Mourning Dove Waiting

Nearly a month ago, when the weather was unusually warm, a pregnant Mourning Dove took up residence in a nest on the side of our house. She sat on the eggs for the typical two weeks. Then, right as the eggs were about to hatch, a cold spell arrived, dipping down into the low forties. The cold spell lingered for another two weeks. I walked over to the window each day and peered toward the nest. I was amazed at the loyalty the mother dove showed! Unseen, the new squabs were surely wiggling beneath the warmth of her body. Through wind and cold rain, morning after morning, I could see her sitting in the nest, feathers rippling in the wind, taking the brunt of nature’s force, enduring hunger, and discomfort, risking her own life so her squabs could live. I found this level of disciplined devotion to mission work inspiring.

My heart was moved to consider other mission work filled with unshakable devotion.

“Beauty without purpose is beauty without virtue. But all beautiful things, inherently, have this function – to excite the viewers toward sublime thought. Glory to the world, that good teacher.” – Mary Oliver

First, I considered Christ and His unshakable love and devotion to all of us. He endured unthinkable trials of hunger and pain, even to His death, so we could have the gift of eternal life.

I also considered recent scripture I had been reflecting on, trying to visualize the apostles scattering after St. Steven was stoned to death. Yet, they stayed completely devoted to their calling, devoted to Christ, enduring all risks to their own lives and any hardships they encountered, while they waited for the day when they could worship and preach without fear.

The dedicated mission work of the Saints reflects a similar level of discipline and devotion. For instance, I take a moment every February 14th to remember St. Valentine, a Roman Catholic priest during Emperor Claudius' reign. The emperor believed that unmarried men, free from family obligations and Christian marital vows, would be superior soldiers. Consequently, he prohibited marriages sanctified by the Church.

Despite the prohibition, Valentine remained faithful to his commitment to uniting couples in marriage, blessed by the Holy Spirit. Thus, he began to conduct weddings in secret. Ultimately, St. Valentine was martyred for the sake of love.

“What Valentine means to me as a priest, is that there comes a time when you have to lay your life on the line for what you believe. And with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can do that – even to the point of death.” - Father O’Gara, of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin

The lives of others who are faithful to Christ strive for this same devoted discipline.

Our pastor, for example, was recently told he would be managing our enormous parish alone, with Sundays being the only exception, for six months. By God’s grace, his homilies are inspiring, the parish flourishes, and the people grow in faith - all while he waits for help to come, with devoted discipline.

The devotion I observe in the volunteers at our Church and neighboring parishes is profound. This includes PSR and Confirmation teachers, those leading Bible Studies and various ministries, the choir, and individuals kneeling in the adoration chapel. It's evident in the faces of the congregation during Mass and in the hearts of those seeking to grow closer to Christ through participation in spiritual retreats – all are united in awaiting the Mystery of God to guide, enlighten, and heal them.

I was thinking about these things as I watched the beautiful mother dove waiting for the cold spell to pass.

Two weeks went by quickly. Then, one morning, when the temperatures finally reached the mid-fifties, I woke up and hurried to the window. A smile of anticipation was already forming on my lips. Looking toward the nest, I was delighted to see the mother dove fussing over two perfectly safe squabs.

All the waiting, discomfort, and hunger had been worth it. The promise of new life was flourishing before my eyes. This period of waiting was over, but their story—much like our story with Christ—had only just begun.

Prayer: Dear Lord, grant me the grace to wait through the trials in my life with courage, with a set of other-centered eyes, as the ordinary – yet extraordinary – story of my life unfolds before You.

For further Prayer: The Litany of St. Joseph. As you pray this litany, consider all the periods of waiting St. Joseph endured with Mary and the child, Jesus.