Getting the Word out

Today would have started better if I had been on retreat without access to the various means of social communication. As it is, via Facebook, Twitter and my two "Readers", I am sharing the pain of lots of folks burdened by the lies and impositions of others. You might say that in a less virtual world maybe one or two at the most of these people could have shared with me something of what was upon them and I could have communicated back effectively registering my understanding, solidarity and full confidence in the Lord of All. Instead, well, I use Skype to dump on another friend, who pulls out his best emoticons to cheer me up. Nice world we live in!

Truth to be told, not even the human exchange or closeness of Gethsemane was all that consoling (see the Passion Account of Matthew's Gospel):

"Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

Let us just say that it all seems to be part of it, although I would pray that the Lord would grant deliverance and show us His merciful kindness! Through the intercession (of a Saturday) of His Most Blessed Mother!

Maria, breit den Mantel aus,

mach Schirm und Schild für uns daraus;

lass uns darunter sicher stehn,

bis alle Stürm vorüber gehn.

Patronin voller Güte,

uns allezeit behüte.

Dein Mantel ist sehr weit und breit,

er deckt die ganze Christenheit,

er deckt die weite, breite Welt,

ist aller Zuflucht und Gezelt.

Patronin voller Güte,

uns allezeit behüte!

Maria, hilf der Christenheit,

zeig deine Hilf uns allezeit;

mit deiner Gnade bei uns bleib,

bewahre uns an Seel und Leib!

Patronin voller Güte,

uns allezeit behüte!

O Mutter der Barmherzigkeit,

den Mantel über uns ausbreit;

uns all darunter wohl bewahr,

zu jeder Zeit in aller Gefahr.

Patronin voller Güte,

uns allezeit behüte.