The Voice of My Quarantine

"Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference"

Dear Friends

I reached for this prayer from American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr when I received the “positive” result of my Covid-19 test. I have been overly cautious since this pandemic hit, so I was surprised at my result. I usually have a very quick temper, but I was surprisingly calm. From where did Reinhold Niebuhr draw such a strength? Naturally in a dialogue with God! This prayer helps one to have the strength and the courage to accept the unchangeable. It is with a level head and a keen awareness that one can determine if certain situations can be changed with our own strength or not.

Reach for the Bible

We can read in the gospels how Jesus repeatedly withdrew to a place of solitude in order to communicate with his Father. St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), former Bishop of Geneva, said it so well when he said, “Pray every day for one hour. If you don’t have time, pray for two hours!”

Contemplate

When we have important decisions to make, it is in the calmness of prayer that we find the wisdom to act or accept.
Stay healthy, protect yourself and others.
Fr. Urs