With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses. Numbers 21:4b
We might identify with the people of Israel who, with "patience worn out by the journey" started complaining about God and God's good friend, Moses. We may be feeling "worn out" by our pandemic journey this past year and a half. Worn out by restrictions, fears, arguments about what is safe and not safe, worn out by uncertainty, losses, sickness, and death we might be asking, "Why, God? Do something!" Today's responsorial psalm can calm us down with the reminder, "Don't forget the works of the Lord." Indeed, don't forget! Don't forget that "God so loved the world [us!] that He sent His Son." Don't forget that the Beloved Son suffered greatly to show us that evil, sin, suffering, even death are never the last word: there is always the promise of new life. Since at least the third century, Christians have been signing themselves with the Sign of the Cross. It is a deceptively simple prayer. There is comfort in an ancient ritual, but there is also the danger of our performing the ritual mindlessly. As we make the Sign of the Cross on ourselves today, perhaps we could be mindful of uniting ourselves with the suffering of Christ lived out today in ourselves, in our families, in our country, in our world.
Can you "bless yourself" with the Sign of the Cross in a slow, mindful way today and acknowledge your need for God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
God of Healing, as I sign myself with the Sign of the Cross, may I welcome You into my mind, my heart, my whole being. May You heal what needs healing and reveal what needs revealing. Amen.
Today's Reflection is by:
Sister Cathy Cahill, OSF
Did you know...
Sister Cathy Cahill, OSF, is a Franciscan Sister of Allegany who has been ministering in the diocese since 1989, primarily in retreat work and spiritual direction, She is a member of the community at St. Clare Convent in Tampa.
