"Be still and know I am God" Psalm 26

Dear Salesian Family,

This pandemic has changed our lives forever. We may worry about our children, our family, and our future. We miss our friends and our loved ones that are far away. We find ourselves spending more time in front of the TV, trying to forget the reality of what is going on at the moment. Yet we ask ourselves, where do we turn? To God? When? How? What is the significance of prayer for us now… especially as we stream Mass on a computer, instead of going to church or gathering outside on church grounds? Yet in all this, we are not alone!

Jesus is present in me, in my home, in my neighbor too. Let us take time to silence our hearts and thoughts, and respond to the invitation of the psalmist in Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God”. This simply reminds us that God is in charge; He is in control; we are not! He is our loving Father who answers all our needs! (not necessarily all our wants). Sure, we will still experience anxiety about the virus, tight budgets, unemployment, cancellations of so many scheduled events, isolation, and obsession with daily news reports of what is to come, followed by contradictions of what was said the day before. However, we must seek to trust, to give praise and love the God who continually watches over us and knows our every need. We must trust that there will be better days filled with hope and a new vision for a bright future, believing in a loving God! Our God cares for us and helps us to connect and care for others!

Let us unite ourselves with our children who are now embracing the virtue of this month of September: "Be Cheerful". Let us spread joy all around us, wherever we go.

God bless,

Sr. Carmen, FMA