A Healing Force

It was pitch black outside when my alarm went off.

My brother Timothy had arrived the night before, and we had made a plan to wake at the crack of dawn to attend a meditation at my church. The renowned contemplative prayer teacher James Finley was scheduled to lead a session at 5:30 that morning, and we were both excited for the chance to be in his presence. Timothy thought it would be a great way for us to jump-start Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season.

So off we went that morning, along with Timothy’s son, who had also come to stay. When we arrived at my church that early morning, there wasn’t a soul or a light in sight. Everything was dark and locked up.

“Maria,” my brother said, “Are sure you read that right?”