Saint John Bosco had gathered many children who were abandoned on the streets of Turin (Italy). His mother, Margarita, had the difficult task of being a mother to this new found, very large family. One day she just couldn’t do it anymore, and she said to her son: “I’m exhausted. They break everything. You can’t keep them still. I quit. Find someone else to take care of them!”
Don Bosco remained silent. He knew how much she was doing for them, working practically around the clock. So he pulled a crucifix from his pocket and held it before his mother’s eyes. She took a long look at Jesus on the cross, understood the message and ended up saying: “Alright, I’ll stay!”
Jesus didn’t try to avoid what was coming when it became too difficult.
Vicka loves to ask Jesus in prayer: “Lord, tell me, what can I do for you, to comfort you on your way of the cross?” I think that this is the right question we should ask at the beginning of Lent.
Concerning the fast, some people are still reluctant to commit to this practice which the Queen of Peace actually requested from us. Fasting is a grace that we can ask for with fervor because it bears amazing fruit! Let’s not forget this message, especially these days with what we are seeing in the news: “Dear children, only by fasting and prayer can you prevent wars, stop wars and suspend natural laws.” (Flood, tsunami, avalanches, fire, etc.) So let us ask ourselves: what could be easier? Fasting on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays, or repairing the damage of an earthquake or of a flood that could have been prevented through fasting?
Sr Emmanuel