granny

My grandmother had grown up in a Jewish village in Ukraine, but she’s never been a believer. She’s about 90 years old now and in a way is becoming like a child. Two recent conversations with her have amazed us.

Once, I was talking to her on the phone after work on the way home. I was telling her of some plans that we have and then, half-jokingly, asked her whether those plans are ok? Whether she’s like it this way or that way? And she said: “I want you to do as you wish. And what I have to do – is just to love you.”

And another time my mom/her daughter was talking to her. My granny was telling of this and that happening, and concluded with the words: “whatever happens, we should say: glory to God!”

I know of one Jewish man who said – and wrote – the same. He lived roughly two millennia ago and his commemoration day is today. My granny has never been a believer. Or has she? I believe and hope for our Lord’s mercy to such children of His.

spiritual kung fu

We watched the new “Kung Fu Panda” with kids this past Saturday. Sequels are usually not as good as the original films, if not plain bad. This one surprised me in that respect, as it turned out to be deeper than the first cartoon. The message was toward those who got stuck with their past – what they did or experienced in the past – and can’t move forward. Approximately this: the past doesn’t define you; what you decide to be from now on – that’s what defines you. Isn’t that repentance, metanoia, the change of heart? the resolution to do good and reject the temptations to sin?

Two things I heard over the last few days had removed the veil from my eyes, at least relatively, and let me see the Light. One of them is what Romanos wrote: “God is not angry with you”. And another one is from the cartoon. Right on time, as I was preparing for the confession. I was definitely stuck with the multitude of dark things in my past. I needed someone to show me the way, again. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for You never leave me, even when I think I left You. Thank You for the messages You always send me through Your other children.

“Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns!” And we’re free to go forward to the Light and be the light, the choice is ours – between that and looking back like Lot’s wife and staying stuck.