A Prayer: The Horror of the Unspeakable

Lord,
yesterday, it was reported
that a young mother hung her four children
and herself. They were suspended in a row
beside their mom amid clothing in a
make-shift closet hanging from a two-by-four
piece of wood behind a sheet.

relatives and neighbors knew she was
suffering from depression following
the separation from her common law husband
who was very abusive.

where does this inner emptiness come from,
this sense of hopelessness that fills the
air of those so desperate? Everyone saw
her as a good mother.

this event will disappear from my memory
soon, it will carry no lasting effects, her
death and the children's will fade into
the darkness that surrounded her and
sucked away her hopefulness.

why do these things happen, O Lord, why
don't I feel the pain of such anguish?

there are others like her, others who live
in the shadow of death, without anyone
knowing their hidden secret - looking
for release from a world that has denied
them entrance.

bring them into the company of your saints,
and let them play again in the arms of
eternal blessedness.

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Rule of Saint Benedict

On Humility

The second degree of humility
is that a person love not his own will
nor take pleasure in satisfying his desires,
but model his actions on the saying of the Lord,
"I have come not to do My own will,
but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38).
It is written also,
"Self-will has its punishment,
but constraint wins a crown."