Another Monday, and yet, heavy for all of us. The waves of emotion that I feel given the shooting in Las Vegas are powerfully numbing. I feel connected and yet very disconnected from all who are affected. I went about the morning with Abby, getting breakfast going and hearing Abby explain to our girls what had happened. I don't think it even registered with them. They just looked confused. And shouldn't they be? The world is so broken and a dad sometimes wants his children to just be sheltered from it. How do we explain these things, when the loss and tragedy just seem senseless?

After the hustle-bustle of dropping off out children to school, Abby reminded me that we are invited to the Rosary challenge during the month of October and that she is going to devote time to this. We each went on our way, Abby to work and I for a run.

Somewhere along my 2nd mile I began to think about the power of prayer and Abby's invitation to pray the rosary more and so I turned off my music and began praying the Rosary with the Joyful Mysteries:

The Annunciation (humility) The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) The Nativity (Love of the Poor) The Presentation (Obedience) Finding Jesus in the Temple (Joy of finding Jesus).

As I ran and prayed each decade, allowing the words of the prayers to dance through my mind I saw the people and situations in my life that seem most on my heart. I also thought about the people and their families affected today (and way too often in our country and in our world) and I began to feel very small in my concerns, even in my place in the universe.
As I meditated on the virtues for each mystery I became aware where I was living them and also missing them in various degrees, which was a great Examine. But the 5th mystery. WOW!

The phrase, "Finding Jesus in the temple," transported me to the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Do you not know that bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you received from God. You are not your own."

This hit me in a completely new way! Thanks Mary! I was reminded that the Lord dwells within my temple and that I am not my own. Not alone. Not ever. No one is really ever alone. And we have nothing to fear.

But what do I do about this? And on days like today, where do I take my sadness, my anger and my confusion?

Do I go searching along roads leading elsewhere or along more outward-familiar ground? I'm sad to admit I do sometimes. Like our Mother who lost track of the Christ-child, as I search everywhere but where I should. I experience a loss and missing Him, I search among the people - I become fearful and begin to lose hope. Being separated from Him reminds me that I need Him.

Finally I'm reminded that I need to retrace my steps. I must return to the City of Peace and find you Jesus, at home in my temple teaching my old scribes and experts who pridefully think they know it all -There I hear you speaking sublime, simple, and beautiful love to my heart which needs softening.

Mother Mary, pray for us and with us that we might keep our hearts soft with your Son's presence. We are temples of the Lord. We are not our own. Today is a day to sit with the Christ Child and let Him speak to us. May we be ready to listen.