Today in our country, there has been a glut of news and information that can wash us away if we are not careful. Unfortunately, much of it is commentary disguised as factual news which can mislead well-intentioned people. It is easy to become overly skeptical of anything we hear or simply become deaf to it – tune it out and live in a news-free bubble. We become over-saturated, de-sensitized, numb to the sounds of guns that we invited into our family rooms. We may close our ears to the sounds of violence and personally offensive language. Or we might shut our eyes to distasteful ads while at the same time are not bothered by liturgical graphics of weapons of cruelty. We may leave the room during the 7-minute commercial phase that brings previews depicting guns, cyber-crimes, fictionalized murders polluting our relaxation space.
It’s past time we created our own litany of care. Call to mind caretakers, emergency workers, medical personnel… those who keep a death-watch for a loved one. Pray for enlightenment for those who are frustrated because in their mental state they cannot recognize the seriousness of the world situation. Pray also for those who are burdened with an already existing anxiety disorder which is only compounded by the 24/7 cycle of dire news. Pray for those who are isolated and lonely, secluded in small spaces. Remember in gratitude those who check-in by phone with persons who live alone. Pray for those who are called to make decisions, often unpopular, for those under their care and persons who make poor decisions seemingly oblivious to the ripple effect of their choices. Pray for those whose theme song is “I am special”. Pray you never portray the attitude: “I don’t have to follow the rules of the RULE.” Remember those who attitude projects “I don’t have to do what ‘they’ tell me.” I am the exception. I have God’s special protection. Unusual circumstances call for unusual (some would say heroic) responses.
Pray for all of us, pray for yourself – that we may be patient and forbearing with those who bear the cross of cognitive decline. Slow your pace to match someone using a walker, hold the door open an extra minute, find the seatmate’s page in the prayer book. In all ways treat each other, as Benedict says: as a vessel of the altar. Anticipate the other’s need before she recognizes she can use an extra hand. May we be graciously cooperative team players with an intact sense of humor.
Strive to live up to the ideals Benedict proposes:
- Pursue what you consider better for the other.
- Be the first to show respect to the other.
- Be patient with each other.
- Earnestly compete in obedience (even when it goes against the grain).
In all circumstances, may we prefer nothing whatever to the love of Christ. May we together know Benedict’s promise of life in abundance. (RB 72). But, as Sister Julia Marie Roy OSB, Benedictine Sister from Tulsa, says: “There is no precedent for us to follow. For Benedictines, so mindful of tradition, that is a lot to try to process!”
The Gospel readings for these middle three weeks of Lent. Last week the Samaritan woman, today the curing of the blind man, and next week the raising of Lazarus, are proclaimed every year at the liturgies that feature Scrutinies for those in OCIA, (the Catholic Church’s process for welcoming new members). They tell of a Jesus who offers us new life in him. These are stories of a Savior who offers us living water, dispels the darkness of our blindness, and conquers the power of death. They are not simply the plot and climax of good stories. They tell the real truth. This isn’t simply factual news. It is the good news. Jesus was and is real and the fact that he can heal us should not be disputed. Too often too many people live lives of anxiety, desperation and despair, seemingly unaware that Jesus wants to help all of us bear our burdens.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
