Yesterday my broken heart was aching.

It was my dad’s birthday, his first birthday since his death this past January.

During the morning of Elementary Faith Formation and OCIA Sessions, several people shared with me about their brokenness and asked me to pray with and for them.

Once I sat at my desk and fired up my computer, I came across an email from a parishioner who just lost her dad.

I could see her broken heart through her words.

After all the sessions were done and the hall and rooms were cleaned up, I walked across the parking lot to check the Youth Center and found a person at a picnic table weeping.

It was a person I see here all the time.

I asked if I could help.

Their heart is broken too.

As I walked back across the parking lot to the Faith Formation Office, I thought how amazing it is all that people around us are going through and we have no idea.

Physical pain.

Mental pain.

Illness.

Loss.

Great stress.

Can you imagine living this life with all the suffering it can bring without God?

I cannot.

I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

In this coming Sunday’s Second Reading, Saint Paul reassures people that yes, he has suffered and he has been blessed.

In all circumstances, he is OK because of Jesus’ presence in his life.

Can we recognize the same strength in our lives through our relationship with Jesus?

My heart is broken with grief at the unexpected loss of my dad, but…

Hope.

Love.

Joy.

Yes, I recognize the strength Jesus brings me in this grief and I am grateful.

I am praying for the different people I encountered yesterday who shared their brokenness with me, asking Jesus to bring His peace to their minds, to bring His love to their broken hearts, and to bring healing to their bodies.

May our love for Jesus and His love for us bring us strength for whatever life may bring.

Be strengthened through God's love!