At mass this morning, the priest asked us to think of ourselves as hobos this lent. I thought it was an interesting thought. And then he explained the origin of the word.
It came from the Civil War era. It is short for "Homeward Bound." So, these poor destitute soldiers, trying to make their way back home were called "hobos." And of course, we are just like them. We are on our way home.
I love that.
And then I starved for the rest of the day.
Oh, I am not good at all at denying my appetite. But if I want to get home, I better work on it.
God bless you all at the beginning of this Lent.
Hang in there! I find if I can keep busy, really busy, I don't get hungry. It is difficult. Thankfully Tom is working this week (construction) and I am not tempted by his fabulous cooking. My cooking keeps us on a diet!(ha, ha)
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't feel too bad until later in the evening. BUT during the day, a little while after I had a little bite at lunchtime, I thought I had better take my vitamin. Since my stomach felt empty, I grabbed a banana beforehand. I only had a fleeting thought that maybe I shouldn't do that, but I ate it before I really thought it out. Gar! Now I think I have to take it to confession.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that was the orign of hobo. Now that is interesting. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour priest is wise; and the recall of this brought a small tear to the corner of my eye.
ReplyDeleteWe raise children day by day, unaware that first, they are not ours....they are HIS.
And second, they will be released sooner, not later than we think.
Ask someone the song "Homeward Bound", and they will think Paul Simon, and Simon and Garfunkle.
Few think Marta Keen.
She wrote the Homeward Bound that will take your breath away.
My daughter was always a little child in my mind. Then, in middle school, her music instructor included this song in the parent night performance. I looked at her singing this and never saw her as a baby again. The same body that went to school in the morning as a child, was a young woman that night.
The Civil War saga still applies, to the soldiers of yore, and the Soldiers for Christ in any period of time.
The Hobos of 150 years ago, of 2,000 years ago, and today, are captured in spirit in this song.
I am deaf or I would pick a YouTube version and link it. Type You Tube Homeward Bound Marta Keen and select the version you like. Even the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has elevated this one.
My girls are grown and gone now.
I found a wonderful birds nest last year, and placed it in the back of my car, above the seat, and by the back window. It is empty, but while driving, I catch it briefly in my rear view mirror as needed when driving.
It is a quiet reminder of a home that gave New Life, and the home I built for my girls, who have grown, and are Homeward Bound on their own now. And, it makes the empty nest syndrome easier to bear.
I suspect the Lord has an "empty nest syndrome" for all of his "peeps" to come home again.
The song and lyric by Marta Keen are in the next comment, and worth the read before you listen online (won't fit here):
HOMEWARD BOUND
ReplyDeleteWords and Music by Marta Keen
In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing and the sky is clear and red,
When the summer's ceased its gleaming, when the corn is past its prime,
When adventure's lost its meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time.
Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.
If you find it's me you're missing, if you're hoping I'll return,
To your thought I'll soon be list'ning; in the road I'll stop and turn.
Then the wind will set me racing as my journey nears its end,
And the path I'll be retracing when I'm homeward bound again.
Bind me not to the pasture. Chain me not to the plow.
Set me free to find my calling and I'll return to you somehow.
In the quiet misty morning when the moon has gone to bed,
When the sparrows stop their singing, I'll be homeward bound again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I still tear up reading the words, and picture my daughter singing so solemnly in 6th grade.
http://www.lyricszoo.com/mormon-tabernacle-choir-orchestra-at-temple-square/homeward-bound/
This link is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir doing the song, lyrics to the left, and must be scrolled down.
Marta Keen is also on Youtube
I liken this version of Homeward Bound as the Church, and Simon and Garfunkle's version as The World. See if you agree.
Thank you Keystone. It is a beautiful song, and I had never heard of it before. I listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version, and then a young girl at a recital on You Tube. I loved the girl's solo version. It was beautiful. I can imagine the impact that would have on a parent.
ReplyDeleteThank you!