DURING SUNDAY MASS at single in kind of the local parishes.

DURING SUNDAY MASS at single in kind of the local parishes, the children leave the ecclesiastical authority before the Scripture readings begin in such a manner that they can study and mirror together. Their adult teachers lead them to their classroom as the congregation sings a sacred song asking God's blessing on them. After the readings and the homily are complet the children respond to be with their families. Parents consider around for their sons and daughters and salute them lovingly.

One Sunday, as the children were returning, a mother was looking around for her child. She could not behold her in the crowd of returning children. She anticipateed about more anxiously when there were no more children in the aisles and her daughter had not replyed As the mother scanned all around the meeting-house her daughter came up behind her and hugg her. The mother turn rounded and joyously embraced her child, smiling as she hugg her. An apparently wasted child had been found.

I was struck by the agency of the anxious concern of the mother for her child and her happiness when the child returned. Immediately, I consideration of how this incident reminded me of the loving interest God has for each undivided of us and of for what reason precious we are in the sights of God. The words of Isaiah also came to mind:

A simple incident during Mass became for me a reminder of the enduring regard with affection God has for each single in kind of us.

We all believe in the continuing be enamoured of of God for us, unless sometimes the harsh experiences of life can dim our appreciation of this central belief. At times we can be moved lost and alone when we have to face the difficulties of aging, sickness, and los uniform though we are adults, we can have the feelings of a missed child and long for the tendernes of a parent to comfort us. Isaiah's words assure us that the maker will comfort us at these times, if it were not that often we don't sense God's be pleased with or care. Darkness and aloneness assume more present than comfort and love

To prevail upon through these dark periods of our lives, we may ne the help of a trusted friend or guide, someone who, at this significance can see a bit more clearly than we can. A vital principle friend or spiritual guide can help us better understand what is happening in our lives and encourage us to continue in our openness to God's aye present and abundant grace. We ne not be alone in the darkness, nor ne we despair of eternally seeing the light again.

As we extend older, we may need to become like children, one time again. Instead of depending forward our own insights and strength-gifts that serv us well in the early stages of our lives-we ne to allow go of them and place our trust in God's loving providence. As a child, whose name is written "upon the palms" of God's hands, we can give permission to go of our need to sway our lives and place ourselves in the loving and caring hands of God

Edward O'Donnell, OCD

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