Lenten eMeditation – February 12, 2005 #4

<pre>
            Apollinaire Said:
               "Come to the edge.”
               "We might fall.” </pre><pre>
               “Come to the edge.”
                “It’s too high.”</pre> <pre>
                “COME TO THE EDGE!</pre>  <pre>
              And they came,
              And he pushed them
                          And they flew.</pre> <pre>
                     --Christopher Logue</pre>

<p>Maria Harris shared this poem with an audience of eager catechetical leaders one, what seems like long ago, Saturday. Four of us left Indianapolis at 4:00 am to participate in her workshop. Over the years of my catechetical career I’ve heard her say those words and experienced her gentle push. Maria died recently after what I understand was a debilitating illness. Those of us in catechetical ministry will continue to minister standing on the foundation Maria help build. We will miss her and we will remember. </p>
<p>
During Lent, and maybe even more so at this point in my life, I find myself reflecting on the flow of life to death. This has been a fertile year for such thoughts. The list of those who have died is extensive, as always, but there are a few that touched me in a deeply personal way.  Bishop McNamara, Maria Harris, Mary Alice O’Rielly, and Ruth Carr gifted me in many marked ways.</p>

<p>May the Lenten discipline enrich my life with the audacity to come to the edge, in spite of the fear that often grips me, inviting the push of God.  </p> 

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” (Ps 86: 11ab)