A few weeks ago, when I went to Kentucky for my retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani, I cut it way too close to catch the train to the airport. We pulled up to Princeton Junction as the train arrived. In a flurry, I jumped out of the car, grabbed my bags, gave a hurried goodbye, and off I went – literally running to make the train. I was awkwardly carrying my bags and glanced over my shoulder for one final goodbye, and I tripped. Not once, but twice!! And the second time, I just caught myself, preventing what would have been a full-out face plant.
I scrambled to my feet and barely, just barely made it - hand bleeding, knee throbbing, out of breath, and thoroughly embarrassed. Here I am, a full-grown man running and tripping, flustered and frustrated in an incredible rush and hurry to get to the Abbey … so I could slow down and find some peace. A rather ironic start to my retreat!
I settled into my seat on the train and attempted to calm myself and regain some composure. I thought I would listen to some music. As I was scrolling through my Apple Music library, a song that I had used for a funeral popped up. I listened and laughed out loud!
It was Simon and Garfunkel’s, The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy). The opening verse says, “Slow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last.” The final verse says, “Let the morning time drop all its petals on me. Life, I love you, all is groovy.”
In his book, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, Thomas Merton writes,
“There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence ... The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence … It destroys our own inner capacity for peace.”
There is a violence from the rush and running, the hurrying and busyness of modern life. This inhibits our capacity for peace. It holds us captive, preventing us from enjoying the gift of life and, as Simon and Garfunkel put it – feeling groovy.
Here’s to slowing down, loving life, and … feeling groovy.
Lenten Peace and Grace be with you,