Our friend Fr Steve posted this today…. thought it was helpful to remember in these times of trial… many here going through personal tough issues… not to despair. God has us all! Peace Reflections on Sirach Chapter 2 By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB At the conclusion of the Divine Mercy Chaplet we often add the prayer: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. We pray that in difficult moments we might not panic, feel overwhelmed or give in to depression and despair. We pray that we might not become despondent. One of the readings that traditionally was used for the Feast of Don Bosco summarizes beautifully this resolve that we are called toward: to not give in to sadness and despair in times of trial. It is from the opening verses of the second chapter of Sirach: “My son, when you come to serve the LORD, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient; For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and God will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein.” I would like to ask you to pray on this today. Someone out there feels overwhelmed by problems and difficulties. All of us can feel a little hopeless from time to time. Don Bosco himself had several of these moments when, no matter how hard he worked or prayed, obstacles kept being thrown into his path. Remember – “gold is tested in fire” and “you are more precious to the Lord than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold” (see 1 Peter 1:7). Stay the course. It will all work out. God has great things planned for your life.
Miker I love what you wrote so much that I’m saving it to my Notes to read when I feel this way. Thank you for sharing this.
Yes, these are difficult times for the whole Church, but I was encouraged this evening at the Stations of the Cross, here at St. Anne, Mother of Mary parish in snowy Mexico, NY. Why? Because a goodly number came to pray the Stations. And it was not a day of obligation! In a certain sense I was reminded of the warnings of Our Lady of Good Success when she sadly informed us some 500 years ago that in our day the contemplative orders will have shrunk down to few in number. A wall of protection for the Church has now been greatly weakened. Yet, here were faithful Catholics coming together to meditate on Our Lord's sufferings. This was no Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation. Those who attended were there for love of Jesus. And throughout the Stations, our guardian angels were prostrate before the Lord in the Tabernacle! The Kenner clan was there with the grandparents, Wendell and Paula, leading the charge. A number of other couples and grandchildren of the clan were present. As I made my way around the church, stopping at each Station to lead the prayer, everyone was praying and singing from the heart with a deep sense of enthusiasm and holy devotion. Nick Cicirrello (in his 20s) proceeded ahead of me with the Crucifix held high. At the end, I was thanking all for coming. Geralyn pointed out to me 10-yr-old Oscar Madden. So I went up to him and asked if he would like to be bearer of the Crucifix next week. His face lit up! The whole clan will be back to witness that! The next generation is rising up to serve the Lord! Mary will never fail us! Fr. Francis was leading the Stations simultaneously at Christ Our Light Church in Pulaski, NY.
Wonderful hopeful post. I can just see it! Green shoots are pushing up against the frozen earth. Or as CS Lewis said "Aslan is on the move!"
