It’s the title of the book I’m reading.
Great title. . . .
But it’s
that “ing” word that catches me!
No doubt: we ARE in a fragile world
though the word, “world” is too global a concept
for me.
“World” is
big, over THERE
where planes, drones, guns,
bloodshed, deceit, endless destruction
happen
daily, moment by moment.
“World” is too far removed from me, HERE
where
yellow-leafed trees surround me
and bouquets of golden mums,
food
three times a day and coffee in between.
HERE, where I don’t constantly worry about
my
child out on the street or the horrible fear
in my
gut when the telephone sounds. . .
HERE we have bathrooms, soap and water,
friends to meet our helplessness, and a
chapel to harbor our miniscule worries.
HERE, we have only begun to see and feel the effects
of
climactic change.
We doubt
that catastrophe
will
ever overtake us. . .NO,
not here
in America!
So, LORD, how can I walk in this fragile world. .
.
“over
there”
“down
south”
“on the
east coast”?
“By walking with Me. . .”
“There’s that bothersome ‘ing’ word again. . .
something in progress, Webster suggests!
‘But I’m beyond 80,’ I tell myself; others can do
it better, faster. . .”
Yet, deep within, I hear sounds of another voice:
“That’s
not enough!
You, my friend, are sufficient to the task
too! Wake up!
Are
you watching and praying? Not even for one hour?”
“Is that perhaps You, Lord, speaking to me? ‘Yes’ You
say?
Then,
help me with those ‘ ing’ words.”
Please! Let me never close my eyes to the terrors
of this fragile world
and
its impending danger
even as I sit here, even here,
watching and waiting for You,
weeping over our 21st century
Jerusalem,
where millions of seemingly unimportant
people die.
We are vulnerable, Lord. . .
wounded
and wounding.
Please, have mercy on us. Please. . . Amen.
Renee Domeier, OSB
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