Demonstrations of Grace

So many lessons learned.
So many, being learned.
Clearly, it has just begun,
The integrating
Of
This
Magical
Trip.

As I look through the gunhole, 
onto the profound moments
I was given—

Of walking the streets,
Of sitting in the churches,

Opening
One
Step
At a time,
To 
The 
Demonstrations
Of Grace
All 
Around
Me.
~~~
Here’s one:

I found it such a pleasure, such a blessing not knowing what people were saying!  There was such freedom alive in that for me, not having to do anything, not understanding what was unfolding.  

Not knowing somehow offered me profound intimacy.  

On Sunday, we wandered into my favorite church, a tiny chapel resplendent with cherubim.  This church is from Roman times, with Roman pillars, initially the Temple of Minerva, Roman goddess of strategy, of wisdom, of justice.  The Christians took the church and dedicated it to St. Maria.  Its official name is 
St. Maria sopra Minerva.  (Minerva under Maria).  I love that.

Layer upon layer.
We wandered into Sunday mass.  
The service was stunning, simple and deep.  There must have been not more than 7 of us in the pews.

Four congregants sang magnificently, the women read liturgy.  Out came four men wearing clergy robes, white with green strips.  One had a solid green robe, obviously a superior.  

My human, Western, judgmental mind leaped right to, “Here come the old white men.”

The women choir members did most of the readings, to my relief.  

Then the green-robed older man (yes, still white, still older), came to the speaking platform.  I kind of shivered with potential dread.

He began to speak to the 7 of us.  

I understood not one word.

Nevertheless,

His passion,
His commitment,
His presence, 
His love,
Radiated
Upon 
Us.

It was staggeringly beautiful.

I started to weep.  I looked at Ras, who looked at me, both of us, weeping, awed by the energy and the being of this man.

So much for my mind’s interpretation of the moment.
So much for my commitment to understanding.

No language could contain the power
Of
His
Words.

His energy
Was deeper
Than
All
Of 
That.

Demonstrations 
Of Grace
Are
Everywhere.
~~~