STAY CONNECTED SPIRITUALLY."
Andrew Cuomo, Governor
New York State
March 23, 2020
This is the way we have been brought up in the culture if the northeastern corner of
the United States. The exhortation of the Governor of New York is not a new way of
being for us. When I heard it on Monday morning, March 23, it brought me to the
scenes in Luke's Gospel about the story of the Annunciation. How could I not think
of the Joseph and Mary situation? How could I not wonder what happened after
Joseph's dream? How could I not wonder about their family life through the years?
How could I avoid reflecting on the many physical separations that I now experience
after so many years of life? How could I avoid the flood of spiritual connections that
fill my soul and nourish my conversations with Our Lord and His Mother every night
in the moment between pulling the covers over myself and the embrace of sister sleep?
We of the northeastern corner of the United States are not "chatty" by nature. We go
about our lives quietly and privately, all the while accepting that our social contract is
that when the neighbor is in need, that moment of need is our moment of need as well.
We grow up appreciating the truth that a quiet, almost silent neighbor is a good
neighbor. We grow up physically "distant" while maintaining a "spiritual" connection.
That is also why we have a deep appreciation for the Angel Gabriel's comforting words,
"Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found Grace before the Lord."
(Luke 1, 30) By his demeanor the angel gave proof that Mary had a significant
spiritual connection with God. Put it all together and the miracle of the spiritual
connection beween us and God, is also a reality that strengthens our spiritual
connection with one another.
When we think of this in connection with the miracle of La Salette it opens our soul
to a deepeer undertanding of the opening words of the Beautiful Lady's greeting,
"Come near, my children, do not be afraid. I have come to tell you great news."
Happy Annunciation.
