Thank You, Beautiful Children of God

I wrote in my last post about JJ Heller's song "Who You Are."

I just have to take a moment to mention how much I love the video to her song. Friends, some of whom have faced some significant losses in life, are gathering for a meal. The food, candlelight, wine, and togetherness bring some healing to these broken hearts.

As I watched the video, and listened to the lyrics, I was reminded of being at Mass. After all, the Mass is a meal, with our Church family, the Bread of Life, wine, and even candlelight.

Even when I am not recovering from my own heartbreak, I find such joy, comfort, and strength in the members of our church community. I find extra hope and strength in the ones I know have faced their own heartache. In the ones who--when they say "Amen" to the Body and Blood of Christ--are saying "Yes, I believe, and I continue to put my trust and my life in your hands, dear Lord, even though my heart is hurting so much right now."

They have faced some of life's greatest losses, and they are choosing to continue to say "Yes" to the Lord Who loves them. They continue to put their hope and trust in Him. They continue to find beauty in the gift He gave us on the Cross.

They know it is no small gift. But they also know--in such a deep and real way--that because of our Lord's acceptance of His suffering and death, they do not walk alone in their own suffering. He gave them both hope for reunion in heaven, and knowledge that they never face anything alone in this life. He said "Your will, not mine, be done." He did not have to say that. He chose to because He loved us and because He loved the Father.

These beautiful members of my church family have lost children. They have lost other loved ones. They have lost limbs. They face or have faced potentially life-threatening medical diagnoses for either themselves or their children.

Nevertheless, I have seen them smile with a light that is not feigned joy. I have heard the firmness in some of their voices when, as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, they have spoken the words, "The Body of Christ" or "The Blood of Christ." It is as though they are saying, "Yes, right now I am broken. He was too, for me. But then He rose, and now I have hope that I will one day do the same."

Or, perhaps some days their hearts are simply crying out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mk 9:24) Still, they are crying out to Him.

I am so grateful for these warriors who do not even imagine how they are helping equip others for the battle.

A couple weeks ago, I spoke to a woman for an article I was writing. She helped her church organize a beautiful outreach for the Jubilee of Mercy. (Pope Francis has declared this year a Jubilee of Mercy, with special graces available to all of us.)

At the end of our call, I commented on her joy. Her voice radiated joy; I felt so grateful to be talking to her.

Her response surprised me so greatly. She explained that she retired from her "normal" job a year ago. Shortly after, her husband became ill. In December, he passed away.

Seriously--less than four months after this woman's husband passed away, I was noting the REAL JOY I heard in her voice.

She explained that while she had some trouble getting into the project (delivering mercy packets to all of her church's 2000 parishioners), reaching out to others with the message of God's mercy kept her going.

"God has something for me here," she said. "I'm doing what I think God wants me to be doing--bringing people to His kingdom."

Her example tells me there is joy in that. There is joy in doing the Lord's work, and in giving Him our "Yes." We may have days, and periods that stretch so much longer than days, when there is pain and when we question how we can continue to move forward. But there is joy in bringing people to the Lord; there is joy in doing His will; there is joy in simply resting in Him. He is where we will find healing; He is the source of our hope; He is our joy.

Thank you, dear beautiful children of God. I have been privileged, strengthened, and blessed to see you live these very Truths.