For several years now, I stop by Holy Martyrs Church in the morning to recite my morning prayers and then leave in time to make it to Mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church at 8:00am. It is a special time for me each day.

Sometimes when I am praying, I can see deer through the windows on the east side of the church building. Seeing them makes my day.

Last Monday, something special happened. Three deer were on the west side of the church building. As I gently approached to watch them from the inside church windows, they did not see me and continued what appeared to be playful activity.

Then suddenly, each of the three deer approached the outside windows, one standing at each window, and they stood very still while simply looking in. When they left the window, I could see them leaping and dancing playfully, as if filled with sudden joy.

This reminded me of the passage in the Old Testament where David danced with all of his might before the Ark of the Covenant, as it was entering the City of David. This was a powerful moment in the Old Testament, highlighting joyful worship, humility, and God’s presence among His people.



As I watched the deer, I thought that, somehow, they sensed God’s presence in the Church and reacted with unbridled joy after looking in the windows.

Maybe we should each show such joy recognizing God’s presence in our lives. 

By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek