Wow
It seems to me that children are born as masters
in the art of presenting their parents with situations which must either cause
horror or pride. The boundary between the two - the choice that faces the
parent - is so razor thin that you are just left scratching your
head.
So, this morning at the Divine Liturgy, Claudia was engaged in her usual Sunday morning pastime of wrangling Lislott. This morning was a particularly important morning, as it was our Priest's last Sunday as Pastor of our congregation. After 53 years as a priest (he is now 76) and after 28 years pastoring this congregation, he will be "retiring." Personally, I have doubts as to how much retirement will be involved, as the fire of the Spirit burns far too brightly within him for him to settle, and he becomes so deeply engaged in the Liturgy, that you can't imagine him no longer celebrating it. The Presbytera is already making plans for volunteer opportunities, so I don't think much rest will be involved in this retirement.
At any rate, Lislott had been relatively well behaved this morning, but as communion was approaching, was becoming increasingly energetic. I was awaiting the moment when Claudia would need to bid a hasty retreat, as she did last week when Lislott managed to bring the entire Liturgy to a halt with her antics. This morning, however, would be a bit different. Lislott settled down somewhat as communion approached. She has participated, and received, since our Chrismation back in June, so nothing should have been particularly unusual this Sunday, but apparently it was. As Fr. Phillips and Fr. Jerome (who was assisting with communion today) exited the Altar through the Royal doors, Lislott looked at them and uttered a rather loud "Wow".
Of course, I was mortified. Here was my child making a loud noise at a most sacred moment in the Liturgy. However, what she said was so right that we should all take note. I was mortified that my child appeared to be disrupting the service, but in her utterance I realized that she was proclaiming the truth of the matter in a way that would cause most of us shame - myself in particular.
Out of the mouths of babes. Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.
So, this morning at the Divine Liturgy, Claudia was engaged in her usual Sunday morning pastime of wrangling Lislott. This morning was a particularly important morning, as it was our Priest's last Sunday as Pastor of our congregation. After 53 years as a priest (he is now 76) and after 28 years pastoring this congregation, he will be "retiring." Personally, I have doubts as to how much retirement will be involved, as the fire of the Spirit burns far too brightly within him for him to settle, and he becomes so deeply engaged in the Liturgy, that you can't imagine him no longer celebrating it. The Presbytera is already making plans for volunteer opportunities, so I don't think much rest will be involved in this retirement.
At any rate, Lislott had been relatively well behaved this morning, but as communion was approaching, was becoming increasingly energetic. I was awaiting the moment when Claudia would need to bid a hasty retreat, as she did last week when Lislott managed to bring the entire Liturgy to a halt with her antics. This morning, however, would be a bit different. Lislott settled down somewhat as communion approached. She has participated, and received, since our Chrismation back in June, so nothing should have been particularly unusual this Sunday, but apparently it was. As Fr. Phillips and Fr. Jerome (who was assisting with communion today) exited the Altar through the Royal doors, Lislott looked at them and uttered a rather loud "Wow".
Of course, I was mortified. Here was my child making a loud noise at a most sacred moment in the Liturgy. However, what she said was so right that we should all take note. I was mortified that my child appeared to be disrupting the service, but in her utterance I realized that she was proclaiming the truth of the matter in a way that would cause most of us shame - myself in particular.
Out of the mouths of babes. Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.
Posted: Sun - October 29, 2006 at 09:30 PM
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Published On: Dec 28, 2006 09:23 AM
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Published On: Dec 28, 2006 09:23 AM