Brian’s Reflection: Monday, September 15, 2008


You might think that after thousands of years
of coming up too soon and getting frozen, the
crocus family would have had a little sense
knocked into it.

- Robert Benchley, New Yorker writer, and
member of the Algonquin “Round Table”,
born on this day, 1889, in MA


A good humourist always helps in Life! A good laugh really helps too. Especially in those times when things seem so discouraging, either in one’s own Life or in the World. Fr. Huntington, OHC, always told members of the Order that they should always travel with a “spiritual book”. (Or was it written in the Rule?)

Far be it from me to “contradict” Fr. Huntington! But I would suggest that a book of humour can certainly be viewed as an essential tool for reviving the spirit, yes? People have been trying for millennia to pretend that God does not have a sense of humour. But some brave souls have had the guts to suggest otherwise. These I consider great sages! Think of the movie “Oh God”. If anything would draw people to God and Faith, George Burns would. Probably far better than most Sunday School lessons or sermons.

God bless those little crocuses!! What a beautiful little parable they are. Bravely they push up through the snow (and I think snow drops are a partner in crime?). They get frozen. But they don’t give up.

Good teacher.

Brian+