After Mass last Sunday, I saw a young man praying on his knees with his hands clasped tightly and his eyes closed. Even the presence of a typically loud toddler did nothing to break his intense focus. There is an otherworldliness to this type of prayer. And it is not uncommon. I’ve seen it at masses across the country.
In these pews, people are pleading with God to give them hope, bring them comfort, or help them to repair the brokenness in their lives. Some are praying for a sick child, parent, spouse, or grandparent. Others are praying that the hole in their heart might heal just a little bit after the death of a loved one. Some are praying to escape the loneliness and despair of being abandoned by those they love; others are dealing with the guilt and grief that comes from afflicting that pain on others or other decisions they have made that were marred by selfishness and indifference. Some are praying for a glimmer of light as they walk through a dark night of the soul, hobbled by a sense of spiritual emptiness and detachment from the divine. Others are immersed in peace, a brief respite from an otherwise chaotic life. Some are looking for direction in lives that feel lost or even meaningless, disappointed by unrealized dreams or material success that has delivered neither peace nor joy. These broken people are God’s people.
Read Full Article »