Serenity

Of course, there is more to write about serenity, of substance. It just seems as if the Catholic hermit is checking in, writing from within the Sacred Heart in such blissful serenity. Yes, Agnus Dei is having a serene day-off from the world.

No hate mail came; only a call from my cousin in which I explained St. Silouan's experience of coming to such deep humility and repentance that he then comprehended Christ-like love which then included acceptance of great sorrow in suffering with the bonds of being one with all people. So we talked about this for awhile. I have an example to use, but it is not necessary to go into it. God knows; he heard me share it with my cousin.

The Catholic hermit is pondering these matters, for what the Bishop said regarding allowing enemies to be in our hearts, of what the Right Reverend wrote in the St. Silouan Foreward about Christ's heart being open to evil and good alike, and now putting it all together with life experiences: the Catholic hermit must love like Christ; yes. The humility must be deep and thorough; yes. The sorrow of sins and of being one with all past, present and future brothers and sisters who sin, as they are bound to me: this must be a very real sorrow.

It is sinking in today, the sorrow. It is a different kind of sorrow, though. It is a serene sorrow. There is much peace in this sorrow. Like the impervious peace of the soul, this sorrow is a facet now experienced this afternoon for the first time, adding lustre and beauty to the peace. Doubtful, it will ever leave.

This is the peaceful, serene sorrow of the Sacred Heart.

Lake Immaculata is ice-free; the sun slants from the west, as if rippling the waters easterly, gently, sparkling in its own expression of sorrowful serenity. They share the sorrows of nature in its harsh realities, for within days ripples succumb to icy sheathing, crusting, thickening, until spring thaws.