One thing I love about images is that they can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. On one occasion, upon entering the restroom across from my office, I saw a square of toilet paper dangling from the roll barely attached. It reminded me of the plentiful posters, cards, mugs, etc. with the “Hang in there” message accompanied by the picture of an animal, such as a cat or a chimpanzee, dangling precariously from a rope or a tree branch. I can identify with that feeling of holding on for dear life in a situation that appears overwhelming and out of control. Truthfully, I experience this feeling more often than the people who know me realize.
This morning, when faced with the task of producing a blog on-the-spot for this week, the image of the toilet paper square came back to my mind. (I guess it was still “hanging around” in my mental inbox. Pun absolutely intended.) This time, however, it had a different message attached to it: “Let go, and let God.” A message of the Spirit to calm my anxious being. The instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the devastation from recent hurricanes while another massively powerful storm threatens Florida so soon after the last one, a critically tight and consequential presidential election on the horizon, the changing dynamics of religious life in America, and the stunning climate changes happening globally are just some of the reasons to be on edge and emotionally disturbed. It would be so easy to collapse under the enormity of the suffering and changes happening in the world today—suffering and changes that my one small life can do very little to alter.
Mother of Teresa of Calcutta was one whose life affected the lives of millions by her courageous and tenacious commitment to serving the poorest of the poor and proclaiming the human dignity of all persons. Her love and her witness have made a tremendous impact in our world. She openly stated that not everyone is called to tend to the sick and dying in the streets of Calcutta; however, it is possible for each and every person to make the commitment to love the persons in his or her life today. It is possible to be sensitive to the needs and brokenness of our neighbors, our co-workers, our family members with the loving compassion of Christ. This possibility becomes more probable when I let go and let God be in charge.
In his Rule, St. Benedict was careful to guard his community of monks from the influences of life beyond the monastic environment. In our digital age, it has become more difficult to safeguard our time and attention from all of the information and images that have the capacity to generate spiritual disquiet. Letting go and letting God sometimes means limiting our exposure to the 24/7 news feeds and social media posts so that our mindfulness of God’s love, power, grace and mercy isn’t overrun by it. Knowledge of global events allows us to be in prayerful solidarity with the needs of our world and our Church, but we cannot let our lives become wholly consumed by dynamics well beyond our control. Guarding our heart is an important spiritual practice. Perhaps the current situations in my life and in the world are not ones that I would prefer; however, I can choose how I will respond to these situations in the present moment with the grace God gives me.
God, give me the strength to do the next “right thing” in the present moment, and I will let you carry the weight of the world.
By Sister Therese Haydel, OSB
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”–Serenity Prayer