Happy Easter!
Dear
Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
When I was ordained 35 years ago, I knew that there may be times of tumult, hard change and anxiety. Frankly, I thought it would be primarily a whirlwind within the universal and local church. I figured we would see declining numbers of parishioners and clergy. I never thought that the biggest challenge would be a pandemic. Knowing there would be challenges and changes ahead, I still moved forward with ordination and the hopes of a long and fruitful ministry as a priest. I realized that no matter what wave or tsunami may come by, that I would have to learn to ride the wave in faith, yet prudently and wisely.
In the recent days of isolation I have had the opportunity to do a lot of reflecting and remembering (like you, I suspect). Some of that remembering is in the form of song, music that has influenced me over the years. One such song is an old Quaker Song entitled “How Can I Keep From Singing.” I even find myself humming the tune, unintentionally, throughout the day, especially when I am taken up by an anxiety or worry. The lyrics go like this:
“No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing? Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing. It sounds and echoes in my soul; how can I keep from singing?”
The song harkens to the great Gospel story about St. Peter’s walk on the water. In a storm one day, Jesus came walking toward the boat that Peter and the apostles were in fishing. Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat and walk toward him over the water. As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. When he looked down at how deep the water was, or looked around at the waves and the wind, he began to sink.
Clinging to the Rock and focusing on Jesus have helped me hang in there, even during these powerful waves and winds of recent days. I wish all of you peace, especially those going through a personal storm right now. Do not abandon the boat just because you can’t control the waves. Focus on something solid and sure. Take St. Paul’s advice to the Christians at Philippi, buffeted by external attacks and internal woes.
“Have no anxiety at all….keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Fr. George Couturier
Do you find yourself in need of a compassionate ear for your grief due to a loss of a loved one from the coronavirus? Send your name, email address and phone number to me via email and I will connect you to a local bereavement minister from the parish:
frgeorge@sjbrh.org
