Dead zones...

Birds falling in flocks from the sky, fish washing ashore, extreme weather...
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Yesterday at adoration one of the mystics stopped by to talk.  It was just the two of us in the church and he told me that our Lord said it was okay to talk because he was talking about God.  I sat and listened for 45 minutes until I finally convinced him I needed to pray for a special intention.  In the meantime, while I listened, I offered it up as a penance, albeit praying the Lord to shorten the time.  I decided to do this in imitation of Christ in the Eucharist - after all, He is there silently enduring much worse.  I wanted to exercise myself in patience and charity (after the cleaning lady episode a couple of weeks ago) thus my 'listening ministry' went so far as to draw tears; although the speaker was sure my tears were holy tears of edification over what he was telling me.  I offered the misunderstanding as my little sacrifice of praise.
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Disinterested friendship...
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Although I wasn't interested, my friend told me in great detail about his visions, crows, demons, and his gifts of bi-location and healing.  He shared some end-time secrets with me as well, it seems we're there.  I promised not to tell anyone who it was who told me these things... although I probably should tell you that the Ark of the Covenant will soon be unearthed in Nazareth and transported by angels, led by Moses, to Annunciation parish in Minneapolis.  Our modern parish church will soon become a great pilgrimage destination.  The man who told me all of this appeared to be completely normal and lucid - just a regular guy.  He spoke in a matter of fact manner and was very friendly and very humble about his gifts. 
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For the past several months, every Wednesday that I set aside for recollection and adoration is now filled with temptation, excuses to avoid going or staying the full time, distractions, interruptions, or just plain boredom.  I must admit, I prefer that to mystical experiences.