A few weeks ago, Fr. Jim Greenfield O.S.F.S., President of De Sales University, shared Dr. Varghese’s poem in his homily, and I want to share it with you today.  It is powerful and thought provoking.

“O God, keep my anger from becoming meanness.

Keep my sorrow from collapsing into self-pity.

Keep my heart soft enough to keep breathing.

Keep my anger turned toward justice, not cruelty.

Remind me that all of this, every bit of it, is for love.

Keep me fiercely kind. Amen. [Dr. Rueben Varghese, Director of Public Health, Arlington County, VA]

George Floyd’s death reminds us that institutional and individual racism still exist in our society.  So, as we pray for an end to the COVID 19 Pandemic, let’s, also, pray that we become beacons of justice and equality in our society and that racism and inequality [finally] end.

What can we do today?  

We can seek the good in each person.  

We can offer kindness and understanding. 

We can and we should pray for racism to end and for the pandemic to end. 

Jesus offered the breathe of love, compassion and justice, yet He was crucified.  When we offer love, compassion and seek justice we will be following in His footsteps.

Langston Hughes wrote the poem Dreams, take some time to reflect on it.

“Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.”  [LANGSTON HUGHES]

St. Augustine said, "There are two loves, the love of God and the love of the world. If the love of the world takes possession of you, there is no way for the love of God to enter into you. Let the love of the world take the second place and let the love of God dwell in you. Let the better love take over."

Commit to praying for an end to the coronavirus pandemic and the injustice, in particular, the racial injustice that exists in our nation and in our world. 

When we allow the better love to take over, we can bring God’s love more fully into our world, hold fast to the dream of God’s Kingdom and work for its’ fulfillment.

May God Be Praised!