THE DESERT CALLS

And so, once again, the

desert beckons me. But,

before I go, a deep bow

of gratitude and a tip of

the skullcap to Sister Christine

(http://www.abbeyofthearts.com/)

for pointing me back to a book I

need to take with me to the desert:

Teaching the Dead Bird to Sing

by W. Paul Jones. It's been several years since I read this book, but it is

calling to me once again. As if I had any doubts about this, one quick

glance at the quotations in the front of the book assured this book's

place in my backpack. I share them with you now. May they speak to

you as they spoke to me:

"I would soon go down into the silence."

- Psalm 94:17 (Grail)

"My one companion is darkness."

- Psalm 88:19 (Grail)

"Deep calls to deep..."

- Psalm 42:7

"The soul knows for certain

only that it is hungry."

- Simone Weil, Waiting for God

"The experiences called to mind here

were born in the desert that we must

not leave behind."

- Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

"You called, you shouted,

ans you broke through my deafness.

You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my darkness.

You breathed your fragance on me;

I drew in breath and now I pany for you.

I have tasted you, how I hunger and thirst for more.

You touched me, and I burned for your peace."

- Augustine, The Confessions

Pray for me, as I pray for you.

Amen.