Enjoying the outdoors and puzzling over ostentatious luxury

This past week, Br. Bob was on retreat at Linwood Spiritual Center in Rhinecliff, NY. Br. Robert James is still on his several-week visit to our house in South Africa. And Br. Josép departed this past Sunday for a few days of visiting with his mom in Florida.

Last Monday, before he left for his retreat, Br. Bob and I took a walk to Franny Reese Park in Highland. This Monday, our Postulant Max and Br. Aidan went hiking in Minnewaska State Park. It is good to be able to enjoy the outdoors again.

On Tuesday, we celebrated the feast of the Annunciation. The Rev. Matthew Wright (who lives alongside our community with his wife Yanick Savain) gave us a beautiful and mind-opening sermon on this beginning of the Incarnation. It is only on feast days that we can get to hear some of Matthew's teaching since he is rector of St Gregory's in Woodstock.

From top left, clockwise: Br. Bob Pierson and me at an overlook of the Mid-Hudson Bridge, at Franny Reese Park; various crocuses sprouting up and blooming in our gardens; The Rev. Matthew Wright preaching on the feast of the Annunciation in St Augustine's church.

On the Feast of the Annunciation, I went to New York City for my monthly visit to General Theological Seminary. On Tuesday night, I got there in time for Eucharist. We were treated to beautiful organ playing by Julian Wachner, Director of Music and the Arts at Trinity Wall Street and affiliated professor of music at the seminary. At the end of the service, the children crowded around the organ console to enjoy professor Wachner's virtuosity.

In the next couple of days, I saw 10 of the dozen directees I follow at GTS. In the evening, I got to visit with my friend Lewis who lives near the developing Hudson Yards neighborhood. We walked the High Line and went to The Vessel which is now open to the (paying) public. We also walked through the luxurious mall at Hudson Yards.

My visit to NYC. From top left, clockwise: Julian Wachner at the organ in the chapel of General Theological Seminary; "The Vessel" against the backdrop of the Hudson Yards skyscrapers; Br. Bernard and friend Lewis Folden, under The vessel.

Since I try to walk 9000 steps every day, I walked back to the Hudson Yards the next evening. It was nippy so I conceived to go visit the new Neiman Marcus department store there. What a surreal experience it has become to go to such places for me. I enjoy many of the designs but the ostentation that is encouraged by such places has become problematic for me. I retreated to the (relatively) more democratic streets of Chelsea to GTS with my walking goal reached.

Lenten blessings to you.