Be Still, My Soul
Father Adam asked the kids at the school mass on Thursday how many of them had ever read or watched the story/movie, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." A few adults and a small sprinkling of kids had read it. It had been a while for me, so I read it this afternoon. Yikes did I relate to Alexander this week. This title perfectly described me this week. I feel/felt heavy, burdened, weighted down going into mass today. On Wednesday night, I was so weighted down that I went to bed at 8:30pm.
Nothing in particular but everything was bothering me. Does that make sense? I have been praying about it, and I hadn't found much peace. Then I walked into mass Thursday. The statues and cross were veiled due to it being Passiontide, the two weeks before the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Father Adam explained to the kids that the veils were there to cover the images, so we could focus more on the Passion (the suffering) and death of Jesus. What a dark, dark time for Christians; while also being spectacular in knowing His resurrection is next. That was the friendly nudge I needed. It is often always darkest before the dawn - sometimes things get worse before they can better. Jesus died for our sins, but He returns for our eternity. My mood, attitude, was heavy. I felt physically weighted down, and I needed help to get out of it. Thank goodness God knew what I needed at exactly the right time.
As if the veils and Father's homily weren't enough for me, our school choir sang "Be Still, My Soul" during the mass. I've heard this song many, many times, but I don't think I ever needed to hear it more than I did today.
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain; Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."
May you find peace in your soul during this Passiontide. Leave it all at the feet of our Lord and He will provide. God bless.