February 4, 2023

“Snow Day!”  These blessed words have electrified the souls of half-sleeping children across the country for generations.  If we recall our own time in school, we can probably remember the feeling of anticipation of a day-off as the snow storm neared.  Just the thought of going from the stress of homework assignments, tests, gym class, sports practice, and riding the bus to a leisurely day in my pajamas still sends a jolt of excitement through my veins!  I wonder if this is what grace is like: the unexpectedness, the giftedness, and the positive emotions.  Perhaps a snow day approximates the sheer joy and freedom of resurrected life, a shocking revelation after the weight of the preceding days.  We might even compare such a radical shift from tediousness into rest to our salvation which is nothing more than passing over from the drama of this life to the eternal sabbath of the next.  However we choose to celebrate a day off from school, or any other welcomed surprise, let’s not forget to offer a prayer of gratitude for the constant goodness that flows from the divine hand into our human experience.  May we, indeed, have the wisdom to identify daily snow-day-moments and be reminded of the miraculous nature of life.  Ave Crux, Spes Unica!