God Has A Weakness

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On Tuesday, I went to visit my spiritual mentor. He is not a monk or priest, but a retired college professor who has been an inspiration in my ministry. A patient on the Transitional Care Unit, I asked him why he was not eating with the other patients in the dining room. His said that he was not “that old.”

He was not comfortable with conversation that focused on your latest bowel movement and news about loose fitting dentures. I always preferred being around young people whose minds were open and creative and kept me alert to the delights of life.

My friend needs a new hip and surgery would take place on his birthday. Instead of a card and 86 candles, he was getting a new joint and pins. His shared some history that brought him back to a decision about a career. He thought he would make a good doctor. So he asked a scout leader who was a doctor for a reference letter to a medical school. To his surprise and disappointment, his friend refused to write a letter citing a weakness in his character. The doctor understood that working with patients required what is referred to as “professional disengagement.” Simply put, don’t get too close to your patients or it will affect your skills. Sadly, a few good doctors fall victim to addictions to relieve the stress of the job. This physician was expressing a complement and saying that his young friend was a sensitive guy who would find it too difficult to separate from the suffering of his patients.

Instead of a medical career, Walt took his compassionate nature into the academic field and became a well-respected college professor. But his friend opinion in those early years was right. The first time, our professor had to fail a student, he was depressed and upset with himself. He wanted all his students to succeed. He went out of his way to develop a remedial plan for each struggling student to retake an exam or redo a project until they could pass the course. Despite his best efforts to affirm his challenged students, a few would fail his course and that always broke his heart.

I believe our God has a weakness. God is too sensitive that He does not want anyone of us to fail. God sees our potential, the good that He created in our hearts. Sometimes, our choices do not reflect His will or we get stubborn and fail to see the goodness in God’s plan for us. So we lose our way, blame God for our failures and think worse that God no longer wants us to be a part of his family. That is our illusion.

The lesson of life is that we are prone to more failures than success. What we fail to realize is that by making mistakes this helps us focus our attention on what’s works best for us. Following God’s will, living in holiness filled with kindness, generosity and forgiveness reflect the character traits that God first place in our hearts when we were born. We do have lots of weakness, we slurp our food and words, we drool with jealousy and resentment, we practice lots of lying and deception. In spite of these character flaws or sins, we have a God with a major weakness. He just keeps coming back into our life. Why? Because He can’t help himself.

How many thoughts have you had when you condemned yourself for a sin, a weakness that you thought God would never forgive. How many times have you broken a rule of the church and said to yourself, Lord, I am not worthy to receive you because I am a terrible person. Or worse, you imagine that God wants nothing to do with you because of your weakness and sinful nature. Like our good professor, God has a plan to help you not only pass the course but help you to blossom and thrive again in holiness.

Our Lord’s weakness is our greatest strength. From His compassion and mercy we reach our salvation. Praise God and thank you Walt for being such a wonderful, faithful mentor to this priest and all your students. May God heal you and bring you home soon with a strong hip and many friends.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during these summer months that we take the time to express our gratitude for your weakness. In our moments of weakness, send your healing spirit to renew our spirit and restore our strength and fill our hearts with Your compassion and peace.

The Sighs of God

 

Once upon a time, a little girl was looking for the “right size puppy.” What is it she keeps asking for? the volunteer asked. “Puppy size!” replied the mother. Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for. We have seen most of them, the mom said in frustration. Just then her little girl came walking into the office Well, did you find one? asked her mom. No, not this time, She said with sadness in her voice. Can we come back on the weekend?

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. The volunteer shared that one never knows when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply. Our little girl took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. Don't worry, I'll find one next weekend.

Sure enough, our little one and her mom were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now this little girl knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. She walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, Sorry, but you're not the one.

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it! She screamed with joy. It's the puppy size!

But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks, mom said. “No not size... The sighs.” When I held him in my arms, he sighed, she said. Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!

The volunteer and the mother looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She stooped down to hug her child, and did a little of both. Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms, she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of a Spring wildflower and the gentle rush of a stream. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. I believe life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

God watches over us as we reflect: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose support and prayers are always appreciated. Love the people who take your breath away with their love and kindness.

Take A Risk

When life becomes overwhelming it is always good to take a break. Fresh insights, new surroundings and exposure to new situations and new people can help us out of a slump.

For the disciples fishing seemed like a worthy escape. But, their fishing expedition was not going well. They hadn’t caught anything. Jesus realized their frustration and he said to them, “cast your net on the other side of the boat.” They did and the result was huge. They had responded and in the process they caught 153 fish, an overwhelming catch.

I believe that when Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat he was challenging them to break away from what they knew and try something different. Following Jesus means venturing into unchartered waters, going where we’ve never been. It means expanding our horizons, or developing new relationships. It means leaving our traditional, formal ways and being spontaneous.

One evening a father was stressed out and his son sensed his frustration. This young man invited his father to go for a ride in their paddleboat so he could watch his son fish. The son had taken an interest in fishing and had accumulated an impressive amount of tackle. Reluctantly his dad went along, thinking all along of everything he needed to do.

They paddled out into the middle of the lake and the young man made a long, smooth cast, near the place where a fish had jumped. His dad noticed a blue heron, standing on a log by the shore. One leg was pulled up under his body. He pointed him out to his son. The bird sensed he had been detected and flew away. “He likes that log over there,” the son said. “He’ll be back. Do you hear the crickets?” His father was suddenly aware that they were surrounded by crickets. This frustrated man realized that he had not been listening to such sounds since he was so obsessed with work. Being in a more sensitive state he heard bullfrogs and a far-away dove. He heard fish splashing. His son began casting and the father could hear the sound of the slow squeak as his son reeled in his line. “I like this time of day,” the father said. Now he had forgotten all about his things-to-do list. He son said, “Just wait, in a little while the trees and the sunset will reflect off the water. It is so beautiful.” “I will wait,” said his father. Then he thought about what he would have missed if he hadn’t joined his son on the lake. He watched his son, who had learned to find his way and at the same time he was helping his father to find his.

Sometimes God may lead us to places we’ve never been, new destinations that don’t seem rational. Our willingness to make changes and try something new can result in meaningful experiences.

In the past Jesus had always said, “Have you no faith?” But after the resurrection he might be saying: “Aren’t you willing to take any risks?” This time he gives them encouragement and doesn’t question their lack of faith.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who need a break from the chaos and need to “go fishing” or do something to get their minds out of the doldrums. Let them take a walk, go fishing and simply listen to your voice in the breeze that says “you are going to be alright” follow me and you will find your peace of mind and soul.

Of Course--All Is Forgiven

Easter began with the sadness of death and on that same day ended with the sadness of shame. The disciples were ashamed of what they had done, they were ashamed of what their cowardice revealed about who they simply were as men. So they locked the door, telling themselves they were keeping the Jews out when really they were maybe keeping themselves locked in. But then Jesus did what he always does for anyone locked up in his own shame: he comes in anyway. He enters the room, he enters the heart, he breaks into the shame.

Jesus leaves no room for fear because he no sooner pops in on them and he says, "Peace to you!" He says it immediately the way he always does. He says "Peace." He says "Shalom." He says it's all right. He speaks a word that is the opposite of fear and so squelches shame, puts away and banishes any thoughts the disciples may have had about Jesus' bearing a grudge. He was not out to settle any old scores but to create a whole new situation.

Jesus never says a word about their past actions, their betrayals and denials. He does not even overtly say, "Forget about it" or "I forgive you." Instead he gives them a Spirit that tells them, in a way more compelling than words alone, that of course all is forgiven.

One of the more famous images of Scripture comes from that line in Revelation when Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Ordinarily when someone knocks at a locked door at your house, you know that it's up to you to get up and unlock the door and open it. The good news of Easter is that even if you are too afraid to do that, too ashamed or too paralyzed by this or that feature of your own life, the lock won't stop Jesus. He will appear right in the middle of your locked-up heart and before you even have the chance to say or do a blessed thing, he will say "Peace to you!" When he does, all I can plead is that you will take him seriously.

Given what he went through to secure that shalom for you, all you can say in response is what Thomas said a week later, "My Lord and my God!"

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who would confess that we're not quite there yet. Help us to realize this holy day is all about, a restoration of shalom. We still fretting that what is inside there is so bad that even Jesus can't deal with it; still fretting that we would be ashamed and embarrassed if anyone else looked into our closets. Jesus always comes looking for us, starting in those locked-up places of our hearts. My sisters and brothers, peace to you. There is no better a parting word for Easter than that. Peace. It's all right. You are all right. Peace. Shalom. Amen.

God Weeps With Us

Believe me, preaching to any family during a funeral is never easy, but delivering a homily to parents whose newborn infant has died is most challenging and gut wrenching.  Why did this have to happen is the raw question on everyone’s mind? The answer comes not in some clever homily that will take away the pain. Rather, I can only share that I am here to help the parents mourn and commend their baby into God’s care. And to ask God to help us and most especially the parents through this tragedy.

There are the moments when we prefer to lock the doors of our hearts and be left alone. Behind closed doors is where we find the apostles after the death of Jesus. The disciples were afraid that those responsible for the death of Jesus might hunt them down, get rid of the whole movement, root and branch, once and for all. They were afraid of public ridicule. You know: “You’re a bunch of losers.” They were afraid to go home—after all, they had left all things to follow Jesus—and admit they were wrong. Better to hide till it was all over.

In moments in which we have more questions than answers like the death of a child, we weep, just as Jesus himself wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.  Even if we knew the answers to the questions that rise so naturally to our hearts and minds at times like this, there still would be no adequate explanation for this loss. It is painful. And I believe it is also painful to God, who created the world intending for it to be perfect. Let me remind you what Jesus shared: "It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish."

There is a special place in the heart of God and amongst the angels for the little ones of this world just as there is a special place in our hearts for any newborn who has died.  And so we weep when this happens.  And so too I believe - “God weeps with us.”  There isn't much we can say that will help.

Let me point to the gospel story about doubting Thomas and tell you about Jesus. His disciples were like all parents whose child has died hiding in fear behind locked doors. Jesus appears in their midst—and here you must notice, cannot fail to notice—he appears with his wounds! Maybe, Jesus feels, if he, like all parents whose child has died, can appear before them wounded, they will let him back into their hurting lives.

Are you getting the message? When it hurts too much to hope, when life has wounded us, when faith is exhausted, know that the risen Jesus with his wounds is waiting to get into our wounded and fearful lives and call us out of our fears.

Jesus got his wounds on Good Friday so that we might let him in on Easter.  He is willing to come through the doors we have used to shut Him out and is standing outside with those terrible wounds searching out our terrible wounds, letting us know He understands where we are coming from and that He can give us peace and restore our broken hearts.

God watches over us as we pray: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 20: 26-28).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who can’t or don’t feel like praying. Go away on your own and simply repeat these words, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Give your wounds to the wounded Jesus.

Easter Is Nonsense!

There once was a man named George Thomas , pastor in a small New England town .  

One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak. . .

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, "What do you have there, son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply. "What are you going to do with them?" I asked. "Take 'em home

and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time." "But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?" "Huh? Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!" "How much?" the pastor asked again. The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's

hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story: 

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the

Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught a world

full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!" "What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked. Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!" "And what will you do when you are done with them?"

Jesus asked.. "Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly. "How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!" "How much? He asked again.   Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage and  walked from the pulpit.

Maybe like those birds we need to pray to God to set us free us from our doubts about Easter. For many people, Easter is sheer nonsense. Like the disciples, we can be slow of heart and slow to recall the very words of Jesus that had now come true. We share the same skepticism of the disciples who argued with the women at the tomb that this news must be some kind of joke. However, God will have none of this. Perhaps, it is time to set yourself free and bathe in the truth that Jesus is truly Risen!

God watches over us as we pray: “…as they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed, he said, You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16: 5-7).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who struggle in their faith to believe the angel. Believe me, it is not nonsense. He is truly rise

The Courage of Suffering

On Palm Sunday Jesus sent for the ass and colt, signs of the Messiah from a prophecy of Zechariah in the Old Testament. It was the most courageous, the most faithful, of Jesus' acts in the whole of the New Testament. Tragedy often begins with courage.Because Jesus suffered, he understands all the suffering we go through: sweaty palms before a job interview, waiting in a hospital room for a doctor's words, loneliness, grief, physical pain and abandonment, hurt, rejection. Jesus suffered and therefore knew all of these pains we go through.

Scenes of love are found every day in the care of relatives for a sick one. This week, I am aware of parents caring for their newborn son waiting heart surgery. The sight of a mother or friend or nurse holding, with extraordinary grace, a plastic vomit bowl beneath the mouth of a son or friend or parent, is noble. The lack of self-consciousness in the washing of the feet or more private parts of the body of someone who is loved, is noble. And for me the most amazing and inexplicable part is that there is an almost tangible increase in the nobility of a person who, with dignity, allows others to do things for them that I, in my health, would rather roughly refuse and indeed now dread.

When our loved one fail to respond to treatment and say at the end, "I am thirsty," and I can see a mom, best friend, or nurse hold to their lips a cup of water, and I think about Jesus on the cross, and Mary at the cross. I have seen the Passion and I do believe that only the God who was crucified, while completely and utterly innocent of all that he was accused of, and who suffered death, could greet with open arms any patient and say to them with absolute sincerity, while smiling upon their tired face, 'Welcome into my Kingdom, my beloved daughter and son.”

Suffering is noble also in the ways it can change our life. A parishioner shared: We lost five of our relatives in one year to untimely deaths. I was feeling deep sorrow one morning after my husband left for work. I was gazing out the kitchen window, pondering the short lives of our loved ones. Suddenly I was aware of how fortunate I was to have this day ahead of me. I wondered what each of our loved ones would do with just one more day to live. Then I decided I would live this day doing what they would have done. I began by baking chocolate chip cookies to welcome a new neighbor, as my mother-in-law would have done; I donated used clothing to a needy organization, as my brother would have done; I phoned a friend I had lost touch with, as my sister- in-law would have done--all the while smiling as my grandchild would have. With God's guidance, sorrow turned to joy as, mindful of others who aren't here, I tried to help those who are lost and feeling desperate.”

God watches over us as we pray: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119:50).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during this Holy Week as we walk the way of the cross with Jesus. With courage we must take the risk and remember the resurrection of Easter Sunday is nothing without the passion of Good Friday.

Praising God

Around this time of year, St. Patrick seems to get lost in the midst of the shamrocks, Irish beer, and green. And yet, if a person looks beyond the food and fun of the day and sees the saint himself, they will be amazed to see a man of very great depth.

Who is Saint Patrick? It is sometimes difficult to sort through fantasy, legend, and facts about St. Patrick’s life. The respect of the Irish is clear in some of the old Irish tales that are told about him. There are, however, some facts that have been documented about this saint of the Emerald Isle. St. Patrick was born in Scotland (no, the Irish saint is not Irish!) around the year 387. When he was still a boy, he was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland. At that time, Ireland was a place of druids and pagans. Patrick was placed in charge of some sheep until he was twenty. His time in the hills was a time of great spiritual experience where he discovered the freedom of being a servant of God. When he turned twenty, he received a dream instructing him how to escape his captivity. He was successful and returned to his family. At this time, however, he received a special call from God to return to Ireland to teach the people about God. Patrick studied for the priesthood and became a bishop before he returned to the land of his captivity in 433. Thousands of people were baptized by Patrick and his followers over the span of 40 years. In a sense, the entire country was turned from the barbaric lifestyle to a life with Christ because of Patrick’s courage to return to the country that enslaved him. Before he died he wrote of his love for God in the Confessions of St. Patrick. He died March 17, 461.

Every saint proclaims a particular aspect of God through their words and life. St. Patrick proclaimed his gratitude for God’s mercy. In his confessions, he frequently spoke of his own unworthiness for God’s protection. Even when he wrote about his time as a slave in the hills, cold and poor, he felt undeserving of God’s presence. He wrote: “I was like a stone lying in deep mire, until He who is powerful came, and in his mercy raised me up, and indeed again succored and placed me in His part; and therefore I ought to cry out loudly, and thank the Lord in some degree for all his benefits, here and after, which the mind of man cannot estimate.” It was this gratitude to God that caused St. Patrick to forget and forgive those who had enslaved him so that he could return to spread the Gospel to the country of Ireland.

And so, in the midst of wearing green and eating corned beef and cabbage, remember Saint Patrick, a man who was grateful to God for His mercy and who wanted to tell others about the God who provided for him.

The Gloria is an ancient hymn that praises God. During Lent we omit the Gloria. We have the habit of speaking to people only when we want something from them of if they have done something wrong in our eyes. This mentality has overflowed into our spiritual lives, and as a result the practice of praising God like St. Patrick has fallen largely in disuse. In your prayers today, take a moment to “praise God” for something specific. Praise God for his goodness. Praise God for creation. Praise God for his wisdom. Praise God for pope Francis!

God watches over us as we pray: “ I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Irish Sonshine Friends and those who have a drop of irish inside to be mindful of God’s goodness to us everyday. May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

A Second Chance

 

For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, "Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.” (Luke13: 9).

Many times we have been guilty of struggling with some unhealthy habit with little success. However, we pray to a God who like the gardener in this story tells the farmer to “hold on before you rip out the roots” for you just never know that there might be some life left in that tree that can bear good fruit.

The following is a letter a patient wrote and shared with me on his last visit. Take his humble words as inspiration to help you manage the bramble in your life. For God always sees the good in our hearts.

“These past few weeks have been quite an eye opener. I really didn’t realize how much I was ruining my life. Almost losing my job and respect from many close people in my life. But all that has changed. My employer has given me a second chance at work. And with the help of Dr. Matt and my coaches, they have made me realize there is another way to deal with life without having to smoke pot.

I have taken one day at a time. At work, I still do my job at 110% and if things seem to get stressful I stop and take a moment to calm myself knowing that I can control the situation. I have many people who are supporting me that I didn’t even know have my back. Many have praised me for my effort at this time in my life.  I didn’t even know that they cared. That makes me feel good. My eating habits have become healthier and food actually tastes better. Now I even sleep better and longer and I can remember my dreams, which I never did. I wake up in the morning get out of bed with a better attitude. I know each day won’t always be easy. And that where I know I will be tested by my mistress as Dr. Matt calls her, my pot, that is. And I tell myself, your better than her and you don’t need her.

I’ve also been trying to educate other people who are in my shoes. I look back on my life smoking pot and ask myself was it really worth it. All the things I could have lost. The people I hurt. The respect of family, friends, people at work. The answer is NO! I know it is not going to be easy, but the way I feel now. I know I can do it!”

Ask yourself, what do you want to change in your life, so that you can be the best version of yourself. As you seek God's mercy this Lent, know that Our Lord will give you a second chance and the grace you need to make that big change in your life.

God plants what is good as we pray: The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.” (Song of Songs 2:12-14). 

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who wrestle with sin and selfishness. However, our Divine Gardener knows exactly what we need to flourish and bloom. Let him dig at our roots and help us produce an abundant crop of kindness and patience.

Desperate Prayer

 

She was shopping at Wegman’s, piled the bags of groceries into the backseat of her car and drove off for her next errand. At the mall, she started browsing in the shops and found something she liked and reached into her purse and her heart suddenly pounded with panic. She could not find her wallet.

The clerk patiently waited for her, but it was no use. Her wallet had disappeared and it was not in its usual spot. Damn. She ran out of the mall thinking where she might have lost her precious. She drove back to the Wegman's on Ridge Road. When she got out, she frantically started looking into the metal carts for her wallet. The Helping Hands employees came out to inquire what was the problem. They offered to help her look for the missing wallet but there was nothing to be found. She was told to go into the store and ask customer service if a wallet was returned at the service desk.

She ran to the desk, out of breath and shaking, and asked the young people if anyone returned a wallet. The staff said no one had brought anything to their counter and there was nothing in the lost and found box.

Suddenly she felt a flash or flush, (only God knows) during the conversation, she had this epiphany that she was not in the right Wegman’s store. She had gone shopping to Wegman’s earlier in the day, but it was the Wegman’s on Lyell Avenue not Ridge Road.

She felt like an idiot, but she still needed to find her wallet. So off she flew back into her car, cursing the slow moving traffic driving down Long Pond Road. She started praying and told God that she would go to church this Sunday if she found the dumb wallet. She eventually drove into the parking lot. For some reason, this looked more familiar and she again began her frantic search for the wallet. Nothing found in the cart corrals outside the store, so she ran inside the store to the customer service counter and screamed at the kids in a panic if anyone returned a wallet that afternoon.

The kids were horrified, but they checked all around their counter and terrified reported back that nothing had been left in lost and found. Disappointed and exhausted, our friend sadly started walking from the counter heading into the hallway. Nearing the entrance door, she heard a voice from behind her say something like, “Ma'am, Ma'am.” She turned around and one of the girls from the counter came running up to her with this purse that had a wallet. Is this your wallet?  She instantly recognized her precious cargo. Then she began to cry and the customer service girl hugged her and the two women were crying together. The customers walking past were staring at all the fuss. They were tears of joy. Actually they were tears of gratitude that the kids took the extra time to search the counter again until they found her wallet in the lost and found.

Stuff happens, and most likely we have no control when bad things happen to good people. But it’s our response that makes a difference and this is exactly the purpose of Lent. How do we reflect the glory of God when things fall apart and we are in a frenzy?. We need to make a difference and one way is to learn how to pray.

Our normal practice is usually is a knee jerk response to some crisis, “Lord, get me out of this jam, or help me in times of trouble, or take away this, that or the other.” God does not make bad things happen to us. Rather, we need to learn to come to God in silence and “listen.”

God holds us up especially in moments of panic as we pray: “ …let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” (Proverbs 1:5).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have their share of desperate moments and struggle to just survive. Teach us to simply listen to the prayers at Mass, in the Scripture, in our spiritual reading and in the quiet of our soul and learn your wisdom that comes to bring us inner peace.