This week’s Weekly Photo Challenge, vibrant, reminded me of a recent Christmas present — a coloring book. Not just a coloring book, but a book filled with inspirational quotes, too. I get to relax and enjoy the mindless distraction of coloring, and then I get to ponder the quote in the picture.
Win-Win!
What could be more vibrant that the knowledge that we are all miracles?
For where there are two or three gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them. ~Matthew 18:20
This gathering of faithful Catholics, Pope Francis fans, and curious seekers made a lasting impression on me. It was part of a re-connection to family in Cuba that coincided with the Pope’s visit to Cuba. You can read a little more about the trip here.
The gathering was festive and joyful. The Mass in Holguin was over, and Pope Francis came out in his popemobile to greet the people. It was an eclectic collection of people that day — a microcosm of the community. There were many who were curious or wanted to see the Pope in person. Everyone called to him and he smiled and waved and tried to be present to everyone in that happy assembly.
Although the open field lent itself to a carnival atmosphere, in truth, it was the Celebration of the Eucharist that drew the crowd, and in the end, it was a solemn and overwhelming experience to find myself in the midst of such a beautiful gathering.
This week’s photo challenge, victory, seems a little hollow to me after yesterday’s horrific events in Paris. What would have been a joyous post celebrating any number of victories I might have captured seems, after the fact, inappropriate. Had I published early in the day, I might have captured different scenes, but today I am drawn to a different victory. A sacrifice. A gift. An opportunity to meditate on the cardinal virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity.
