17 Comments
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Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young's avatar

Laura, this was stunning and beautiful. The first thing I read on this Ash Wednesday. Thank you for ushering us through the dark and into the heart of Lent. Grateful for your gift of words. He meets us in our grief. 🩵

Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

Thank you so much, Dorina. I know you know all too well the darkness of grief. And the power of the Light that meets us at the grave. Praying with you this Lent!

Lauren Hackman-Brooks's avatar

At Mass this morning, “Even now” were the words that captured my attention and wandered around with me all day. I’m grateful to pray them with you.

Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

Last night at Mass, those words caught me with a lump in the throat again too. Even now.

Ginny's avatar

One of my favorite lines in scripture is from Matthew’s gospel, “Having been warned in a dream . . . they returned home by another way.” And now, today, these words from you, “when it was still dark . . .” Ah, yes, the Holy One was at work and is at work “when it was and is still dark.” In a dream, in the darkness, in our unconsciousness, in our pain and confusion, in our blindness and our anger, this same Holy One is at work . . . even here . . . even now . . . when it is still dark. May we awaken to this gift of Presence as we too journey home. Thank you, Laura, for your beautiful reflection; I am blessed by it.

Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

One of my favorite lines, too, Ginny! Thank you for adding them to the conversation. We are always being changed by the God we find in the dark.

Lauren O'Connell's avatar

Oh Laura. I did not want these words but I needed them. I am feeling so angry and so fearful and so distant from God. Have been giving Lent a serious side eye. And yet. ‘Even now’. Thank you.

Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

I'm so grateful this spoke to you, Lauren. Sometimes the Lents I have side-eyed turned out to be the ones my soul needed most. I pray you might find comfort and connection through these forty days, too.

Kimberly Knowle - Zeller's avatar

Amen. Needed these words.

Ivonne J. Hernandez's avatar

Thank you for sharing these words today. ❤️🙏

Laura Johnson's avatar

Thank you. I needed this today.

Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

Thank you, Laura. With you.

Chelsea Dameron's avatar

stunning.

Jill Atogwe's avatar

Breathtaking.