Dear Friends,

Nobody really likes weeds! Well, maybe the little ones might as they gather a bouquet of dandelions for their Mom. And then, maybe the guy who knows how to make dandelion wine might, as well. Then again, isn’t that what today’s Gospel and the Good News of Jesus is really saying anyway? That we need to slow down and stop making quick and emotional decisions about persons, situations or things, simply because we are impatient.

Sometimes, just sometimes, we may need the weeds in our life. Sometimes, we might be prompted by God to take the time and effort it takes to properly remove them without destroying everything else … to enter a space of stillness in which we might rather not be, to experience a sense of pride and gratitude for what we have and an intentional awareness of the effort that must be expended to protect the gift given. Let us then, acknowledge both the good and evil in our lives; committing ourselves to trust in God alone and, with His grace, to safeguard all that is good and to irradicate anything in the seedbed of our soul that would keep us from heaven.

Allow me to share a story: Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe … as it happens, near Transylvania. They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late and raining very hard. Bob could barely see the road in front of the car. Suddenly, the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree. Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear his focus. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance. He carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks. A minute passes. A small, hunched man opens the door. Bob immediately blurts, “Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife, Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?”

“I’m sorry,” replied the hunchback, “we don't have a phone; however, my master is a doctor. Come in, and I will get him!” Bob brings his wife in. An older man comes down the stairs. “I’m afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist ... However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory.”

With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. At that moment, Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table. After a brief examination, Igor’s master looks worried. “Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion.” Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more. The death of the Hills upset Igor’s master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house.

Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty’s hand twitch, keeping time to the piano music. Stunned, he watches as Bob’s arm begins to rise, marking the beat as well. He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight! Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory. He bursts in and shouts to his master: “Master, Master … the Hills are alive with the sound of music!”

Oh, c’mon; sometimes you just have to laugh! Be of good cheer and have a blessed and restful week!

Msgr. Grous