Dispatches from Fr. Charitas

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

As I stroll in the light breeze through the cherry blossoms, some white, some pink, some still undecided, I think of how heavy the world has become, or possibly, I have grown weaker. But though my muscles are weaker and growing weaker, my soul is stronger than it has ever been strong. And when my spirit is stronger, the weight of the world seems not too much to bear. I think it may be the way of spiritual souls devoted to daily spiritual growth … we grow stronger as we grow weaker.

Still, I think the world is very heavy this days, far heavier than I believe it must be. Wars are heavy things. Cruelty is a heavy thing. Bigotry, prejudice, injustice, all are heavy things. Judgement is a heavy thing; mercy is a lighter thing. Condemnation is heavy, second chances are light. Some people’s heavy-handed religion is heavy, Christ’s burden is light. Some people’s purses are heavy with gold, my simplicity is light indeed.

I am growing weaker, yet I am growing stronger. The world is as heavy stones, this place where I abide is as light as cherry blossoms playing in the breeze.

In these distant, sacred realms of the Hills of Jade … life is not nearly as heavy as in the realm I left behind.

In His Service always,
Fr. Charitas de la Cruz