Episode 6: Surprised by Beauty // Transcript

John Masko

People like me can and frequently do, drone on incessantly. It seems like there are voids that must be filled. So we flatter ourselves and oblige those around us by chattering on. But how do you describe an exquisite rose without cheapening it, or a child's loving glance and giggle without lessening it? I'm all too happy to drone on, but to do so would be a disservice to these lovely women. I'll admit the obvious, I was struck by them. I was laboring under misconceptions about monastic life, widely held impressions, I'll grant you, and long-held by me, but wrong nonetheless. I can't recall such purity of heart in adults. It's beautiful and disarming, and I choose to relish it as I would a rose.

There's a time for dissection and analysis, but — and this I didn't learn until I was more experienced — there are times to stand back, breathe deeply and enjoy. Sometimes a child's giggle or a clarion laugh should be experienced and cherished without droning on. I'd note in closing that it's a mistake, in my opinion, to regard the issues raised in these meetings as exclusively Christian or Catholic. Allow yourself to stroll a bit with these ladies to the deeper regions of the soul, where essential human questions linger. I hope you've enjoyed these conversations. I couldn't bring them to you in their fullness, but perhaps these glimpses have touched you. I'm John Masko.