This morning at Mass, I happened to look up after Communion to see Father purifying the sacred vessels, the chalice and ciborium, just used to hold the precious Body and Blood of the Lord.  (As I type this, I am awed by the mere thought!) 

(I am probably a bit more mindful of these things since I have the job of setting up for Mass and taking care of neccessities surrounding this.)

I pondered the history behind why these vessels are always made of highly valued metals.  It does make sense, though, in light of their amazing purpose.  They are made to hold the One whom even the highest heavens cannot contain (1 Kings 8:27). 

As I reflected, I though, too, of the song "Earthen Vessels," which draws from a passage from 2 Corinthians; it says that "we hold this treasure in earthen vessels."  Having just received Communion, we were holding Jesus within our bodies, physically.  Despite our fragility and our sinfulness, we are given this privilege!  

Through the reception of the Blessed Sacrament, and through God's presence with us throughout our day, we truly do hold a Treasure!  We can be deeply grateful for that in the midst of these trying times.

In doing a little research for this post, I realized that the titular phrase refers to air rather than water, being from the air force hymn.
 
Oh well, for some reason, this patriotic song popped into mind while I was swimming this afternoon.  (I suppose a musical program from the recent Fourth of July holiday probably had something to do with it.)
 
I now have a standing invitation to use the private pool of some friends of ours, and today was the second time I’ve taken advantage of it.  An hour of fun in the water was “just what the doctor ordered” for me! 

I didn’t know if my tentative plans would work out, due to time limitations and impending rain, but I am grateful for God’s providence in allowing me this much needed opportunity!
 
I’m glad my college swimming instructor wasn’t there watching me, because I really didn’t follow all the rules for proper strokes.  I didn’t care, though: I got some good exercise, had fun, and was able to work out some tense muscles.
 
I enjoyed swimming under water, floating on a foam “noodle,” and even jumping off the diving board (until my ears popped, that is).
 
The world under water certainly looks a lot different than that which we’re accustomed to seeing above. 
 
It does the soul (and body) good, however, to get away from the stress of everyday life once and a while; going off into the “wild blue yonder” with an afternoon swim can be a great way of doing this. 
 
Together with the water creatures who, in Daniel 6 are urged to “bless the Lord,” I was moved to give thanks to Him whose “mercy endures forever.”

Is it just me, or have the last three and a half months been especially challenging, stretching us in unprecedented ways?
 
This has definitely been my experience, in more ways than one.  Working in a long-term care setting at this time can certainly be described as “stressful.” 
 
Between being on high alert, sanitizing surfaces and taking temperatures, etc. to dealing with tensions that arise from people being frazzled and exhausted, to facing uncertainty and seemingly constant changes, these times certainly take their toll on a person.
 
I am reminding myself, as I write this post, to be careful not to let this stress get the better of me!  (I’ll admit that it has, on occasion, in the past.) I need to try not to be short or unkind with others as a result of the pressure. I am so grateful for the fresh start given in the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
 
I’m glad, too, that all of this struggle does not go to waste. 
 
Years ago, I learned to offer all this “stuff” of my daily life, the “prayers, works, joys, and suffering,” as well as any concerns, placing it on the altar (in my mind’s eye) at the time of the offertory at Mass.
 
Not only can I bring these challenges to Jesus during private prayer in front of the tabernacle (or throughout the day), I can also lay them all before Him, on the altar, when “assisting” at Mass.

This afternoon, one of my co-workers asked if we had an old wire coat hanger around.  She’d locked herself out of her car, and wanted to pick the lock.  (I must confess, I don’t know how that’s done.)
 
I lit up…I knew just the thing!  I’ve kept an elongated hanger near the door in the sacristy to use on disorderly candle wicks, to push them back to the center (when we had Adoration here before COVID-19). 
 
I hurried into chapel to find this item, excited to have what she needed readily available, despite the fact that it was an unusual request.
 
I went to the corner, where I conveniently kept the hanger, but it wasn’t there!
 
In the back of my mind, I remembered working in there recently and seeing the hanger.  I had debated whether or not I should leave it there, since we didn’t presently need it.  I couldn’t remember, however, what I ended up deciding and doing. 
 
To further complicate matters, the night staff had cleaned in Chapel last night, and someone could have moved or discarded the unusual piece of wire.
 
I’ve told myself before, “Don’t change things up; you might not find it again in a new spot that you’re not used to.”  (I have been in this frustrating situation at least once before.)
 
Now, I’m waiting to hear back from one of the night aides.  In the meantime, my co-worker will have to catch a ride home with someone.   
 
I do hope my treasure shows up again though, because it is handy for multiple purposes. 
 
I guess I have another mission for our good friend Saint Anthony!