We are alive.
One could call us “Dead Man Walking,” like the movie and descriptive quote.
“Fact can only be stranger than fiction” again proves true.
Despite the seriousness, and admiration for others involved, there’s a bit of humor to it all.
Every Sunday evening, we spend our Holy Hour in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We’d been working outside all day, and after respectful prayer and reading in front of the altar, we just “couldn’t keep our eyes open,” as the excuse goes.
So, we put the prayer book down, rested our head on it, stretched our legs along the pew and must have instantly been in sound slumber, although evidently without heavy breathing or snoring.
After peaceful relaxation, we arose and ambled to the back of the church to be greeted by an excited threesome: a policeman, the church secretary, and her daughter.
“Oh, thank goodness you’re alive,” one instantly responded, as the lawman spoke into the walkie-talkie on his shoulder: “You can cancel the ambulance: he’s alive.”
Still in a daze, it took us a bit to comprehend what all the commotion from the late-night church visitors was about.
The secretary had come to make sure the door would lock when we left, and after being unable to see us in the church, walked in for closer inspection.
“You were laying there so still, so pale and your hands were purple, I thought you were dead.” In excited haste, she called 911. Police came instantly, and an emergency medical team was en route.
What had been in a serious situation, especially to them, although we didn’t have a clue what was going on during the snooze, soon became almost a laughing-incident.
Obviously, He was not ready for us yet. If it would have been our last breath, the policeman fittingly evaluated: “You picked a good place for it to happen.”
Sadly reminds us of Mark 14:37: “Couldest not thou watch one hour?” Fortunately, falsehood remains in Matthew 28:13: “His disciples came during the night and stole Him away while we were asleep.”
Still, appropriate reminder of Matthew 24:36: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, not the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Though, hopefully, Luke 22:33: “Lord, I am ready to go with thee, and to death.”