Dear friends,
Just over a week ago a friend of mine from seminary passed through, Fr. Marcos Sanchez from Boise. As we were out and about we found ourselves up north and I decided to take him by my old stomping grounds in Mukilteo. As we drove from Everett to Mukilteo we took Mukilteo Blvd., which is one of my favorite drives. It had been years since I had driven it and it brought back many memories. As we arrived at the beach, many things were familiar, yet much had changed as well. It is amazing how things change and yet stay the same. The view and the setting at Mukilteo beach are beautiful and it is one of the most peaceful places I know.
As we walked up the beach, I realized that it had been 15yrs. since that day in August when, all alone at that very place, I cried out to God and He heard me. It was just before the feast of St. Augustine which we celebrate on August 28th and the words from his Confessions still ring in my head:
Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!
You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.
In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created.
You were with me, but I was not with you.
Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all.
You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness.
You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness.
You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you.
I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more.
You touched me, and I burned for your peace.
Like a beacon, God’s light shone and has guided me to this harbor in His vineyard. I am so grateful for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me on this journey of faith. As I head out on pilgrimage to France, know that I take you with me in my prayers as my main intention is for you, the flock that God has entrusted to me.
In the consuming love of His Most Sacred Heart,
Fr. Jack D. Shrum