Dear Family,
A co-worker of mine had a great insight: “I can hardly stand watching what is happening in Ukraine, but I feel guilty if I turn it off.” (Annie has the brilliance in this operation.)
Boy, did that strike a chord with me. You feel helpless, but you know you can’t simply tune it out. Once again, we find ourselves on our knees, or as close to that as you can get when you are 80.
Does prayer work? Well, I guess if rockets are flying into your apartment building you might wonder. On the most basic level, standing at a distance from the Ukraine horrors, I find myself appealing to God for the people who may not even be able to think straight, much less pray. However, the more I see of the Ukrainians, the greater my admiration.
I was touched to see Presidents Bush and Clinton bringing the national flowers of Ukraine, sunflowers, to a Ukrainian Church. When I checked with ‘Siri’ to make sure I had the right flower, Siri called it the “common sunflower.” When you get an answer like that you tend to minimize something called ‘common.’ There is surely nothing ‘common’ about those people, their leaders, and the hope their resilience can give the world in the face of evil.
Today is Laetare Sunday. “Laetare,” Rejoice! These days, that might be hard to do. Of course, we know that today is anticipating Easter. The liturgy is trying to reflect the idea that we can hardly wait for the wonder of Easter.
Still, we don’t do that in a vacuum. Our space is filled with heartbreaking news. I’ve been pondering and came to the point where I think today is an invitation to rejoice, and if any rejoicing is going to happen, I’ve got to decide to do it. In days gone by, I’ve often said long before faith, hope and charity were feelings, they were decisions. Looks like rejoicing falls in the same category.
Deciding to rejoice isn’t some sort of self-delusion. I’m choosing the attitude I want to have as I deal with the stuff when it hits the fan. I may have to momentarily duck, but unlike my aging body, I’m standing up straight spiritually. That’s the position I want to be in so I can see the face of the Lord shining through the complex features that make up my life.
I hope that doesn’t sound too dramatic. My life isn’t a drama. It is a series of opportunities that I often don’t take advantage of, and that’s what I’m thinking about as I write. I’ve said before that writing this refection is probably more important for me to do than you to read. It keeps me on course or helps me get back on course if I need to.
Try to imagine that the love of God that we find in His invitation to rejoice, is like a giant magnet that has the power to pull us through so much of the ‘stuff’ that seems to get in our way. I’m hoping that there is enough steel in my backbone that God’s magnet will keep pulling me to Himself.
On Friday we prayed with Pope Francis as he dedicated Ukraine and Russia. We will continue that prayer in hope.
I believe that we can restore our Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary that Pope Francis led us in is a nice way for us to restore our tradition.
Beginning next Friday, April 1, 2022, we will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Friday. I hope you will find some time to be there at some point.
With my continued prayer for you as we emerge from the catacombs and try to be the face of Jesus for our communities, I’m yours,
In Jesus,
