The newly lit sanctuary candle has been moved into its lamp. I have to wait a day or so to do that as the flame is otherwise too ferocious. Meanwhile, the living flame of love which is always issuing from round about the throne of the Most High is WAY too demanding to take in no matter what we do. It does its work nonetheless. It burns into cinders those are not with Him, but purifies as gold in the fire those who are with Him, having them reflect the fire of His love all the more. But that fire does burn, is lively, magnificent, majestic, mighty, bringing our hearts close to His Sacred Heart, ourselves in almost uncontainably enthusiastic humble thanksgiving, He, being ever so good, ever so kind.
Meanwhile, the chickens are hamming it up for the camera. I like the one that’s decapitated, pretending to scratch around for food just like the others, for a moment anyway:
Actually, the chicken on the upper right is bending her neck away from the camera to grab a tasty morsel. Just an optical illusion.
The chickens act as if they don’t know that there’s a flood warning out again. However, I find that animals are always more aware of the weather than we are. There are heavy rains coming tonight and tomorrow. The radar looks rather menacing.
Meanwhile, Laudie-dog is sharpening her weapons… I mean teeth. Her claws are self-sharpening…
Looks like her jaws expand to be able to take in the neck of bear. Yikes!
Sharpening one way and then the other…
Very content, I think.
Yes, very content, indeed.
Meanwhile…
There are 1091 emails to go through. It’s not that I haven’t seen them or that I haven’t acted upon them. It’s just that I haven’t answered them. This may be today’s project. A quiet day next to Jesus in the tabernacle. Most of the emails, mind you, are about prayer, so, a good place to be. The list for prayers for priests and bishops has been expanding. I’ll try to work on that list today as well lest I be like a chicken with my head cut off. Yikes!
UPDATE: I’ve reduced the total emails by a couple of thousand so far. I’ve reduced the ones marked “unread” down to 809! (N.B. “unread” doesn’t mean unread; it just means I haven’t yet responded!)
Accompany me, Father George David Byers, S.S.L., S.T.D., as I begin life as a Catholic Priest-Hermit by choice. Holy Souls Hermitage is dedicated to the sanctification of my fellow priests, bishops, deacons & seminarians going through the purgatory of this life or the next. Prayer and sacrifice go up, of course, for both Benedict XVI and the next Successor of Saint Peter. 
Dear Fr. I have just recently discovered your wonderful blog and website. I love today’s about Laudie-dog. My husband and I have 3 dogs, so I can completely relate to your love of her and your chickens. I love the way you let all of us in on your life in a hermitage. Thank you for your vocation and I feel truly blessed to follow you on your blog. I will pray for you and all priests. Have a blessed Ash Wednesday and Lent. to Jesus through Mary, Cheryl Taylor Houston, Texas
Sent from my iPad
Again you share the intimacy of life on your Sacred Journey with Our Lord and his Blessed Mother. You are indeed a role model and inspireation. Thank You
Saint Paul said that about himself. I could never say that about myself. And, indeed, we are led by our Blessed Mother to Jesus. Much better to look to her!!!