Hermit Meets with the Sheriff's Deputy

This is not how the hermit ever dreamed hermit life would be.

Today the hermit had irrational fears of being arrested for having, four months ago, holy-watered the neighbors' and the hermit's mailboxes (on a kiosk) in an attempt to pray for peace and love. This was following the neighbor's first demonic outburst in the presence of the hermit and the surveyor. It seemed to help, but, of course, we know that more outbursts have followed, to the point of needing the sheriff's intervention.

Yes, the hermit had to get help if nothing other than to keep the neighbors from doing something that would get them into serious and lasting trouble.

After Mass, the irrational fears departed, and the hermit realized that nightmares had fueled the fears, and that the devil is behind nightmares and irrational fears. So the hermit drove to the sheriff's department as they had requested (since the hermit didn't want another marked car coming in view of the neighbors, for fear of retaliation). The hermit gave the additional harrassment report, and the sheriff's deputy read the previous report, and then said the hermit must go to the court and get a protective order. Yes, this is what the hermit was to do for the hermit's protection.

The hermit went to the court, but in asking questions, was told that the sheriff would serve the protective order on the adult neighbors. Ah, the hermit fears these people, and so took the paper work and said prayer and thought would take place before returning with them. The court lady understood, for she said often the protective orders escalate the anger in the offenders against the victim. Yes, the sheriff's deputy and the court lady referred to the hermit as "the victim."

Back at Agnus Dei, the hermit began to caulk and paint the front door. The neighbors came out and stayed in front of their home, yet the woman loudly spoke to the grandson, describing the hermit in derogatory terms. The hermit continued to paint, tears streaming in silence.

The sorrow and suffering and silence was offered to Jesus, for the Church, for the Diocese, for many intentions including the confessor/vicar general whose cross is increasing with much work, for priest problems, and for the conversion of the souls next door.

The hermit also pondered the suffering Jesus endured and endures, for surely adults spoke of Him, even to little children, in derogatory terms.

This is the life of a hermit: to unite with Christ in humiliations, injustices, sufferings, and yet to pray with confidence and joy in that some day, some way, souls will be saved by sorrows.