Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

The next time you enjoy your morning coffee, sip, savor and smile. (Father Collin Poston)

God spoke to me through my espresso


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Dust and Dewfall

I haven’t written a post on my blog in a while. But the Lord, as he so often does, speaks loudly to me through the ordinary moments of the day. So… I write!

Before I begin, I’d like to humbly (perhaps embarrassingly) say that I sure hope my sister and brother-in-law are not reading this. 

Like many of you, I enjoy coffee. It’s probably an addiction for me at this time in life, particularly in the wee early morning hours. Does that resonate, percolate, simmer or froth up a bit with you? I’m not a master of languages, but I believe the word “espresso” means “fast” or quick or express mode.   

Well, about two and a half years ago, my sister bought me a fine, fancy 15-pump espresso coffee maker. At the time, I was really grateful for this Christmas gift, but, to be honest, I was also a bit intimidated by it. So I stored it away –  unopened and untouched – for the future.  

On July 1, I became pastor of the lovely St. Bartholomew parish in Manchester. In the move to my new faith community, I rediscovered by coffee maker. I excitedly and joyfully pulled it out, took the bubble-wrap off, skimmed the instruction manual and at 6 a.m. the next morning I was ready to enjoy a strong, fresh, sumptuous cup of coffee. 

I plugged it in and made sure the water tank was full. I loaded enough “espresso grade” coffee into the pod/container and all systems were go.

Turned on machine: It’s warming up… making a loud, obnoxious noise to indicate such… and I’m turning the handles and the pump to receive this golden cup. But: nothing. It’s grunting… It’s grunting… it’s grunting… (poor Ott, my Pom dog… no REM sleep for him at this hour!)  

I waited an excruciating, salivating two hours for this to complete. I turned the machine off and on, off and on. Then in a moment of inspiration and wisdom, I finally unplugged and plugged in one last, final time. I’m exasperated!  

Then, sure enough, around 8:05 a.m., it starts pouring. A delicious, pure, foamy espresso drips into my thirsting cup awaiting its dewfall – and my drinking of it! 

 I sipped slowly but most satisfyingly. And then I remembered Psalm 40: 

“I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined and heard my cry.”  

The Lord can surely teach us patience –  to wait on him and to wait for our prayers and he is sure answer to them. He did this for me through a long-delayed opening of a gift, and through a very, very slow (non-espresso pace) simple cup of espresso. So, the next time you enjoy your morning coffee, sip, savor and smile. Trust in the Lord’s good, if sometimes slow and patient work in and for you.

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