Don't just do something, sit there. Our world constantly pushes us to do something, to rush and run. Our world tells us that increasing our speed will somehow compensate for not knowing where we're going. God tells us to slow down, sit down, or kneel down, but don't speed up. We are like Martha, bustling around, "anxious and upset about many things" (Lk 10:41). Jesus calls us to be like Mary of Bethany, "who seated herself at the Lord's feet and listened to His words" (Lk 10:39).

Realistically, it's obvious that to stop and pray is the most practical thing we can do. The world's on a runaway, collision course with death, and our only hope is prayer. "Let My eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of My people, over her incurable wound" (Jer 14:17). No amount of activity will fix up this world. We need a miracle. It's just a prayer away.

The prayer of faith is our only hope, but the only hope we need. Our world is dead. It's been in the tomb long enough to smell of corruption (Jn 11:39). There's nothing we can do but believe in Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005

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