I had the fireplace in the rectory repaired which allows me sometime to contemplate my belly button and the crazy things that life and our Faith can bring.  (As an aside, both fire and water can be very mesmerizing and soothing to the soul.)

 One of the crazy things was some conversations I had on vacation.  A few of the people at the hotel we were staying in were part of big families vacationing at the same time.  The inevitable “what do you do for a living?” question would come up.  They talked about their jobs or family life.  We mentioned we were priests—that usually killed any further conversations, especially on vacation.

 One family was there to spend time with their mother, as she was terminal with cancer.  I asked if I could pray for her (they were 100% unchurched).  Startled and unsure how to respond the mother said, “I’m not religious, just spiritual.”  I said, “Well, the spiritual just came for a visit.”  She relented and let me lay hands on her to pray.  Afterwards, she said she never felt so good.  As a matter of fact, her physical and mental spirits were bright and light for the rest of her time there.  The family was so happy that they promised me that they would start going to church.  Crazy, right?

 A family from Canada (hey?) was visiting, amongst them a 4 month old, cute as a button.  When we greeted them, I instinctually blessed the baby’s forehead with the Sign of the Cross.  The mom asked with a concerned voice what I did.  I told her we were priests and blessing people was an occupational expression.  After saying “Goodbye”, and avoiding us for several days, one breakfast they asked to sit with us.  Both were fallen away Catholics, whose 3 children were yet to be baptized.  After over on hour of talking I said, “Commit or move on.”  Both looked at me and in unison said, “We want to commit!”  Crazy, right?

 God does move in mysterious ways.  What’s most crazy about all of this Faith stuff is that it’s not ours, it’s His!  We are, if we pray, ask, and are open to Him, just instruments at the right time of God’s choosing.  Our Faith is great and so is God.  The more we see ourselves as instruments in His plan and not the architects of it, the more mysterious and beautiful the whole God thing is!  Now that’s crazy!