Are we damp logs?

I came across an insight from John of the Cross when looking at Sunday's readings. It was that most of us live lives like damp logs waiting to be thrown into the fire of love, but never get thrown in because we always remain damp. So we just sit there on the wood pile, never achieving our true potential.

How true! What impressed me was the great way of expressing it.

Monday was the King's Birthday - a major day in the Thai Year. I was at a local government celebration for the day. Free food was offered for all. After eating, there followed a ceremony to honour the King. I was very touched by the obvious depth of love and devotion the people show towards their King. There is really something there that can't be denied and must be respected. What was funny is that a ceremony that was so full of reverence and symbolism was followed by the usual local entertainment, featuring yet again the local katoey acting in silly ways. I guess it is their coming together of the sacred and secular.