Reflective Reflections Reflecting Reflectance; Reflectometer

The following is a collection of thoughts meant to inspire my continued observations, and from which you, hopefully, may take some encouragement and thoughtful repose.

• Having recently attended a Memorial Mass for a former pastor of my parish, I was impressed with a the homilist’s description of the late priest’s latter years. He was in constant pain from injuries – then unknown – which he sustained in an automobile wreck earlier in his life. Though he NEVER ONCE complained, he would let others know he was in pain. Analogously, the homilist referenced the day’s scripture verse, Malachi 3:2b-3a “For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3“He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver.” He recollected how one woman in his own parish had sought to learn about the process of refining silver, and had shared the silversmith said the silver MUST be held IN THE FIRE CONSTANTLY to purify it. She asked, “How do you know when it’s pure?” His reply was, “When I look into it and see my reflection.”

• I have endured hardship in my life, and historically,

America is like a Diamond

The issues facing the American people are myriad.

America is much like a diamond.

As a natural product, every genuine diamond has flaws – some more pronounced than others – which are their defining hallmarks. Yet like every diamond, no matter the size, its value is deemed high enough to expend whatever time, capital and effort necessary to manifest a hidden beauty that sparkles when exposed to even the dimmest light of a flickering candle.

America IS that city upon a hill, a light upon a basket set high as an example for other nations to follow. And try as some have to extinguish that light, to lower that standard- through whatever means – they have not succeeded, nor will they succeed.

The American spirit is indomitable.

Our form of governance, though perhaps the youngest among the nations of the world, is the most enduring. Smelted in tyranny’s crucible, cast in unity’s form, strengthened with justice, and ever-tempered with mercy, America is a light to the paths of the world’s people, shining brighter and brighter ’til the perfect day.