Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil
Jack, the donkey, seems to know the way to Luxeuil because we go this way so often. And maybe he remembers he belongs to Sister Colleen.
This time I’m going alone to deliver the portion due the monastery this month as the tithe we give for the use of our farm. Sister Colleen comes to greet Jack in the stable, and I have a hope that Gabe will know I am here so that I can mention his momma is keeping his letter of sympathy in her place for precious things. He must know the words of it were empty, so answering it with a written note would not be as helpful as just telling him his mother is keeping it precious.
Sister Colleen sees I have bird to deliver to the dovecote and she tells me not to let the monk who is helping me unload the cart take the bird, I should take it there myself. She insists. And so I do.
Oh, this is why she told me to come to the dovecote! Here is Gabe.
“Brother Gabe, I see you’ve been assigned a task.”
“Oh, Papa, I’m so glad you came. I wanted to go home and be with you and Momma and everyone when Greg told me about Simon. I tried not to let them see my tears. I’m supposed to be a brother in God’s family here, and …”
No one is watching us just now, which is a little grant of grace by his teacher. These tears and hugs we share would not keep the rule.
“Papa, you see, I was assigned a regular task here, already. Tell Momma I am in charge of the dovecote. It is because we have these birds at home, and I already know their needs and I can distinguish one from another so I know right away when one of ours has returned with a message. And here I am, while the other young brothers are practicing the scribing of letters.
“The old fellow who was here before me never noticed when a message had been received. He seemed to pay no attention to the birds coming and going. That was how they missed knowing what happened to you in Chalóns. They knew nothing of that until Baro Dithrum was visiting down here on another mission.”
(Continues Tuesday, August 29)
Lazarus Ink 