Catch the Butterfly

The other day I was listening to a program on Catholic Family Radio.  The host caught my attention when she was speaking to a caller asking about what to do when her prayer or meditation time was distracted by other thoughts.  “Boy,” I thought, “That happens to me.”  Along with thoughts about what a poor example I must be, unworthy, selfish.

I listened carefully though to the host’s advice to the caller.  She said it is not unusual at all to be distracted during prayer, meditation, the Mass; it happened to her too.  Then she described to the caller a little private revelation she had experienced.

The host had been thinking about the number of times that she was distracted in her prayer time and saw in her mind the Blessed Mother, with the Child Jesus playing nearby.  He was about three years old.  A butterfly was flitting by, Mary reached out with her hand and smiling, caught the butterfly gently.

She went on to explain, “That butterfly is the prayer or meditation that flutters away when I become distracted.  Mary’s answer to me is when I get distracted to reach out and catch the butterfly.  That helps me redirect my thoughts back to my prayer.”

 “Wow!”  I thought.  “I have to try this.” 

I have and it works.  It’s gentle, but purposeful.  Trust our Mother Mary to help us find our way to God, especially in our very distracted world.

Just reach out and catch the butterfly.