Sometimes it’s just a good idea to explain a photograph.
Try it; it's often prayer-like.
On the far left of this shot, you’ll see the calendar for 2020. The photo was taken on the very last day of the year: December 31, about 11:30 that morning. The location is a small meeting room inside the monastery of the Missionaries of Charity on Allport St. in Chicago. These are Mother Teresa’s sisters who live about a mile south of my house. They have an army of priests they invite over each day to say daily Mass for them, and Thursday was my turn. After the priest says Mass, they offer him a free brunch. I snapped this photo as I waited for the “kitchen sister” to bring in my toast and eggs. They insisted.
My coffee was brewing in the cup and the butter pats were thawing. I hadn’t noticed it when I first arrived, but the sisters had created a little chalkboard greeting for me: something to look at while I ate. I think they must have been grade school art teachers at one time. Two or three sisters normally sit at the table with me and watch as I eat (which is very disturbing) but not today. Through the window you can see another door down the hall. They are doing a special end-of-year song, which sounds beautiful. Kinda of like eating in a monastery … oh wait … I AM eating in a monastery.
I figured since the Sacred Heart of Jesus Himself was extending sacred arms over my meal, there was no need for me to recite a grace. Believe it or not, His power is what’s keeping those Christmas lights on. Obviously, the string is not plugged in to that wall socket. The sister brought in two eggs sunny side up and two pieces of toast. It was marvelous.
Finally, after I was finished with the brunch, the sisters must have heard me burp because the Mother Superior came out of the chapel to see me out for the afternoon. They invited me back for morning Mass (and breakfast) on January 12th, so maybe I will snap another picture. It isn’t very likely, but just in case the sisters are reading this blog, I want to thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy 2021.
Open up your eyes now; tell me what you see.