Yesterday I was asked
by our local Marian Servants of the Word Incarnate to give a brief reflection
during their online Zoom meeting. My reflection was (I think) well-received,
but I was touched by the comments and questions of these women who have dedicated
their lives to serving our Lord and His people.
I'm not a regular user
of Zoom -- this was just my 2nd Zoom event -- so it proved to be an interesting
experience for me. I was suitably impressed, and given the times and the health
concerns we must deal with today, Zoom turns out to be a remarkably effective
way to "get together" without really getting together. Of course, it
is only a weak substitute for meeting in community...Soon we hope we can come
together again in worship, prayer, and fellowship.
Before our meeting as
I pondered this feast, I recalled having once encountered a prayer written by
St. Bernadette, a prayer that revealed the saint's deep humility. I managed to
find it again, so I thought it would be good to repeat it here:
______________
Prayer of St. Bernadette
O Jesus, give me I pray
the bread of humility,
the bread of obedience,
the bread of charity,
the bread of strength to break my will, and make it one with yours,
the bread of patience to bear the pain my heart endures,
the bread to see you and you alone in all things and always!
I put my hope in you, Lord.
Be my house of refuge because you are my strength.
________________
In is simplicity, its selflessness, its expression of deep
faith, and its complete focus on serving the Lord, it is truly a beautiful
prayer. But it also shows us how this young saint took those words of Jesus'
prayer -- "Give us this day our daily bread" -- and opened them to
address all the needs of our lives.
Our Lady of Lourdes,
pray for us.
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