a Lenten calendar notes that it's also the Optional
Memorial of St. Patrick. Therefore, the meditation
it offers has nothing to do with leprechauns and
whiskey or stout, nor with grocery stores announcing
sales of corned beef and potatoes today. Instead
it's about the man cured of his long infirmity (but
which one? there were so many) who was exhorted
by Jesus to go forth and sin no more, for something
worse may happen to you. This might have helped
the Utah mother of three who tried to poison
her husband twice and on the second try succeeded.
She was just convicted the other day. In the stamp-
sized picture of a green-robed saint on the same
page, Patrick looks a little put out, no doubt
at being designated only an "Optional Memorial"
instead of today's actor in a lead role, especially
after Sunday's triumphant Oscar win of Jessie
Buckley and Comhghairdeas flying all over
the place. But every day is a new turning point,
and these days every day feels like Lent and
suffering and ashes, and Lord knows everyone
has all kinds of terrible crosses to bear.
Purveyors of fine poetry since 2003.
