Edits

There is always so much I want to talk about! So much I want to share! How Italians ring in the New Year, how it feels to travel for 85 hours, Verona vs. Roma, all the spectacular things that happen in single instances throughout each day... but I never have the time to retell it all, nor do you have the time to read everything I could ever say. But, I must admit, I am a terrible editor. I do not know how to edit myself! What to keep? What to leave out? [sigh]

Last night (well technically this morning) at 12:26 a.m. my roommate sleepily said, "You're welcome to join us for Mass at St. Peter's in the morning. I'm leaving at 6:45." Ugh. Factor in bedtime and morning prep and we're talking definitely less than 6 hours of sleep. I had a whole day planned - I was going to conquer the massive checklist of practical "to do's" keeping me awake at night. The deadlines are looming and today is one of two class-less days remaining. At least if I got up and went to Mass I would not be tempted to sleep in and would get more done right?

Due to an early morning bathroom traffic jam, I left later than the roomie and so made the walk alone. I took the quicker, less scenic back way where most of the views are shielded from sight by foliage or large walls. It was grey and cloudy. I was walking at a pace that would make you perspire despite it being cool enough to see your breath. I rounded a corner at breakneck speed... and for one moment there was merely a chain link fence rather than wall and - BOOM! - there was the dome of St. Peter's, still beautifully lit against the pre-dawn grey. My breath literally caught in my throat and I was stopped in my tracks - it was so beautiful. I knew I was going to the right place at the right time.

It was profound beauty rising out of darkness. Light and truth against a backdrop of murky grey. Victorious. Glorious. Rising out of the city that is red with the blood of those Christians it has killed.

Then at Mass - in English! (a treat) - from today's readings ::
"In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins."
"... he who loves is born of God and knows God."
"... all ate and were satisfied."

Then, the group I had joined in a crypt chapel (dedicated to the Fathers of the Church) in St. Peter's, invited me to join them for their visit to the Vatican Museums for FREE! I have not yet had the chance to go, so it was a real treat. I saw Rafaels, Michelangelos, Rodin's Thinker, The Sistine Chapel... and had a wonderful conversation with one of the students in the group as we paired up to view the museum together.

So, all in all a pretty good day I'd say. Although, it is now after 4, I need a nap and I likely will get nothing productive done AT ALL today. So, since God keeps thwarting my attempts to study philosophy by giving me a chance to see the Church in Rome... I'm hoping he also decides to give me the correct answers supernaturally at test time.