The Pentagon ordered 100,000 body bags. Authorities secured refrigerated trucks to hold the dead. The entire economy screeched to a halt. All schools closed. All concerts and sports events cancelled. And the worst, no public Masses. Pope Francis, praying in an eerily silent, empty St. Peter’s square, shouts anything but normal. Nothing is normal during this pandemic. Yet amid the closures and anxiety, I’ve noticed a few of the faithful have posted online, “They can’t cancel Easter!” So true, you can’t cancel Easter. But as usual, Easter won’t be normal!
Her husband died suddenly. After listening to her heartbreak, this woman, deep in grief, began speaking about the life she and her husband had created. She became animated as she spoke of their family, friends, travels, and adventures. She then saddened and whispered, “But after all these years, I’m not sure I really knew his heart.” Never knew his heart? Her comment shocked me and then led me to reflect on my relationships: “Do I really know the heart of my husband? Of my children, my grandchildren, my friends? Do I know their prayers, desires, hopes, dreams, disappointments, failures, sufferings, and heartaches?” In prayer the next morning, the thought came, “Do I know, really know, the heart of Jesus?” |
ReflectionsThe blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home. Archives
December 2021
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