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¨A TIMELY HELPER ¨

(More than Silver Linings)

(By: Karla Wagener on May 2, 2020)

Many years ago the then Bishop, or perhaps he was an Archbishop already, asked us to pray the following prayer. I have been praying it daily (together with other prayers) since then, give or take a day or two.

ORACION DE LA PATRIA (In Spanish below) (I always add in ¨and in all the World¨ to the words of the prayer!)

Before that I had met the then Bishop Bergoglio in 1997 for the first time. Soon after meeting him, I sent him a personalized Birthday card since it was near his birthday.  In those days I used to make handmade cards and what I called ¨kar¨toon drawings for people. I told him then that I thought ¨this was all very important¨. It could be causality, perhaps a bit of craziness, or a great deal of intuition… but I did hit the nail on the head then when things seemed so impossible, and have high hopes for what can happen, despite what things seem to appear. Meeting the Bishop has been a key experience which has opened a door to great understanding.

                ¨When I´m back on my Feet Again¨-

                                     (Written by Diane Warren at the death of her father).

Estamos heridos y agobiados.  We are hurting and burdened, crushed, overtaken.

Fortleza. Fortress (Gift of the Holy Spirit). There was a time in my life when I was totally lost. All Faith was lost and I was completely undermined, perhaps because of having had an overcharge of idealism and expecting too much too fast.  A person said to me, ¨Pray for Fortaleza¨ (fortress) and I began praying for that every day.  It sustained me in that trying time.  Somehow, I became fortified and a new strength and Faith grew in me that has made me stronger and more capable than I thought possible and I find it is now possible for me to comfort and support others in stressful times.

Constancia. (Constancy) Jesus said, ¨Constancy will save you¨. Also when I was getting stronger, another person told me, ¨Consistency leads to success¨.  Realizing how true that statement is, I made an effort to be more consistent in my daily exercises and activities.

Perhaps a great ¨true¨ success does not show up quickly, but there is great personal satisfaction in whatever improvement is noticed and experienced.

Dones and Gracias. (Gifts and abilities of the Spirit). Just recently, with the whole world more and more troubled, I began praying for the Dones and Gracias (Gifts and abilities) necessary to affront the delicate and painful situations presently in the world.  Many people mock prayer, but I find it gives me the strength to carry on and I have found results from it in my life.  So when you are hurt and burdened try it out.  Or ask us, ¨the people who pray for others and the sick¨, to pray, and then watch for and expect and prepare for relief.  You will find healing powers greater than expected!

Yes!  Begin preparing for good and solutions even in trying times for they shall surely come!

             ¨Like a Bridge over troubled Water¨

At the same time while considering Constancy, I believe extremes are not good and that there should be some ¨lax¨ time to routine, that discipline should have some breaks. Also, often weakness is the biggest strength.  Everyone is weak at some time in their lives and especially before death. Acknowledging that weakness allows for the Timely Helper to fortify what is weak.  I believe what is happening presently in the whole world is telling us that a new order, a new system must be developed, that it is developing.  I think many people see this coming… and are making this come about. 

It is my hope that we are right.  ¨A Time for Peace¨, Reconciliation!  I began calling this a re-con-¨silly¨-nation when I was having so many problems and was making those ¨kar¨toon drawings at the turn of the century!  Now it is such a serious matter!

 

And now a poem, as is my custom!

May 2, 2020

MOTHER NATURE

I feel energy now!

I feel so strong and healthy!

Overwhelming and able!

How can it be when I am

A weak, gentle, so tender female entity?

There is a power that goes beyond,

Where all light is generated.

It is what sustains us,

And being one with it 

Allows us to be invincible!

Even, perhaps especially,

In the moments of deepest anguish.