Pax Procella

Pax Christi!

A Winter Storm named "Pax" visited my home recently, and compared to other parts of the country, we were spared of  the storm's fury.  I'm blessed to be able to reflect on a peaceful outcome, but my prayers are with those truly effected by these sorts of storms.  God bless them!

First of all, the medieval latin term PAX generally means "Peace".  Historically, it is also used in terms such as "Pax Romana" to designate a time of peace, i.e. no war, for a society under a military rule, such as in the times of Roman rule.  PAX also refers to the "Kiss of Peace", as in the Catholic Liturgy when the Deacon says, "Let us offer each other a sign of peace..."  Finally PAX Christi, and its familiar symbol, designates the peace that comes with the love of God in His Son Jesus Christ.

The Neighbor's Pines

With all of that said, why would one name a STORM "Pax"?  The answer my friend comes blown' in the wind, and it did so just like every other storm.  First comes the unbelievable forecast, followed by the "experts" who agree or disagree with the weather prophets.  Next comes the anxiety when things don't quite transpire as they should, resulting in the continued confidence and patience of the prophets, coupled with the "I told you so" confidence of the naysayers.  As if they were confronting one another like the arctic air from the north and the gulf moisture from the south, these two entities play out their arguments in the old and new versions of the "public square", creating tension and friction all along the "storm front".  Meanwhile, depending on their location, doubters and celabrators unite to relish in the moment of either shaking their fists at, or kissing the agitated sky above.

The Front Yard Japanese Maple

As the sky finally opened up to share its new fallen snow, a friend posted this from a poem by James Joyce, "His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."

The "prophets" were right this time, and the naysayers quickly changed their tune in celebration of their mistaken pessimism.  WE were one in our blessing to share in the "Pax Procella", the peaceful storm, evident in the thousands of family fun photos of smiling faces posing with snow creatures.  At the same time, others might not have felt so blessed, or at peace, as loved ones were stranded away from home, or trees came down, or tires slipped off the road.  May the prayers of those celebrating the good times include those who need the warmth, comfort and peace of a storm passed and resolved.

Cup of Coffee in Hand: The View from the Porch

And so it goes with the faith that comes from the God of Love and the Prince of Peace.  All are included in the angst and agitation of the many approaching "fronts" in our lives, and all too are included in the blessings!  Some must endure more of that storm than others, but in the end, all are welcome to the peaceful outcome of every angry weather system...  The calm after the storm.

+May the peace of Christ be with you all and your families, and may He bless us all in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

PS: Looking at the named Winter Storms for the season, I believe this could be the one and ONLY name that I could work with!  The next storm system will be named Quintus.  Really?   "Quintus derives from latin word quintus, meaning fifth", and its the name of the 17th storm of the season!  Never mind...

PEACE!

Just one more... 

With all these powerful names like Atlas, Hercules, and Titan, where does "Wiley" fit in?