A Canopy of Stars

On Monday, Notre Dame caught fire. I didn't know about it until mid afternoon when Dad texted me.

Immediately, I went online to see the latest updates. I watched Notre Dame's enchanting spire ablaze. I saw the fire racing across the roof. As Notre Dame burned, its spire fell and roof burned.

Witnessing that event on television was distressing. First, I could not believe what I was seeing. Second, I mourned the destruction of this 13th Century icon of history. Third, I had flashbacks to 9/11. Thank God no one was seriously injured or killed, and thank God for first-responders who risk their lives to save people, history, homes and buildings.

Seeing that magnificent steeple burst into flames immediately took me to visions of the planes crashing into the twin towers with unforgiving obliteration.. so many precious lives lost, broken, never-to-be-the same. God bless all who gave their lives that tragic day.

Selfless

Determined

Lifesavers

Life-givers

It's incredibly shocking when a natural element escapes its contained state and swiftly turns a beckoning and refreshing call into an unforgiving rage

Fire that warms the hands and roasts marshmallows

becomes out of control, burning buildings, homes, everything in its path

A breeze that cools the body, propels the sailboat

whips up into a frenzy, a whirling dervish hoisting, propelling anything in its way

Earth that nurtures the living and provides for its creatures

rumbles, shakes until its ground splits open, quakes and swallows that which was once anchored

The ocean, the river, the lake, an afternoon shower...water that provides not just sustenance but gives life,

cools the sun-drenched, refreshes the thirsty

rises in waves, grows larger than life, sweeps across the plains, drenching and ruining beauty as it bursts its dams, drowning everything in its flood

Elements shatter the glass-half-full, wreck, smash and traumatize, whip, burn, drown and swallow when untethered,

but when in harmony

each rises to its own occasion and purpose of blessing and nurturing

I don't want to see another disaster---natural or otherwise

such is life

at times

but

not always

And when one element is raging, there is another bound to provide comfort.

The now open canopy of Notre Dame will continue to woo worshippers, saints, sinners, tourists, clergy and more...

I'm shifting the image from the cathedral's burned out roof

and trading it in for a brilliant picture of a cathedral now opened to the heavens...

my, how the stars must shine

Notre Dame, despite its ruins and roofless façade,

beckons still, the voice of Jesus who calls...

Come to me all of you who are weary,

broken-hearted

heavy laden with burdens

Come to me, my beloved

I will lift up your head

I will remove your shackles

I will take the weight from your shoulders

for my yoke is easy

and my burden is light

and you shall find rest for your soul

(my paraphrase of Matthew 11:28)