Teachable moments during pandemic require a listening ear

In his book “The Problem of Pain,” C.S. Lewis says, “(Pain) is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

As a St. Mary’s Dominican senior sitting in religion class, I felt that quote resonate with me. Not because of any particular painful experience that had happened, but more so, I remember sitting there thinking, “For the rest of my life, I want to ask, ‘God, what are you teaching me when hard moments come?’”

There are many moments from 2020 where I can look back and see God trying to rouse a deaf world.

Jesus speaks. Do we have the ears to hear it? Do we relay his voice to our children? Are we teaching them to hear it? As we look back on 2020, do we see moments of grace? Has our world become so loud that we can barely hear him?

I asked several parents about their 2020 experience. The responses were honest and mixed. And if I’m being honest, my response would be a little mixed, too.

Because of the events of 2020, I am praying the rosary more, yet also struggling with the anxiety about the world around me. I hope to look back and see 2020 as a year of great spiritual growth.

Here are some of the responses I received because of the events of 2020:

• I have begun attending more frequent confession.

• I have felt very alone.

• I have recommitted myself to praying the rosary more frequently.

•  I have felt separated from my church home.

• I am studying the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

• I have drunk more.

• My personal prayer life has increased – more disciplined prayer time, quiet time, Scripture time and journal time.

•  I have become more anxious and scared.

•  My domestic church has gotten stronger.

•  I have struggled to trust the Church.

• I am more appreciative of the time I have with my kids and husband.

• We pray the rosary daily as a family.

• I know my kids and husband better because of our increased time together. I’m not jumping back to fill our social calendar with events because our family comes first.

• I have come to a deeper appreciation of the body of Christ and the celebration of the Mass.

• I saw that, no matter how bad it gets or even if my worst fears come true, God has my life and future in his hands. I can trust him with everything even when my life doesn’t look as I had planned or expected.

The events of 2020 have shaken us. May we hear God when he speaks. May we be rooted in the firm foundation of Christ and not in our own shifting sand.

Casey Sprehe is a wife, mother and member of St. Benilde Parish. She’s blessed to be able to stay home with their four children. She is involved in the Charismatic Renewal, which she credits for helping her faith come alive. With a master’s degree in catechesis and evangelization, she has a heart for the new evangelization as she ministers. Her three favorite things to do are take walks, take showers and take-out.