O God, come to our aid....

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us....

- Communion & Liberation (CL) Book of Hours; (available through local "Responsibles" -see http://www.clonline.us/contacts.cfm)

we got word today (monday) that our son matthew's best friend Travis, was involved in an accident.  he is paralyzed from the waste down. matthew was nearby and called 911.   just devastating.  and yet, it was beautiful to see my wife and many people putting the word out to pray for Travis, his family and friends. spontaneous 'prayer chains' began - and within hours, many people throughout the united states are praying....

who can understand the mystery of tragedy?  there are intellectual and theological 'reasons' but in the moment, they seem meaningless.  i've been taught that tragic events have the power to turn us toward God - or in bitterness, away from God.  i've done both.  when i've turned away from God, the pain turned into resentment, misery, depression.  when i've turned toward God, the pain turned into a burning 'purification' that led to compassion, love and a 'stronger' michael.

the CL 'Book of Hours' is a cool book containing "Morning," Mid-day," "Evening" and "Night" prayers for all 7 days of the week.  interestingly, every Prayer 'time' begins wtih these words: 'O God, come to our aid; O Lord, make haste to help us.'  it seems true what i have been taught; that we are made with a need for our God.  moments of tragedy are like a bullhorn announcing this to our soul.

when matthew called from the hospital in new orleans, he said something that lifted my heart a bit, and made me smile, even in this moment of devastation.  after describing the accident.... getting to the hospital; and his paralysis.... he said, "....still, travis was 'being travis'" (a young man who has always been full of life!).  let us pray for Travis -and for ourselves, that we might be a bit more like him -full of life!