Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Dear God,

How do we help each other make sense of what doesn't make sense?  How do we find meaning and purpose in a life that hurts so many people?  How can we possibly be content when millions are desperate, hurting and lost?

On the news one day I heard the story of two Catholic nuns being attacked by a nighttime intruder.  I became enraged and cried.  I knew those women very well because I worshipped with them every Wednesday for years.  How could anyone hurt these beautiful, faith-filled women, I asked myself. 

A few days later on Wednesday, I stood in a circle holding hands with one of them who had a bandage wrapped around her head.  She glowed, I mean she positively glowed.  I couldn't figure it out.  I wanted to hurt someone but she, on the other hand, talked about what it was like while he was attacking her.  She was praying for him, his family, his teachers, his neighbors, everyone who had encircled him all his life.  The glow was forgiveness and peace.

The attacker was never found.  He just vanished and was never held accountable.  I wondered what his life was like following the attack because the two nuns prayed aloud when he was attacking.  How did he make sense of them?

Dear God,

in these

difficult times,

please help us

make sense

of everything

that does not

make sense.

Help us see

each other

through your eyes.

Help us

once again

see the beauty

and power

of prayer

and forgiveness.

Love, Andrea