Like divergences, confluences draw my attention. The conflation of Lent with the outbreak of a global pandemic summons my curiosity, pushing me to explore meaning beyond the immediacy of appearances. In Lent, the liturgical year breaks us out of the “ordinary” rhythm of days. In Lent, we are invited to pause, to decelerate, to reflect and to make changes in our lifestyles. In Lent, we face our illusions, our appetites and our fears. In Lent, we learn to sacrifice--to “give up” and “let go.” In Lent, we find our need for God, deepening our faith and hope.
[Reflecting. Reflecting. Reflecting.]
Paradoxically, the global pandemic, in its disruptive viral way, is causing the worldwide community to break out of its normal patterns and rhythms. All of us, coming to a standstill, find ourselves standing on ground that is suddenly eerily different, and a bit unpredictable and volatile. We wonder: How did we get here? Where is it all going? When will it be over?
Disruptive change is never easy or comfortable. After all, we are on a new frontier, and that frontier eventually draws us to our knees. In our needs and longing, in our fears and apprehension, in loss and grief, in our concern for others, we can draw close to His heart of love and compassion. There, we will find our ground of being, and the real source of peace during these tumultuous times.
[Praying. Praying. Praying.]
A woman of the frontier, St. Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ knew about the deeper meaning confluences. She stood at the confluence of the Missouri, Illinois and Mississippi Rivers at the Portage des Sioux in St. Charles County with a desire to “make known the love of the heart of Jesus” with Native Americans; and, yet, her dreams were disrupted and redirected to the pressing need for schools in this new territory west of the Mississippi. Our new frontier is a global pandemic, and its radical redirection of our lives. Like Philippine, we can turn towards this new frontier with perseverance and trust in God’s enduring fidelity.
[Remembering. Remembering. Remembering.]
With prayer, this letter comes to each one of you: our resilient strong loving community of the Sacred Heart at The Rosary. In these days, I hope that you discover quiet peace and joy in reconnecting with the “essential and important,” in being with your family, in cherishing the abundant gifts of the created world and in drawing closer to one another, others, the created world and God.
[Loving. Loving. Loving.]
God bless you,
