Christians & Coronavirus:
Staying Connected in Christ
MARCH 26, 2020
"MARY, GRACIE & ME!"
MARY, GRACIE & ME!
Yesterday, while taking a nice long walk with my dog, Gracie, I also prayed a Rosary. Somehow walking and praying the Rosary has always been a blessing in my life. I decided to pray the Luminous Mysteries. Letting my mind be open to God’s inspiration I came to the second mystery: the wedding feast at Cana.
It gifted me with deep meaning on this beautiful spring afternoon, in the middle of a health crisis in our world. Mary was there, at the festive occasion at Cana, she however, noticed that something was sadly missing..the wine! Empty clay jars sat on the floor, seemingly begging to be filled with the symbol of the joyous occasion. Mary noticed the emptiness, Mary went to her son and reported to him. Jesus didn’t at first seem to share her concern…but soon after, did something. He listened to her concern and made it his. He acted.
The persuasive power of a mother over her son! Moms notice, moms feel and try to alleviate pain. I thought of how Mary is our advocate and our dear loving mother. She knows our emptiness, our inadequacy, our fear. She doesn’t ignore these, for a minute. She brings them to Jesus, and, he does listen and respond.
I asked her to bring our fears and our concern to Jesus. I know she is praying for all of us as we navigate this. I am living one day at a time, listening to the news, but also praying and taking time to do what I find helpful. I pulled out a jigsaw puzzle for Fred, I pulled out bread recipes for me. We watched a funny Peter Sellers movie…and laughed. We watched Mass online. I feel that Jesus is calling us to connect with him in ways we may have never used or forgotten. He is with us, filling our emptiness with his Spirit, guiding us, caring for us. I look forward when we can gather as sisters and brothers in Christ in our beloved Saint Andrew Church.
Peace.
Laura Riehle
St. Andrew Parishioner