Women participate in prayer at the Peace Mosque in Niagara Falls on March 22 following the mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques. Offering “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of tragedy has real meaning, writes Bishop Gerard Bergie. - Julie Jocsak , The St. Catharines Standard[/caption]
Christians believe that faith in Christ produces good works. Some would call this putting our faith into action. To pray for another is a good work and it is no less important than to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Like those four friends, when we pray for someone we are 'spiritually' bringing that person to Jesus. We are asking the Lord to bring healing and hope. It is an act of faith to believe that the Lord will bring healing. This takes on greater meaning when we are unable to 'physically' do something. We can help with our prayers.
One of the worst feelings to experience in life is a sense of helplessness. This often happens when we are confronted with something so overwhelming that we believe that nothing more can be done.
If we believe in Jesus, then there will always be a way. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
In times of great tragedy and suffering, like the recent attack on Muslim worshippers, the followers of Jesus can witness to the power of friendship, fortitude and faith by 'carrying people' with our prayers.
"You are in my thoughts and prayers" is much more than a pious sentiment. It is a simple expression that can have a profound affect in a troubled world.
Gerard Bergie is bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines. bishop@saintcd.com
Published first in The St. Catharines Standard, https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion-story/9269973-faith-matters-in-the-wake-of-tragedy-thoughts-and-prayers-are-more-than-pious-sentiment/May52019
In the wake of tragedy, ‘thoughts and prayers’ are more than pious sentiment
Showing support for Muslim community following New Zealand attacks a sign of shared friendship and faith
The world has been shocked by the senseless carnage that recently took place in New Zealand.
Fifty Muslim worshippers were killed and many more were wounded at two mosques in the city of Christchurch. It was an evil act that deeply wounds us all.
At times of great tragedy, the phrase "our thoughts and prayers are with you" is often heard in response to the suffering of others. Some find this statement comforting; others find it to be nothing more than a pious platitude.
They believe that praying does little because it is only action that will change the world.
Is it a waste of time to pray for someone? Are we abdicating our responsibility to make things better?
A powerful story from the Gospel of St. Mark offers some insight regarding these questions.
"When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he (Jesus) was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven … I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.' And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this.'" (Mark 2:1-5; 11-12)
This paralyzed man was fortunate to have such wonderful friends. They brought him to Jesus hoping he could be healed. When they confronted a significant obstacle, they were not deterred. Since they could not use the door to reach Jesus, they literally went through the roof.
Their faith, determination, and resourcefulness were rewarded because their friend was healed. It is interesting to note that Jesus acknowledges the faith of the friends, rather than that of the paralyzed man, as his inspiration for this healing.
[caption id="attachment_9993" align="aligncenter" width="798"] Women participate in prayer at the Peace Mosque in Niagara Falls on March 22 following the mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques. Offering “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of tragedy has real meaning, writes Bishop Gerard Bergie. - Julie Jocsak , The St. Catharines Standard[/caption]
Christians believe that faith in Christ produces good works. Some would call this putting our faith into action. To pray for another is a good work and it is no less important than to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Like those four friends, when we pray for someone we are 'spiritually' bringing that person to Jesus. We are asking the Lord to bring healing and hope. It is an act of faith to believe that the Lord will bring healing. This takes on greater meaning when we are unable to 'physically' do something. We can help with our prayers.
One of the worst feelings to experience in life is a sense of helplessness. This often happens when we are confronted with something so overwhelming that we believe that nothing more can be done.
If we believe in Jesus, then there will always be a way. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
In times of great tragedy and suffering, like the recent attack on Muslim worshippers, the followers of Jesus can witness to the power of friendship, fortitude and faith by 'carrying people' with our prayers.
"You are in my thoughts and prayers" is much more than a pious sentiment. It is a simple expression that can have a profound affect in a troubled world.
Gerard Bergie is bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines. bishop@saintcd.com
Published first in The St. Catharines Standard, https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion-story/9269973-faith-matters-in-the-wake-of-tragedy-thoughts-and-prayers-are-more-than-pious-sentiment/
Women participate in prayer at the Peace Mosque in Niagara Falls on March 22 following the mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques. Offering “thoughts and prayers” in the wake of tragedy has real meaning, writes Bishop Gerard Bergie. - Julie Jocsak , The St. Catharines Standard[/caption]
Christians believe that faith in Christ produces good works. Some would call this putting our faith into action. To pray for another is a good work and it is no less important than to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Like those four friends, when we pray for someone we are 'spiritually' bringing that person to Jesus. We are asking the Lord to bring healing and hope. It is an act of faith to believe that the Lord will bring healing. This takes on greater meaning when we are unable to 'physically' do something. We can help with our prayers.
One of the worst feelings to experience in life is a sense of helplessness. This often happens when we are confronted with something so overwhelming that we believe that nothing more can be done.
If we believe in Jesus, then there will always be a way. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
In times of great tragedy and suffering, like the recent attack on Muslim worshippers, the followers of Jesus can witness to the power of friendship, fortitude and faith by 'carrying people' with our prayers.
"You are in my thoughts and prayers" is much more than a pious sentiment. It is a simple expression that can have a profound affect in a troubled world.
Gerard Bergie is bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Catharines. bishop@saintcd.com
Published first in The St. Catharines Standard, https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion-story/9269973-faith-matters-in-the-wake-of-tragedy-thoughts-and-prayers-are-more-than-pious-sentiment/Category: Faith Matters
Posted by: Margaret