Međugorje

The good doctor said, “I am going to Međugorje, and you are going with me”. 

“I don’t think so.  Fear of flying, you know”.  Fear of pretty much everything, I thought.

A few months later we were on a plane to Zagreb and/then shuttled to Bosnia Hercegovina.  In the village of Međugorje, we had an accidental dinner of fruit juice, following pathetic efforts at ordering pizza.  The 12- and 13-year-olds, accompanying us, knew no fear.  In hindsight, I realize the miracle within the miracle began here; I released the children to wander about a small parcel of foreign soil, not so far removed from war.  (re fraidy cat’s first overseas trip and re air travel)

I did what?

One unforeseen effect of this pilgrimage, for me, would be the end of fear.  Literally. The end.

Two or three days in, Dr. Louise invited Brittain and I to join her on Apparition Hill; Mount Podbrdo.  She had been there one evening prior, at sunset, and was witness to “the miracle of the sun”.

 I had zero expectations.  My miracle was Louise’s invite and my own “yes”.

A gathering of about 20 pilgrims scaled the hill.  It was not the steepest of Međugorje’s two; Podbrdo and Cross Mountain, Križevac.  We reached our destination about halfway up.  Some spoke softly, wondering if there was to be any sort of solar spectacle that evening.

(What is it that these alps are called?) – Dinaric, rugged limestone range along the Adriatic – these alps surrounded us from Cross Mt)

Facing west, a reflective pause, a gentle breath of rugged alpine air.  But, only one.

Because it started.

And words will never be more than words.

The largest and hottest object in our solar system, earth’s source of life, the Sun, began to pulse and throb.  First with a soft and gentle rhythm.  Then oscillating…closer, receding, advancing, with brilliant intensity.  Vibrant hues, radiant light, luminescent rose and choral, pinkish oranges, visions for which there are no names.  The celestial globe itself separated into two equally perfect spheres, hosts.  They danced around, but remained within one another.

 And yes, we gazed with our physical eyes, into this mystery.  Seven minutes, as best we would later estimate.  Who could have ever looked away?  It would not have been possible.  I heard myself whisper, “Brittain, to my left, do you see…?”  “Louise, to her left, are you seeing…?” Are we gasping…are we breathing…do we need to breathe?  The universe itself was alive with breath and life, with light and awe, with much more.  How are we able to support ourselves?  Were we held upright by spirit, by The Spirit?  Who could ever know?  We did not. 

We witnessed the sun, the Son, become the Eucharistic Jesus before us.  We witnessed The Living God.  Not every pilgrim saw this.  Those on Mound Podbrdo, that day, did.

Brittain and I may have missed this, but Louise invited and encouraged us.  Just as she had bid us to join her on this pilgrimage.  She was filled with certainty.  She did not doubt or question. 

There is nothing else that needs to be said at this time.

Holy mother, Queen of Peace, pray for us.