Hello again world. After a blog hiatus during which I was co-chairing Catholic Schools Week at my children's elementary school, I am back to the blog. (Catholic Schools week was so much more work than I expected, but worth it. More on that later.) Thanks for your patience!
I had an enlightening prayer experience from this morning. I had a simple decision to make: should I go to my prayer group this morning (having not been in many weeks) or should I stay home and write? I know I need to write, and I love to write, but that's part of the problem. I love it so much, it feels like an indulgence. The prayer group is good for my soul, right?
There should be at least one room, or some corner, where no one will find you and disturb you or notice you. You should be able to untether yourself from the world and set yourself free… O God, help me to seek silence to be with you.
It doesn't get much more direct than that. The answer to my prayers is not always so clear, but today it is, and I am grateful. There is more than one way to be with God. And today, for me, it will be through prayer and writing.
Thank you O Lord for your help and guidance, and for noticing even the small things in my life. Help me to write well, through your will and in your name. Amen.
Oh Newtown. How we wish we could turn back time and save your children, your teachers, your town. In Newtown we have viewed a dark abyss, now punctuated by painfully petite coffins and children streaming into funeral homes.
Your grief is unbearable, yet you must bear it. Remember that while you suffer and your days seem interminable, your children, your victims are wrapped in God's warm and loving arms. For you it is a lifetime until you meet again; for them, it is but a blink of God's eye. Today, their souls live and glow in the everlasting light of God's love. Through your prayers and their intercession, may you know this and feel God's compassion.
You will never get over it, but somehow you will learn to live. Your righteous anger will be plentiful and just, but don't let it eclipse your love for the people still here on earth with you. I pray that with God's grace and love, through the support of family, friends and community, you find comfort, strength and love.
The world will move on, too fast, beyond your tragedy. The loss of innocent life everywhere, from senseless violence, war and other conflicts is far too common. In this sophisticated and technologically advanced world, let us pray that we are smart enough to find ways to prevent such horrors.
Maybe a simple start, for us observers in particular: in honor of innocent lives lost, let us act as children want the grown-ups in their lives to act: as ideal role models. Let each of us engender and glorify kindness and love. Keep violence as far from innocence as possible.
Newtown, may God give you solace and in your time, grant you peace.
This prayer was posted by Fr. James Martin, S.J. (author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything) on his Facebook page. Thank you, Fr. Martin, for giving us words for this difficult time.
We are crushed with grief, God.
We cannot bear to think of so many people killed.
We cannot bear to think of children being killed.
It is unthinkable to us, the worst tragedy.
Why is your world like this?
For your Son died a violent death.
And we know that your Son understands grief.
For he wept bitterly when his friend Lazarus died.
And he was moved with compassion when he saw suffering.
His heart broke like our hearts do.
He cried like we do today.
We know too that your Son raised Lazarus from the dead.
As a sign of the eternal life you have planned for us.
The life into which you now place the victims, whom you loved.
We know that you understand our terrible anguish.
You accept our bitterness and our confusion too.
And we know that your Son is beside us, weeping with us.
We know that you are still with us God, in the darkness.
In our compassion for the families and friends of the victims.
In the love that moves us to care for one another.
As your Son tried to do in his time with us.
No. I hear a quiet voice somewhere in my head. Advent is the time to prepare for the real meaning of Christmas: Christ. God. Love. Grace.
Thank you God, for the gifts you give us. Thank you for the wisdom and sacrifice of the ultimate role model, Jesus. Help us try to give back to you, God by giving back to people around us.
One of the biggest gifts you can give is forgiveness. God forgives us. He expects us to forgive others. Forgiveness is a great way to prepare your heart and open it to God. Forgive for big and small things — your spouse fought with you, again? Your co-worker said something unkind? A waiter left you waiting? Find forgiveness.
Step into their shoes. Think what the situation seems like from their perspective. Pray. Pray more. Reflect on the fact God loves you, and calls you, by name. God wants you to be a sign of his love.
God loves them too. So should you.
Forgiveness is not easy, and not always immediate. However, forgiveness is as big a gift to yourself as it is to those you forgive.