The storm strikes!
It strikes suddenly,
and without warning.
Then lightning flashes in a frenzy
in the vast vault of the dark sky,
in the form of a frightening cross.
What am I to do?
I spiritually fall to my knees,
and I surrender to you, Jesus.
In that moment,
in my emotional pain,
my heart is wrenched
within me like your mother’s,
who wailed with woe
at the foot of the cold cross.
In that moment,
in my physical pain,
I suffer sorrowfully with you,
in the Agony in the Garden,
in the Scourging at the Pillar,
in the Crowning with Thorns,
in the Carrying of the Cross,
in the Crucifixion.
I remember that patience
is the companion of wisdom.
And I realize that I am
so focused on the cross
that I forget that the resurrection
is right around the corner,
though I cannot yet see the Light.
San Filippo Neri reminds me
that when Our Blessed Lord
came into this wacky world,
He had the divine sense of humor.
And I think of the multitudes
in the courts of Heaven,
chortling and guffawing,
observing me feeble futile efforts
to conquer the cross alone,
which ultimately results in a
Shakespearean comedy of errors.
I remember that true joy
is Divine Mercy in the dark night.
Goodness and Truth show me
that Beauty is drawing near --
I begin to see the Light,
and feel His holy warmth.
O Merciful Master,
thank you for saving me,
thank you for loving me so much,
thank you for teaching me faith.
Jesus, I trust in you!
Amen.