What are you to do?

Tragedy comes. Some affect us. Some do not. Either way, we are still called to be Christ. As Christians, we are to imitate Christ. In the midst of tragedy, we can be Christ. Are you suffering? Then, you may be Christ on the Cross. Is someone you love suffering? Perhaps then, you are Mary watching Christ on the Cross.

In the midst of tragedy, we can place ourselves at the Crucifixion. Are we Christ on the Cross? Are we Mary watching Christ on the Cross? Are we a bystander? Christ offered up His suffering for us. We can do likewise. Indeed, that is what Mary was doing while watching her Son on the Cross. By imitating her, we are imitating Christ.

As a bystander of tragedy, we are given a choice: make it personal and do something OR let others deal with it. Now, we are not able to be fully in on every tragedy. We only have so much time in a day and we already have God-given responsibilities. But that should not allow us to do nothing. Almost always, we can say a small prayer or place them in our hearts.

Some may say that sending your “thoughts and prayers” is meaningless. In some cases, that is all someone can do. Indeed, we all can. We may not have the time for saying a Rosary or providing a meal, but that should not prevent us from saying a short prayer. As my little Josephine says, “Mamma Mary, please help Scarlett”. Scarlett, by the way, is my 2 year old niece who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. Please say a prayer for her. Please!

We all have a different place in tragedies. Some are personal without our choosing, but most are only personal at our choosing. Our place in tragedies often determine our involvement. A parent is deeply involved. God is deeply involved in our human tragedy. We had a great union with God, until the human condition of sin that separated us from Him. He got so deeply involved that He became human. Not only did He do that, but He also died for us. Not just any death, but a torturous death on a cross.

Jesus saw the tragedy of sin and it was personal to Him. He was intimately involved with the tragedy, because we are something personal to Him. We are made in God’s image and likeness. We were created for Him and He loved us from the beginning. Surely, He never wavered in His love for us. Our tragedy is very personal to Him. Our tragedy ripped us from Him and He loves us so much that He wants nothing more than to help us in our tragedy.

Jesus, you love Scarlett more than any love that I can fathom. Please take care of her and bring her to good health. Thank you!