Aug 24, 2025

Living in Unconditional Love (232)

 

“Love flows from God to humans without effort:

As a bird glides through the air without moving its wings-

Thus, they go wherever they wish united in body and soul,

Yet separate in form.”

–Mechtild of Magdeburg

 

My wife Eileen died from esophageal cancer in February 2020 one year after being diagnosed, 60 years after we met on Long Island. Then my brother Tom became ill (not COVID), and I spent a total of six weeks being with him in Ohio, but he died in October 2020. My sister-in-law Sue Mahoney died from Covid-19 in January 2021. On top of it all stood the pandemic, locking everyone down almost two years. Covid has proved to be a persistent problem, and many of the long-term effects are quite serious, and it has proven much more serious than flu.

08/24/2025                             The corn season was indeed short. When I went to replenish my supply this past Thursday, the stand was down, and all signs taken down. I do miss the delicious taste of corn-on-the-cob. The season lasted only about 10 days. While I could probably locate some elsewhere the two other stands I normally see not too far away did not have any this year.

While we had a day of rain this past week, it is still dry, and the grass is that dull green that indicates dryness. I mowed on Saturday as it has been three weeks since I mowed the lower pasture, and now all looks good. I suspect I may not have to mow again until after Labor Day, which is only a week away for the last summer holiday of the year. The gladiolas are very pretty and by scattering the planting over three weeks the blooming season is lasting longer. Several fall blooming plants are in full bloom, so color is scattered well. The magnolia tree is having a second bloom also, which I have seen over the past few years. Not covering the tree as it does in the spring but providing bright spots that bring color to brighten the day.

I know that Jesus forgave those that crucified him “For they know not what they do”, I have come to the realization (and read several spiritual writers) that point out that with the breadth of communication we have today that cannot be used as an excuse by those in power today. It is even sadder to me that two of the most blatant of those who condemn children to starvation and death and others to torture and death claim to be Catholic, so indeed the excuse of not knowing is a lie. The call to power is great and that they will use any means to gain human power is clear.  I feel sad for them, as the world (the world expresses their displeasure wherever they go) and the gospels tells them they are wrong, but the pull of power is so great they cannot resist the call – or refuse the call to resist that pull, for each of us has the choice to resist evil if we so desire.

Meditation

Gentle One, I weep for those in pain under the lash of power-soaked persons who relish the desire to show they are more powerful than others. I ask for mercy on those effected as they cry for help. I also cry for help on those who blindly cause others’ pain, refusing the call of Jesus for mercy and love. May they have their eyes opened to when they are doing and seek aid in their search for peace of mind.