That is a question I have been putting to myself over the past few months.
There are distresses and challenges that we go through that impact us directly. In my own circle, we have known the tragedies of the deaths of loved ones who passed far too young, mental illness, bankruptcies, serous character assassination, etc. Real suffering, that all of you know in some form at some stage in your lives. Responding to these is a great challenge. For me, my faith has carried me through even in the times when I have been so angry, so distressed at what God has allowed and thrown the question we all ask at some times: how could a good God do that to us?
But now in my mid 60’s, I wonder about many of the other things that we have been expected to worry about, and have worried about: nuclear war, the fate of the Barrier Reef (its imminent death has been asserted since I was seven years old), climate change. I could go on. I don’t dismiss these but I question what good my worrying would do. I am concerned about the war in Ukraine, I have sent a donation* but I have decided that the best I can do about that is to be kinder to those around me. On climate change, I try to live more simply, (but really what can a government do if we are not prepared to change our ways). Similarly with the Barrier Reef. I think that too often we are led to focus on concerns over which we have no control and this saps our energy, imagination and love for dealing with the problems that are before directly before us. Sometimes we need all our wit and energy to deal with them.
We need to do what we can with what is before us. It is here that God’s grace and wisdom is being offered to us. One of the mysteries of our Christian faith is that any good act can have an impact through the wider world even though we don’t see it. Acts of kindness and patience can spread their influence, even to the Ukraine. Living simply, here, can help the Reef. This is practical prayer. As my heart and life are transformed by grace, so it spreads outwards. It is by good acts, thoughts and prayer that I can influence my world – not by worrying.
Loving Father, you know how easily I can be upset by the mess of my world. Give me the grace to change what I can: me, and let me be kind and wise with those around me. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb
*Through Benedictine channels we sent this to our nuns in the Ukraine but they have asked that any donations be sent to Caritas who they say is doing an outstanding and comprehensive job on the ground.
