A Reminder to Be Vigilant against the Predators Who want to destroy Life's Sweetness

Satan may prowl around the world seeking whom he may devour. But there are other predators out there as well. I thought about that this morning when I looked out at the bee yard and realized we'd had a stalker prowling the bee yard who did a number on one of the hives. The worst part was we knew that hive had a queen. Now we don't know whether she survived the assault. 

The bees were all protecting the frames with brood, but we have no idea whether the queen was among them. We'll have to wait a few days and see if we have any eggs and fresh larvae in the hive. Otherwise we'll need to figure out whether we want to buy a queen or put in some fresh eggs and let them raise another queen and see her laying which takes at least a month, more likely six weeks. We went from exultation about getting a swarm to desolation over the bear attack in about 14 hours. What a difference a day makes, eh?

It's rather a metaphor for life isn't it? We were complaisant thinking what a good bee season we were going to have -- to realizing that this might not be so good after all. The bear will be no doubt be back tonight and all depends on whether the extra security measures we take today work. Larry is adding an extra strand to the electric fence and we may put some cinderblocks around. Will that discourage a hungry bear? We'll bait the fence with bacon and hopefully he will get a good jolt that makes him think twice about the candy shop.

Don't we also tend to become complaisant in the spiritual life. We can sound like the pharisee. "I'm okay, Lord. I pray every morning when I get up. I say the rosary every day, keep the commandments, and don't eat meat on Friday even though the abstinence requirement was lifted and I could choose another act of penance. Am I not doing great, Lord?" And then the prowling lions and bears whisper sweet temptations in our ears and we fall -- in spiritual disarray like our hive's physical disarray. 

I think I'll reflect on that today and thank God for the reminder. All things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Even a disaster in the bee yard can be a source of grace. Thank you, Lord, for this reminder to be ever vigilant and not count our jars of honey before the honey harvest.

St. Gobnait, patroness of beekeepers, pray for us.