Thoughts on "Thoughts and Prayers" and Catholic Action

Satan knows our soft spots, often based on truisms about human nature, and he will use the ignorant, but also his allies, to attack, destroy, and ensnare God’s children.   Moreover, he is an expert in multiplying evil in domino falling fashion.  The recent tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis is one example.

 
Aside from the horrific, demonic slaughter of the innocents, especially in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ (in the Tabernacle), and all the angels and saints present, the devil poked further when he successfully tempted  taunters to sneer at the “thoughts and prayers” uttered by millions of mourners following the attack.

 
Truth be told, among us are nominal or lukewarm Catholics.  Even those who seem to be at the border of Heaven (on Earth), cope with flaws, faults, and imperfections.  Therefore, when hearing multitudes sharing “thoughts and prayers,”  the devils minions were all set to whisper in the ears of God’s enemies all types of  discouraging and critical suggestions.

The foes of authentic Christianity quickly denounced the faithful as hypocrites and do-nothings.  What good are words?  What does prayer accomplish?  We “know” your thoughts—hate filled (against trans).  “You love guns more than children.”  And the rhetoric spews forth, ironically, with spiteful spit.  No love there.

 
Then Satan received the “bonus” of indignant Christians countering with denials, justification, and and even judgmental  retorts.  (Confession:  my flashpoint answer was tinged in irritable resentment towards those who questioned my motives.)  

 
We should pause and reflect.

We do have to consider the truisms that shine an inconvenient light on our concupiscence.   We can be slothful, cursory in our words and even action avoidant.  Bluntly, many of us utter such phrases with good intentions, but later go about our business, perhaps dealing with personal issues.  

 
Furthermore, prayers that do not lead to inner conversion (and conviction) and outer love (striving for the heights of Agape) can be shallow, even empty.  The phrase becomes then just a few kind words tossed in the wind but hardly effectual.  I am reminded of “If one of you says to them, Go in peace, keep warm and well fed but does nothing (necessary) about their physical needs, what good is it.”  (James 2:15)

 
Regardless the devil delights in cutting our lines of communication with God, as well.  So, prayer is still vital.  Prayerfully, we can make a difference, always keeping in mind that action follows:  

 
Let us pledge to pray each day first for ourselves to become more knowledgeable and understanding of families with emotionally disturbed children.  Let us pray for all confused, erratic  children, many of whom may be suffering from some type of emotional or mental illness.  These are boys and girls as young as five years old.  Pray for their families, who are often overwhelmed, isolated and fearful of stigma.  Pray for neighbors and communities to provide truly loving responses and referrals.  Pray for enemies of these children—those who scorn or repel them—that their hearts are softened.  Pray for the clergy that each in their capacity extend genuine compassion and concrete assistance in Truth and Love.  Pray for society for  restoration of faithful families,  according to His Divine Will.  Pray for teachers that they are wisely guided and given tools and resources to help troubled children or steer families to environments that can best, faithfully  serve their sons and daughters.  Pray for mental health providers, that more Catholics are called to that mission.  Pray for the industries that often capitalize on mental illness that they are increasingly employed with genuine Christian and moral leadership.  Pray for the politicians that they cease partisan bickering and resolve to ponder and develop truly effectual assistance in the spirit of subsidiary and solidarity but always respectful of citizens’ religion.  Pray for the communicators, such as in media, that they focus on beneficial news. 

 
The Mass is an ideal setting for these petitions, but also the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet.  Who among us does not need contrition in these tense times, along with a spirit of forgiveness towards those who have harmed us.  Study just the Our Father for a wealth of insights.

 
Arising from prayer would be a heightened awareness of personal accountability and responsibility in contributing to the mental health of all our neighbors.  If a parent, seek avenues that will help in self awareness with respect to family life.  Siblings can learn along with parents how best to cope and interact without defensiveness.  Clergy from the USCCB to various parishes can develop avenues of information and congregation involvement.  (As a side note, more children with autistic behaviors and other mental disorders benefit by Mass and other Catholic settings. From the Parish picnic to sports, all children thrive in welcoming environments, but those children with annoying behaviors are often excluded.  Keep in mind that those outbursts are often as symptomatic of a brain disorder as a fever is in a child with a bacterial infection.)

 
More specifically, the Bishops and Catholic Schools Offices—some already doing so—may develop educational materials, workshops/professional development (in several areas from effective observation practices to understanding of mental illness and effective strategies), for teachers (Faith formation included), parishioners, parents, and families .  The latter would so benefit by even a few hours of “free time” if a respite night was offered. A special day for Catholic health care providers has already been initiated in some dioceses with an emphasis on mental health.  Let’s keep all that moving and growing.  We seek to save minds, but, more importantly, souls.

 
Catholic politicians must be especially courageous and advocate for laws that address inner disorder in our youth, avoiding any compromise that may end in tragedy like Minneapolis.  Practically speaking, gun possession is a credible topic, especially if present in the home of a mentally disturbed youth.   Catholic radio media already addresses mental health, but perhaps that can be expanded as well.

 
As the hymn goes, “Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.”  To paraphrase, “Let there be prayer on Earth, and let it begin with me but end with loving action.   All of us will be far more mentally healthy for having done so.