Friday, August 1, 2025

A Metanoia Anniversary pt 17



 

The News of my death is greatly exaggerated"

- Mark Twain


meta -naoia

: a transformative change of heart, a new perspective, turning point, 


"He not busy being born is busy dying"

- Bob Dylan, It's Alright Ma




"Where your treasure is , there is your heart also."

- Matt 6:212


"Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses

that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one

left them all behind."

- The Princess Bride


Inspiration :

The ride had been mostly a mostly gentle sail.

Many days of letting wind and waves carry this

vessel availing this sailor to the ascent to peace.

Moments of fierce storms soon arrived shifting

me of course and the task of getting back 

was almost impossible. Faith and courage waned as

the journey seemed out of control .Then the big knock

down arrived.The cardiologist said "You need heart surgery."


On Thursday July 31, 2008 , the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, I 

found myself at a noon mass at a local Jesuit Retreat House.

Spartan attendance was the norm for these liturgies but on

this day the small chapel was filled to leaving many in attendance

standing. Fr. Gerry , the celebrant, informed the gathered believers

that I was scheduled to have open heart surgery on Monday August 4 . 

A great gasp echoed throughout. Gerry then invited everyone to 

participate in the Sacrament of  Healing for me by laying hands 

on me in prayer. Humility and gratitude grew. 

The blessings began. My tears flowed like an underserved

prodigal.


While departing the chapel the Jesuit guru of the house,Fr. Tom,

 satat the exit-way grabbing me gently whispering into my ear

"You know, I heard that this works."


The following Monday waiting with palms perspiring 

in pre-surgery the surgeon invited Ginny for one more visit . 

My attempt at being the strong positive one was a poor mask. 

Ginny saw right through me and gave me a kiss

that I can still feel seventeen years later.It was the blessing I had not expected.

It was the kiss that exceeded the kiss of the Princess Bride. 

I was unaware just how much everything was about to change again. 

---------

The Writing:

A Metanoia Anniversary pt 17

"To Every thing there is a season, and 

a time for every purpose under heaven "

- Eccl. 3:2


Seventeen years ago today

The sacred heart band taught this troubadour 

What it means... to be.


Burned out working within the ivy walls

The student led the teacher..as it should be..

Fateful Ash Wednesday with nothing to lose

The collegial pastor marks the spot.

The retreating sun that day continued to mark a turn in 

The wandering pilgrim's road .

A late night phone call, an interview,

a cosmic intervention.

The sojourner introduced to a new world

where faith and work overlapped.

Ying and yang.

Time and the journey never stands still.

Pieces of the puzzle falling perfectly into place.

Another accidental encounter leads 

To a new invitation , a silent retreat.

The paralyzed prodigal was about to 

lowered into the holy presence.

The seeker then is recommended 

to a place of holy ground

within a stone's throw from his home.

There a guide to the spiritual realm continued to nourish

the prodigal's thirst and slow return.

The deep dive began as his worldly passage

begins spinning faster and faster.

Dizzied and heartache brings him to 

the expert in matters of the heart . 

The grand physician informs the lost soul

of his broken heart. A repair is urgent.


Hours before the chest being cracked open

the half hearted lost wanderer landed in the upper room

at the grace-filled place where those convened

placed there  their hands in Sacrament on the pilgrim. 

The healing, the transformation, the butterfly about

to break free into flight.


The heart repaired , ribs wired together.

The weak spark rekindled into flame-

Heart on fire , a metanoia being born.

Eyes are opened to see truth, purpose, compassion,

selflessness , peace , love  and faith.

Every thing , every moment , every encounter ,

every place , the words of inspiration and encouragement

through both the calm and stormy seas

was all that broken hungry heart  really needed.

Finisterre ... an ending - a beginning.

- JF Sobecki

--------

Poetry: some words and ideas to contemplate

(Please click on links underneath the video)


St. Ignatius' Day (8/2008)


Wel,it was St. Ignatius' Day

The presiding prelate put his hands on me

No words needed as the paralytic was lowered

Into the sanctified presence.

Immersed in the desire to be free

A proclaimed consecrated "exercise" 

was suggested by the advocate.


Slowly silently slipping away

When the the community gathered

That had filled the upper room 

Laid their hands on this frail worn creation.

A smudge of oil , spirit lifting higher and higher

Oh gentle intercessory prayers


It was St. Ignatius' Day

Fear need a dose.of love and

a confession of faith

Many demons to be slayed

No doubt they were real

Two standards recalled and contemplated

Simple choice 

Hold me, hold me don't let me fall


Within the deepest silence

a voice sings out for love echoes

falling into grace

Would this suffice?

Was my desire to please be

satisfactory for hope

I fell to my weakened knees


It was St. Ignatius' Day

Leading by being led

A lighthouse above the breaking waves

From the storms

Shining the great beacon on 

this fragile essence to 

the safety of the shoreline.

Disappointed with my doubt

Tears of joy - 

Pouring like eternal wine from a chalice


The prodigal pilgrim sanctified

From the abundant unconditional benevolence.

The lost vessel with filled with cosmic mercy,

consolations of peace while the 

fear washed away with the withdrawing tide.

Nourished by the solemn invocation,

Humbled and grateful

This wounded bird took to flight.

- JF Sobecki

For What Binds Us - J. Hirshfield

https://youtu.be/MQb5g5CISn4?si=W5FXRHS9RRe8p9xA

Life is a Walking - Good Buffalo Eagle



https://youtu.be/ZQYPlEoU9ko?si=5E8i-DZmhCzsS2Yl

----

Music: and such for your listening inspiration

Second Chances - G. A. Isakov

https://youtu.be/makCY8JSqgE?si=7OcM3izuwd1zUtGg

A Promise of Living - A. Copeland

https://youtu.be/bLM_YTnmLto?si=P1-W1B25CndmwjVk


One Fine Day - D. Byrne

https://youtu.be/JvlT5fBIi4U?si=alyDyJIDZQxWs5oK

-----

Coda: Some extras for your reflection

Field of Dreams - "Is there a  heaven?'

https://youtu.be/b_wnD6jxREU?si=pWu2d8CGnWr3e6ZW

(I'm not crying are you crying?)

Prayer- Beach Boys

https://youtu.be/X76ejh4EIV4?si=65-4YAWLRpejPaI4


A prayer of gratitude to all my "companions" I met

and continue to meet along the way.


!7 years since this Second Chance Dance Blog began to pour out.


AMDG

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