Of Ottos, grottoes and other O words

It’s been a little while since I’ve written about my happy little Pomeranian, Otto (or as the locals know him, “Otto of Grotto.”)

Named after St. Otto, my four-legged friend is a loyal, super-friendly, ever-smiling little dog that I’ve been blessed to have for more than four years — ever since I first started pastor of St. Anthony in Emmitsburg.

Though he still is a bit hyper-spastic (if you don’t believe me, ask my mom, my family, my staff and even many of my parishioners), he has chilled a bit and is even becoming more of the wise, monastic dog I’ve always dreamed he would be.

At our outdoor Masses, Otto lies attentively in the grass. He is always well behaved — except when he hears another dog barking or spots a jumpy squirrel or a shifty chipmunk daring to invade his sacred property (which in his powerful little mind encompasses the entire parish grounds, some of the campus of Mount St. Mary’s and the Grotto of Lourdes on the hill above us).

When I wasn’t watching, he recently tried to catch a small family of deer on the edge of my property. Thankfully for all parties involved, his legs are much smaller that those of a deer. So you know the end of the story here!

As you can sense from the tone of this blog, in this unique time of life in the USA and world, amidst the coronavirus pandemic and with an election that seems to be stressing many people out, it’s always good to take a step back and keep things in perspective, in the light of our faith.

There are three “Os” that Otto would like to recommend to you (and with all right and due respect to the Baltimore Orioles, they are not one of these).

Here’s some opinions and advice from my little Otto. I believe they are outstanding but not outlandish, perhaps obvious but not overrated, not original yet not overt, opportunistic yet in no way overwhelming,

1. Outdoors

Get outside. Fall is a great, colorful and very panoramic season in Maryland, whether in the Catoctin Mountains where I live or in other parts of our unique state. It’s also safe, healthy and good for the soul and the body. If you have a dog, play lots of fetch or other games with him/her  outside. Jump into a pile of leaves with your children, siblings and family! Also if you choose to go out to eat, choose the outdoor options as many restaurants are offering this and it’s a “win-win” all the way around in these times. And make a pilgrimage to one of the outdoor grottoes or shrines in our state and area (like the aforementioned Grotto in Emmitsburg and also the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, which is a wonderful place to contemplate, pray and renew your relationship with the Lord).

2. Oratio

This is a Latin word for prayer. We all need to pray — now more than ever in these wild time. Beyond intercessory prayers, I would like to suggest prayer reflecting over the experience of your day and where God was present within it, or how God seemed absent; how you were inspired, or perhaps challenged; what you were thinking or feeling so much within it, good or bad, saddened or joyful, and relating this back to God in prayer. And of course, keeping all things in perspective, giving great thanks to him.

3. Others

Remember from the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as we would have them do unto ourselves.” In these times, to show Christianity and our faith to the world, love is witnessed through action: As attributed to St. Francis, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.” Think of the other first: your spouse, your child seeking attention and a need; the “poor” around you, in your parish, neighbor, city or family, whether spiritually or materially; the lonely and perhaps alone. That person who comes into your mind and memory out of the blue who you haven’t talked to in months.

One of the gifts of Otto of Grotto is smiling and licking faces if he’s able to get close enough! He encourages and gives the joy we all need In these times. May we realize that our amazing God and Father is ever looking upon us with a great love and joy, and through Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit may we imitate him in his everlasting love for each one of us.

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