RBWords

     I have always found this passage from St. Pauls' Letter to the Romans very comforting.  There are times when words of prayer simply don't come or else are inadequate to express what we feel or help another in their distress.  There are times when nothing seems to "work."  Those are the times when I have to stop, take a deep breath and let the Spirit find a way to express what I am feeling.  Sitting still and letting a situation work itself through without my active words or deeds is not easy, but the passage from the Book of Wisdom in today's first scripture assures us that God will find a way: And you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.

     The feeling of helplessness or of being overwhelmed by circumstances, whether they be in matters of education, health, employment, relationships, etc. are never comfortable.  Those who face not just the possibility of becoming ill during the current pandemic, but also of losing their livelihood because of necessary measures to fight the virus could easily find themselves overwhelmed by it all.  The future seems to shut down and we are forced into a day to day existence just making sure we wear masks, keep distance, wash hands, etc.  Even some of the comforts of sacramental life such as Eucharist become difficult.  Weddings, baptisms, graduations all are postponed until "safer times."  We can pray that a vaccine be found as soon as possible so that we can find a "new normal" for our lives, but even there we have to leave this to the work of the Spirit in those who are doing the development.  If nothing else, we can also pray for an end to the unhelpful political posturing that has accompanied the virus like an additional symptom!

     The Spirit is praying with us as we move forward with the help of one another and the medical and scientific community toward a new future, a new normal.  AMEN