“On March 27, 2020, at an early point in the global pandemic, Pope Francis walked alone in the rain across an empty St. Peter’s Square to offer prayer for the world in a time of crisis.

“Faith,” he said, “begins when we realize we are in need of salvation.  We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we flounder: we need Christ, like ancient navigators needed the stars.”

Recalling when Jesus was asleep in the boat as the tempest was raging (Mark 4:35-41), the Holy Father said, “The Lord awakens so as to awaken our Easter Faith."

On that day, Pope Francis presided over the rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction in order to focus our attention on the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. The Pope was reminding us that even in a time of turbulence and crisis, Christ is present among us, as present as he was long ago in the boat on the Sea of Galilee.”

Reflection: The past few years have been “stormy” in many ways. Many of us still experience upheaval, uncertainty, and anxiety in our lives. The practice of prayer can help to “ground” us as the storminess of life rages on. A community of prayer can be an oasis of renewal and peace. The celebration of Mass (Eucharist) reminds us that Christ journeys with us, and also seeks to enter into deep friendship with us, transforming our fear into strength and hope. Technology can connect us to one another in amazingly wonderful ways. Nonetheless, our souls crave a deeper connection. We yearn for the grace that enables us to see beyond the storms, assured that the
voyage of our lives finds safe haven in a love beyond our imagining.

How can I enter more prayerfully into the celebration of Mass? In what ways am I being called to be Christ in the midst of the “storms” around me?