This past week I was among a group of 41 pilgrims that made the journey across Pennsylvania to Lancaster. Lancaster is surrounded by rural vastness: farms, valleys, quaint stores and cottages, animals, and fields upon fields of crops, mainly corn. The simplicity of the life of the Amish was evident in their humble way of living with little or no creature comforts. They greeted us with friendliness and their hospitality was welcoming and sincere. Toward the end of our 2-day journey we visited a large dairy farm. Our group was led into a milking barn in which stood a very large carousel which held about 50 cows at one time as they were milked. Someone remarked that the cows looked like they were enjoying their ride on the cow merry-go-round! The cows entered their milking stall on the carousel one by one, climbing in through a narrow gate. What a surprise it was to see the many cows waiting their turn in a peaceful and orderly fashion. When their ride on the carousel was done, they simply backed off (did you ever see a cow back up?) and walked slowly to the next area, which was the “cow massage area.” There, a wand resembling a car wash apparatus massaged their backs. Once again, the cows patiently waited their turn to receive a massage. It was really quite a sight, and we watched in awe and amazement from a special viewing platform atop the milking area. As my car rolls daily down routes 28 and 65, through many bottlenecks, construction zones, and merges, I can’t help but think of the way the cows treated each other. It is my hope that I can take a lesson from those gentle creatures. Maybe we all can?
The Garden Saints - St. George (April 23)
Saint George, the patron saint of farmers, was born in Cappadocia around A.D. 270 as a Christian and served in the Roman army. He is best known for his fortitude in battle, and performed many miracles, one in which he resurrected a farmer’s herd of dead oxen. The patron saint of many countries, and of the Boy Scouts, he was martyred for protesting the Emperor's persecution of Christians.
