It was an unseasonably warm day, a gift to be outside. Being the first week of November I just couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. It was the third day of a retreat that was planned months ago, where I would spend some time just relaxing along the shores of a lake full of life, promise, and hope.  Being drawn by the rustling sounds of leaves shifting along its shores, I found a cozy Adirondack chair inviting me to sit down for a while nature gave me a little taste of what heaven is like. I nested in, closed my eyes, took a deep breath and let out a sigh of peaceful repose.  
As the welcome of the sun’s rays began to warm my soul a small flock of geese passed by. Honking politely as they skidded through the water and landed nearby, joining a much larger group of feathered friends who welcomed them with their own chorus of honks. Then another group joined them, and another, then more. They kept coming from different directions and were greeted gleefully as they landed.

Soon the honking sounded more like a large family gathering excited to see one another. It was as if they had been called by the eternal goodness that created them, to be here in this sacred place, to celebrate the gift of life that is given to one and all.
As the afternoon sun began to descend towards a flaming sunset of colours, the gooseneck choir reached a fevered pitch. One honk became louder than the others, like a desperate call for attention. Its urgent plea “Enough of this honking it’s time to get going!” And they did.  

With a loud slapping of its wings hitting the water, the others soon followed and the sound of honking gave way to the sound of the entire flock launching into the air like a waterfall slowly rising upwards to the sky. Soon they passing by at about 200 meters out and 300 high.  By the time they reached the other side of the lake, they began to search for their bearings.

As the sound of their honking became more distant, the sight of their formation becoming most distinct.  They made a long slow curve towards the sun then heading back across the lake, they saluted with their wing tips as they flew past the amber hues of the dimming autumn sun. Their long journey south beginning with the blessing of a sunset of flaming colours and the soft kiss of a gentle breeze to send them on their way.

Such is the glory of creation when you have the time to sit down and appreciate it. Such is the glory of the journey that we are all on, if we choose to believe it. Such is the love of God, should you choose to accept it.

May this peace be with you always,


Fr. John