~ by Father Ron Camarda

St. Augustine says in the Confessions:

How I wept when I heard your hymns and canticles, being deeply moved by the sweet singing of your church. Those voices flowed into my ears, truth filtered into my heart, and from my heart surged waves of devotion. Tears ran down, and I was happy in my tears.

August 22, 2011

The Beach in Atlantic Beach

I walked along the beach with my friend around noon on a very hot summer partly cloudy day. Not much wind, but just enough breeze.

At the end of our hour of walking and talking, we entered the surf to somewhat cool off.

Then the dolphins came closer. My friend was a little closer to the shore. I was a little fearful, but my anxieties were calmed when I began to sing to the dolphins as I slightly drifted to a depth over my head. I was vulnerable and yet I felt empowered.

“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord, thirsting for you my God.” (Psalm 63)

The dolphins listened; a momma and her baby, singles and others. I was surrounded. If I paused in my singing…they seemed to drift away. When I resumed, they played in the surf just a few yards away. One surfed the wave that broke parallel to me. If they were singing along with me, my ears couldn’t capture their high pitches. And yet I heard them singing too! My soul was full of wonder and awe!

I wanted them to come closer, but my fear kept them from touching me. Their presence was o so gentle and mysterious. They seemed to appreciate my song and my vulnerability.

It was surreal and wonderful with a tinge of adventurous fear. This was the closest I had ever come to them in all my years at the water’s edge.

“I will never be afraid, for I will not be abandoned…”

It was like when I experienced the death of loved ones. Most were so sad around me, but I could see the glory just beyond the veil of faith. Their souls were alive!

God within them

God within me

Sing gently

Psalms of praise

All you dolphins praise the Beloved

Earth and sky

Heights and depths

Nights and days

Sing beautiful psalms to the Beloved

Amen

Keep singing!

Alleluia!

Alive!

As summer ends break into the falling dance, I hope and pray that your colors begin to show most brilliantly. Have a wonderful week.

Love, joy, peace,

Father Ron Moses+

www.tearinthedesert.com

Father Ron Camarda is a retired Naval Chaplain and author of “Tear in the Desert,” a powerful book containing his memoirs of life and death at the Battle for Fallujah. Father Ron appears on EWTN and recently won the Silver Medal from the Military Writers Society of America.