Crabby Mystics

The Daughters of Saint Paul were at Christ the King about 10 days ago to offer books, CDs, DVDs and other media material to parishioners.  I have a special appreciation for these Daughters because for decades I’ve visited their stores in Dedham and Alexandria.  I’ve made many purchases.

According to their website, “The Daughters of St. Paul journey with humanity, seeking to respond to each person’s longings with the loving invitation of Christ. We are media apostles who dedicate our lives to share the beauty and light of the Gospel with as many people as possible. Through just a moment of connection—a smile, a word, an email, a prayer, a book, a song, an app—we endeavor to create a sacred space where every person can encounter Jesus Christ.

Today more than ever, we witness a world in anguish, fragmented and desperate for God. When people discover God, that their lives are held in his hand, it changes everything. Join us in filling the world with Christ’s hope, Christ’s love, and Christ’s mercy.”

After passing over books on theology, I found what I needed: “Prayer and You: Wit and Wisdom from a Crabby Mystic” by Sister Mary Lea Hill (2014).  Although I need prayer, I appreciate wit and wisdom just as much, if not more.  

Here’s one piece of her wisdom we all need.  “Perhaps most of us have uttered a sudden, unplanned ‘O my God!’ out of fright, or surprise, or some kind of shock.  Do you automatically clap a hand over your mouth when you realize that you have just used God’s name in vain, as the second commandment says?  But is it really ‘in vain,’ useless, or offensive to call out to God even so unconsciously?

We all know when we have purposely been disrespectful, when we ‘dis’ someone.  Are these careless OMGs cases of disrespect toward God?  I suggest that they are not, but that they are real prayers arising from the heart.  They are the Holy Spirit reminding us of our need for God.  He is speaking a prayer from within us.”

O my God, Sister Mary is a wise woman, and her book is full of wit!  We need more crabby mystics.

Deacon David Pierce