RIPPLES IN THE WATER

RIPPLES IN THE WATER

Some years ago, my wife and I spent a few days at Cape Cod in Massachusetts. While sitting on a bench at the seashore, I was watching the serf roll onto the seashore of the beach. After awhile, I began to notice the waves coming to the shore were in a series of seven. Six small waves, and the seventh wave was larger than the rest. This continuous motion of waves is a natures phenomenon, and is not well known.

This series of seven waves is sporadic, and when in this rhythm, if you are fortunate to observe them, it can last for long periods of time. 

And so, like our baptism, when ripples of holy water washes over us with the Holy Spirit creating a new beginning as our sponsors begin to guide us. Our spiritual journey continues with ripples of holy water, each time we dip our hand into the font and bless ourselves. Our spiritual journey materializes and is comprised of ripples of uncertainty, of passions, and wants, of learning and necessities.

For it is in  the stillness of the water, if you took a rock and dropped it, the splash would make a circle of ripples radiating outward. So too, like the ripples of the Holy Spirit, probing a heart to reach out and gather in those among us, with waves of compassion.

I was cleaning out our garage and stepped out to the trash bin and saw my neighbor across the street. She was struggling, trying to move a small freezer in her garage. I stopped what I was doing and went over to help. Her  husband is an invalid, terminally ill and has been for many years. When I got there, I said, “Let me help you with that”. In that instant, she just came forward and embraced me and started weeping, uncontrollable. Ripples of tears. In her long journey of caring for her husband, all the hopelessness came pouring out, as an emotional release, for someone, anyone for support and encouragement to catch the ripples of desperation. This is not what I had expected, but these are the times that compassion has prepared us for. God sent me, at the right time, at the right moment. With words of comfort, and spending time with my neighbor, calmness came over her, and now was able to continue with courage to carry on with her burden.

As I moved away, sadness filled me, thinking how life is so precious and delicate. That the ripples of despair come upon us in waves, disturbing our comfort in a moments notice.

And when those on their path collide on a crossroad, unable to carry their cross alone. When faith is put to the test, waiting for a merciful God to come to our aid.

It is the continuous ripples of our baptismal waters that dwells within us, refining and purifying our spiritual efforts, as the Holy Spirit encourages our heart to see, and feel, to multiply our compassion, for the least of our brothers.

JOHN 21: 3-6, 10-11 

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: But the disciples knew him not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, no. And He said unto them  cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Jesus saith unto them, bring of the fish which ye have now caught, Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet not the net broken.

Some scholars have tried to put some significance on this number of 153. After much thought, I find the number in-itself is irrelevant. What this does show, is the abundance of compassion Jesus showed to His seven disciples. That the amount of fish was more than they all could eat. So, what happened to the rest of the fish?

For it is the abundance of compassion which is measured by the substance of our journey, sharing with others what we have. And if neglected, the undercurrent washes away our desire to be reverent, to progress further and to become holy. Becoming holy, is nurtured in prayer, with meditation , Eucharist, and living in constant companionship with Christ. This fragrant approach takes us closer to obtain the droplets, the ripples, to live in Christ’s footsteps. This outpouring of compassion opens an opportunity to reach out and to serve those in need of assistance.

It is compassion of the seventh wave in the sea, helping the other six, to reach the shore. We can do the same. Ripples in the water. Cast out a net of compassion and embrace those who least expect it.

Robert J Varrick

rjvarrick@gmail.com