GOD speaks to me through EGYPT

Dear Readers: Many of you know the most cherished of my Admired Patrons is The Anchoress. She is a beautiful writer, a great lady, and a wonderful pundit putting some sensible perspective on current events. She often writes about her faith and aspects of the Catholic Church, and as a result of her posts, I am in the process of becoming Catholic myself.

Temple of Mut was initially set-up to share information with people about ancient Egypt and science, two of my life-long passions. After the first “Nationwide Tea Party”, I have featured behind-the-scenes stories about my local citizen’s action group, the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition. The Anchoress has kindly linked to some of these tales, and helped promote them to others with a large soapbox, for which I am eternally grateful.

While I could not write about the Catholic faith or Christianity with the same grace as The Anchoress, I wanted to share with her, my readers, and the public a series of events this week that seem to me nothing short of GOD speaking to me through EGYPT. And as Egypt has been an icon to me through my life, I feel I can write on my profound experiences today.

Between the Tea Party organization and some personal relationship matters, I have been praying nearly every day to GOD, Christ and the Virgin Mary for serenity and strength. So, as I follow a link within one of the Anchoress’ posts, as is my custom to expand my knowledge base, I come upon her 2008 on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

I was really jazzed. Recalling the game “Masterpiece” from my childhood, it featured famous artwork. I always bought the religious pieces — my favorite being “The Assumption of the Virgin” by El Greco. So, I realized that there would be a celebration at mass this Saturday.

During my RCIA class, I asked the Deacon if I could go up during Communion for a blessing. Indeed, I could! I got my first blessing today, which celebrates the “Assumption of the Virgin”. How cool is that!

Because I appreciate the role of Egypt in Christ’s story, and its place in the subsequent history of the Church, so as I dressed this morning, I decided to wear my best lapis/scarab beads in homage.

One of the reasons I am attending this church (Ascension Catholic Parish in San Diego) is that I want to give my son a spiritual start that I didn’t get — to have a faith home, so to speak. The reason I got into high gear was based on what the Young Prince (who is a precocious 7 year old) said to his best buddy during the first theological discussion he has ever had. His words are based on one of the many Egypt-oriented movies I have, and a family favorite — “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. About GOD, Blake said this to his friend — GOD lives in Egypt, in a box. I have to say, I had a hearty laugh. However, I think my son needs a little more religious instruction — and not from a DVD.

Hence, into catechism class he goes this September.

Imagine my surprise then when during his homily, Father Anthony (MUT Note- Anthony is one of my personal “saint” picks, as he is the patron saint of lost things, and being absent-minded, I am always misplacing items) started humming the theme to…you guessed it….”Raiders of the Lost Ark”. When he asked his parishioners to “name that tune“, there was one person who readily had the answer.

ME.

Father Anthony gave a brilliant homily of how the Virgin Mary was the true Ark of the Covenant. The services also featured the Magnificat — and, as I told you, St. Elizabeth was my second personal saint pick (MUT Note: I am an older mother, and the Magnificat is one of my favorite sections of the Gospels). It was truly inspirational. As I have been praying hard for the success of our citizen’s actions groups, and I have a Revolutionary War ancestor Israel Putnam, my cherished readers may understand how much meaning this portion of the Gospel meant to me on all days:

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

During the service, my eyes started to weep tears uncontrollably — which has only happened on rare occasions that usually involve me watching something soul-touching on film (e.g., the scenes between Mary and Christ in “The Passion of the Christ” and the end of the movie “Gladiator”). This has never before happened to me during any service I have gone to, and I have been heading to church on Easter and Christmas since becoming Episcopalian in 1986.

There is another thing I wanted to share. I have been praying for a way to find balance, and endurance, to be involved with our local citizen’s action organization. I kid you not — during a prayer I had right after I read the Anchoress’ “Assumption” blog — I heard an inner voice saying simply: “You NEED to tell the PEOPLE’s story”. I knew I had found my proper role — not organizing events, but capturing the images, actions and thoughts of my fellow citizens. Subsequently, I wrote this piece, which is inspiring many San Diegans to come to Senator Boxer’s office for the first time since electing her.

And, I have been re-energized.

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